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We recently unveiled the Going Public Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 — a new destination for founders navigating the complexities of company building, from early traction to IPO and beyond. Today, we’re excited to announce additions to the agenda that bring even more insight and firepower to the stage.

Joining the speaker lineup are Eric Yuan, Founder and CEO of Zoom Communications Inc., and Santi Subotovsky, General Partner at Emergence. These trailblazing leaders will share candid perspectives on scaling companies, preparing for public markets, and steering through pivotal transitions.

Whether you’re just getting started or mapping out your long-term strategy, the Going Public Stage offers lessons, frameworks, and stories that apply across every phase of the founder journey.

Mark your calendar — the Going Public Stage is shaping up to be a highlight of Disrupt. Don’t miss it. Grab your ticket before July ends to save up to $675.

How Long Should a Startup Stay Private?

David George, general partner, Andreessen Horowitz 

Startups today can grow to huge valuations, cash out their employees, and stay private longer than those of previous eras. But that also means that late-stage startups are facing a whole new set of rules. George unpacks the shifting VC landscape, what the next generation of scaled startups needs to know, and how capital is being deployed in an era of tighter money and higher expectations. From IPO windows to secondary markets to the evolving role of growth investors, this fireside chat goes deep on what it really takes to build enduring companies in today’s market — and what’s coming next.

What Comes After Breakout Success?

Santi Subotovsky, general partner, Emergence; and Eric Yuan, founder and CEO, Zoom Communications Inc.

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October 27-29, 2025

You’ve built the hit product — now what? Zoom CEO Eric Yuan and Emergence general partner Santi Subotovsky take the stage to dig into what comes after the breakout moment. From expanding into new markets to launching the next product bets, this panel will explore how great companies avoid becoming one-hit wonders. We’ll get into the tough calls on focus vs. diversification, how to keep innovating at scale, and what investors want to see in a second act. If you’re staring down the post-product/market fit phase, this convo is your roadmap.

Eric Yuan, founder and chief executive officer of Zoom Video Communications Inc., stands before the opening bell during the company’s initial public offering (IPO) at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York, U.S., on Thursday, April 18, 2019. Zoom reported net income of $7.6 million on revenue of $331 million for the year ended January, and is now worth nine times the $1 billion valuation it secured after a funding round two years ago. Photographer: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesImage Credits:Bloomberg / Getty Images

How AI is Forcing Late-stage Startups to Rewire GTM – or Be Left Behind

Jane Alexander, partner, CapitalG; Vanessa Larco, co-founder, Premise; and Nirav Tolia, CEO, Nextdoor

AI is rewriting the playbook for how startups reach and win customers — and late-stage companies are feeling the pressure to adapt fast. In this panel, two top VCs and a seasoned founder break down how AI is transforming go-to-market strategies, from sales and marketing to customer success. We’ll get into what’s working, what’s hype, and how to build AI into your GTM engine without losing focus. If you’re scaling and wondering how AI fits into your next phase of growth, this is the conversation you don’t want to miss.

Building What Comes Next

Julie Wainwright, CEO, Ahara and founder and former CEO, TheRealReal

Wainwright knows how to spot a wave — and ride it. From pioneering luxury resale at The RealReal to jumping into personalized nutrition with Ahara, she’s made a career out of building ahead of the curve. In this fireside chat, Wainwright opens up about what it takes to start over, scale fast, and stay resilient through market shifts and personal pivots. We’ll dig into the lessons learned from category creation, the risks of reinvention, and why experience might just be the ultimate startup edge.

BRENTWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 02: Julie Wainwright attends the Visionary Women presents Female Founders Salon at Brentwood Country Club on November 02, 2023 in Brentwood, California. (Photo by Araya Doheny/Getty Images for Visionary Women)Image Credits:Araya Dohen / Getty Images

Everything You Need to Know Before an Exit

Jai Das, co-founder, president, and partner, Sapphire Ventures; and Roseanne Wincek, co-founder and managing director, Renegade Partners

Go public, get acquired, or double down and stay private? In today’s unpredictable market, founders need to think about exit strategy earlier — and more strategically — than ever. This panel brings together two top VCs and a seasoned CFO to unpack how to set your company up for every option. We’ll talk timing, metrics that matter, investor expectations, and what it really takes to navigate M&A, IPO prep, or just keep building through the storm. Whether you’re 12 months out or just starting to scale, this conversation is all about making smart moves now for whatever comes next.

Exit strategy? Start shaping it at Disrupt 2025

Whether you’re building your first product, scaling your team, or planning for the long term, the Going Public Stage at Disrupt 2025 is built for founders ready to make bold moves. Hear from leaders who’ve navigated the highs, the risks, and the reinventions — and walk away with insights you can act on now.

Don’t wait to sharpen your exit strategy. Secure your pass to Disrupt 2025 now and save up to $675 before prices rise after July.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 20: Audience members watch panels during TechCrunch Disrupt 2022 on October 20, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunch)Image Credits:Kimberly White / Getty Images