TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026: Boston Agenda, Speakers and Ticket Prices
TechCrunch Founder Summit lands in Boston on November 4, 2026, with startup sessions, networking, tickets from $149 and current discounts end October 16.
Summary
TechCrunch Founder Summit, formerly Early Stage and All Stage, runs Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at SoWa Power Station in Boston. The full-day, hands-on alternative to Disrupt targets founders at every stage, investors and students, covering fundraising, hiring, legal, marketing, PR, leadership, AI-native building and scaling. The venue is near Back Bay and Tufts Medical Center on the Orange Line and Broadway on the Red Line.
Sessions pair Underscore partner Brian Devaney with fundraising leverage; HubSpot co-founder and Sequoia partner Brian Halligan with the changing CEO role; 7AI co-founder and CEO Lior Div with AI-first company design; Cogent Security co-founder and CEO Vineet Edupuganti with investor and cap-table trade-offs; TDK Ventures investment director Tina Tosukhowong with economics, scalability and timing; NEA partner Melissa Taunton with early hiring; HqO co-founder and CEO Chase Garbarino with building beyond Silicon Valley after raising $200 million and expanding to more than 30 countries; and Bessemer Venture Partners’ Kent Bennett with validating product-market fit before scaling.
Breakouts and Braindate add small-group discussion and founder, investor and student networking. Founder Summit Week runs November 1 to 7 with Side Events and host applications. Tickets currently cost $399 for investors, $199 for founders and $149 for students, with investor and founder tickets promoted at a $200 discount; prices rise after October 16. A second co-founder or coworker ticket is 50% off, groups of four or more receive unspecified extra discounts, and volunteers get free programming outside their shifts if they apply by October 19.
Positives
- Eight named investors and entrepreneurs will provide tactical guidance on fundraising, leadership, AI-native design, hiring, investor selection and product-market fit.
- Chase Garbarino brings experience from raising $200 million for HqO and expanding the company into more than 30 countries.
- Braindate, breakouts and November 1 to 7 Side Events extend networking beyond the main-stage sessions.
- Second co-founder or coworker tickets receive 50% off, while groups of four or more qualify for additional discounts.
- Volunteers can attend programming free outside their shifts by applying before October 19.
Risks & concerns
- Ticket prices increase after October 16, shortening the window for current $399 investor, $199 founder and $149 student rates.
- Volunteer applications close October 19, limiting the free-access option to applicants who act before the deadline.
- Group discounts for four or more attendees are advertised without specific savings disclosed.
- Paid admission currently starts at $149 for students and reaches $399 for investors.