Unlock Your Startup’s Potential at TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026

On November 4, TechCrunch’s Founder Summit arrives at Boston’s SoWa Power Station, offering a crucial, one-day intensive on startup entrepreneurship. Don’t learn the hard way—this event is crafted to simplify the challenges of launching your own company and elevate your chances of success.

Skip the months of uncertainty. Gain invaluable insights directly from seasoned founders and investors who have navigated the same decisions you’re facing today. Topics covered include fundraising, talent acquisition, AI strategies, and achieving excellence in your market.

Don’t just take our word for it. Check out the full list of speakers and sessions planned for the Founder Summit below, and secure your spot at the best price before tickets sell out.

Introducing the Official TechCrunch Founder Summit Agenda

Here’s the agenda you’ve been waiting for. Dive deeper into each session and speaker on our event agenda page.

Mastering Capital Raising: New Strategies for Founders

Fundraising may be daunting, but the landscape is evolving. Brian Devaney, a partner at Underscore, will guide you on what investors seek today and how to differentiate yourself in a saturated market. Discover the common pitfalls that can derail your fundraising efforts, from initial checks to term sheets.

The Evolving Role of the CEO: Adapting Through Growth

While your title remains the same, your responsibilities change with each growth phase. Join Brian Halligan, co-founder of Sequoia, as he shares invaluable lessons from guiding startups through intense growth, tough decisions, and reinvention.

This session will help you navigate your evolution as a CEO, sidestep common challenges, and build companies that thrive beyond their inception.

AI: The Core of Your Startup from the Ground Up

Integrating AI is one thing; establishing an AI-native company is on a different level. Lior Div, co-founder and CEO of 7AI, will discuss the significant shifts needed to make AI the backbone of your startup, affecting everything from team structure to market strategies.

Not All Capital is Created Equal

While raising money is viewed as a pivotal milestone, the right investors can influence your company’s trajectory well beyond the financials. Vineet Edupuganti, co-founder and CEO, shares insights from his experience raising $11 million for Cogent Security. Learn how to evaluate potential partners and make informed decisions beyond simple valuation while constructing your cap table.

Identifying Category Kings: The Signals of Success

Innovation drives solutions to critical challenges, but not every company can achieve category-defining status. Tina Tosukhowong of TDK Ventures unpacks their “King of the Hill” framework, exploring economics, scalability, and timing to identify potential market leaders.

You’ll leave equipped with actionable strategies to assess startup readiness and competitive positioning based on real-life examples, including discussions around the significance of timing, talent, and technology.

Building a Strong Foundation: The Importance of Hiring

Key hiring choices can shape your startup’s culture and operational efficiency. Melissa Taunton, partner at NEA, will advise on the essentials of assembling high-performing teams during times of rapid growth.

Discover how to identify the right early hires and dodge common recruitment pitfalls to create an agile, resilient organization ready for the future.

The Boston Advantage: Insights from a Local Innovator

While Silicon Valley grabs attention, Chase Garbarino has been crafting category-defining companies in Boston for over ten years. As co-founder and CEO of HqO, he’s raised $200 million and scaled across 30+ countries without relocating.

He’ll share the unique advantages and challenges of building outside conventional startup hubs and essential lessons for founders in all locales.

Achieving Product-Market Fit: A Prequisite for Scaling

Every founder seeks product-market fit, but recognizing when it’s achieved is complex. Kent Bennett, partner at Bessemer Venture Partners, breaks down how to validate demand, create an effective MVP, and delay scaling until the fundamentals are solid.

This session reveals vital signals, misleading metrics, and decisions that separate thriving companies from costly missteps.

What to Expect Beyond the Founder Summit Sessions

The programming offers incredible value, but it’s just the beginning. You’ll connect with fellow founders facing similar challenges and network with industry veterans who’ve successfully navigated their own entrepreneurial journeys.

Experience a day packed with insightful discussions that can transform into lasting action in your startup. Join us and the vibrant Boston startup community on November 4. Register now to enjoy ticket savings and participate in the ultimate founder bootcamp!