TechCrunch Early Stage returns to Boston on April 25, 2024, and the agenda for our flagship inaugural event is taking shape. We’re excited to share this sneak peek at some of the fantastic speakers and sessions we have available. For builders just starting their founding journey, TechCrunch Early Stage is absolutely the place to be.
We’re recruiting a huge team of top investors and entrepreneurs to delve into founder-focused topics like:
- How to use startup accelerators.
- How to raise first capital.
- How to find the right product for the market.
- How to build a killer pitch deck.
But wait, there’s more: Want to be among the many more speakers and sessions we’ll be announcing in the new year? Apply to our call for content by the January 10th deadline and you could win a TechCrunch Early Stage roundtable seat.
Early Stage is unlike any other TechCrunch event. Instead of panels and window chats, speakers present their assigned topics and then answer questions from the audience. If you’re building and want access to top startup minds, we’re working around the clock to bring it to you. As always, all participants receive transcripts and visuals from the presentations so you can take what you learn with you!
And if you’re the talkative type, you’ll enjoy the roundtable discussions and plenty of time to mingle with other founders, builders, and investors.
You have a lot of early stage questions and we’ll have the answers for you. So come down and hang out with us on April 25th in Boston for my favorite TechCrunch event. It’s like Disrupt, but incredibly focused and much more intimate. See you there!
TechCrunch Early Stage 2024 agenda preview
Racing the Clock to $1M in ARR: Best Practices for Fast Learning from Startup Partners
With Roudina Seserico-founder and managing partner, Glasswing Ventures
After securing the seed cycle, the race is on to prove product-market fit and scale ARR (annual recurring revenue). With the clock ticking, seed dollars limited, a challenging macro environment, and the stakes high to secure your next round, the founder’s margin for error is slim and execution is critical. This session delves into best practices for rapidly iterating lessons from startup partners (eg your first customers). Learn how to ask the right questions, get answers, respond effectively, and avoid spinning your wheels at this critical juncture in your company’s growth.
Choosing the right accelerator or incubator
With Emily KnightChairman, The engine throttle
Incubators and accelerators often provide support structures for early-stage startups. For founders coming through academia, special programs are often tailored to their unique needs, as these founders often seek help in determining the potential commercial viability of their research. Founders who come from academia face unique challenges departing from institutions of higher education and national laboratories. Choosing the right start-up program can help ensure that new companies navigate the familiar post-formation hurdles smoothly. Here’s what you need to know today.
The Top Five Ways to Beat the VC Pitch and How to Avoid Them
With Haje Kampspitch coach, Kamps Consulting LLC
Whether you’re just staring at a blank slide deck or fine-tuning your pitch, this can’t-miss session will provide invaluable insight so you can avoid some of the biggest pitfalls. TechCrunch’s friendly in-house coach Haje Kamps has written more than 75 Pitch Deck Teardowns for TechCrunch+. He is a fountain of knowledge in the art of pitching early-stage startups to venture capitalists. With Haje’s expertise in dissecting and improving pitch decks, this session promises to be a goldmine of practical tips and strategies.
How to collect money and get out alive
With Tom Blomfieldteam partner, Y Combinator
There’s an art to raising your first round — especially if you want to get it right and not look back years later and regret terms, conditions or side letters. In this session, Tom will cover how investors think, common tastes that may come back to haunt you later, and how you can put your company in the strongest possible position for growth. After all, who wants to go into the fundraising hunger games of 2024 with outdated information?
Early Stage Fundraising: Convertible Notes, SAFE and Series Seed Financing
With Rebecca Lee Whitingfounder and fractional general counsel, Epigram Legal
Learn from a fractional early-stage general counsel about different funding mechanisms for early-stage companies, including convertible bonds, simple equity futures agreements (SAFEs), and serial seed funding rounds. This session will cover the pros and cons of these alternatives, demystify the standard terms, note potential pitfalls to avoid and suggest key points to consider when negotiating.
TechCrunch Early Stage 2024 takes place in Boston on April 25. Join other new and emerging founders, bring your questions, get answers directly from industry experts, and learn the next steps you need to build your startup. But your pass today and save money with launch prices!
Is your company interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at TechCrunch Early Stage 2024? Contact our sponsorship sales team by by filling out this form.
