More than 10,000 creators, financiers, and tech experts will convene at Moscone West in San Francisco from October 27-29 for A Technology NewsRoom Disrupt 2025 among the years most expected tech conferences.Of the 250+ tech leaders taking the stage, do not miss this standout panel on the Builders Stage including two of the most respected early-stage investors in venture: Charles Hudson of Precursor Ventures and Navin Chaddha of Mayfield.
Their session dives into one of the toughest moments in any start-ups journey: raising your first round when all you have is a vision.Why join this conversation on the Builders Stage?This sincere and tactical conversationwill cover what truly matters when raising your first institutional check, from telling a compelling story to constructing trust without traction.
Hudson and Chaddha will share the traits they consistently look for in zero-to-one founders, the red flags that raise eyebrows, and the most typical errors newbie business owners make when fundraising.Betting on individuals before the productPre-seed and seed fundraising frequently occurs before theres an item, user base, or traction.
That implies financiers are banking on the founder, not business.
And few know how to make that call better than Hudson and Chaddha.
Between them, theyve backed numerous founders at the earliest phases, before the pitch decks were polished, before there were metrics to reveal, and typically before a single line of code had shipped.Image Credits: Haje Kamps/ A Technology NewsRoomCharles Hudson, managing partner of Precursor Ventures, has purchased more than 400 business and supported over 450 creators.
Hes constructed his credibility on backing individuals with vibrant concepts and special viewpoints, saying just recently, The earlier you invest, the more crucial it is to believe in the creators narrative and ability to adapt.
Its not just about fixing an issue its about whether I believe youre the one to do it.Navin Chaddha, managing partner at Mayfield, brings years of experience determining breakout founders and directing business to scale.
With more than $120 billion in equity worth developed through his investments, Chaddha thinks the earliest stages are when creator values matter a lot of.
We purchase individuals first, markets 2nd, and item third, hes said.
We try to find founders who are mission-driven and wired for resilience.Actionable insights on raising your first roundWhether youre currently raising or planning for the future, this session will equip you with genuine, actionable guidance on navigating early endeavor with clarity and conviction.
Dont miss it live, in addition to 200+ sessions taking place throughout five market phases.
Register now to conserve as much as $675 before rates increase after July!Techcrunch eventSan Francisco|October 27-29, 2025