Securing pre-seed funding has become increasingly challenging, especially with the rapid advancements in AI enabling faster development of minimum viable products (MVPs). This shift has raised the bar for founders seeking early-stage investment without a tangible product. Addressing this issue, the upcoming TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will feature a session titled “Winning Pre-Seed Without a Product,” aimed at equipping founders with strategies to attract investors through compelling storytelling and conviction.
Scheduled for October 13-15 at San Francisco’s Moscone West, Disrupt 2026 is set to host over 10,000 founders, investors, and operators. The event will offer more than 250 sessions across six stages, focusing on the operational challenges reshaping startup innovation. The Builders Stage, in particular, will provide practical insights into fundraising, company building, and scaling operations.
The “Winning Pre-Seed Without a Product” panel will feature three distinguished speakers:
Sandhya Venkatachalam: Founder and Managing Partner, Axiom Partners
Venkatachalam brings a wealth of experience from her tenure at Khosla Ventures and Social Capital, where she led investments in companies like Groq, GalileoAI, ForethoughtAI, and FirefliesAI. Her current role at Axiom Partners focuses on connecting founders with top AI practitioners to drive real-world improvements.
Puneet Agarwal: Managing Partner, True Ventures
With nearly two decades at True Ventures, Agarwal specializes in the transformation of enterprise infrastructure and applications in the AI era. True Ventures has a robust portfolio, including over 500 companies and more than 60 acquisitions, providing Agarwal with deep insights into what VCs seek in early-stage investments.
Austin Clements: Managing Partner, Slauson & Co.
Clements leads Slauson & Co., a venture firm dedicated to investing in early-stage companies and supporting diverse founders. His work emphasizes the importance of inclusive innovation and provides a unique perspective on securing funding without a product.
This session is particularly timely, as the pre-seed funding landscape has evolved, with investors now expecting more than just a promising idea. Founders must demonstrate a clear vision, market understanding, and the ability to execute, even in the absence of a product. The panelists will share their experiences and offer actionable advice on building credibility and attracting investment at the pre-seed stage.
Attending this session at Disrupt 2026 will provide founders with the tools to navigate the complexities of early-stage fundraising. By focusing on storytelling and conviction, entrepreneurs can effectively communicate their vision and potential, increasing their chances of securing the necessary funding to bring their ideas to life.
