While renowned figures such as Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg are known for not completing their college education, various studies indicate that a significant number of thriving startups were established by founders with bachelor’s or higher degrees.

In spite of this information, the allure of a dropout founder remains strong, although VC interest in those without degrees fluctuates significantly. This trend experiences cycles of popularity, and at present, it is undeniably at the forefront of the AI surge.

The phenomenon is particularly noticeable during Y Combinator Demo Days, where an increasing number of founders emphasize their dropout histories during their one-minute presentations.

“I doubt YC formally monitors dropout statuses, but, based on recent batches, I was really struck by how many founders make a point of mentioning their dropout experiences from college, grad school, and even high school,” expressed Katie Jacobs Stanton, founder and general partner of Moxxie Ventures. “Being a dropout is in itself a type of credential, showcasing a strong belief and dedication to entrepreneurial efforts. In the venture ecosystem, it seems to be regarded positively.”

Even though many prominent founders within the AI sector are relatively young, the majority chose to complete their degrees. For example, Michael Truell, CEO of Cursor, earned his degree from MIT, and Cognition co-founder Scott Wu is a Harvard graduate.

Nevertheless, in spite of these instances, an increasing number of prospective entrepreneurs worry that waiting to graduate could mean losing a vital opportunity in the AI development phase. Individuals like Brendan Foody, who co-founded Mercor, have notably left prestigious institutions such as Georgetown to focus on their startups.

Kulveer Taggar, founder of the YC-centered venture firm Phosphor Capital, shared with TechCrunch: “There’s a palpable sense of urgency, maybe even FOMO.” It’s a calculation being made now: “I can either complete my degree, or I can dive straight into building.”

This concern is leading to extreme situations. A professor from a prestigious university recently recounted a student who opted to leave his degree program in his final semester, firmly believing that having a diploma would actually diminish his chances of securing funding.

While numerous founders are anxious that a diploma may signal a lack of commitment, Yuri Sagalov, who oversees General Catalyst’s seed strategy, suggests that VCs are less focused on the dropout distinction, especially for students nearing graduation: “I don’t think I’ve ever viewed anyone differently for having graduated or not when they’re in [their] fourth year and decide to leave.”

Even though self-taught tech visionaries can establish startups without formal education, Sagalov contends that the social networking opportunities provided by a university, along with its brand reputation, hold value—even if the founder doesn’t earn a degree.

‘You gain much of the social value… because you can highlight your participation,’ Sagalov stated. “Most individuals will look you up on LinkedIn and are less concerned about whether you completed your degree.”

Although many investors currently believe that founders can successfully move forward without a university degree, not every VC agrees that younger founders hold a distinct advantage in this landscape.

Wesley Chan, co-founder of FPV Ventures, is not particularly keen on investing in dropouts, as he values a quality that most younger founders have yet to acquire: wisdom. Chan posits that wisdom is generally found in “older founders or individuals who have accumulated a few scars over time.”

Worries regarding the impact of AI on the workforce are escalating along with the rapid progress and new innovations that promise automation and enhanced efficiency.

Data indicates that these concerns are justified.

A study from MIT conducted in November estimated that approximately 11.7% of jobs could be automated utilizing AI. Polls have revealed that employers are already cutting entry-level positions due to this technology. Firms are also citing AI as a factor in their layoffs.

As businesses increasingly integrate AI, some might reassess their actual need for staff.

In a recent TechCrunch poll, several enterprise venture capitalists mentioned that AI is expected to significantly influence the enterprise workforce by 2026. This was particularly intriguing as the survey did not specifically address this topic.

Eric Bahn, a co-founder and general partner at Hustle Fund, anticipates seeing impacts on employment by 2026, though he is uncertain about the specifics.

“I want to observe which roles typically characterized by repetitiveness get automated, or if even more complex positions involving logic become increasingly automated,” Bahn remarked. “Will this result in more layoffs? Will productivity surge? Or will AI merely augment the present labor market to enhance future productivity? All these questions remain largely unanswered, but it appears something significant is slated for 2026.”

Marell Evans, founder and managing partner at Exceptional Capital, predicted that firms aiming to boost AI investments will divert funds from their labor and hiring budgets.

“I believe that alongside a gradual increase in AI budgets, we’ll witness more cuts in human labor, with layoffs persistently affecting the U.S. employment rate,” Evans stated.

Rajeev Dham, managing director at Sapphire, concurred that budgets in 2026 will begin reallocating resources from labor to AI. Jason Mendel, a venture investor at Battery Ventures, remarked that AI will evolve beyond being just a tool that enhances efficiency for current workers by 2026.

“2026 will mark the year of agents as software transitions from boosting human productivity to automating work itself, fulfilling the human-labor displacement value proposition in specific sectors,” Mendel commented.

Antonia Dean, a partner at Black Operator Ventures, mentioned that even if companies aren’t reallocating labor budgets for AI initiatives, they will likely still attribute layoffs or reductions in labor costs to AI.

“The complexity lies in the fact that many organizations, regardless of their preparedness for effectively utilizing AI solutions, will claim they are increasing AI investments to justify spending cuts in other areas or workforce reductions,” Dean noted. “In truth, AI will serve as a scapegoat for executives attempting to account for prior missteps.”

Numerous AI firms assert that their technologies do not eliminate jobs but instead facilitate a transition of workers to “deep work” or more specialized roles while AI automates repetitive “busy work.”

However, not everyone is convinced by that viewpoint, and many are concerned their positions will be automated. According to venture capitalists who invest in the field, it seems those anxieties will not be alleviated in 2026.

Tade Oyerinde and Teddy Solomon understand quite a bit about creating enduring communities.  

Oyerinde is the creator and chancellor of the online institution Campus, while Solomon is the co-founder of the college social platform Fizz. 

This year, they appeared at TechCrunch Disrupt to elaborate on the tactics that enabled them to grow their businesses while maintaining customer engagement. 

Campus provides associate degrees in fields such as information technology and business management. It also has certificates in specialties like cosmetology and phlebotomy. According to Oyerinde, there are over 3,000 enrolled students at Campus, and more than 100 professors are employed, at least part-time.  

Oyerinde mentioned that Campus opted to introduce à la carte courses because employers have been requesting classes that can equip their workforce with specific skills, such as vibe coding.  

He has recognized that many individuals seek to enhance their skills and believes that in the future, everyone will have access to some type of membership or subscription service aimed at skill development.  

“Not just those pursuing two-year degrees will have the opportunity to go to Campus and learn with us,” he shared with the audience. “We offer live, online classes taught by exceptional instructors.”  

Oyerinde utilizes the Pell Grant to maintain the institution’s affordability for a majority of individuals. Additionally, he has a group of billionaires on his company’s cap table — such as OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Discord’s Jason Citroen — alleviating pressure to prioritize profits above all else, he stated.

“These investors are not driven by financial gain,” he added. “Their real goal is to transform the education system in this country for the better.”  

On the other hand, Fizz functions on over 200 college campuses and previously operated in high schools nationwide. The company has secured more than $40 million in funding from investors including Owl Ventures and NEA.

Since its inception in 2021, Solomon indicated that the company has integrated features like a peer-to-peer marketplace with over 100,000 listed items, along with a video component that allows for more than just text posts. 

Currently, the firm aims to develop a product called Global Fizz to extend its reach beyond the U.S. Solomon elaborated on this during his appearance on TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, where he outlined the company’s future direction.

Solomon mentioned that the company is exploring monetization options, particularly focusing on advertising. “We’ve collaborated with companies like Perplexity,” he revealed. 

“While subscription models have performed successfully with apps, our current priority is our advertising business, and we’re dedicated to creating a great product that keeps our users engaged and satisfied.” 

He emphasized that “The users are everything.”  

Returning home to a snuggly pet is one of life’s greatest pleasures, and with the newest gadgets and AI advancements, pet ownership becomes even more fun and manageable. 

Here’s a collection of gadgets that would make excellent gifts for any pet owner.

Petlibro AI-enhanced pet camera – $99.99

Petlibro has recently introduced its AI-enhanced Scout Smart Camera, providing pet owners with real-time updates on their furry friends’ activities. 

The app enables you to control the camera’s direction and can automatically track your pet’s movement. With two-way audio, you can communicate with your pet if they’re misbehaving, and it can emit a small chirping sound to catch their attention. Scout can identify up to two pets, allowing you to monitor them individually.

What sets this device apart are the AI-powered descriptions. Scout detects when your pet eats, drinks, uses the litter box, or just strolls by. It captures photos and saves daily highlights in the cloud for up to 30 days. To unlock the AI functionalities, you must subscribe to the standard plan for $12 monthly or the premium plan for $17 monthly.

Life360 GPS pet tracker – $49.99

This newly designed GPS pet tracker from Life360 is a revolutionary tool for anyone fearful of losing their furry companions. You can fasten it to your pet’s collar, and it syncs with your phone to provide real-time location tracking. It also includes geofencing, which alerts you if your pet exits a designated safe zone such as your yard or neighborhood.

Additional features include notifications to alert nearby pet owners if your pet escapes, along with a built-in light to assist you in finding your pet during nighttime.

The tracker is available in three colors: pink, navy, and black. To access all its functionalities, users must subscribe to either the $14.99-per-month Gold plan or the $24.99-per-month Platinum plan.

Petlibro Wet Food Feeder – $149.99

Petlibro’s Polar Wet Food Feeder is designed to keep your cat’s wet food fresh while you’re away. It contains three compartments and can accommodate up to 22.2 ounces, allowing you to be absent for up to 72 hours without worrying about your cat’s hunger. The compartments are cooled to maintain food freshness, and the tray bowls are made of BPA-free, dishwasher-safe plastic. 

The device includes a mobile app that allows you to manage the feeder, establish your pet’s feeding schedule, and receive notifications when your cat begins to eat. The app will notify you if your home Wi-Fi connection fails and can keep the food cold for up to 12 hours in the event of a power failure.

Pawport Smart Pet Door – $699

If you’re tired of critters sneaking in through standard pet doors, Pawport’s smart door system is constructed from heavy-duty steel and aluminum, featuring dual solid deadbolts that keep out unwanted animals, as well as rain and snow. A new version introduced this year connects an internal and external door via a tunnel-like design for enhanced security.

With a tracker tag and motion-detection technology, the door opens automatically when your pet approaches. There’s also an app for remotely operating the door, setting schedules for opening and closing, and issuing voice commands through Alexa, Siri, or Google. 

PetKit Automatic Litter Box – $499.99

The PetKit PuraMax 2 model is presently among the most favored automatic litter boxes on the market. It boasts odor management, a waste container sealed to trap smells inside, and a citrus-scented deodorizer that activates post-cleaning and randomly throughout the day.

The app paired with the device is also beneficial for monitoring your cat’s health, as it records how frequently your cat uses the box, the duration, when the cleaning cycle starts and ends, and when the deodorizing spray is applied. Additionally, it tracks weight changes in your cat, helping you identify potential health concerns early.