No product? No problem. This Disrupt 2026 session shows how to get pre-seed funding with conviction, storytelling 

It’s not conscionable you: AI startups are taking successful a immense magnitude of effect funding, and successful the process making things harder for anyone looking for backing adjacent astatine a pre-seed stage. We’ve covered the inclination successful detail, and astatine this year’s TechCrunch Disrupt event, we privation to assistance pre-seed founders present being held to seed-stage expectations. 

With AI making the improvement of a minimum viable product swifter than ever, is determination adjacent anticipation for a laminitis who has a compelling idea, but thing factual to amusement for it? That’s what our “Winning Pre-Seed Without a Product” sheet will seek to answer. 

And it’s just 1 of the galore sessions you tin look forward to at our fashionable Builders Stage astatine Disrupt 2026. That’s where our astir pointed conversations and workshops instrumentality place, tackling everything from getting your hands soiled with operational decisions, fundraising, go-to-market strategies, and other vital subjects. 

And you tin beryllium a portion of it each by getting your summons to be Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco astatine Moscone West, October 13-15, astatine the champion prices you’ll find for the remainder of the year. 

As for this circumstantial session, we’ve gathered a large trio of speakers to supply their expertise on this nuanced and pivotal topic. 

Sandhya Venkatachalam: Founder, managing partner, Axiom Partners 

Image Credits:Axiom Partners

Venkatachalam both knows a happening oregon 2 astir having a palmy exit, and what investors are looking for when taking the plunge with companies that yet win done an acquisition of their own. Her existent relation is overseeing the newly launched Axiom Partners, which is an early-stage, $52 million venture fund that’s focused connected connecting founders to top-class AI practitioners to assistance substance AI that leads to real-world improvements. 

Previously, she worked arsenic a GP astatine Khosla Ventures and Social Capital, wherever she was the archetypal capitalist in Groq, and also led investments into GalileoAI, ForethoughtAI, and FirefliesAI, which person each either been acquired or reached unicorn status. 

Puneet Agarwal: Managing partner, True Ventures 

Image Credits:True Ventures

True Ventures has been a mainstay of the startup community, with a absorption on early-stage companies that stretches back to 2005. And Agarwal has worked determination for nearly that whole time, starting successful 2008 and present evolving into a managing spouse who’s particularly focused connected the translation of endeavor infrastructure and applications amid the AI era. 

If you’re looking for adept proposal connected what VCs want, Agarwal is present to supply it. True Ventures isn’t just a fund; it stretches crossed 12 funds, with partnerships stretching from much than 500 companies and 1,050 founders to much than 60 acquisitions and 7 IPOs. 

Austin Clements: Managing partner, Slauson & Co. 

Image Credits:Slauson & Co.

Slauson & Co. isn’t at the standard of True Ventures, but their mission, and Clements’ enactment wrong it, volition beryllium of particular note for the founders successful the crowd. They’re particularly focused connected economical inclusion and tiny concern empowerment, and Clements started an accelerator wrong the steadfast to hone successful on this ngo adjacent further.  

His enactment to broaden the laminitis assemblage done inclusive efforts is echoed successful his enactment arsenic the founding seat of PledgeLA, which successful concern with the Annenberg Foundation and LA mayor’s office, further promotes the value of diverseness wrong the tech community.  

And predominant readers whitethorn admit 1 of the companies Slauson & Co. has invested in: Startup Battlefield 2026 victor Glīd! 

Learn from experts, clasp the Disrupt 2026 excitement 

They’re just the opening of our rollout of Disrupt 2026 programming arsenic we physique up to our October 13 kickoff successful San Francisco.  

And fto that Battlefield item beryllium a reminder that Disrupt isn’t conscionable the invaluable insights and sessions — it’s getting to observe the community, larn from their occurrence and stumbles, and equip yourself for the caller measurement of your journey. Whether you’re a founder, investor, oregon playing immoderate fig of different captious roles successful the startup ecosystem, now’s the clip to get your Disrupt 2026 ticket!