TechCrunch confuses 2025
đź“ŤOctober 27-29, San Francisco, Moscon West
Sign up now – Regular bird savings up to $668 September 26th at 11:59pm
Why join this conversation on the builder stage?
This honest, tactical conversation covers what's really important when raising the first institutional check, from telling a compelling story to building trust without traction. Charles Hudson and Wesley Chan share the traits they are consistently looking for in one founder from scratch, the red flag that raises eyebrows, and the most common mistakes that first entrepreneurs make when raising funds.
Bet on people before the product
Pre-seeding and seed fundraising often occurs before a product, user base, or traction occurs. In other words, investors are betting on the founder, not on the business. And few people know how to make that call better than Hudson or Chan. Among them, they helped hundreds of founders at the earliest stage before the pitch deck was polished, before there was a metric to display, and often before a line of code was shipped.
Charles Hudson, managing partner at Precursor Ventures, has invested in over 400 companies and supports over 450 founders. He recently built a reputation for supporting people with bold ideas and unique perspectives. “The faster you invest, the more important it is to believe in the founder's story and adaptive ability. It is not just about solving problems.
Wesley Chan, co-founder and managing partner of FPV Ventures, is known for making bold early bets on category definition companies. The Google veteran helps create Google Analytics and Google Voice, moved to ventures and supports unicorns such as Canva, Robinhood, and Plaid. His investment philosophy focuses on identifying mission-driven founders who can turn a crude beginning into lasting impact.
Practical insights into raising your first round
Whether you're currently growing or planning for your future, this session offers practical and practical advice on clearing up and confidently navigating your early venture. Don't miss out on the live shows, along with over 200 sessions taking place in five industry stages. Sign up now and save
đź“ŤTechCrunch will be held from 2025-October 27-29, San Francisco, Moscone West
Save up to $668 if you sign up by 11:59pm on September 26th.
TechCrunch Events
San Francisco | October 27-29, 2025