TechCrunch Disrupt, one of the most awaited startup events, will return to San Francisco from September 19-21, 2023. With a new Builders Stage addition to the six existing stages, Founders of all types will have access to targeted materials to gain knowledge on operations, hiring, fundraising, and more. The Builders Stage Agenda features conversations on a gamut of topics, ranging from “How to Construct an Equitable Cap Table,” “How Founders Can Leverage a Soft Labor Market into a Competitive Edge,” to “Why Bootstrapping Is No Longer a Dirty Word in 2023.”
Jennifer Neundorfer from January Ventures, and Loren Straub from Bowery Capital, will initiate a conversation on what founders need to raise a series A today. The panel will highlight other metrics apart from Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR), which were used for raising earlier rounds but have now shifted. The conversation will also touch upon how founders can adjust to suit the current venture climate.
Noramay Cadena from Supply Chain Capital, Mac Conwell from RareBreed Ventures, and Turner Novak from Banana Capital, would discuss the pros and cons of building a new firm in the public domain instead of the traditional way behind closed doors. They will also share their experiences and learnings on building a brand while raising capital, with particular emphasis on solo General Partners (GPs).
With layoffs becoming more common than hiring sprees, Nick Cromydas from Hunt Club and Samara Hernandez from Chingona will discuss how startups can use the current soft labor market for their benefit.
Sophia Amoruso from Trust Fund, Business Class, and Sarah Kunst from Cleo Capital delve into the topic of focusing on hype in their conversation. Though chasing the next ‘big thing’ has its advantages, it is not always a good idea to follow the trend. The panel of artists will help startups understand when to ignore the hype.
Founders, who do not fit the Hollywood or HBO stereotype, can benefit from the discussion, “How Founders with Nontraditional Backgrounds Can Use Their Experience to Excel.” Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins from Promise, Ruben Harris from Career Karma, and Ritu Narayan from Zum will help them leverage their experiences to improve their businesses.
Meanwhile, Amir Ashkenazi from Switchboard, Maria Dramalioti-Taylor from Beacon Capital, and Tyson Hendricksen from Notice, will deliberate on the ideal time to provide early liquidity to retain staff. With IPOs relatively rare, staff members often look to pre-IPO liquidity for motivation, which this panel will discuss in detail.
Finally, Erica Jain from Healthie, Carey Smith from Unorthodox Ventures, and Hussein Yahfoufi from Arta Finance will talk about why “Bootstrapping Is No Longer a Dirty Word in 2023.” Instead of the negative connotations encompassed in the phrase ‘lifestyle business,’ bootstrapping can lead to the creation of profitable companies without relying on venture capital.
Disrupt 2023 will run between September 19-21 in San Francisco, offering a great platform for startups and sponsors looking to create awareness for their businesses while networking and learning from industry experts.
