One of the biggest questions facing founders today: How do you keep building when the rules won’t stop shifting?
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025[1], where we celebrate TechCrunch’s 20th anniversary from October 27-29 at Moscone West in San Francisco, we’ll hear firsthand from Ryan Petersen, founder and CEO of Flexport, on the Builders Stage[2].
Why Ryan’s story matters
Since launching Flexport[3] in 2013, Ryan Petersen[4] has helped more than 10,000 companies move over $175 billion worth of goods worldwide, raising $2.3 billion and redefining how supply chains are managed in a volatile, tech-driven era.
But Petersen’s lessons go far beyond logistics. After stepping down as CEO in 2022, he returned less than a year later to steady the ship and chart its next phase of growth. Along the way, he’s become a sharp voice on topics like tariffs, trade policy, and the role of AI in global commerce.
What you’ll learn
This won’t be theory — it’s a masterclass in resilience and clarity under pressure. Petersen will share:
- How to lead through volatility and uncertainty.
- What it takes to reset strategy midstream.
- How to balance long-term vision with short-term realities.
Don’t miss it
Catch Petersen live on the Builders Stage[5] at Disrupt 2025. The exact session time will be announced soon on the agenda, but trust us — this is one you’ll want to see up close.
Register here before September 27 and save up to $668.[6]
Techcrunch event
San Francisco | October 27-29, 2025
References
- ^ TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 (techcrunch.com)
- ^ Builders Stage (techcrunch.com)
- ^ Flexport (www.flexport.com)
- ^ Ryan Petersen (www.linkedin.com)
- ^ Builders Stage (techcrunch.com)
- ^ Register here before September 27 and save up to $668. (techcrunch.com)