Maria Palma, general partner at Freestyle Capital. She will bring her deep expertise in building and capital deploying to scale at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. She will participate in a panel discussion on the Builders Stage, focusing on one of the most critical moments in a founder’s journey: raising their first round of funding. We’re exceedingly excited about this annual conference of ours, which will run October 27-29 at Moscone West in San Francisco.
Palma’s pedigree is impressive, with executive positions at other high-growth startups including Eyeview. Additionally, her formative experiences at Kindred Capital and RRE Ventures provided tons of hands-on experience. Her time on all sides of the table has brought her unique perspectives on what it takes to raise that first round. She’s looking forward to spreading these tactics to more and more emerging entrepreneurs.
Insights from a Seasoned Investor
Palma’s presence at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 puts her in the midst of more than 10,000 fellow startup and venture capital leaders. The event is well-known for its dynamic discussions. It is high on great networking, creating for emerging founders the ideal platform to rub shoulders with industry veterans. Of all the Academy sessions, Palma’s should be the most in-demand, having led the way for other investors as the state’s most successful venture capitalist.
As a contributor to Business Insider and CNBC, Palma has established herself as a thought leader in the investment community. Her recent acknowledgment as one of Crain’s 40 Under 40 cements her as a powerful voice and expert to watch. Attendees should look for her to give specific actionable advice based on her experiences funding the next fastest growing companies in the world.
The Importance of Raising the First Round
The first round of funding is frequently the scariest hurdle for fledgling entrepreneurs. Palma’s session will cover some of the most frequent missteps and offer tactics for navigating this often high-stakes process. She combines her fierce intellect and extensive knowledge of operational and investment dynamics. Her mission is to give underrepresented founders the tools, resources and network they need to be successful.
Palma’s involvement with the VC Council of Startup:NYC highlights her commitment to supporting the startup ecosystem. Her perspective as an investor will be helpful for attendees looking to raise capital. Importantly, they will catalyze a broader discussion about how to better support innovation and entrepreneurship across the country.
A Gathering of Innovators
Don’t miss your chance to experience why TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is going to be the hottest new thing on the tech industry calendar. With over 250 tech heavyweights participating, the conference will showcase a diverse range of perspectives and expertise. Palma’s session is all about raising seed rounds. It’s a good start one of many that will take founders through the equally important topics of navigating the murky waters of startup capital.
