On November 4th TechCrunch Founders Summit is bringing a vital one-day crash course in startup building to Boston’s SoWa Power Plant. Founders shouldn’t have to learn the hardest lessons the hard way, and this event is designed to make the challenges of starting a company easier and the achievements greater.
Instead of months of trial and error, you get direct access to the investors and founders who have already made the decisions you face now. We’re talking about everything from fundraising and recruiting to AI strategy and category leadership.
Don’t take our word for it. Explore the full schedule of speakers and sessions we have planned for Founder Summit below and reserve your spot at the event. All tickets are available at the lowest prices you’ll ever see, so now is the best time to act..
TechCrunch Founders Summit Official Agenda Revealed
Without further ado, here is the official agenda. Learn about every session and speaker in the event agenda page.
The new rules for obtaining capital
Fundraising has never been easy, but the playbook keeps changing. Brian Devaneypartner in Underlinewill break down what investors are looking for now, how founders can stand out in a crowded market, and where founders often lose influence without realizing it. Expect a candid look at the current fundraising environment, from early checks to term sheets to the mistakes that can make or break a round.
The CEO’s job is never easier
The title may remain the same, but the job changes with each stage of a company’s growth. HubSpot co-founder and Redwood couple Brian Halligan will share the lessons he’s learned from building and mentoring startups through rapid growth, difficult decisions, and constant reinvention.
This session explores how founders can evolve as CEOs, avoid common leadership pitfalls, and build companies that can thrive well beyond their inception.
Built for AI from day one
Adding AI features is one thing. Building an AI-native company is something else entirely. Lior Divco-founder and CEO of 7AIwill explore what changes when AI becomes the foundation of a startup rather than a product enhancement. From team structure and product development to operations and go-to-market strategy, this session examines what founders should rethink when building in the age of AI.
Not all dollars are equal
Raising capital is often considered a milestone, but choosing the right investors can shape a company’s future long after the money arrives. After raising an $11 million round for Compelling securityco-founder and CEO Vineet Edupuganti I learned firsthand what separates helpful partners from costly distractions. This session explores how founders should evaluate investors, navigate compensation, and think beyond valuation when creating their cap table.
How to Spot the ‘King of the Hill’ Company: Hidden Signs That Define Category Winners
Innovation is needed to solve the world’s biggest challenges, but only certain companies can realistically become category winners on an industrial scale. In this session, TDK Companies investment director Tina Tosukhowong breaks down the company’s “King of the Hill” framework: the disciplined process that top investors use to evaluate companies based on economics, scalability, and business momentum.
Through real-world examples, including Tina’s exploration of fission and merger, attendees will learn practical frameworks for assessing startup readiness, mapping competitive landscapes, and identifying when time, talent, and technology align.
Your company is who you hire
Early hiring decisions can define a startup’s culture, speed, and ability to execute. Melissa Tauntonpartner in NEAwill share lessons from working with founders as they build teams during periods of rapid growth and uncertainty.
From identifying the right first hires to avoiding common hiring mistakes, this session explores how founders can build organizations that are resilient, adaptable, and prepared for what’s next.
The Boston Founder’s Handbook
Silicon Valley grabs the headlines, but Chase Garbarino has been quietly building category-defining companies out of Boston for over a decade. As co-founder and CEO of HqOhas raised $200 million from investors and has scaled to more than 30 countries without having to change geography.
He’ll break down the real pros and cons of building where the startup playbook wasn’t written, and what every founder outside of a major hub should know.
Finding product-market fit before scaling
Every founder wants their product-market fit, but knowing when they’ve found it is much more complicated. Ken Bennettpartner in Bessemer Venture Partnerswill discuss how founders can validate demand, create an MVP that answers the right questions, and avoid scaling before the fundamentals are in place.
This session explores the signals that matter, the metrics that mislead, and the decisions that separate lasting businesses from costly experiments.
What happens beyond the Founder Summit sessions?
Programming is a big part of TechCrunch Founders SummitThe value, but it is not everything. You’ll also have the opportunity to network with founders who are working on the same fundraising decisions and hiring calls as you, and then network with those who have already had those experiences. Or better yet… those who have funded those who have been through the startup wringer.
A day full of discussions turns into months of action at TechCrunch Founder Summit, and we can’t wait for you to join us and the rest of the Boston startup community on November 4. Register now to secure your ticket savings and join the ultimate bootcamp for founders.
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