Rethinking Series A Fundraising: What Founders Must Know for 2027
If you’re planning to raise a Series A round within the next 12 to 24 months, the fundraising landscape you think you understand may already be outdated. Series A fundraising has evolved significantly—it’s no longer just harder; it’s slower, more selective, and increasingly unforgiving. Many founders are still optimizing their strategies based on yesterday’s market conditions, risking precious time and leverage as the bar for what constitutes a “fundable” company has shifted dramatically.
To address this critical gap, TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, held October 13-15 at San Francisco’s Moscone West, will feature a pivotal session titled The Series A in 2027. This Builders Stage session offers a forward-looking analysis that dives deep into the realities of raising a Series A in the upcoming funding cycle—and reveals which founders risk being left behind.
Get your passes to Disrupt and join this session live. The current buy one, get one 50% off ticket offer ends tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT.
Get Ahead of Series A Changes
The timeline between product building and fundraising has lengthened noticeably. Traditional metrics that once reliably indicated fundraising readiness are now under scrutiny. Startups that would have attracted investment two years ago are increasingly being passed over. Alarmingly, many founders only become aware of these shifts once they are already in the market seeking capital, often losing valuable time and leverage.
This session at TechCrunch Disrupt is designed to equip founders with the knowledge to navigate these new realities before they cost them their round or stall their growth trajectory.
What “Fundable” Actually Means Now
The definition of a “fundable” company is being rewritten in real-time. During this session, top investors provide an insider’s perspective on how they are recalibrating their evaluation frameworks, addressing critical questions such as:
- What traction truly signals fundraising readiness—and what no longer holds weight.
- How expectations around growth rates, operational efficiency, and capital deployment have evolved.
- Which product development and go-to-market milestones are now pivotal heading into a raise.
- The role of artificial intelligence in raising the bar—and where it may distort traditional signals.
The insights shared are immediately actionable, revealing the criteria driving investor decisions today and how these will shape the next funding cycle. To dive deeper, secure your ticket to Disrupt and learn what it takes to successfully raise capital in the current environment.
Who You’re Hearing From Onstage
This Builders Stage session unites some of the most influential investors shaping the future of Series A fundraising:
Nina Achadjian, Partner at Index Ventures
Nina Achadjian brings a wealth of experience investing across seed to growth stages with a focus on AI, robotics, and vertical SaaS. Her portfolio includes high-profile companies such as Anthropic, Gong, and ServiceTitan. Nina’s background as a former Google operator and early-stage investor lends her a unique perspective on scaling startups.
Janelle Teng Wade, Partner at Bessemer Venture Partners
Janelle Teng Wade specializes in early-stage investments focused on AI/ML, data infrastructure, and developer platforms. She co-authors Bessemer’s influential State of the Cloud Report and helps develop frameworks for companies scaling to $100 million+ in revenue.
Shailendra Singh, Managing Director, Peak XV
Shailendra Singh is part of a firm with over 500 investments and portfolio companies such as CRED, Pine Labs, and Druva. Peak XV boasts more than 30 IPOs and numerous companies that have surpassed $100 million in revenue.
These investors are actively defining the next generation of venture-backed companies by setting new standards, refining evaluation frameworks, and funding companies that meet these evolving criteria. Register for Disrupt to hear from these thought leaders and access over 250 other sessions.
What You’ll Walk Away With
The primary goal of this session is to provide clarity amid a shifting fundraising environment. Attendees will gain a sharper understanding of:
- Which metrics to truly focus on building toward.
- How to structure and scale your team effectively ahead of a raise.
- What signals investors prioritize—and which ones they now largely ignore.
- How to position your company strategically in a market that has become more selective.
Equally important, founders will learn what to stop optimizing for, because in today’s environment, excelling at outdated metrics can set you back rather than propel you forward. Buy your pass to Disrupt now before ticket prices increase.
Where This Fits at Disrupt
This session is part of the Builders Stage lineup at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, a platform designed for execution over theory. Founders attend Disrupt to rigorously test their strategies, recalibrate assumptions, and gain practical answers that can be implemented immediately.
If you’re considering raising capital in the next one to two years, attending this session is not optional. Misreading the new rules can mean failing to raise, raising later than planned, or doing so with less leverage and under increased pressure. Conversely, understanding these shifts lets you separate yourself from the competition before you even start pitching.
Register now to save 50% on two passes and attend The Series A in 2027 session.
Get Your Disrupt Ticket for Live Series A Insights
The Series A market is evolving faster than many founders can keep pace. You can discover this mid-process, risking lost time and opportunities—or you can understand it upfront and come prepared.
Save $410 on your pass and get a second pass at 50% off. This offer ends tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT. Join this session along with 250+ others across all Disrupt tracks for three days of real-world fundraising advice and technology insights.
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