As the startup world gathers in San Francisco for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, taking place October 27-29 at Moscone West, one pressing question stands out: Does building a startup in Silicon Valley still provide founders with an advantage? With over 10,000 startup and VC leaders attending this milestone event, discussions about access, geography, and opportunity are more relevant than ever.
On the Builders Stage, Anh-Tho Chuong of Lago, David Hall of Revolution, and Heather Doshay of SignalFire will lead a crucial session for founders looking to scale effectively in today’s competitive landscape. Early registration offers savings of up to $675 before the end of July.
The conversation is particularly timely as distributed teams, regional hubs, and global fundraising become more common. Founders are questioning whether their location still provides a strategic edge. Is the Bay Area still the key to unlocking opportunities, or has the playing field truly leveled?
This session features startup veterans and experienced investors who have built and funded companies across the U.S. and beyond. They will explore what access means in 2025, how remote collaboration has evolved post-pandemic, and where emerging founders can find real opportunities.
Anh-Tho Chuong is transforming open-source billing with Lago, a Y Combinator-backed platform trusted by AI leaders like Mistral and Together. With experience scaling Qonto and roles at Weebly and McKinsey, she understands growth across different markets.
David Hall has spent the past decade proving that groundbreaking companies don’t need to originate in Silicon Valley. As managing partner at Revolution’s Rise of the Rest Seed Fund, he has supported bold founders in regions often overlooked by coastal investors.
Heather Doshay brings expertise in scaling people-first organizations. As a partner at SignalFire and former VP of People at Webflow, she has witnessed how hiring dynamics have shifted for startups outside the Valley and what it takes to build strong teams in a distributed world.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 will also feature insights from industry leaders like Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, and Sequoia Capital. Their expertise will help fuel startup growth and sharpen competitive strategies. Don’t miss this 20th-anniversary event, offering a chance to learn from top voices in tech.
Whether you’re building from a major city, a small town, or anywhere in between, this session will provide fresh perspectives on what drives startup success. Discover what still matters, what doesn’t, and how to build a strong network regardless of location.
Join the discussion live on the Builders Stage at Disrupt 2025 in San Francisco. Tickets are selling quickly, and prices will rise after July—register now to secure your spot and save up to $675.
Image Credits: Kimberly White / Getty Images