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No product? No problem. This Disrupt 2026 session shows how to get pre-seed funding with conviction, storytelling
The venture capital landscape is increasingly dominated by well-funded artificial intelligence startups, leaving founders at earlier stages struggling to attract investment even while building their businesses. To address this challenge, TechCrunch's Disrupt 2026 conference will host a panel discussion examining how pre-seed entrepreneurs can secure funding and investor confidence without a finished product to demonstrate, particularly relevant in an era where artificial intelligence has accelerated product development timelines.
The panel brings together three experienced investors representing different segments of the venture ecosystem. Sandhya Venkatachalam oversees a newly established $52 million fund specializing in AI-driven solutions and has backed multiple companies through successful acquisitions and major exits. Puneet Agarwal represents True Ventures, a longstanding investor in early-stage companies navigating the transformation of enterprise infrastructure in the AI era. Austin Clements brings a contrasting perspective through his focus on economic inclusion and diversity within the startup community, having founded an accelerator dedicated to expanding entrepreneurial opportunity.
In short
- TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will host a panel on securing pre-seed funding without a finished product, addressing challenges posed by AI startups' dominance in seed funding rounds
- Three venture investors with different specialties—AI-focused investing, enterprise infrastructure, and economic inclusion—will discuss what convinces investors to back ideas and founder capability
- The session explores what pre-seed founders need beyond a minimum viable product to secure backing in an increasingly competitive funding environment
Explained simply
Starting a business and raising money has become harder for early-stage founders. Venture capital investors increasingly favour artificial intelligence startups, leaving entrepreneurs at earlier stages struggling to attract funding even as they build their businesses.
A panel discussion at TechCrunch's Disrupt 2026 conference will examine how early-stage entrepreneurs can secure pre-seed funding without a finished product. The question is particularly relevant now, as artificial intelligence has accelerated development timelines, shifting how investors evaluate potential.
Three experienced investors with different perspectives will discuss the topic. Sandhya Venkatachalam oversees a newly established $52 million fund specialising in artificial intelligence solutions and has backed companies through successful acquisitions and major exits. Puneet Agarwal represents True Ventures, an investor in early-stage companies navigating how artificial intelligence is transforming enterprise infrastructure. Austin Clements brings a focus on diversity and economic inclusion, having founded an accelerator dedicated to expanding entrepreneurial opportunity.
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