SAN FRANCISCO — In an era where artificial intelligence has expedited the development of minimum viable products, the traditional barriers to pre-seed funding are undergoing a profound paradigm shift. Yet, paradoxically, the massive influx of capital into AI startups has rendered the fundraising landscape increasingly formidable for early-stage founders lacking a tangible product.

Addressing this conundrum, TechCrunch has announced a pivotal Builders Stage session at the upcoming Disrupt 2026 conference, titled "Winning Pre-Seed Without a Product." Scheduled for October in San Francisco, this panel aims to equip visionary founders with the strategic rhetoric necessary to secure capital through conviction and storytelling alone.

Distinguished Pantheon of Investors

The session will feature a formidable trio of venture capital leaders, each bringing unique insights into early-stage valuation and founder psychology:

• Sandhya Venkatachalam, Founder and Managing Partner at Axiom Partners, a newly launched $52 million early-stage fund focused on connecting founders with top-tier AI practitioners.
• Puneet Agarwal, Managing Partner at True Ventures, an enduring mainstay in the startup ecosystem with a portfolio spanning over 500 companies and multiple unicorn exits.
• Austin Clements, Managing Partner at Slauson & Co., renowned for championing economic inclusion and recently backing the Startup Battlefield 2026 victor, Glīd.

The Lucidity of Conviction

As AI tools democratize technical execution, investors are increasingly scrutinizing the substance of the founding narrative rather than mere technical prototypes. The panel will dissect how founders can articulate a compelling market thesis, demonstrate profound domain expertise, and project unwavering conviction to overcome the absence of a polished product.

This educational initiative aligns with TechCrunch’s broader mission to demystify the fundraising process, ensuring that meritorious ideas are not prematurely discarded due to a lack of initial technical traction.

As the startup ecosystem continues to evolve, the ability to weave a persuasive narrative remains an indispensable asset for founders navigating the intricate labyrinth of early-stage venture capital.