StrictlyVC at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Inside the changing rules of venture capital

Thanks largely to AI and the rate at which startups are scaling, venture capital is itself in a state of flux, from who provides the money to how it gets deployed and what happens when companies are finally ready to go public. Stri c tlyVC at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will bring together investors, institutional LPs, family office managers, and market experts for an afternoon of candid conversations about where capital is moving, how the money managers behind those venture dollars feel about the feverish dealmaking out there, and what founders and VCs need to understand about the new funding landscape.

The only way to lean into this exclusive deep-dive session is with a Disrupt Investor Pass, happening in San Francisco’s Moscone West on October 13-15. Built for investors, this session offers a closer look at the fast-changing landscape and the forces shaping what’s next. Register by September 25 at 11:59 p.m. PT to save $200 on your Investor Pass.

Explore the StrictlyVC agenda

October 14 3:00–3:45 p.m. | Networking, Drinks & Light Bites 3:45–4:50 p.m. | StrictlyVC Conversations 4:50–6:00 p.m. | Drinks & Networking

Start with networking

Join us at 3:00 p.m. for drinks and light bites, with 45 minutes to connect with fellow investors, founders, and venture leaders before the conversations begin. After the program wraps, stick around for more drinks and more mingling until 5:30 p.m.

Dive into the candid sessions

Visit the Disupt agenda to learn about all the sessions and speakers for StrictlyVC, plus the 200+ sessions across all six industry stages, roundtables, and breakouts.

The IPO window is reopening, but the playbook has changed. Founders and investors face a tougher path to the public markets, with higher expectations around growth, governance, and credibility. Join ICR ‘s Ryan Flanagan for a candid conversation on what makes a company IPO-ready today, the decisions that matter years before a listing, and how to position a business for a successful exit in a more disciplined market.

Bruce K Lee , Keebeck Capital Management; and Dave Sachse , Sachse, Family Fund

Family offices have become one of the fastest-growing sources of startup capital, often moving faster and investing with greater flexibility than traditional institutions, but also, at times, piling in at the wrong times. Join prominent family office investors as they discuss how they’re approaching venture today, where they’re placing long-term bets, how they work alongside VCs, and why founders increasingly see them as strategic partners.

Amit Bhatti , TrueBridge Capital Partners; and Beezer Clarkson , LGT Capital Partners

Venture firms are competing harder than ever for institutional capital, while limited partners are rethinking everything from manager selection to concentrated AI exposure and liquidity expectations. Hear from leading LPs as they discuss what they’re looking for in today’s market, how they’re evaluating emerging managers versus established firms, and where they believe the next generation of venture returns will come from.

Secure your Investor Pass and $200 savings

TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 brings together 10,000+ founders, VCs, and operators from across the global tech ecosystem to make connections that can shape what’s next, discover emerging breakthroughs, and hear from leaders driving the industry forward. This is where big ideas converge, and new opportunities take shape. Register for your Investor Pass now to save up to $200 before September 25, 11:59 p.m. PT. Join Disrupt in San Fransicos on October 13-15.

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Your next big connection is at Disrupt. Connect with 10,000+ founders, VCs, operators, and tech leaders. Explore tomorrow’s breakthroughs, hear what’s shaping tech today, and save up to $200 by Sept. 25 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

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