TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026 takes place in Boston on November 4. The event is presented by Fidelity Private Shares and runs for two days at the SoWa Power Station.
Five days remain before the doors open. Registration closes soon, and current pricing allows for a discount of up to $100. A second pass is included for free.
Event format
The schedule features breakout sessions followed by interactive roundtables. The sessions cover practical topics such as distribution, fundraising, and emerging AI opportunities. Roundtables allow attendees to ask questions directly to speakers and exchange ideas with other founders.
Build Stage sessions
The Build Stage focuses on converting an idea into a growing business. Sessions cover distribution, fundraising, emerging AI opportunities, and pitching.
Distribution matters more than technology
Hunter Worland, Principal at NEA, will speak at a session titled The Next Startup Advantage. The talk explains why distribution can outweigh the technology itself. It covers how founders build a competitive advantage.
Fundraising advice
Kristen Craft from Fidelity Private Shares, Jennifer Neundorfer from January Ventures, and Darren Ross from THE·TEAM will discuss fundraising trends. They will explain what investors look for and how to prepare for the next raise.
AI opportunities
Amulya Vishwanath, CEO and Managing Partner at Techable VC, will lead a session on emerging AI opportunities. The talk explores where the next wave of AI startups could develop.
Pitching for meetings
Dave Balter, Venture Partner at True Ventures, will teach how to craft a pitch that captures investor interest. The goal is to earn the next conversation.
Impact Stage sessions
The Impact Stage focuses on decisions that help founders build sustainable, scalable businesses. Topics include product-market fit, accelerating growth, enterprise relationships, and identifying future category leaders.
Scaling timing
Rudina Seseri, Founder and Managing Partner at Glasswing Ventures, will speak on When to Scale and When to Hit the Brakes. The session covers hiring, product development, managing burn rate, and knowing when to accelerate growth after raising the first round.
Product-market fit
Kurt Bennett, Partner at Bessemer Venture Partners, will discuss Finding Product-Market Fit Before You Scale. He will cover validating customer demand, building an MVP, identifying growth signals, and avoiding premature scaling.
Enterprise partnerships
Kristen Craft of Fidelity Private Shares, Yossi Hayut of Wix Ventures, Evan Schnidman of Fidelity Investments, and Jennifer van Dijk of Boston Legacy FC will discuss enterprise relationships. They will explain how startups build strategic partnerships, unlock new markets, and accelerate growth.
Boston startup scene
Chase Garbarino, CEO and Co-founder of HqO, will speak on The Boston Founder Playbook. He will discuss building and scaling companies outside Silicon Valley. He will also cover the advantages and challenges of growing a business in Boston.
Category winners
Tina Tosukhowong, Investment Director at TDK Ventures, will teach how to spot the King of the Hill Company. She will explain how investors evaluate potential category leaders through economics, scalability, and commercial timing. The session includes frameworks for assessing startup readiness and competitive positioning.
Roundtables
Roundtables keep the conversation specific. Founders can discuss challenges such as entering difficult industries, building an events strategy without a dedicated team, and reducing AI hallucinations.
Other topics include landing major enterprise customers before Series A, building entirely new categories, and using AI to help lean teams compete with larger organizations. Attendees can ask questions that matter to their specific companies and compare experiences with others in the room.
Registration details
TechCrunch Founder Summit is designed to be hands-on. Attendees should come ready to listen, ask, challenge, and participate.
The event runs on November 4. Prices increase at the door. Register now to save money and secure a second free pass.
