人工智能可能主导风险投资领域，但许多持久的公司不会仅仅是销售 AI 模型或代理。这场会议针对在 AI 热潮市场中争夺关注的创业者。专家小组将解析当前真正重要的内容：高效增长、用户留存、收入质量和有纪律的执行，以及为什么基础而非炒作仍然能造就爆发性企业。
与 Michel Tricot：https://www.linkedin.com/in/micheltricot/，Airbyte 首席执行官兼联合创始人；Rob Toews：https://www.linkedin.com/in/robtoews/，Radical Ventures 合伙人；以及 Linda Tong：https://www.linkedin.com/in/lktong/，Webflow 首席执行官。
如今几乎所有 AI 创业者都有相同的担忧：如果 OpenAI 或 Anthropic 推出与我的产品竞争的产品怎么办？即便是强大的产品也有成为大企业附属功能的风险。这场会议将探讨防御性所在，以及创业者在面对快速发展的 AI 巨头竞争时可以采取的措施。
与 Jas Khaira：http://linkedin.com/in/jasvinder-khaira-9737061b3/?skipRedirect=true，黑石集团全球主管 N1
AI 创业公司扩展速度更快，对资本的需求也比以往任何一代都更大。Blackstone N1 全球主管 Jas Khaira 分享了持久型公司与早期动力的区别，创业者在扩展过程中应如何思考资本，以及 Blackstone 在支持下一代定义行业类别的企业时关注的要点。
与 Matt Birnbaum：https://www.linkedin.com/in/birnbing/，Wylder.co 创始人，Ioana Hreninciuc：https://www.linkedin.com/in/ioanahreninciuc/，Runware，Atli Thorkelsson：https://www.linkedin.com/in/atlit，Redpoint Ventures 人才网络副总裁
人工智能初创公司的增长让每一家科技公司在招聘和留人方面变得更加困难。从争夺 AI 人才到应对二级市场销售，创始人们正在重新思考初创公司的人员结构。随着激励措施和员工期望的快速变化，本次会议将探讨公司如何调整薪酬、文化和团队建设策略，以在一个根本改变的市场中吸引和留住顶尖人才。
与 Puneet Agarwal：https://www.linkedin.com/in/puneet324/，管理合伙人，True Ventures；Austin Clements：https://www.linkedin.com/in/austinclements/，管理合伙人，Slauson and Co；以及 Sandhya Venkatachalam：https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandhyavenkatachalam/，创始人兼管理合伙人，Axiom Partners
与 Ryan Meadows 合作：https://www.linkedin.com/in/rmeadows/，Lovable 首席营收官； Tomasz Tunguz：https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomasztunguz/，Theory Ventures 普通合伙人兼创始人； Ben Broca：https://www.linkedin.com/in/benbroca/，Polsia 创始人
嘉宾：Alexa von Tobel：https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexavontobel/，Inspired Capital；Chi-Hua Chien：https://www.linkedin.com/in/chchien/，Goodwater Capital 联合创始人兼管理合伙人；更多嘉宾将陆续公布
与 Stacy Brown-Philpot：https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacyphilpot/，Cherryrock Capital 创始人兼管理合伙人；Chi-Hua Chien：https://www.linkedin.com/in/chchien/，Goodwater Capital 联合创始人兼管理合伙人；Dayna Grayson：https://www.linkedin.com/in/daynagrayson/，Construct Capital；Carter Reum：https://www.linkedin.com/in/carterreum/，M13 联合创始人兼管理合伙人；Alexa Von Tobel：https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexavontobel/，Inspired Capital
微软测试修复最新持续数小时的 Outlook 故障：https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/31/microsoft-tests-fix-for-latest-hours-long-outlook-outage/ Sarah Perez：https://techcrunch.com/author/sarah-perez/
在拒绝重新命名安大略湖后，MapQuest 的应用在导航类目中跃升至第一：https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/31/mapquests-app-surges-to-no-1-in-navigation-after-refusing-to-rename-lake-ontario/ Sarah Perez：https://techcrunch.com/author/sarah-perez/
Hugging Face 正在出售一款可爱的 399 美元开源鸭子机器人 Microduck：https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/27/hugging-face-is-selling-a-cute-399-open-source-duck-robot-microduck/ Rebecca Bellan：https://techcrunch.com/author/rebecca-bellan/
The Builders Stage is returning to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 ：https://techcrunch.com/events/techcrunch-disrupt/?utm_source=tc&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=disrupt2026&utm_content=agenda&promo=post_buildersstage80_07012026&display=, bringing together founders, startup operators, and investors for practical conversations on what it takes to build and scale successful companies.
Hear from startup and venture leaders shaping the tech ecosystem, including Grant Lee, CEO and co-founder of Gamma; Leah Solivan, founder and general partner at Precedent.vc; Robby Stein, VP of Product at Google; and more ：https://techcrunch.com/events/techcrunch-disrupt/speakers/?promo=post_buildersstage80_07012026&utm_campaign=disrupt2026&utm_content=agenda&utm_medium=post&utm_source=tc. Through candid conversations and real-world case studies, speakers will share actionable insights on fundraising, hiring, go-to-market strategy, AI, and the operational decisions that fuel startup growth.
Join more than 10,000 founders, investors, startup operators, and technology leaders at Moscone Center in San Francisco on October 13-15. Register today and save ：https://techcrunch.com/events/techcrunch-disrupt/tickets/?promo=post_buildersstage80_07012026&utm_campaign=disrupt2026&utm_content=agenda&utm_medium=post&utm_source=tc before our next ticket price increase.
Building a startup is one thing. Building a company that can scale is another challenge entirely. The Builders Stage is one of six industry-focused stages at Disrupt 2026 ：https://techcrunch.com/events/techcrunch-disrupt/agenda/?promo=post_buildersstage80_07012026&utm_campaign=disrupt2026&utm_content=agenda&utm_medium=post&utm_source=tc, dedicated to helping founders navigate the challenges of growth, from raising capital and hiring top talent to building go-to-market engines and preparing for the jump from seed to Series A.
Every session delivers practical strategies you can put to work immediately, plus opportunities to engage directly with speakers during live Q&A. Secure your pass to Disrupt 2026 today ：https://techcrunch.com/events/techcrunch-disrupt/tickets/?promo=post_buildersstage80_07012026&utm_campaign=disrupt2026&utm_content=agenda&utm_medium=post&utm_source=tc and save up to $330 before rates increase.
Without further ado, here’s your first look at the Builders Stage agenda, with more speakers ：https://techcrunch.com/events/techcrunch-disrupt/speakers/?promo=post_buildersstage80_07012026&utm_campaign=disrupt2026&utm_content=agenda&utm_medium=post&utm_source=tc and sessions to be announced as we get closer to the event.
With Shan Shan ：https://www.linkedin.com/in/shan0343/ , Investment Manager, Baillie Gifford; and Yuri Sagalov：https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurisagalov/, Managing Director at General Catalyst
AI may dominate the world of venture, but many enduring companies won’t be those that sell AI models or agents. This session is for founders competing for attention in an AI-obsessed market. Panelists break down what actually matters now: efficient growth, retention, revenue quality, and disciplined execution, and why fundamentals, not hype, still build breakout businesses.
With Michel Tricot ：https://www.linkedin.com/in/micheltricot/ , CEO and Co-founder, Airbyte; Rob Toews ：https://www.linkedin.com/in/robtoews/ , Partner, Radical Ventures; and Linda Tong ：https://www.linkedin.com/in/lktong/ , CEO, Webflo w
Nearly all AI founders have the same worry these days: What if OpenAI or Anthropic launches a product that competes with mine? Even strong products are at risk of becoming features of the larger players. This session explores where defensibility exists and what founders can do if they do face competition from rapidly evolving AI giants.
With Jas Khaira：http://linkedin.com/in/jasvinder-khaira-9737061b3/?skipRedirect=true, Global Head, Blackstone N1
AI startups are scaling faster, and demanding more capital, than any generation before them. Jas Khaira, Global Head of Blackstone N1, shares what separates enduring companies from early momentum, how founders should think about capital as they scale, and what Blackstone looks for when backing the next generation of category-defining businesses.
With Matt Birnbaum：https://www.linkedin.com/in/birnbing/, Founder, Wylder.co, Ioana Hreninciuc：https://www.linkedin.com/in/ioanahreninciuc/, Runware, Atli Thorkelsson：https://www.linkedin.com/in/atlit, VP, Talent Network, Redpoint Ventures
The growth of AI startups has made hiring and retention more difficult for every tech company. From competing for AI talent to navigating secondary sales, founders are rethinking the human infrastructure of their startups. As incentives and employee expectations rapidly evolve, this session explores how companies are adapting compensation, culture, and team-building strategies to attract and retain top talent in a fundamentally changed market.
With Puneet Agarwal：https://www.linkedin.com/in/puneet324/, Managing Partner, True Ventures; Austin Clements ：https://www.linkedin.com/in/austinclements/ , Managing Partner, Slauson and Co; and Sandhya Venkatachalam ：https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandhyavenkatachalam/ , Founder and Managing Partner, Axiom Partners
Founders are increasingly expected to compete for capital before they even have a product. At the pre-seed stage, investors are betting on story, conviction, and founder-market fit. This session breaks down how to build credibility before revenue exists so investors will cut that first check.
With Robby Stein ：https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbystein/ , VP, Product, Google
The instincts that win when building your first minimum viable product can break you at a billion-user scale. In this fireside, Robby Stein shares how product decision-making changes when every update impacts billions of users. Hear how teams balance speed with trust and innovation with reliability at one of the world’s largest product organizations.
With Josh Reeves ：https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuareeves/ , CEO and Co-founder, Gusto; more speakers to be announced
Early-stage companies are no longer just building with AI; they’re hiring it. As AI agents take on engineering, support, and operations, the definition of an early team is being rewritten. This session explores how founders decide what humans should own versus what gets delegated to AI, and how high-growth startups are building hybrid teams without losing speed, accountability, or culture.
With Maria Angelidou-Smith：https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-angelidou-smith, CPO, Reddit
AI isn’t just adding features, it’s forcing product teams to rethink how people search, discover, communicate, travel, and make decisions. Leaders from Reddit, Square and Uber discuss how they’re redesigning products used by millions, what users actually want from AI, and where product leaders should resist the temptation to automate everything.
With Karl Alomar ：https://www.linkedin.com/in/karl-alomar-0516a219/ , Managing Partner, M13 and Lindsey Mignano ：https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsey-mignano-477a0167/ , Founder, Mignano Law Group
The smartest founders today aren’t just building for IPOs; they’re also building with possible acquisitions in mind from day one. As exits shift and capital tightens, understanding M&A early has become a competitive advantage. This session breaks down how founders can create the possibility of such an option through product strategy and partnerships. It delves into how big-dollar startup outcomes actually happen, even for small companies.
Jahanvi Sardana ：https://www.linkedin.com/in/jahanvi-sardana-4519a19a/ , Partner, Index Ventures; Shailendra Singh ：https://www.linkedin.com/in/shailendraj1/ , Managing Director, Peak XV; and Janelle Teng Wade：https://www.linkedin.com/in/janelleteng1/, Partner, Bessemer Venture Partners
Series A is getting harder, with VCs growing more demanding. For founders planning to raise in the next one to two years, this session breaks down what “fundable” will actually mean in 2027. Hear how top investors are redefining the metrics, teams, and traction that matter now, what outdated fundraising playbooks no longer work, and how companies can separate from the pack in the next funding cycle.
With Ryan Meadows ：https://www.linkedin.com/in/rmeadows/ , Chief Revenue Officer, Lovable; and Tomasz Tunguz：https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomasztunguz/, General Partner and Founder, Theory Ventures; Ben Broca：https://www.linkedin.com/in/benbroca/, Founder, Polsia
The definition of traction has changed. What once took years is now expected in months, and $0 to $10 million ARR is increasingly becoming the new early-stage baseline. This session breaks down how AI-enabled execution, faster distribution, and shifting investor expectations are compressing GTM timelines, and the tactical levers founders need in the first 90 days to accelerate revenue and stand out fast.
With Mo Jomaa ：https://www.linkedin.com/in/mojomaa0/ , Partner, Capital G; and Zuzanna Stamirowska ：https://www.linkedin.com/in/stamirowska/ , CEO and Co-founder, Pathway; more speakers to be announced
The frontier is moving faster than any single model can keep up with, and the teams building the most successful AI products are increasingly orchestrating across many models rather than betting on just one. This panel brings together founders and operators at the center of that shift to discuss how they evaluate new models, manage cost and reliability at scale, and architect products that can evolve as quickly as the underlying technology.
With Shay Grinfield：https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaygrinfeld, Greenfield Partners
The AI conversation is shifting from what models can say to what they can actually do. Agents are navigating the open web and completing work, AI systems are taking on increasingly ambitious research, intelligent machines are beginning to operate beyond the screen, and a new infrastructure layer is emerging to make all of this possible at scale.
Greenfield Partners’ Shay Grinfeld sits down with founders building across these emerging areas to separate what’s real today from what’s coming next, and explore where the biggest new opportunities are taking shape. The conversation will culminate in the reveal of Greenfield Partners’ 2026 AI Disruptors 60, spotlighting the companies Greenfield and TechCrunch believe are pushing AI into new territory.
With Rajeev Dham ：https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajeev-dham-79332812/ , Managing Director, Sapphire Ventures; and Rahul Vohra ：https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulvohra/ , Founder and Head of Superhuman Mail; more speakers to be announced
In an AI hype cycle, product-market fit signals are easier to fake and harder to trust. Founders are mistaking early excitement, usage spikes, and pilot wins for durable traction. This session breaks down what false PMF actually looks like, how investors and operators separate real retention from hype-driven adoption, and the signals that indicate whether a company has true pull or just temporary momentum.
With Grant Lee ：https://www.linkedin.com/in/grantslee/ , CEO and Co-founder, Gamma; Leah Solivan：https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahsolivan/, Founder and General Partner, Precedent.vc ; and Elia Wallen：https://www.linkedin.com/in/elia-wallen/, Founder and CEO, Engine
Early customer acquisition is not about marketing spend; it’s about founder-led distribution and relentless execution. Most startups at zero to one do not have budget, brand, or scale, only urgency and creativity. This session breaks down how founders are landing their first customers through community building, product-led growth, founder-led sales, strategic outbound, and word-of-mouth momentum.
With Nell Daly ：https://www.linkedin.com/in/nellgibbondaly/ , Co-founder and Managing Partner, Revenge Capital; David H. Rosmarin ：https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhrosmarin/ , Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School; and Jack Withinshaw ：https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackwithinshaw/ , Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Airspeeder
Company building is as psychologically demanding as it is strategic, and most founder narratives understate that reality. In this candid conversation, founders and mental performance experts unpack the hidden costs of high-growth environments, from burnout and decision fatigue to the identity strain of sustained pressure, and share the systems, habits, and mental frameworks that help leaders endure and perform at a high level.
With Filip Kaliszan：https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaliszan, CEO and Co-founder, Verkada; and Aaron Jacobson：https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronejacobson/, Partner, New Enterprise Associates; Maddi Holman：https://www.linkedin.com/in/maddi-holman-0b5b5a113/, General Partner, Daring Ventures
Most startups stall out because they build a single great product instead of a repeatable multi-product engine. Join a venture capitalist and two founders as they reveal the precise operational playbook for capital allocation, systemizing internal innovation, and engineering a compounding “Second Act” before the core product’s growth curve flattens.
With Matt Birnbaum ：https://www.linkedin.com/in/birnbing/ , Founder, Wylder.co; and Atli Thorkelsson ：https://www.linkedin.com/in/atlit/ , VP, Talent Network, Redpoint Ventures; more speakers to be announced
No question about it, the growth of AI startups has made hiring and retention for all tech companies more difficult. From competing for AI talent to secondary sales, founders are rethinking the human infrastructure of their startups. As hiring, incentives, and employee expectations rapidly evolve, this session explores how companies are adapting compensation, culture, and team-building strategies to attract and retain top talent in a fundamentally changed startup environment.
With Zach Yadegari, ：https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachyadegari Founder, Cal AI
Startups can go from zero to viral overnight, but sustaining that momentum is a completely different challenge. In this fireside, Zach Yadegari shares how Cal AI navigated rapid growth, product pressure, and the realities of building in a distribution-driven market. Hear the lessons behind turning breakout attention into durable retention and long-term company building.
With Alexa von Tobel：https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexavontobel/ , Inspired Capital; and Chi-Hua Chien：https://www.linkedin.com/in/chchien/, Co-founder and Managing Partner, Goodwater Capital; more speakers to be announced
What separates the breakout companies from the rest at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026? In this candid debrief, Startup Battlefield judges unpack the trends and founder qualities that stood out in real time, from shifting investor expectations to the narratives that resonated most this year. The conversation will also explore how startup storytelling is evolving and what happens after the spotlight, including the realities of maintaining momentum and surviving the critical 12 months after a major launch, funding round, or Startup Battlefield appearance.
With Stacy Brown-Philpot：https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacyphilpot/, Founder & Managing Partner at Cherryrock Capital; Chi-Hua Chien：https://www.linkedin.com/in/chchien/, Co-founder & Managing Partner, Goodwater Capital; Dayna Grayson：https://www.linkedin.com/in/daynagrayson/, Construct Capital; Carter Reum：https://www.linkedin.com/in/carterreum/, Co-founder and Managing Partner, M13; Alexa Von Tobel：https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexavontobel/, Inspired Capital
What makes an investor say yes? In this audience-led Q&A, the Startup Battlefield finals judges take your toughest questions on what separates a fundable startup from the rest: team, traction, market opportunity, pitch delivery, red flags, and more. Come ready to ask and get candid answers straight from the investors making the decisions.
If you’re ready to build smarter, scale faster, and learn from the leaders shaping the future of startups, secure your pass to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 today ：https://techcrunch.com/events/techcrunch-disrupt/tickets/?promo=post_buildersstage80_07012026&utm_campaign=disrupt2026&utm_content=agenda&utm_medium=post&utm_source=tc.
When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission：https://techcrunch.com/techcrunch-affiliate-monetization-standards/. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.
Don’t miss out . The startup community will gather to answer a pivotal question: How do you build sustainably in the AI era?
Norway considers ban on camera-enabled wearable ‘pervert glasses’：https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/02/norway-considers-ban-on-camera-enabled-wearable-pervert-glasses/ Zack Whittaker：https://techcrunch.com/author/zack-whittaker/
Uber is laying off 10% of staff, or 3,300 people：https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/02/uber-is-laying-off-10-of-staff-or-3300-people/ Ram Iyer：https://techcrunch.com/author/ram-iyer/
Apple shares ‘shocking evidence’ against former employee accused of stealing company data for OpenAI：https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/31/apple-shares-shocking-evidence-against-former-employee-accused-of-stealing-company-data-for-openai/ Amanda Silberling：https://techcrunch.com/author/amanda-silberling/
Microsoft tests fix for latest hours-long Outlook outage：https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/31/microsoft-tests-fix-for-latest-hours-long-outlook-outage/ Sarah Perez：https://techcrunch.com/author/sarah-perez/
MapQuest’s app surges to No. 1 in Navigation after refusing to rename Lake Ontario：https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/31/mapquests-app-surges-to-no-1-in-navigation-after-refusing-to-rename-lake-ontario/ Sarah Perez：https://techcrunch.com/author/sarah-perez/
Hugging Face is selling a cute $399 open source duck robot, Microduck：https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/27/hugging-face-is-selling-a-cute-399-open-source-duck-robot-microduck/ Rebecca Bellan：https://techcrunch.com/author/rebecca-bellan/
Nvidia closes in on Hugging Face acquisition：https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/26/nvidia-closes-in-on-hugging-face-acquisition/ Connie Loizos：https://techcrunch.com/author/connie-loizos/
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