TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 just locked in a critical session for growth-stage founders hunting big funding rounds. Three heavyweight investors will break down what it actually takes to close Series C and beyond on October 29 at the Builders Stage in San Francisco.
The venture capital playbook for later-stage rounds is evolving fast, and TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is putting the most connected voices in the room to decode what's really working. The October 29 session at the Builders Stage promises the kind of candid investor insights that usually stay behind closed doors.
Zeya Yang from IVP brings a rare combination of operator and investor experience. After product leadership roles at Andreessen Horowitz, Plaid, and Dropbox, she's now backing AI-native startups like Graphite, Macro, and Tennr. Her perspective bridges the gap between building products and scaling them with serious capital.
The session gets even more interesting with Lila Preston from Generation Investment Management, who's been scaling impact-focused companies since 2004. She sits on boards for Nature's Fynd and Pivot Bio, bringing a global financial perspective that goes beyond traditional VC metrics. Preston's approach to growth equity offers founders a different lens on how mission-driven companies can attract significant funding.
But here's what makes this panel unique - Andrea Thomaz, CEO and co-founder of Diligent Robotics, will share the founder's side of the equation. As a social robotics pioneer reshaping healthcare workforces with collaborative AI, Thomaz knows firsthand how to build investor trust in complex, capital-intensive businesses.
The timing couldn't be better. Later-stage funding has gotten significantly more selective, with investors scrutinizing everything from unit economics to market positioning. According to recent PitchBook data, Series C+ rounds are taking longer to close and requiring more sophisticated storytelling around competitive moats and expansion strategies.
"Raising late-stage capital goes beyond hitting revenue targets," according to the TechCrunch preview. "It's about telling the right story, tracking the right metrics, and building relationships that compound over time."
This shift reflects broader changes in the venture landscape. While early-stage deals still get done on potential and vision, Series C and beyond requires proven execution, clear paths to profitability, and sophisticated understanding of competitive dynamics. The session promises "sharp insights, candid reflections, and actionable frameworks" that founders can implement immediately.
The healthcare robotics angle adds another layer of relevance. Thomaz's Diligent Robotics operates in one of the most capital-intensive sectors, where proving ROI to both investors and customers requires navigating complex regulatory environments and long sales cycles. Her insights on building investor confidence in hardware-heavy AI businesses will be particularly valuable.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 runs October 27-29 at Moscone West, with early bird pricing offering up to $668 in savings through September 26. The event expects over 10,000 startup and VC leaders, making it a prime networking opportunity beyond the formal sessions.
What founders should expect from this particular session is practical advice on preparation timelines, investor outreach strategies, and how to position companies for institutional-level funding rounds. The combination of investor and founder perspectives means attendees get both sides of the negotiating table in one conversation.
For founders eyeing major funding rounds in 2026, this Disrupt session offers a rare opportunity to hear unfiltered perspectives from investors who've actually written the big checks. The combination of IVP's AI focus, Generation's impact investing approach, and Diligent Robotics' hardware scaling experience covers the full spectrum of later-stage funding strategies. With venture capital becoming increasingly selective, getting these insights before you need them could make the difference between closing your round and getting stuck in funding limbo.
