10:15 AM PDT · September 23, 2025
As startup leaders prepare for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 taking place on October 27–29 at Moscone West in San Francisco, the pivotal question arises: Does being in Silicon Valley still confer a competitive advantage for founders? With over 10,000 startup and venture capital professionals set to converge on this significant event, discussions about access, geography, and opportunities are more relevant than ever.
On the Builders Stage, Anh-Tho Chuong (Lago), David Hall (Revolution), and Tawni Nazario-Cranz (SignalFire) will lead an essential session for entrepreneurs looking to navigate today’s complex startup ecosystem effectively.
Register now to save up to $668 before the deadline on September 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
Why This Conversation Matters Now
As the dynamics of work evolve with remote teams and regional hubs becoming the norm, founders are questioning the true advantages of their geographic location. Is the Bay Area still the best place for access to resources and networks, or has the ecosystem become more balanced?
This session will bring together experienced startup leaders and investors who have successfully built and supported companies across the nation and globally. They will explore access challenges in 2025, discuss the evolution of remote collaboration in a post-pandemic world, and identify where promising opportunities reside for new entrepreneurs.
Who’s Taking the Builders Stage for This Session
- Anh-Tho Chuong is redefining open-source billing with Lago, a Y Combinator-supported platform favored by AI innovators like Mistral and Together. With a background in scaling Qonto and roles at Weebly and McKinsey, she is adept at navigating growth across global markets.
- David Hall has spent over a decade demonstrating that groundbreaking startups can thrive outside Silicon Valley. As managing partner at Revolution‘s Rise of the Rest Seed Fund, he has championed founders from unconventional locations often ignored by traditional coastal venture capital.
- Tawni Nazario-Cranz, partner at SignalFire and former Chief Human Resources Officer at Waymo, brings a focus on people-centered strategies to organizational growth, aiding firms in managing rapid expansions beyond the Valley.
The Edge Debate: Bay Area vs. Everywhere Else
This session promises insights into what fundamentally drives startup success regardless of location. Attendees will learn what factors remain significant, what may be less important, and practical strategies for expanding one’s professional network across different regions.
Join this compelling dialogue live on the Builders Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, happening October 27–29 at Moscone West in San Francisco. Register now to save up to $668 before registration prices rise on September 26.
Techcrunch Event
San Francisco | October 27-29, 2025
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