TechCrunch has unveiled the program for its Founder Summit, a one-day gathering for startup builders set for November 4 at Boston's SoWa Power Station. The agenda centers on the practical decisions that shape early-stage companies: raising capital, recruiting teams, validating demand and building with artificial intelligence at the core.
Startup lessons for a changing market
Fundraising will be a major focus, with Underscore partner Brian Devaney examining what investors value today, from early conversations to term-sheet decisions. Cogent Security co-founder Vineet Edupuganti will add a founder's perspective on selecting investment partners based on long-term alignment rather than valuation alone.
HubSpot co-founder and Sequoia partner Brian Halligan will explore how the role of a CEO changes as a company grows. His session will focus on leadership evolution, organizational resilience and the choices that help businesses move beyond their early stages.
AI-native models and durable growth
Artificial intelligence will feature prominently in a session led by 7AI co-founder and CEO Lior Div. Rather than treating AI as an added feature, the discussion will consider what it means to create an AI-native company, including its effects on product development, operations, team structure and market strategy.
The program also addresses category leadership and scalable innovation. TDK Ventures investment director Tina Tosukhowong will present a framework for assessing companies through economics, scalability and commercial timing. NEA partner Melissa Taunton will discuss how early hiring choices influence culture, execution and adaptability.
Additional sessions will cover product-market fit with Bessemer Venture Partners' Kent Bennett and Boston's startup ecosystem with HqO co-founder Chase Garbarino. Alongside the talks, the event will bring together founders and investors for peer exchange around shared growth challenges.
By connecting operational insight with emerging AI opportunities, the summit reflects how startup ecosystems may increasingly prioritize sustainable execution, informed capital and technology built for lasting impact.
