The New Rules of Series A: Insights from Disrupt 2025

Three venture capital titans at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 will reveal the new rules for securing Series A funding in 2026. Get practical, “straight talk” insights on navigating a more rigorous investment landscape and what truly matters to investors.

The heady days of easy capital and skyrocketing valuations, often built on little more than a compelling pitch deck and boundless optimism, appear to be firmly in the rearview mirror.

As the tech ecosystem recalibrates, the Series A funding round, once a celebratory milestone, has become a rigorous crucible for startups.

Navigating this tighter, more demanding landscape requires more than just innovation; it demands an almost surgical precision in strategy, metrics, and storytelling.

This pressing reality forms the backdrop for a highly anticipated session at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, where a trio of early-stage venture capital titans will offer their unfiltered insights on how to secure Series A funding in 2026.

Scheduled for October 27–29 at Moscone West in San Francisco, Disrupt has always been a vital nexus for the tech world.

But this particular “Builder Stage” session promises to be more than just another panel discussion.

It’s framed as a rare opportunity for founders to glean genuine, actionable intelligence directly from the individuals who hold the power of the purse.

With the stakes demonstrably higher than in recent years, the promise of “no smoke, no mirrors, just straight talk” resonates deeply with a startup community hungry for clarity amidst uncertainty.

The lineup itself speaks volumes about the gravity of the discussion.

Katie Stanton, a founding partner at Moxxie Ventures, brings a unique blend of experience from the Obama White House and Twitter.

She has now cultivated a reputation for backing over 100 early-stage companies, including industry stalwarts like Airtable, Calm, and Carta.

Her approach is famously founder-first, driven by conviction and an intuitive understanding of what makes a nascent idea blossom into a category-defining enterprise.

Founders looking to understand the qualitative factors, the human element that can swing a “maybe” to a “we’re in,” will undoubtedly be hanging on her every word.

Joining her is Thomas Krane, a managing director at Insight Partners, a firm renowned for its strategic investments in high-growth software and cybersecurity companies.

Krane’s track record includes backing major players like JFrog and SentinelOne, underscoring his expertise in identifying scalable traction.

In an era where “growth at all costs” has given way to “sustainable growth,” Krane’s perspective on the metrics that truly matter, the indicators of robust, repeatable business models, will be invaluable.

He represents the quantitative rigor that is now non-negotiable for Series A success.

Completing this formidable panel is Sangeen Zeb, a general partner at GV, Google’s venture capital arm.

Zeb’s focus on enterprise and AI startups positions him at the forefront of technological innovation.

With board seats at companies like Vercel and Harvey, and leading investments in some of tech’s most talked-about growth stories, Zeb offers a forward-looking perspective, particularly crucial for founders building in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

His insights will likely center on how to articulate a compelling growth narrative that transcends mere hype, showcasing the long-term vision and market potential that captures the attention of a firm like GV.

What makes this session particularly compelling is the implicit understanding that the rules of engagement have fundamentally shifted.

The frothy valuations and permissive investment climate of the past few years have evaporated, replaced by a more discerning, often skeptical, investor base.

Founders are no longer just selling a dream; they are expected to demonstrate tangible progress, robust unit economics, and a clear path to profitability, or at least sustainable growth.

This panel will likely delve into the nuances of this shift, offering practical advice on how to recalibrate pitches, prioritize key performance indicators, and present a growth story that resonates with a more mature, risk-averse market.

The “straight talk” promised suggests a frank discussion about not just what attracts investors, but also what causes them to walk away.

In a tighter market, every misstep is magnified.

Understanding the common pitfalls – be it a lack of market understanding, an unconvincing team, or an inability to articulate a defensible competitive advantage – could be as crucial as knowing what to highlight.

This session is poised to be a masterclass in strategic self-awareness for founders.

Beyond the specific insights from this panel, TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 itself offers an unparalleled ecosystem for learning and networking.

With over 10,000 startup and VC leaders expected to attend, the event is a microcosm of the global tech industry.

It provides opportunities for serendipitous connections, competitive intelligence, and a broader understanding of market trends.

For founders striving to raise their Series A in 2026, the guidance offered by Stanton, Krane, and Zeb is not merely advice; it is a blueprint for survival and success in an unforgiving but ultimately rewarding landscape.

Securing a seat before the Regular Bird pricing ends on September 27 is less about saving money and more about investing in the strategic intelligence that could define a startup’s trajectory.

In this new era of venture capital, preparedness is not just a virtue, it’s a prerequisite.