Learn what VCs want to see from founders at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
It's been a wild ride for AI in recent years, with funding skyrocketing by 62% to a whopping $110 billion in 2024, even as overall startup investments dipped by 12%. You might think slapping "AI" onto a startup's name could be a golden ticket to funding, but the landscape has shifted. The buzz around foundation models has cooled down, and now the spotlight's on practical applications, AI agents, and how startups can keep the profits rolling in. Investors are hunting for companies that can not only dazzle with tech but also show they've got what it takes to stick around.
If you're eager to dive deep into what investors are really after, mark your calendar for TechCrunch Sessions: AI on June 5 at Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley. We've got some heavy hitters lined up to spill the beans on their investment strategies at every stage, from seed to Series C. Zeya Yang from IVP, Jill Chase from CapitalG, and Kanu Gulati from Khosla Ventures will share their insights—and trust me, they know their stuff.
Meet our speakers
Zeya Yang's got a knack for picking winners, with investments in companies like Grammarly and Figma. She's not just about throwing money around; she works closely with founders to fine-tune their product-market fit and fuel growth.
Jill Chase has been steering CapitalG's investments into exciting ventures like Magic, /dev/agents, Motif, and Abridge. Over the last few years, she's been all about uncovering new ways AI and ML can shake things up, especially in data infrastructure and enterprise tech.
Kanu Gulati's been backing AI trailblazers like PolyAI, Kognitos, and Moonhub. With over a decade as a research scientist at Intel and Cadence, and early engineering roles at Heavy.ai, Spyglass, and Nascentric, he's seen the AI game from every angle.

Jill Chase, partner at CapitalG, will speak on the main stage at TechCrunch Sessions: AI on June 5, 2025, in Zellerbach Hall at UC Berkeley.Image Credits:CapitalG 
Kanu Gulati, partner, Khosla Ventures will speak on the main stage at TechCrunch Sessions: AI on June 5, 2025, in Zellerbach Hall at UC Berkeley.Image Credits:Khosla Ventures Join the AI conversation at TC Sessions: AI
Don't miss out on this chance to get the inside scoop on what VCs are looking for in AI startups. Grab your tickets now for TechCrunch Sessions: AI on June 5 at Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley. Snag an Early Bird deal and save up to $210—register here.
Become a TechCrunch Sessions: AI Sponsor
Interested in showcasing your company at TechCrunch Sessions: AI? Reach out to our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form.
Don’t miss out on the best deals for TechCrunch events
Stay in the loop and be the first to grab special promotions by signing up for the TechCrunch Events newsletter.
Related article
AI Comic Factory: Easily Create Comics for Free Using AI
In today's digital world, the blend of artificial intelligence and creative arts is sparking fascinating new avenues for expression. AI Comic Factory stands at the forefront of this revolution, offering a platform where users can create comics with the help of AI. This article takes a closer look at
AI Trading Bots: Can You Really Earn a Month's Salary in a Day?
If you've ever dreamt of earning a month's salary in a single day, the world of AI trading bots might seem like the golden ticket. These automated systems promise to leverage artificial intelligence to trade on your behalf, potentially turning the volatile market into your personal ATM. But is this
LinkFi: Revolutionizing DeFi with AI and Machine Learning
In the ever-evolving world of decentralized finance (DeFi), staying ahead of the curve is crucial. Enter LinkFi, a project that's stirring the pot by weaving artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning into the fabric of DeFi. Let's dive into what makes LinkFi tick, from its ambitious vision t
Comments (25)
0/200
JackRoberts
April 13, 2025 at 12:00:00 AM GMT
The AI funding frenzy is wild, but it's not just about slapping 'AI' on your startup anymore. The insights from TechCrunch Sessions: AI are super helpful for founders. It's a bit overwhelming with all the info, but definitely a must-watch if you're looking to impress VCs! 🚀
0
NicholasAdams
April 13, 2025 at 12:00:00 AM GMT
AIの資金調達ブームは驚くべきものですが、スタートアップに「AI」と付けるだけではもうダメですね。TechCrunch Sessions: AIからの洞察は創業者にとって非常に役立ちます。情報が多すぎて少し圧倒されますが、VCにアピールしたいなら必見です!🚀
0
HenryTurner
April 15, 2025 at 12:00:00 AM GMT
O frenesi de financiamento de IA é louco, mas não é mais só sobre colocar 'IA' no seu startup. As percepções do TechCrunch Sessions: AI são super úteis para fundadores. É um pouco avassalador com todas as informações, mas definitivamente um deve-assistir se você quer impressionar os VCs! 🚀
0
LawrenceJones
April 13, 2025 at 12:00:00 AM GMT
El frenesí de financiación de IA es una locura, pero ya no se trata solo de poner 'IA' en tu startup. Las perspectivas de TechCrunch Sessions: AI son súper útiles para los fundadores. Es un poco abrumador con toda la información, pero definitivamente un debe ver si quieres impresionar a los VCs! 🚀
0
TimothyCarter
April 13, 2025 at 12:00:00 AM GMT
Безумие финансирования ИИ просто невероятно, но теперь это не только о том, чтобы прикрепить 'ИИ' к вашему стартапу. Инсайты с TechCrunch Sessions: AI очень полезны для основателей. Это немного ошеломляет из-за обилия информации, но определенно стоит посмотреть, если вы хотите произвести впечатление на ВCs! 🚀
0
GaryJones
April 13, 2025 at 12:00:00 AM GMT
This tool is a must-have for any startup founder looking to dive into the AI funding scene! It really breaks down what VCs are looking for, which is super helpful. However, it could use some more real-world examples to make it even better. Still, it's a great start! 👍
0
It's been a wild ride for AI in recent years, with funding skyrocketing by 62% to a whopping $110 billion in 2024, even as overall startup investments dipped by 12%. You might think slapping "AI" onto a startup's name could be a golden ticket to funding, but the landscape has shifted. The buzz around foundation models has cooled down, and now the spotlight's on practical applications, AI agents, and how startups can keep the profits rolling in. Investors are hunting for companies that can not only dazzle with tech but also show they've got what it takes to stick around.
If you're eager to dive deep into what investors are really after, mark your calendar for TechCrunch Sessions: AI on June 5 at Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley. We've got some heavy hitters lined up to spill the beans on their investment strategies at every stage, from seed to Series C. Zeya Yang from IVP, Jill Chase from CapitalG, and Kanu Gulati from Khosla Ventures will share their insights—and trust me, they know their stuff.
Meet our speakers
Zeya Yang's got a knack for picking winners, with investments in companies like Grammarly and Figma. She's not just about throwing money around; she works closely with founders to fine-tune their product-market fit and fuel growth.
Jill Chase has been steering CapitalG's investments into exciting ventures like Magic, /dev/agents, Motif, and Abridge. Over the last few years, she's been all about uncovering new ways AI and ML can shake things up, especially in data infrastructure and enterprise tech.
Kanu Gulati's been backing AI trailblazers like PolyAI, Kognitos, and Moonhub. With over a decade as a research scientist at Intel and Cadence, and early engineering roles at Heavy.ai, Spyglass, and Nascentric, he's seen the AI game from every angle.
Don't miss out on this chance to get the inside scoop on what VCs are looking for in AI startups. Grab your tickets now for TechCrunch Sessions: AI on June 5 at Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley. Snag an Early Bird deal and save up to $210—register here.
Become a TechCrunch Sessions: AI Sponsor
Interested in showcasing your company at TechCrunch Sessions: AI? Reach out to our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form.
Don’t miss out on the best deals for TechCrunch events
Stay in the loop and be the first to grab special promotions by signing up for the TechCrunch Events newsletter.




The AI funding frenzy is wild, but it's not just about slapping 'AI' on your startup anymore. The insights from TechCrunch Sessions: AI are super helpful for founders. It's a bit overwhelming with all the info, but definitely a must-watch if you're looking to impress VCs! 🚀




AIの資金調達ブームは驚くべきものですが、スタートアップに「AI」と付けるだけではもうダメですね。TechCrunch Sessions: AIからの洞察は創業者にとって非常に役立ちます。情報が多すぎて少し圧倒されますが、VCにアピールしたいなら必見です!🚀




O frenesi de financiamento de IA é louco, mas não é mais só sobre colocar 'IA' no seu startup. As percepções do TechCrunch Sessions: AI são super úteis para fundadores. É um pouco avassalador com todas as informações, mas definitivamente um deve-assistir se você quer impressionar os VCs! 🚀




El frenesí de financiación de IA es una locura, pero ya no se trata solo de poner 'IA' en tu startup. Las perspectivas de TechCrunch Sessions: AI son súper útiles para los fundadores. Es un poco abrumador con toda la información, pero definitivamente un debe ver si quieres impresionar a los VCs! 🚀




Безумие финансирования ИИ просто невероятно, но теперь это не только о том, чтобы прикрепить 'ИИ' к вашему стартапу. Инсайты с TechCrunch Sessions: AI очень полезны для основателей. Это немного ошеломляет из-за обилия информации, но определенно стоит посмотреть, если вы хотите произвести впечатление на ВCs! 🚀




This tool is a must-have for any startup founder looking to dive into the AI funding scene! It really breaks down what VCs are looking for, which is super helpful. However, it could use some more real-world examples to make it even better. Still, it's a great start! 👍












