Learn what it takes to raise a Series A in 2027 at Disrupt 2026

If you’re planning to raise your Series A in the next 12 to 24 months, the rules you think you’re playing by may already be outdated.

Series A isn’t just harder — it’s slower, more selective, and increasingly unforgiving. The bar has changed and many founders are still optimizing for a version of the market that no longer exists.

At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026Taking place October 13-15 at San Francisco’s Moscone West, a session on the Builders Stage directly bridges that gap, led by some of the VCs shaping the next round of funding: Serie A in 2027.

This is not retrospective. It’s a long-term analysis of what it will really take to raise the next round of funding and who will be left behind. Get your Disrupt passes and join this session live. This buy one, get one 50% off deal ends tonight at 11:59pm PT.

Catch up on Series A changes

The window between build and lift has been stretched. Metrics that once signaled readiness are being challenged. Teams that could have been funded two years ago are now being passed over. And in many cases, founders don’t realize this until they’re already in the market.

This session is designed to fix this before it costs you time, leverage or a round.

What does “funded” actually mean now?

The definition of a “funded” company is being rewritten in real time. In this session, you’ll get instant insight into how top investors recalibrate:

• What adhesion actually signals readiness and what no longer

• How expectations around growth, efficiency and capital have changed

• Which GTM products and milestones matter to drive growth

• Where AI raises the bar and where it distorts signals

This is practical information you can use right away. It reveals how decisions are made right now and how they will be made when you go out to raise them. Secure your ticket to Disrupt to find out what it takes (now) to raise.

The one you hear from the stage

This Builders Stage session brings together investors who are actively shaping the next funding round — without commenting on the last one.

Nina AhajianPartner at Index Ventures

Nina Achajian invests in growth in artificial intelligence, robotics and vertical SaaS. It works closely with companies such as Anthropic, Gong and ServiceTitan and brings operator experience from Google and early stage investment insights.

Janelle Teng WaidPartner at Bessemer Venture Partners

Janelle Teng Wade focuses on early stage AI/ML, data infrastructure and developer platforms. He co-authored Bessemer’s widely cited State of the Cloud report and helped define their frameworks for scaling to $100 million+ in revenue.

Sailendra SinghCEO, Top XV

Shailendra Signh has been part of a company that has backed 500+ companies and category leaders like CRED, Pine Labs and Druva. The company’s portfolio has spawned 30+ IPOs and dozens of $100M+ revenue companies.

These are investors who are defining what the next wave of venture-backed companies should look like — through the companies they fund, the frameworks they create and the standards they enforce. Sign up for Disrupt to access this session and 250+ others.

What will you leave with?

The goal of this session is simple: clarity. You will leave with a clearer understanding of:

• Which metrics should you really rely on?

• How to structure your team before a raise.

• What signals investors prioritize – and what they ignore.

• How to position your company in a more selective market.

And just as importantly, you’ll learn what to stop optimizing for. Because in this environment, doing the wrong things right doesn’t help. it sets you back. Buy your pass at Disrupt before prices rise.

Where this fits into Disrupt

This session is part of the Builders Stage series at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026where sessions are based on execution rather than theory. This is where founders go to stress test their strategy, recalibrate their assumptions, and get answers they can actually act on.

If you are thinking of raising in the next one to two years, this is not optional. Wrong, and you don’t lift. Or you raise later than planned, with less leverage, under more pressure. Get it right and you’ll separate yourself from the pack — before you ever start playing.

That is the difference this session is designed to make. Sign up now to save 50% on two passes and watch Serie A in 2027.

Get your Disrupt ticket for live coverage of Series A

The Series A market is changing faster than most founders can adapt. You can figure it out in the middle of the process — or you can figure it out before you start.

Save $410 on your pass and get a second pass at 50% off. Offer ends tonight at 11:59pm. PT. Join this session and 250+ others across Disrupt tracks for three days of real-world fundraising and tech insights.