Building a startup requires making critical decisions without having all the answers. Founders often face difficult questions regarding when to scale, how to identify product-market fit, how to secure enterprise clients, how to assemble the right team, and how to craft a pitch that secures a follow-up conversation with investors.
On November 4 at the SoWa Power Station in Boston, the TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026 will unite founders, investors, and operators to tackle these questions from diverse perspectives.
Hosted by TechCrunch in partnership with Fidelity Private Shares, this full-day event moves beyond simple fundraising and artificial intelligence to address the practical realities of acquiring customers, building teams, refining pitches, developing founder leadership, and scaling operations both inside and outside traditional startup hubs. Attendees can save 25% on tickets today and bring a colleague for free with a limited-time BOGO offer.
Boston provides a prime example of startup success through Toast. Steve Fredette, Toast’s president, co-founder, and director, will take the Impact Stage to discuss “Building a Company That Keeps Reinventing Itself.” Toast serves as a compelling case study in identifying customer problems, achieving product-market fit, and scaling a Boston-based company into a public entity. Fredette’s insights will focus on the ongoing evolution required to meet changing customer expectations and technological landscapes while remaining true to the company's origins.
Growth often brings excitement, but scaling prematurely can be costly. Kent Bennett, partner at Bessemer Venture Partners, will lead the session “Finding Product Market Fit Before You Scale.” This session encourages founders to critically evaluate signals before expanding headcount or increasing spend. It offers a necessary counterpoint to the startup culture's pressure for speed, emphasizing that sometimes the most intelligent move is ensuring a solid foundation is established.
The tension between growth and discipline remains a central theme. Rudina Seseri, founder and managing partner of Glasswing Ventures, will explore this in “When to Scale and When to Hit the Brakes.” She will guide founders in distinguishing between moments calling for acceleration and those requiring restraint. Understanding when not to scale is just as crucial as knowing when to invest fully in growth.
Artificial intelligence is transforming product development and operations, yet integrating AI differs significantly from building a company around it from the beginning. Lior Div, CEO and co-founder of 7AI, will address this distinction in “Built for AI From Day One.” This discussion challenges founders to look beyond AI as a mere feature and consider how it should shape the entire company’s architecture and operating model.
The startup ecosystem extends far beyond Silicon Valley. Chase Garbarino, CEO and co-founder of HqO, will present “The Boston Founder Playbook” on the Impact Stage. This session examines building and scaling companies in Boston, offering relevant insights for founders in New England and the broader East Coast regarding talent, capital, and community. It reinforces that ambitious companies can thrive in Boston without mimicking Silicon Valley.
An effective pitch must compel the audience to seek a further conversation rather than closing the deal immediately. Dave Balter, venture partner at True Ventures and CEO of Edisyl, will explore this concept in “Your Pitch Has to Earn the Next Conversation.” This session reminds founders that knowing their business internally differs from communicating its value effectively to investors.
Later, attendees will witness these theories in action during “So You Think You Can Pitch?” on the Build Stage. Balter will be joined by Chirag Shah (Define Ventures) and Simran Suri (Maveron) as startups present to a judging panel. This interactive element allows participants to observe how founders perform under time constraints and how investors react in real time to both successful and unsuccessful pitches.
The program continues with discussions on distribution as a competitive advantage, building high-performing teams, and identifying category winners. Fidelity Private Shares will also provide insights on fundraising trends and enterprise relationships. The TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026 is scheduled for November 4 at SoWa Power Station in Boston, featuring candid conversations, practical sessions, networking, and a closing reception. With limited spots remaining, now is the time to register and take advantage of the 25% discount.
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