Core Event: StrictlyVC at Disrupt 2026, October 14—Early Bird Save Ends September 25
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 takes place October 13–15, 2026, at San Francisco’s Moscone West, with the StrictlyVC session scheduled for afternoon, October 14. Attendance requires an Investor Pass, and early-bird registration closes September 25 at 11:59 p.m. PT, offering a $200 discount. The dedicated session spans 2.5 hours, structured as 45 minutes of networking, followed by 65 minutes of conversations, and concluding with 70 minutes of additional mingling.
AI and Rapid Startup Scaling Reshape VC Fundamentals
Three core themes emerge from StrictlyVC’s lineup, reflecting structural shifts in venture capital. First, Ryan Flanagan of ICR addresses The New Rules of Going Public, highlighting that while the IPO window is reopening, expectations around growth, governance, and credibility have risen meaningfully—making the path to listing more disciplined and rigorous than recent years. Second, Bruce K Lee of Keebeck Capital Management and Dave Sachse of Sachse Family Fund examine The New Power Players, spotlighting family offices as a fast-growing capital source that operates with agility and flexibility but risks aligning with inflated valuations. Third, Amit Bhatti of TrueBridge and Beezer Clarkson of LGT Capital Partners explore What Limited Partners Want Now, dissecting how institutional capital evaluates manager selection, concentrated AI exposure, and liquidity timelines.
A noteworthy tension underpins these discussions: despite AI accelerating startup scaling, the capital-exit path is tightening rather than easing—IPO requirements sharpen while fundraise competition intensifies. Family offices, though growing rapidly, do not merely supplement but actively reshape portions of the traditional VC capital ecosystem.
Session Agenda (All times Pacific Time)
| Time Slot | Segment | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 14, 3:00–3:45 p.m. | Networking, Drinks & Light Bites | 45 minutes to connect with investors, founders, and venture professionals |
| Oct 14, 3:45–4:50 p.m. | StrictlyVC Conversations | Three in-depth dialogues covering IPO readiness, family offices, and LP priorities |
| Oct 14, 4:50–6:00 p.m. | Drinks & Networking | Post-program social time |
Disrupt 2026 expects 10,000+ attendees across the global tech ecosystem and features 200+ additional sessions across six industry stages plus roundtables. StrictlyVC sessions are exclusive to Investor Pass holders; standard passes do not grant access.
Who Should Attend—and Who Should Wait
Register now if you are：early/mid-stage VC principals, family office investment staff, LPs in due diligence, or pre-IPO tech company executives. The $200 early-bird saving expires in less than two weeks.
Consider waiting if you are：a pre-Series A founder without an IPO horizon—this deep-dive targets capital providers, not fundraising strategies—and follow-up public session recordings may suffice.
Write-Up at the End
Venture capital is pivoting from “growth at all costs” to a framework where quality, governance, and alignment with investor expectations trump speed alone. AI accelerates validation but raises the bar for sustainable scaling—the real rule change lies in capital expectations, not tools.