Ryan Petersen, who built Flexport into a $2.3 billion logistics powerhouse before returning as CEO after a brief hiatus, will headline the Builders Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. The three-day conference runs October 27-29 at Moscone West in San Francisco, marking TechCrunch's 20th anniversary with insights from founders navigating volatile markets.
Flexport CEO Ryan Petersen just landed one of the most coveted speaking slots in tech. The logistics veteran will take the Builders Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, delivering what promises to be a masterclass in building resilient companies during turbulent times.
The announcement comes as TechCrunch prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary with the flagship conference running October 27-29 at Moscone West in San Francisco. Petersen's session focuses on one of the most pressing questions facing today's founders: how to keep building when market rules won't stop shifting.
Petersen's credentials for tackling this topic are unmatched. Since launching Flexport in 2013, he's helped over 10,000 companies move more than $175 billion worth of goods worldwide, raising $2.3 billion in the process. The supply chain management platform has redefined how global commerce operates in an increasingly volatile, tech-driven era.
[Image placeholder: Ryan Petersen speaking at previous TechCrunch event]
But Petersen's most compelling insights may come from his recent leadership journey. After stepping down as CEO in 2022, he returned less than a year later to steady the ship and chart Flexport's next growth phase. That experience of watching from the sidelines, then jumping back into the captain's chair, offers rare perspective on leadership transitions and strategic pivots.
The timing couldn't be more relevant. Supply chains faced unprecedented disruption during the pandemic, followed by geopolitical tensions affecting global trade routes. Flexport navigated through port backlogs, shipping container shortages, and rapidly changing international regulations. Petersen emerged as a sharp voice on tariffs, trade policy, and AI's role in global commerce.
"This won't be theory — it's a masterclass in resilience and clarity under pressure," according to TechCrunch's event description. Petersen plans to share tactical insights on leading through volatility, resetting strategy midstream, and balancing long-term vision with short-term market realities.
The Builders Stage represents TechCrunch Disrupt's most intimate speaker format, designed for in-depth conversations with founders who've scaled companies through multiple growth phases. Previous speakers have included executives from Stripe, Airbnb, and Uber, making Petersen's inclusion a testament to Flexport's impact on the startup ecosystem.
[Video placeholder: Flexport company overview and growth timeline]
The announcement also signals broader trends in conference programming. Rather than focusing solely on early-stage startups, major tech events increasingly spotlight founders who've weathered multiple business cycles. Petersen's journey from startup founder to public company executive and back to hands-on CEO offers lessons applicable across company stages.
For attendees, the session promises practical takeaways beyond typical founder stories. Flexport operates in one of the world's most complex industries, where success requires navigating international regulations, managing physical infrastructure, and coordinating with thousands of partners. Those experiences translate directly to challenges facing tech companies in other regulated or capital-intensive sectors.
The conference's timing also creates natural conversation around supply chain resilience and trade policy. With ongoing discussions about tariffs, international commerce regulations, and AI's impact on logistics, Petersen's insights extend beyond pure startup advice into macroeconomic strategy.
Registration for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 remains open, with early bird pricing saving attendees up to $668 before the September 27 deadline. The three-day event features multiple stages, startup pitches, networking sessions, and the traditional Disrupt Cup competition.
Petersen's Disrupt appearance represents more than another conference keynote. His experience building through chaos, stepping back, then returning to lead again offers a blueprint for founders navigating today's unpredictable business environment. For an industry obsessed with growth-at-all-costs mentalities, his perspective on sustainable scaling and strategic patience could reshape how entrepreneurs approach company building. The session details and exact timing will be announced on TechCrunch's official agenda, but early registration ends September 27.
