For the first time ever, TechCrunch Disrupt is launching the Going Public Stage — a brand-new destination for founders navigating the mid and late stages of company building.
This content is essential for any founder, but especially those scaling fast, preparing for exit, or reimagining what comes next. Because whether you’re at the seed stage or Series E, the most successful founders are always thinking 10 steps ahead.
You’ll hear from some of the biggest names in tech and venture — including Eric Yuan (Zoom), Julie Wainwright (The RealReal), David George (Andreessen Horowitz), and Nirav Tolia (Nextdoor) — as they share hard-won lessons on building resilient companies, navigating shifting markets, and staying ahead of the curve.
From IPO prep to AI-powered GTM strategy, this stage is your roadmap for building what’s next.
Stay tuned — more sessions and speakers are coming soon. In the meantime, mark the Going Public Stage as a can’t-miss at Disrupt, and grab your ticket now to save up to $675.
How Long Should a Startup Stay Private?
David George, general partner, Andreessen Horowitz
Startups today can grow to huge valuations, cash out their employees, and stay private longer than those of previous eras. But that also means that late-stage startups are facing a whole new set of rules. George unpacks the shifting VC landscape, what the next generation of scaled startups needs to know, and how capital is being deployed in an era of tighter money and higher expectations. From IPO windows to secondary markets to the evolving role of growth investors, this fireside chat goes deep on what it really takes to build enduring companies in today’s market — and what’s coming next.
What Comes After Breakout Success?
Eric Yuan, CEO, Zoom, and Santi Subotovsky, general partner, Emergence
You’ve built the hit product — now what? Yuan and Subotovsky take the stage to dig into what comes after the breakout moment. From expanding into new markets to launching the next product bets, this panel will explore how great companies avoid becoming one-hit wonders. We’ll get into the tough calls on focus vs. diversification, how to keep innovating at scale, and what investors want to see in a second act. If you’re staring down the post-product/market fit phase, this convo is your roadmap.
Everything You Need to Know Before an Exit
Jai Das, co-founder, president, and partner, Sapphire Ventures; Roseanne Wincek, co-founder and managing director, Renegade Partners; and another speaker to be announced
Go public, get acquired, or double down and stay private? In today’s unpredictable market, founders need to think about exit strategy earlier — and more strategically — than ever. This panel brings together two top VCs and a seasoned CFO to unpack how to set your company up for every option. We’ll talk timing, metrics that matter, investor expectations, and what it really takes to navigate M&A, IPO prep, or just keep building through the storm. Whether you’re 12 months out or just starting to scale, this conversation is all about making smart moves now for whatever comes next.
Building What Comes Next
Julie Wainwright, CEO, Ahara and founder and former CEO, TheRealReal
Wainwright knows how to spot a wave — and ride it. From pioneering luxury resale at The RealReal to jumping into personalized nutrition with Ahara, she’s made a career out of building ahead of the curve. In this fireside chat, Wainwright opens up about what it takes to start over, scale fast, and stay resilient through market shifts and personal pivots. We’ll dig into the lessons learned from category creation, the risks of reinvention, and why experience might just be the ultimate startup edge.
How AI is Forcing Late-stage Startups to Rewire GTM – or Be Left Behind
Jane Alexander, partner, CapitalG; Vanessa Larco, co-founder, Premise; and Nirav Tolia, CEO, Nextdoor
AI is rewriting the playbook for how startups reach and win customers, and late-stage companies are feeling the pressure to adapt fast. In this panel, two top VCs and a seasoned founder break down how AI is transforming go-to-market strategies, from sales and marketing to customer success. We’ll get into what’s working, what’s hype, and how to build AI into your GTM engine without losing focus. If you’re scaling and wondering how AI fits into your next phase of growth, this is the conversation you don’t want to miss.
Ready to exit? Start at Disrupt 2025
Whether you’re weighing an acquisition, eyeing the IPO window, or mapping out your ideal exit, the Going Public Stage at Disrupt 2025 is built for founders ready to make their next big move. Hear from leaders who’ve navigated the highs, the risks, and the reinventions — and walk away with insights you can act on now.
Don’t wait to sharpen your exit strategy. Secure your pass to Disrupt 2025 and save up to $675 before prices rise. More sessions and speakers are coming soon, but this stage alone is worth the ticket.
