The funding landscape is changing rapidly, and in 2025 the old rules will no longer apply. Startups that survive flat, down, or extended rounds need to be more strategic than ever in securing their next round of funding. Traditional metrics like $100 million in IPO proceeds and $1 million Series A ARR are becoming obsolete. TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 explores the evolving dynamics that founders must understand to succeed in today's challenging capital markets.
The Builders stage features a panel of respected experts who have lived through these changes and risen to the top. Nikhil Basu Trivedi, Co-Founder and General Partner of Footwork. Dayna Grayson, co-founder and general partner of Construct Capital. and Elliott Robinson, partner at Bessemer Venture Partners, share insights on how startups can grow in an unpredictable funding environment.
meet the speaker
Nikhil Basu Trivedi, Footwork Co-Founder and General Partner
Nikhil Basu Trivedi has built a reputation as one of the sharpest minds in early stage consumer technology. At Footwork, we focus on startups at the intersection of consumer behavior and enterprise technology, a sector that is transforming the way investors evaluate opportunities. His investments in Canva, Lattice, and other category-defining companies demonstrate his talent for identifying breakout potential even in difficult markets. In Disrupt, Nikhil explains how founders can differentiate when traditional benchmarks don't apply.
Dayna Grayson, Co-Founder and General Partner of Construct Capital
Dayna Grayson's expertise lies in industries that have long resisted change, such as manufacturing and mobility. As co-founder of Construct Capital, she has led investments in companies that are rethinking traditional sectors and securing funding in an environment of slow growth and volatile investor confidence. With experience guiding startups such as Desktop Metal and Formlabs through various stages of funding, Dayna provides valuable insight into how companies in traditional industries can raise the capital they need to drive change. provide insight.
Elliott Robinson, Partner, Bessemer Venture Partners
Elliott Robinson is a cloud software guru whose work at Bessemer Venture Partners puts him at the forefront of the SaaS industry. A co-author of Bessemer's 10 Laws of Cloud Computing and the annual State of the Cloud Report, Elliott understands the key drivers investors are looking for in cloud and SaaS startups. From board seats at companies like Hinge Health and Canva to investments in Forter and Netlify, he has a bird's-eye view of how cloud companies weather rounds and market resets. At Disrupt, we will discuss how companies can secure funding during down rounds by highlighting the fundamentals of ensuring long-term success.
Join the discussion on how to navigate your fundraising journey today
Whether you're a founder navigating tough funding conditions or an investor looking for your next big opportunity, this conversation is one you won't want to miss. Join 10,000 technology, startup, and venture capital leaders at Disrupt 2024 and gain actionable insights into the strategies that will define your next round of funding.
Please wait. Tickets are selling fast. Join us for this important conversation at Disrupt 2024, October 28-30 at Moscone West in San Francisco. Get your pass before the price increases at the door. When you get an Expo+ 2-for-1 pass, you can join Plus 1 for half the price of an Expo+ pass.