Pre-seed founders now face seed-stage expectations as AI startups dominate early funding, according to TechCrunch. A dedicated session at Disrupt 2026 will address how to secure pre-seed funding without a product, offering strategies for founders with compelling ideas but no tangible prototype.
The event takes place October 13–15 at Moscone West in San Francisco, with the session hosted on the Builders Stage—a hub for workshops on fundraising, operations, and go-to-market strategies. Tickets are available at early pricing.
Expert Panel on Winning Pre-Seed Without a Product
The panel features three venture capital leaders with deep experience in early-stage investments:
- Sandhya Venkatachalam, founder and managing partner of Axiom Partners, a $52 million early-stage fund focused on AI. Previously, she led investments in Groq, GalileoAI, ForethoughtAI, and FirefliesAI, which achieved unicorn status or acquisitions.
- Puneet Agarwal, managing partner at True Ventures, which has backed over 500 companies across 12 funds, resulting in 60+ acquisitions and seven IPOs. His focus includes AI-driven enterprise infrastructure.
- Austin Clements, managing partner at Slauson & Co., a firm emphasizing economic inclusion. He also chairs PledgeLA and invested in Startup Battlefield 2026 winner Glīd.
Why Disrupt 2026 Matters for Founders
Beyond the panel, Disrupt 2026 offers networking, community celebrations, and insights from startup successes and failures. The event caters to founders, investors, and ecosystem participants seeking actionable advice.
Early registration for Disrupt 2026 remains open, with the conference serving as a critical platform for founders navigating the competitive pre-seed funding landscape.
