At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Medha Agarwal, Jyoti Bansal, and Jennifer Neundorfer discuss what makes a pitch land

Crafting a compelling pitch is crucial for startup founders looking to attract investors. At the upcoming TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 event, a panel featuring Medha Agarwal, general partner at defy.vc; Jyoti Bansal, CEO and co-founder of Harness; and Jennifer Neundorfer, managing partner of January Ventures, will provide valuable insights on what catches their attention and what can deter potential backers. In a candid discussion, these industry veterans will unveil the essential strategies for establishing trust, differentiating oneself in a crowded marketplace, and ultimately securing the right investments. Scheduled for October 27–29 at Moscone West in San Francisco, this event is set to draw over 10,000 leaders from the startup, tech, and venture capital sectors, making it a prime opportunity for networking and learning. Medha Agarwal brings a wealth of experience supporting entrepreneurs through various stages of growth. Having previously spent seven years at Redpoint Ventures, she has worked alongside notable companies in fintech, SaaS, and healthcare, learning from the very founders she has supported. Jyoti Bansal, a seasoned entrepreneur known for his impactful contributions to software, co-founded Harness in 2017 to streamline software delivery. His impressive track record includes the founding of AppDynamics, which was sold to Cisco for $3.7 billion in 2017. Bansal's accolades reflect his leadership and innovation in the tech space. Jennifer Neundorfer, who transitioned from operations to investment, focuses on early-stage startups at January Ventures. Her firm is dedicated to backing ambitious founders and transforming traditional industries through software. Neundorfer's previous experience includes co-founding Flashstarts, an accelerator aimed at fostering software startups outside of Silicon Valley. As the agenda for Disrupt 2025 is unveiled, attendees can look forward to a diverse array of sessions, including discussions on AI, space, and venture capital. Early registrants can benefit from substantial discounts, encouraging participation in this pivotal event for aspiring entrepreneurs and investors alike.