From Toast to Bessemer: Who founders will hear from at TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026
TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026 will feature speakers on topics like scaling, product-market fit, and AI for founders.
Intelligence analysis by Qwen 2.5 (3B)

TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026 will bring together founders, investors, and operators to discuss challenges and opportunities in startup growth.
At the TechCrunch Founder Summit, founders and investors will hear from experts who will share their experiences and advice on how to grow their startups, like finding the right customers and making a good pitch.
Analysis
Building a Company That Keeps Reinventing Itself
Steve Fredette, president, co-founder, and director of Toast, will discuss Toast's journey from a startup to a public company, and how to continue evolving a company as customer expectations change.
Finding Product Market Fit Before You Scale
Kent Bennett, partner at Bessemer Venture Partners, will explore the importance of knowing when to scale and when to hit the brakes, and the signals founders should look for before making significant changes.
Built for AI From Day One
Lior Div, CEO and co-founder of 7AI, will discuss the challenges of building an AI company from the ground up, and how to integrate AI into existing processes.
The Boston Founder Playbook
Chase Garbarino, CEO and co-founder of HqO, will provide insights on building and scaling a company in the Boston ecosystem, and how to navigate the unique challenges of the region.
Your Pitch Has to Earn the Next Conversation
Dave Balter, venture partner at True Ventures and CEO of Edisyl, will discuss the importance of a compelling pitch in securing follow-up meetings with investors.
Key points
- Founders and investors will hear from experienced speakers at the TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026
- Topics include scaling, product-market fit, and AI for startups
- The summit will provide insights on how to grow startups effectively
The insights and advice provided at the summit can help founders and investors make better decisions and grow their startups more effectively.
However, founders and investors may face challenges in implementing the advice, such as finding the right customers and making a good pitch.



