Scaling Startups: The Builders Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026

Introduction: A Stage Built for Growth

At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, the Builders Stage is redefining how we think about startup scaling. This dedicated stage brings together founders, investors, and industry leaders to share real-world strategies and actionable insights on building companies that not only survive but thrive in today's fast-evolving market.

"Building a startup is one thing. Building a company that can scale is another challenge entirely."

As we look toward 2026, the stakes have never been higher for startups aiming to grow sustainably. With venture capital becoming increasingly selective and AI transforming core business operations, the need for practical, forward-thinking guidance has never been more urgent.

The Builders Stage Agenda: A Deep Dive into Scaling Strategies

With over 20 sessions planned across three days, the Builders Stage offers a comprehensive view of what it takes to scale a startup. Each session is carefully curated with input from industry veterans and those who are actively building in the field.

How to Win When You're Not Building AI

In an AI-obsessed market, this panel explores what truly matters: efficient growth, retention, revenue quality, and disciplined execution. It's a reminder that fundamentals still build breakout businesses even when trends shift dramatically.

What Happens When OpenAI Ships Your Roadmap

This session addresses the core concern many founders face: what if a tech giant like OpenAI launches a product that directly competes with yours? Panelists will discuss strategies for maintaining defensibility in a rapidly changing landscape.

Building the Next Generation of AI Giants

As AI startups scale faster than ever before, understanding how to manage capital and differentiate yourself from early momentum is critical. This session features insights from Jas Khaira, Global Head of Blackstone N1, on what separates enduring companies from those with fleeting success.

Competing for AI Talent: Pay, Equity, and Retention

The growth of AI startups has made hiring and retention more challenging for every tech company. Founders must now restructure how they approach human infrastructure to attract and retain top talent amid shifting expectations and market dynamics.

Winning Pre-Seed Without a Product

This session is essential for early-stage founders who are often expected to compete for capital before having a product. It breaks down how to build credibility through story, conviction, and founder-market fit.

From MVP to Billions of Users: How Product Decisions Must Change at Scale

Robby Stein, VP of Product at Google, shares how product decision-making changes when every update impacts billions of users. His insights offer a roadmap for balancing speed with trust and innovation with reliability.

Hiring When AI Is a Co-Founder

As AI agents increasingly take on engineering, support, and operations roles, this session explores how founders can decide what humans should own versus what gets delegated to AI. It's about building hybrid teams without losing speed or culture.

Rebuilding Consumer Products for the AI Era

This session delves into how leaders from companies like Reddit, Square, and Uber are redesigning products used by millions. They discuss what users actually want from AI and where product leaders should resist automating everything.

M&A Is Now an Early-Stage Strategy

With exits shifting and capital tightening, understanding M&A early has become a competitive advantage. This session discusses how founders can create acquisition possibilities through product strategy and partnerships.

The Series A in 2027

Series A funding is getting harder as VCs grow more demanding. This session offers insights into what "fundable" means in 2027, how investors are redefining success metrics, and what strategies will help companies stand out.

The 90-Day GTM: Why $0–$10M ARR Is the New Baseline

With definition of traction changing rapidly, this session breaks down how AI-enabled execution, faster distribution, and shifting investor expectations are compressing go-to-market timelines. It's about accelerating revenue in the first 90 days.

The Real Tokenmaxxing: How the Best AI Companies Navigate a Multi-Model World

This panel brings together leaders at the forefront of AI product development, discussing how they evaluate new models, manage cost and reliability at scale, and architect products that can evolve quickly.

Revealing AI Disruptors 60: What Can AI Do Next?

Greenfield Partners' Shay Grinfield sits down with founders building across emerging AI areas to separate what's real today from what's coming next. The session culminates in the reveal of Greenfield Partners' 2026 AI Disruptors 60.

PMF Red Flags: How to Tell If You Really Have It

In an AI hype cycle, distinguishing between real product-market fit and temporary excitement is crucial. This session breaks down the red flags of false PMF and how to identify true traction versus hype-driven adoption.

The Zero-to-1K Playbook: How to Get Your First 1,000 Customers Without a Marketing Budget

Early customer acquisition isn't about marketing spend—it's about founder-led distribution and relentless execution. This session explores how founders are landing their first customers through community building, product-led growth, and strategic outbound.

Yes, It's Hard to Be a Founder: An Honest Conversation

This candid conversation unpacks the psychological demands of company building. Founders and mental performance experts share systems and habits that help leaders endure and perform at high levels under sustained pressure.

So You've Got a Hit Product. How Does Your Company Do It Again?

This session reveals how to engineer a compounding “Second Act” before the core product's growth curve flattens. It covers capital allocation, internal innovation systematization, and maintaining momentum.

Hiring, Compensation and Culture in the Most Competitive Market Ever

With AI startups making hiring more difficult for all tech companies, this session explores how compensation, culture, and team-building strategies must adapt to attract and retain top talent in a fundamentally changed market.

How to Create Viral Growth and Capitalize on It

Zach Yadegari shares lessons learned from Cal AI's journey through rapid growth, product pressure, and the realities of building in a distribution-driven market. He discusses turning breakout attention into durable retention.

The High-Conviction Filter: What We Learned From the Battlefield

This candid debrief features Startup Battlefield judges unpacking trends and founder qualities that stood out during the event. It also explores how startup storytelling is evolving and what happens after major launches or funding rounds.

Ask the Investors

In this audience-led Q&A, Startup Battlefield finals judges answer tough questions about what separates a fundable startup from the rest. From team dynamics to market opportunity, founders will get straight answers from investors making the decisions.

Why the Builders Stage Matters Now More Than Ever

The Builders Stage is not just another conference track—it's a strategic resource for founders navigating the complex challenges of scaling in an era where AI is both a disruptor and enabler. Whether you're pre-seed, Series A, or well into your growth journey, this stage provides critical insights.

With speakers like Grant Lee, CEO of Gamma; Leah Solivan, founder and general partner at Precedent.vc; Robby Stein, VP of Product at Google; and many more, we're not just talking about theory—we're diving into real-world cases that matter to every startup leader.

Joining the Conversation

As someone who values structured, archive-driven journalism, I believe these sessions represent a crucial component of the startup ecosystem's knowledge base. They are designed for those ready to move beyond theory and implement strategies immediately.

More than 10,000 founders, investors, startup operators, and technology leaders will gather at Moscone Center in San Francisco from October 13-15. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with peers, learn from experts, and gain insights that can shape your company's future.

"The future of startups isn't just about innovation—it's about execution, strategy, and building systems that can scale."

If you're ready to build smarter, scale faster, and learn from the leaders shaping the future of startups, secure your pass to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 today. With over 20 expert-led sessions covering everything from fundraising to AI integration, this stage is essential for any founder serious about growth.

Register now and save up to $330 before rates increase.