What early-stage investors really look for in founders at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
📍 October 27–29, Moscone West, San Francisco
🎟️ Register now to save up to $668 — savings end September 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Why join this conversation on the Builders Stage?

This honest and tactical conversation will cover what really matters when raising your first institutional check — from telling a compelling story to building trust without traction. Charles Hudson and Wesley Chan will share the traits they consistently look for in zero-to-one founders, the red flags that raise eyebrows, and the most common mistakes first-time entrepreneurs make when fundraising.

Betting on people before the product

Pre-seed and seed fundraising often happens before there’s a product, user base, or traction. That means investors are betting on the founder, not the business. And few know how to make that call better than Hudson and Chan. Between them, they’ve backed hundreds of founders at the earliest stages, before the pitch decks were polished, before there were metrics to show, and often before a single line of code had shipped.

Charles Hudson, managing partner of Precursor Ventures, has invested in more than 400 companies and supported over 450 founders. He’s built his reputation on backing people with bold ideas and unique perspectives, saying recently: “The earlier you invest, the more important it is to believe in the founder’s narrative and ability to adapt. It’s not just about solving a problem — it’s about whether I believe you’re the one to do it.”

Wesley Chan, co-founder and managing partner at FPV Ventures, is known for placing bold early bets on category-defining companies. A Google veteran, he helped create Google Analytics and Google Voice before moving into venture, where he’s backed unicorns like Canva, Robinhood, and Plaid. His investing philosophy centers on identifying mission-driven founders who can turn scrappy beginnings into lasting impact.

Actionable insights on raising your first round

Whether you’re currently raising or planning for the future, this session will equip you with real, actionable advice on navigating early venture with clarity and conviction. Don’t miss it live, in addition to 200+ sessions taking place across five industry stages. Register now to save.

📍 TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 — October 27–29, Moscone West, San Francisco
🎟️ Save up to $668 when you register by September 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT.