How startups are rewriting the late-stage playbook at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

The landscape of startup growth is evolving rapidly. At the upcoming TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, scheduled for October 27-29 at Moscone West in San Francisco, over 10,000 entrepreneurs and venture capitalists will convene to discuss how founders are adjusting to a market that has drastically shifted from five years ago. On October 27, David George from Andreessen Horowitz will be featured on the prestigious Going Public stage for a fireside chat. This session aims to tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing today's founders: how to achieve scalability and success when traditional growth principles no longer apply. Today’s startups are capable of reaching billion-dollar valuations, providing liquidity to early employees, and maintaining private status longer than their predecessors. However, these advantages come with significant challenges. Founders in the late-stage arena must now navigate heightened expectations regarding capital efficiency, liquidity, and strategic growth. George, a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz and leader of their Growth investing team, brings a wealth of experience, having supported renowned tech giants like Airbnb, Slack, Opendoor, and Uber. His analysis of capital deployment—from initial funding rounds to late-stage investments and secondary markets—will offer invaluable insights for founders eager to understand the current demands of growth investors. As the number of IPOs declines, the scrutiny on financial burn increases, and capital remains in private hands longer, today's late-stage startups must adapt to a unique set of incentives. This discussion will delve into the shifting dynamics of the IPO landscape, the importance of secondary markets for employee liquidity, and strategies for startups to manage extended timelines while aiming for significant achievements. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of the industry's most seasoned growth investors. Join thousands of tech, startup, and VC leaders on October 27 at the Going Public Stage during TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. Reserve your place now and take advantage of discounts of up to $675 before prices rise.