No product? No problem. This Disrupt 2026 session shows how to get seed funding through conviction and storytelling

It’s not just about you: AI startups get a lot of seed funding, and in the process make things more difficult for anyone looking for funding even at the pre-seed stage. We’ve covered this trend in detailAnd in This year’s TechCrunch Disrupt eventWe want to help pre-seed founders who are now undergoing the expectations of the seed stage.

With AI making the development of minimum viable products faster than ever, is there hope for a founder with a compelling idea, but nothing concrete to show for it? This is what the ‘Winning Preliminary Seeds Without a Product’ committee will seek to answer.

This is just one of the many sessions you can look forward to Our famous construction phase in Disrupt 2026. This is where our most nuanced talks and workshops take place, covering everything from getting your hands dirty in operational decisions, fundraising, go-to-market strategies, and other vital topics.

And you can be a part of it all Get your ticket for Disrupt 2026 In San Francisco at Moscone West, October 13-15, with the best prices you’ll find for the rest of the year.

As for this specific session, we’ve brought together a fantastic trio of speakers to offer their expertise on this pivotal and nuanced topic.

Sandhya Venkatachalam: Founder and Managing Partner of Axiom Partners

Both Venkatachalam know a thing or two about a successful exit, and what investors look for when venturing into companies that eventually succeed by acquiring their own companies. Her current role is to oversee the newly launched Axiom PartnersAnd he is $52 million early stage venture fund This focuses on connecting founders with top-tier AI practitioners to help advance AI that leads to real-world improvements.

Previously, she worked as a General Practitioner at Khosla Ventures and Social Capital, where she was the first investor in Groq, and also led investments in GalileoAI, ForethoughtAI, and FirefliesAI, all of which were acquired or reached unicorn status.

Puneet Agarwal: Managing Partner of True Ventures

True Ventures has been a mainstay of the startup community, focusing on early-stage companies dating back to 2005. Agarwal has worked there for almost all of that time, starting in 2008 and now evolving into a managing partner specifically focused on transforming enterprise infrastructure and applications amid the AI ​​era.

If you’re looking for expert advice on what venture capital firms want, Agarwal is here to provide it. True Ventures is not just a fund; It spans across 12 funds, with partnerships spanning from over 500 companies and 1,050 founders to over 60 acquisitions and seven IPOs.

Austin Clements: Managing Partner, Slauson & Co.

Slawson & Company Not on the level of True Ventures, but their mission, and Clements’ work within it, will be of particular interest to founders in the crowd. They specifically focus on economic inclusion and small business empowerment, and Clements has started an accelerator within the company to focus on this mission further.

His work to expand the founder community through inclusive efforts is echoed in his work as founding president of pledgeLAwhich works in partnership with the Annenberg Foundation and the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office, promotes the importance of diversity within the technology community.

Frequent readers may recognize one of the companies in which Slauson & Co. has invested. Battlefield 2026 startup victorious ice!

Learn from the experts and enjoy the excitement of Disrupt 2026

It’s just the beginning of the Disrupt 2026 programming rollout as we prepare for kickoff on October 13 in San Francisco.

Let the Battlefield spotlight serve as a reminder that Disrupt isn’t just about valuable insights and sessions — it should celebrate the community, learn from its successes and missteps, and prepare yourself for the next step in your journey. Whether you’re a founder, an investor, or play any number of other vital roles in the startup ecosystem, It’s time to get the Disrupt 2026 Pass!