How Startups Are Transforming Late-Stage Strategies at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

The landscape of growth has shifted dramatically. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, happening from October 27-29 at Moscone West in San Francisco, more than 10,000 startup and VC leaders will gather to explore how founders are adjusting in a world that is vastly different from just five years ago. On October 27, at the premier industry session Going Public, David George of Andreessen Horowitz will host a fireside chat focused on a crucial question for modern founders—how can you grow and thrive when the traditional rules no longer hold?

What occurs when your company remains private longer?

Contemporary startups are able to achieve valuations in the billions, offer early employees liquidity, and stay private for extended periods compared to their predecessors. However, these benefits come with significant trade-offs. Late-stage founders are now facing new expectations regarding capital efficiency, liquidity, and growth strategy. This fireside chat with David George, general partner at Andreessen Horowitz, will explore what it truly takes to build enduring companies in today’s venture capital environment.

George leads the Growth investing team at a16z and has backed some of the most recognized tech firms over the last decade, including Airbnb, Slack, Opendoor, and Uber. His insights on capital deployment—from initial funding rounds to late-stage investments and secondary markets—offer founders a unique perspective on what growth investors are looking for today.

Why is this conversation relevant now?

In a climate marked by fewer IPOs, increased scrutiny on burn rates, and a growing amount of capital staying private, today’s late-stage companies are navigating an entirely new array of incentives. This session will investigate how the IPO landscape is changing, the role of secondaries in employee liquidity, and how startups can position themselves to endure longer timelines while still aiming for substantial outcomes.

Don’t miss the chance to interact with one of the foremost growth investors in the field. Join 10,000 tech, startup, and VC leaders on October 27 at the Going Public Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. Reserve your spot now and save up to $675 before ticket prices rise.