The Evolving Venture Landscape
Thanks largely to artificial intelligence and the rate at which startups are scaling, venture capital is experiencing significant shifts regarding capital allocation, investor participation, and public market transitions. Industry experts and market observers note changing dynamics in how venture dollars are deployed and what founders must understand about the current funding landscape.
The only way to lean into these exclusive deep-dive sessions is with a Disrupt Investor Pass. Built for investors, the StrictlyVC sessions offer a closer look at the fast-changing landscape and the forces shaping what’s next. Register by September 25 at 11:59 p.m. PT to save $200 on your Investor Pass.
Explore the StrictlyVC agenda
October 143:00–3:45 p.m. PT | Networking, Drinks & Light Bites3:45–4:50 p.m.PT | StrictlyVC Conversations4:50–6:00 p.m. PT | Drinks & Networking
Start with networking
Join us at 3:00 p.m. PT for drinks and light bites, with 45 minutes to connect with fellow investors, founders, and venture leaders before the conversations begin. After the program wraps, stick around for more drinks and more mingling.
Dive into the candid sessions
Visit the Disrupt agenda to learn about all the sessions and speakers for StrictlyVC, plus the 200+ sessions across all six industry stages, roundtables, and breakouts.
Image Credits:Slava Blazer Photography / TechCrunch
The New Rules of Going Public
Ryan Flanagan, ICR
IPOs and Market Discipline
While the initial public offering window shows signs of reopening, the operational playbook has transformed. Founders and investors now encounter a more rigorous path to public markets, driven by elevated expectations around sustained growth, corporate governance, and fiscal credibility. Achieving IPO readiness requires strategic decisions years in advance to position businesses for successful exits within disciplined economic environments.
The New Power Players: How Family Offices Are Reshaping Venture Investing
Bruce K Lee, Keebeck Capital Management; and Dave Sachse, Sachse Family Fund
Family Offices as Strategic Partners
Family offices have emerged among the fastest-growing sources of capital for early-stage companies, frequently demonstrating greater agility and investment flexibility than traditional institutional funds. As these private wealth entities establish long-term market bets, founders increasingly view them as vital strategic partners working alongside conventional venture capital firms.
What Limited Partners Want Now
Amit Bhatti, TrueBridge Capital Partners; and Beezer Clarkson, LGT Capital Partners
Institutional Allocations and AI Exposure
Venture firms face heightened competition for institutional capital as limited partners reevaluate portfolio strategies, ranging from manager selection and liquidity expectations to concentrated exposure in artificial intelligence sectors. Industry leaders continue to analyze evaluation criteria for emerging managers versus established firms to identify primary sources for future venture returns.
Secure your Investor Pass and $200 savings
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 brings together 10,000+ founders, VCs, and operators from across the global tech ecosystem to make connections that can shape what’s next, discover emerging breakthroughs, and hear from leaders driving the industry forward. This is where big ideas converge and new opportunities take shape. Register for your Investor Pass now to save up to $200 before September 25 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Join Disrupt in San Francisco on October 13-15.
