From Idea to Initial Investment: Navigating Pre-Seed and Seed Funding with Charles Hudson and Navin Chaddha at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

More than 10,000 entrepreneurs, investors, and tech aficionados will convene at Moscone West in San Francisco from October 27-29 for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 — one of the most highly anticipated tech events of the year.

Among the 250+ technology leaders featured, make sure to attend this significant panel on the Builders Stage, featuring two of the top early-stage investors in venture: Charles Hudson from Precursor Ventures and Navin Chaddha from Mayfield. In their discussion, they will delve into one of the most challenging stages in a startup’s journey: obtaining your first funding round with just an idea.

Why join this conversation on the Builders Stage?

This clear and actionable discussion will hone in on the essential components needed to secure your first institutional check, from creating a captivating narrative to building trust without prior traction. Hudson and Chaddha will share the traits they look for in founders at the zero-to-one stage, the red flags that raise their concerns, and the common pitfalls inexperienced entrepreneurs face during fundraising.

Focusing on people over products

Pre-seed and seed funding generally happens before a product is created, a user base is formed, or traction is visible. This means that investors are betting on the founder rather than the venture itself. Few can assess this as effectively as Hudson and Chaddha. Together, they have guided hundreds of founders in their earliest phases, often before their pitch decks were polished, metrics existed, or a single line of code was written.

Charles Hudson, Managing Partner at Precursor Ventures, has invested in over 400 companies and supported more than 450 founders. He is well-known for backing individuals with bold ideas and unique perspectives, recently stating, “The earlier you invest, the more critical it is to trust the founder’s story and adaptability. It’s not just about addressing a problem — it’s about believing they are the right person to solve it.”

Navin Chaddha, Managing Partner at Mayfield, brings decades of experience in identifying outstanding founders and helping companies grow. With over $120 billion in equity value generated from his investments, Chaddha emphasizes that the initial stages are when founder values are essential. “We prioritize people first, markets second, and product third,” he has emphasized. “We look for founders who are mission-driven and resilient.”

Actionable insights on securing your initial round

Whether you are currently fundraising or gearing up for it in the future, this session will provide you with invaluable, actionable advice on confidently navigating early-stage venture capital. Don’t miss the chance to attend live, alongside 200+ sessions happening across five industry stages. Register now to save up to $675 before the prices rise after July!