The TechCrunch Founder Summit is a day-long event occurring in Boston on November 4, where founders at various stages come together with leading VCs and seasoned entrepreneurs to acquire practical knowledge on establishing and expanding their businesses. This event is the latest in our extensive series of founder-focused gatherings, which are more intimate and engaging than Disrupt.

For those interested in a diverse array of speakers from Anthropic, Nvidia, OpenAI, and Benchmark, tickets for Disrupt are still available here. However, for founders eager to delve deeply in a one-day intense experience, the Founder Summit is the perfect setting to kickstart your plans for 2027.

Before you immerse yourself in the event specifics, you can find details on all ticket options, which are currently offered at a $200 discount for investors and founders, right here.

Who is TechCrunch Founder Summit aimed at? 

Every founder encounters the intricate, challenging aspects of creating a company from scratch. This includes securing funding, recruitment, legal matters, marketing, public relations, and leadership, alongside investors who require the capacity to assess, invest in, and nurture founders as they enhance their abilities.

The Founder Summit serves as the best venue to tackle all the tough questions with peers who’ve experienced both constructive failure and substantial success.

When and where will the TechCrunch Founder Summit take place? 

The event is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at the SoWa Power Station in Boston. It’s reachable via public transit and a brief walk from the Back Bay and Tufts Medical Center stops on the Orange Line, or the Broadway stop on the Red Line.

What’s on the agenda for the TechCrunch Founder Summit? 

To fulfill the commitment of preparing founders for success, this year’s agenda and speakers emphasize fundraising, AI-driven building, and leadership. The sessions include:

• The New Guidelines for Raising Capital: Brian Devaney, partner at Underscore, explaining what investors currently seek and where founders might unintentionally lose leverage. 
• The CEO Role Never Becomes Easier: HubSpot co-founder and Sequoia partner Brian Halligan discussing how the CEO role evolves at each growth phase. 
• Engineered for AI From the Beginning: 7AI co-founder and CEO Lior Div exploring the changes that occur when AI is integrated as the core of a business rather than as an additional feature. 

• Identifying the ‘King of the Hill’ Company: TDK Ventures investment director Tina Tosukhowong providing a framework for assessing startups based on economics, scalability, and timing. 

• Your Business Reflects Your Hires: NEA partner Melissa Taunton on the primary hiring choices that influence a startup’s culture and execution. 

• The Boston Founder Strategy: HqO co-founder and CEO Chase Garbarino on how to establish a defining category company outside Silicon Valley, having successfully raised $200 million and expanded into over 30 countries.   

Was this event previously known by another name? 

Indeed. The Founder Summit was previously titled Early Stage and All Stage. This year, we maintain the same objective but with a refreshed name. Keep this in mind if you plan to conduct further research prior to attending.

Is the TechCrunch Founder Summit solely composed of panels, or is there more? 

The Founder Summit extends beyond merely panels; while the agenda offers a wealth of insights for founders and investors, the event also features breakout sessions where more intimate panels delve into critical topics for the community.

Additionally, there’s networking facilitated by the Braindate app, which helps connect investors with founders, or enables founders facing similar challenges to collaborate and develop collective solutions. This time is also ideal for students to enhance their emerging networks.

Furthermore, Founder Summit week occurs from November 1-7, during which all Side Events take place, enhancing the chances for community interactions. And if you’re particularly enthusiastic about participating, you can apply to host your own Side Event right here.

What is the cost of a ticket, and how can I secure the best deal? 

Ticket prices increase in phases, with the next adjustment occurring after October 16. The current pricing tiers are Investor for $399, Founder for $199, and students for $149. Purchasing a second ticket for a co-founder or colleague grants you a 50% discount on their entry. Additionally, group bundles for four or more provide further savings.

Is there a way to attend for free? 

Absolutely! We’re seeking volunteers to assist with event operations, and they will receive a behind-the-scenes experience in addition to complimentary access to programming beyond their shifts. Get further details about our program, which closes to new applicants on October 19, right here.

Where can I sign up and find additional information? 

You can explore the complete details of the event, including the latest speaker updates, full agenda, logistics, and more right here. Ticket information for all three tiers is accessible here. Remember, our current discounts conclude on October 16—act quickly before they vanish.