You're not alone. AI startups are accepting huge amounts of seed funding, and in the process, making things difficult for those looking for funding even at the pre-seed stage. We've covered this trend in depth, and at this year's TechCrunch Disrupt event, we want to help pre-seed founders who are currently trapped in seed-stage expectations.
As AI accelerates the development of minimally viable products faster than ever, is there any hope for founders with a compelling idea but nothing concrete to show for it? That's what our Winning Pre-Seed Without a Product panel aims to answer.
And this is just one of the many sessions you can look forward to on the popular Builders Stage at Disrupt 2026. It's where the most incisive conversations and workshops take place, tackling everything from operational decisions, financing, go-to-market strategies, and other important topics to hands-on.
And you can take part in all of it with the best deals on tickets to Disrupt 2026 at San Francisco's Moscone West from October 13th to 15th for the rest of the year.
For this particular session, we have assembled three incredible speakers to provide their expertise on this sensitive and vitally important topic.
Sandhya Venkatachalam: Founder, Managing Partner, Axiom Partners
Image credit: Axiom Partners
Mr. Venkachalam knows a thing or two about what investors are looking for when taking the plunge on companies that succeed through successful exits and ultimately through acquisitions. Her current role is to oversee the newly launched Axiom Partners. Axiom Partners is an early-stage $52 million venture fund focused on connecting founders with top AI practitioners to advance AI that improves the real world.
Previously, he worked as a GP at Khosla Ventures and Social Capital, where he was the first investor in Groq and also led investments in GalileoAI, ForethoughtAI, and FirefliesAI, all of which were acquired or reached unicorn status.
Puneet Agarwal: Managing Partner of True Ventures
Image credit: True Ventures
True Ventures is a mainstay in the startup community, dating back to 2005 and focusing on early-stage companies. And Agarwal has been there almost ever since 2008, now evolving into a managing partner with a particular focus on transforming enterprise infrastructure and applications in the age of AI.
If you want expert advice on what VCs want, Agarwal can provide it. True Ventures is more than just a fund. Across 12 funds, our partnerships range from over 500 companies and 1,050 founders to over 60 acquisitions and 7 IPOs.
Austin Clements: Slauson & Co. Managing Partner
Image credit: Slauson & Co.
Slauson & Co. isn't as big as True Ventures, but its mission and Clements' work within it will be particularly noteworthy to founders in the crowd. The company has a particular focus on economic inclusion and small business empowerment, and Clements has launched an internal accelerator to further this mission.
His commitment to expanding the founder community through inclusive efforts is also reflected in his work as founding chair of PledgeLA, which works with the Annenberg Foundation and the Los Angeles Mayor's Office to further the importance of diversity within the technology community.
And if you're a frequent reader, you might know one of the companies Slauson & Co. has invested in. Startup Battlefield 2026 Winner Glid!
Learn from the experts and experience the excitement of Disrupt 2026
These are just the beginning of the rollout of Disrupt 2026 programming leading up to the Oct. 13 kickoff in San Francisco.
And Battlefield highlights will remind you that Disrupt is more than just valuable insights and sessions, it's about celebrating our community, learning from our successes and stumbles, and preparing for new steps in our journey. Whether you're a founder, an investor, or someone who plays another important role in the startup ecosystem, now is the time to grab your tickets to Disrupt 2026.
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