Raising Series A in 2026: Insights from Top Early-Stage VCs at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025^[1] — October 27–29 at Moscone West in San Francisco — get the unfiltered perspective on landing a Series A in today’s market. No smoke, no mirrors, just straight talk from the people signing the checks.

Series A has changed — here’s how to win in 2026

Series A has changed — here’s how to win

This Builder Stage session^[2] brings together Katie Stanton (Moxxie Ventures^[3]), Thomas Krane (Insight Partners^[4]), and Sangeen Zeb (GV). They’ve seen thousands of decks, led major rounds, and helped steer startups from scrappy beginnings to breakout scale.

You’ll hear what actually moves a pitch from “maybe” to “we’re in,” including the metrics that matter, how to tell your growth story, and what causes investors to walk away.

Meet the VCs who know how to spot a rocket ship

Meet the VCs who know how to spot a rocket ship

• Katie Stanton^[5]: From Twitter and the Obama White House to backing 100+ early-stage companies including Airtable, Calm, and Carta, Stanton built Moxxie Ventures on conviction and founder-first instincts.
• Thomas Krane^[6]: Managing director at Insight Partners, Krane has backed major software and cybersecurity names like JFrog and SentinelOne, and knows how to identify scalable traction.
• Sangeen Zeb^[7]: General partner at GV, Zeb focuses on enterprise and AI startups, serving on boards including Vercel and Harvey while leading investments in some of tech’s most talked-about growth stories.

Navigate today’s market with confidence

The Series A landscape is tighter, stakes are higher, and this session offers a rare, hands-on look at how to raise on your terms and build for the long game. Join 10,000+ startup and VC leaders at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 and save up to $650 with Regular Bird pricing before rates increase on September 27. Save your seat at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025^[8]!