Learn what VCs want to see from founders at TechCrunch Sessions: AI

 AI has dominated the funding landscape in recent years, with investments in the sector surging 62% to $110 billion in 2024 alone, even as overall startup funding declined by 12%.

It might be tempting for startups to slap "AI" onto their names to attract investors. However, as the initial excitement around foundation models shifts toward real-world applications, AI agents, and long-term profitability, investors are prioritizing companies that can turn technical innovation into sustained business traction.

At TechCrunch Sessions: AI on June 5, 2025, in Zellerbach Hall at UC Berkeley, top venture capitalists Zeya Yang (IVP), Jill Chase (CapitalG), and Kanu Gulati (Khosla Ventures) will share insights on what they look for at every investment stage—from seed rounds to Series C. With extensive investment histories and hands-on expertise, they’re ready to break down how to stand out in the competitive AI landscape.

Meet the Speakers

Zeya Yang has backed major successes like Grammarly and Figma, and he specializes in helping founders refine product-market fit and drive growth.

Jill Chase leads CapitalG's investments in Magic, /dev/agents, Motif, and Abridge, focusing on emerging AI and ML use cases, data infrastructure, and enterprise technology.

Kanu Gulati has invested in AI leaders like PolyAI, Kognitos, and Moonhub. With over a decade of experience as a research scientist at Intel and Cadence and as a founding engineer at Heavy.ai, Spyglass, and Nascentric, she brings deep technical and operational expertise.

Don’t Miss TechCrunch Sessions: AI

Join the conversation and get a front-row seat to the future of AI. Secure your tickets now for TechCrunch Sessions: AI on June 5, 2025, in Zellerbach Hall at UC Berkeley. Take advantage of Early Bird deals to save up to $210!