Today\u2019s the day! TechCrunch All Stage<\/strong><\/a> is lighting up Boston\u2019s SoWa Power Station at 7:30 a.m. ET sharp. The stages are set, the speakers are ready, and the startup community is gathering for one powerful day of insight, innovation, and momentum.<\/p>\n In Boston and ready to scale your startup faster and more efficiently? There\u2019s still time to join the founders and investors driving innovation and building what\u2019s next. Grab a pass, dive into the conversations shaping the future of startup growth, and make the connections that move the needle.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss a moment \u2014 secure your ticket<\/strong><\/a> at the heart of today\u2019s startup action.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve got a powerhouse lineup of scaling and investing experts ready to deliver hard-hitting insights to an audience that thrives on growth, plus intentional, high-impact networking happening all day long.<\/p>\n Check out the agenda<\/strong><\/a> for full session details and explore the speaker page<\/strong><\/a> to get to know the experts behind the ideas. Or better yet, join us in person today and experience it all firsthand<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Just getting started on your startup journey? The Foundation Stage is your launchpad, packed with practical skills to help you build and grow from day one.<\/p>\n All the Ways You Don\u2019t Realize VCs Are Evaluating Your Company at Pre-Seed<\/strong> This topic is key for pre-seed founders. VCs often judge based on the team and idea. A mismatched co-founder signals hiring risk, and missteps in fundraising show a lack of prep. Do your homework.<\/p>\n Preparing to Raise: Cap Table Best Practices to Help You Close Fast Raising funds? Make sure your cap table and data room are clean to avoid delays and costly legal fees. This session offers best practices and insights from legal, investor, and founder views.<\/p>\n MVP in the Age of AI: When to Bot and When to Not<\/strong> AI is changing how founders build. Learn how to use it to turbocharge your MVP without letting it take over. Discover where AI shines, where humans are essential, and how to avoid toaster copy.<\/p>\n The TAM Myth: How the Best Startups Reshape Markets<\/strong> Learn how top startups like Datadog and Airbnb created markets, not just sized them. Jahanvi Sardana of Index Ventures breaks down how to grow TAM and spot trends. A must for future-shaping founders.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not 2021 anymore. Understanding the 2025 VC landscape<\/strong> VC in 2025 favors strategic, high-impact deals. Learn how midstage startups can adapt, use regional strengths, embrace AI, and build strong models for growth and successful exits.<\/p>\n Crafting the Perfect VC Pitch: Luck Meets Strategy<\/strong> Join Tiffany Luck of NEA to learn how to pitch with clarity and impact. Get insider tips on what VCs value, how to avoid common pitfalls, and how to tell a story that wins funding.<\/p>\n So You Think You Can Pitch?<\/strong><\/p>\n Watch three early-stage startups take the spotlight at So You Think You Can Pitch<\/em>, delivering four-minute pitches and getting real-time feedback from a panel of seasoned investors.<\/p>\n Ready to level up? The Scale Stage offers growth-stage founders actionable insights to take their startups to the next level.<\/p>\n Fundraising Mistakes That Will Kill Your Round, and How to Avoid Them<\/strong> Raising funding as an early-stage startup is tough. This session reveals key mistakes to avoid and offers actionable tips to help founders optimize fundraising from pre-pitch to close for lasting success.<\/p>\n The New Rules of Growth-Stage Fundraising: How to Win at Raising a Series C & Beyond<\/strong> Growth-stage fundraising is back, fueled by GenAI. Cathy Gao of Sapphire Ventures shares what it takes to raise a strong Series C+ and how to stand out in today\u2019s competitive VC landscape.<\/p>\n The Operator\u2019s Playbook for Building and Scaling Sustainable Companies<\/strong> Most startups chase product-market fit but miss scalable go-to-market plans, risking failure. Jon McNeill shows how validating both drives growth, profitability, and impact from day one.<\/p>\n What to Think About Now If You Want to IPO Someday<\/strong> Learn how to build for a public debut from Mo Jomaa of CapitalG. Get insights on metrics growth investors seek, from market to hiring, with advice for IPO readiness\u2014whether near or far.<\/p>\n Tech-Driven Fundraising: Making Financing Rounds Smarter, Faster, and Founder-Friendly\u00a0<\/strong> Raising capital is chaotic for early-stage startups. This roundtable shows how founders, investors, and legal teams can use modern tech to streamline due diligence, data rooms, planning, and post-close tasks.<\/p>\n How to Successfully Build at the Inception Stage Ellen Chisa of Boldstart shares key lessons for early startups: how to choose the right capital, run fast experiments, and avoid common pitfalls to learn and grow quickly from day one.<\/p>\n The 2025 VC Playbook: Where the Smart Money Is Going Next<\/strong> Rob Biederman of Asymmetric Capital Partners reveals 2025\u2019s VC trends, from hot sectors to deal shifts. Learn what drives investments and how founders can align with today\u2019s VC playbook.<\/p>\n How Tech is Leveling The Playing Field So Anyone Can Be an Investor, Not Just the Wealthy<\/strong> Brandon Krieg, CEO of Stash, shares how his platform helps 1.3M users build lasting wealth with simple investing. He\u2019ll discuss AI in finance coaching and fintech\u2019s focus on long-term impact over quick wins.<\/p>\n Founders & Counsel: Reducing Friction, Increasing Efficiency<\/strong> Early-stage startups face costly, slow legal counsel. This roundtable explores how founders work with lawyers, what they avoid, and how tech can ease collaboration during funding and beyond.<\/p>\n Thriving with Anxiety: How Startup Founders Can Turn Fear, Pressure, and Self-Doubt into Their Greatest Advantage<\/strong> Anxiety isn\u2019t the enemy of success. Dr. Rosmarin of Harvard shares how founders can turn fear and doubt into focus and drive, leading with authenticity while avoiding burnout.<\/p>\n Navigating Legal Landmines: Essential Legal Considerations for Startups<\/strong> Spencer Ricks and Naomi Smith map the legal journey for founders\u2014from formation to growth, IP, equity, employment, and fundraising. Get practical tips to build a strong legal foundation for your startup.<\/p>\n Breakthrough or Burnout: Why Founders Get Stuck (and How to Fix It)<\/strong> Startups fail not from bad ideas but founder struggles. Jason Kraus and Christopher Dube of Prepare 4 VC lead a roundtable on overcoming decision fatigue, burnout, and more with real tools to regain clarity and drive.<\/p>\n AI Transformation for Business Growth: A Practical Roadmap for Companies This roundtable explores how Agentic AI adds cognition to workflows, boosting automation and efficiency. Learn practical steps to start, test, and scale AI, while sharing real experiences. No hype, just clarity.<\/p>\n Winning Capital in a Competitive Market: How to Fund Your AI-Native Startup<\/strong> This roundtable covers AI-native startups\u2019 pitching challenges with investors using old SaaS metrics and how to find investors who truly understand and support AI-driven growth.<\/p>\n Startup M&A Readiness: How to Be Acquired or Acquire Without Regret<\/strong> As startups scale, M&A gets real. Daniel Hoffman and Stephen Ranere share legal and strategic tips on due diligence, deal terms, integration, and talent retention for smoother, smarter acquisitions.<\/p>\n From Fundraising to IPO: How to Build a PR & Marketing Engine That Drives Growth<\/strong> PR and marketing are key to winning investors, customers, and talent. Nikki Parker of Insight Partners shares must-have strategies to craft your story, build your brand, and drive real business impact.<\/p>\n Building Team Intelligence: How Product-Led Innovation Transforms Collaborative Problem-Solving<\/strong> Founder and exec Jeff Chow shares how to build inclusive, AI-powered tools that boost team communication. Learn what to automate, what to keep human, and how to balance tech with real-world expertise.<\/p>\n The breakout and roundtable sessions are just the beginning. The real magic happens in the Expo Hall, Networking Lounge, and on the Braindate app. Whether you\u2019re troubleshooting a product, seeking pitch feedback from a VC, or hoping to connect with a mentor, today\u2019s the day to make it happen.<\/p>\n Use Braindate to set up 1:1 or small-group meetings \u2014 post your own topic or join one that speaks to you, then meet in person at the Networking Lounge.<\/p>\n And don\u2019t forget the Side Events<\/a><\/strong> happening across Boston through July 17. Hosted by fellow attendees and sponsors, they\u2019re designed to keep the momentum going \u2014 and the connections coming \u2014 long after the main event ends.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not too late to join us at <\/strong>TechCrunch All Stage<\/strong><\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n Grab your ticket now<\/strong><\/a> and join us \u2014 and the rest of the startup community \u2014 at SoWa Power Station in Boston<\/strong>. The event wraps at 5:00 p.m. ET, so don\u2019t miss your chance to join the scaling conversations and leave with practical, strategic advice.<\/p>\nHere\u2019s what\u2019s in store for today<\/h2>\n
Two breakout stages. Countless insights to scale smarter.<\/h3>\n
Foundation Stage<\/h4>\n
Charles Hudson<\/em><\/a>, Founder and Managing Partner, Precursor Ventures<\/em><\/p>\n
<\/strong>Lynne Zagami<\/em><\/a>, Vice President, Customer Success, Fidelity Private Shares; <\/em>John Andrews<\/em><\/a>, CEO and Co-Founder, Cimulate.ai; <\/em>Darrell West<\/em><\/a>, Co-Founder and CFO, DepositLink<\/em><\/p>\n
Chris Gardner<\/em><\/a>, Partner, Underscore VC<\/em><\/p>\n
Jahanvi Sardana<\/em><\/a>, Partner, Index Ventures<\/em><\/p>\n
Kristen Craft<\/em><\/a>, Vice President, Business Partner Manager, Fidelity Private Shares; <\/em>Samara Gordon<\/em><\/a>, General Partner, Hyperplane; <\/em>John Harthorne<\/em><\/a>, Founder and Managing Director, Two Lanterns; <\/em>Daniel Acheampong<\/em><\/a>, General Partner, Visible Hands VC<\/em><\/p>\n
Tiffany Luck<\/em><\/a>, Partner, NEA<\/em><\/p>\n![\"Charles](\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/TechCrunch-Disrupt-Haje-Kamps-559.jpg)
Scale Stage<\/h4>\n
Alysaa Co<\/em><\/a>, Principal, Bain Capital Ventures; <\/em>Kamila Khasanova<\/em><\/a>, Founder and CEO, On Top Strategy; <\/em>Dr. Richard Munassi<\/em><\/a>, Managing Director, Tampa Bay Wave<\/em><\/p>\n
Cathy Gao<\/em><\/a>, Partner, Sapphire Ventures<\/em><\/p>\n
Jon McNeill<\/em><\/a>, CEO and Co-Founder, DVx Ventures<\/em><\/p>\n
Mo Jomaa<\/em><\/a>, Partner, Capital G<\/em><\/p>\nInteractive roundtables to exchange knowledge and spark growth<\/h3>\n
![\"TechCrunch](\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Early-Stage-2024-Breakout-Session.jpg)
Matt Derda<\/em><\/a>, Director, Private Market Product Marketer, Fidelity Private Shares<\/em><\/p>\n
<\/strong>Ellen Chisa<\/em><\/a>, Partner, Boldstart<\/em><\/p>\n
Rob Biederman<\/a>, Managing Partner, Asymmetric\u00a0Capital Partners<\/em><\/p>\n
Brandon Krieg<\/em><\/a>, Co-CEO and Co-Founder, Stash<\/em><\/p>\n
Derek Fieldhouse<\/em><\/a>, Customer Success Manager, Fidelity Private Shares<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
David H. Rosmarin<\/em><\/a>, Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School<\/em><\/p>\n
Spencer Ricks<\/em><\/a>, Partner, and <\/em>Naomi Smith<\/em><\/a>, Counsel, Latham & Watkins<\/em><\/p>\n
Jason Kraus<\/em><\/a>, Founder and CEO, and <\/em>Christopher Dube<\/em><\/a>, Chief Innovation Officer, Prepare 4 VC<\/em><\/p>\n
<\/strong>Umair Javed<\/em><\/a>, CEO, tkxel<\/em><\/p>\n
Rick Grinnell<\/em><\/a>, Managing Partner, Glasswing Ventures<\/em><\/p>\n
Dan Hoffman<\/em><\/a>, Partner, and <\/em>Stephen Ranere<\/em><\/a>, Partner, Latham & Watkins<\/em><\/p>\n
Nikki Parker<\/em><\/a>, EVP, Marketing and Communications, Insight Partners<\/em><\/p>\n
Jeff Chow<\/em><\/a>, Chief Product and Technology Officer, Miro<\/em><\/p>\nThe scaling conversations don\u2019t stop at the stages \u2014 they start there<\/h3>\n
![\"TechCrunch](\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Early-Stage-2024-networking_2.jpg)
There\u2019s still time to join today\u2019s ultimate founder conference<\/h2>\n
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