TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: How to Get Pre-Seed Funding Without a Product Through Storytelling
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, a panel will discuss how founders can secure pre-seed funding without a tangible product, using conviction and narrative. Three seasoned investors will share insights.
AI startups are dominating seed funding, making pre-seed funding even more challenging. TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will host a session titled "Winning Pre-Seed Without a Product" to help founders with compelling ideas but no prototype. The panel features three speakers: Sandhya Venkatachalam, founder and managing partner of Axiom Partners, a $52 million fund connecting founders to AI practitioners; Puneet Agarwal, managing partner at True Ventures, who has been with the firm since 2008 and focuses on enterprise infrastructure in the AI era; and Austin Clements, managing partner at Slauson & Co., which emphasizes economic inclusion and small business empowerment. Disrupt 2026 takes place October 13-15 at Moscone West in San Francisco. This session is part of the Builders Stage, which covers operational decisions, fundraising, go-to-market strategies, and more. Tickets are available for purchase.
