Founders are often told to chase product-market fit before anything else, but what if scaling too soon, too fast, is what’s really holding them back?
At TechCrunch All Stage 2025 on July 15 in Boston, Jon McNeill, CEO and co-founder of DVx Ventures (and former president of Tesla and COO of Lyft), will take the Scale Stage to flip the script on conventional startup growth advice.
With a career that includes founding six companies, scaling Tesla from $2 billion to $20 billion in revenue, and helping take Lyft public, McNeill knows the difference between momentum and sustainable growth. At DVx Ventures, he and his team have already launched 12 companies with a focus on profitability, impact, and long-term value, not just speed.
In this session, McNeill will share tactical insights from building and backing companies in electrification, transportation, and AI. Attendees can expect hard-won lessons around capital efficiency, operating discipline, and how to break the traditional VC mold by building businesses that last.
If you’re a founder navigating hypergrowth or an investor looking for new models that prioritize long-term impact, this session delivers a grounded, operator-first roadmap.
It’s not just about building big — it’s about building right
On July 15, TechCrunch All Stage takes over Boston’s SoWa Power Station. It’s the founder summit built for scaling, packed with tactical takeaways, real conversations, and connections with investors and builders at every stage. Grab your pass now before you miss the chance to get 60% off your Founder and Investor Passes.
TechCrunch All Stage, our big event for founders of startups at all stages of funding (see what we did there?), is coming up July 15 at Boston’s SoWa Power Station. And it’s our pleasure to announce that Underscore VC’s investing partner Chris Gardner will join a loaded lineup of speakers by leading a breakout session titled “MVP in the Age of AI: When to Bot and When to Not.” Spoiler: Expect to learn a lot about using AI for minimum viable products.
Our limited-time discounts on Investor and Founder Passes are ending soon, with each discounted by at least $200 with an additional discount on group buys of four or more. If you’re looking to get the insights you need to scale or make connections with the VCs who can make that scaling possible, this is your chance to meet and learn from more than 1,200 attendees in the heart of Boston.
Insights on the benefits and limits of AI in building products
We know — AI is the buzzword in seemingly every company’s pitch and product roadmap, as well as in the programming and side conversations at events like TC All Stage. But with this session, Chris has a focus on a crucial thing for startups to get right: developing MVPs that are actually kept at a minimum and actually viable.
That can come with significant help from AI, which can lead to a rate of software development and prototyping that would have seemed ridiculous a few years ago. But it can also limit your potential, leaving behind the human element that fuels every successful product’s construction and rollout. And that’s something that every startup, regardless of their fundraising stage, can learn from.
Get to know Chris Gardner
Chris joins the growing powerhouse lineup of speakers for this year’s TC All Stage, calling upon his years of experience across fintech, speech recognition, e-billing, and beyond. In previous roles, he led PayPal’s P2P, PayPal Here, and other projects following the acquisition of Paydiant, a company he co-founded — and he played a prominent role in PayPal’s $2.2 billion acquisition of iZettle.
Though his current day job is in pre-seed and seed B2B investments, he’s admittedly still eager to get involved in hands-on projects, which explains his choice of session topic at this year’s event.
Time is running out! Less than 48 hours left to lock in your $300+ discount for TechCrunch All Stage founder and investor passes. More than just you? Save even more with bundle tickets. Rates increase on March 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
TC All Stage is where founders accelerate their growth and investors discover their next big opportunity. Get ready for actionable insights and new connections that will take your business to the next level. Join us on July 15 at SoWa Power Station in Boston — don’t miss out!
Unlock smarter scaling strategies at TC All Stage.
Want to turn traction into explosive growth? Join us at TC All Stage, where founders gain insider knowledge from leading VCs and experts, participate in hands-on sessions, and network with key players — all while investors hunt for their next major startup investment.
Focused breakout sessions for founders at every stage of growth
Two stages. Multiple levels. Each is designed to provide actionable takeaways that guide you from early-stage to growth-stage to IPO.
Foundation Stage: Early-stage founders will learn the core principles of building a startup from the ground up. Topics covered will include:
What VCs seek in pre-seed startups
When to automate (and when not to) with AI-driven MVPs
How to create a pitch deck that secures funding
Scale Stage: Founders at Series A and beyond will uncover the strategies needed to elevate their startup to the next level. Don’t let your growth plateau — give your startup the boost it needs.
Scaling sustainable companies
Raising Series C and beyond in today’s market
Preparing for IPOs & hitting $10M ARR
Get to know the experts shaping our breakout sessions
Our lineup of scaling experts keeps growing! Visit the speaker page to check out the latest additions.
Charles E. Hudson from Precursor Ventures is one of the judges at Startup Battlefield at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco on October 19, 2022.Image Credits:Haje Kamps/TechCrunch
Discover solutions or amplify your brand’s impact in the Expo Hall
Explore the Expo Hall to discover solutions for streamlining your startup or connect with VCs ready to back your idea. Meet exhibitors and explore potential partnerships. Or, showcase your brand to 1,200 founders and investors by reserving your own table — limited spots available. Learn more and book your table here.
Fidelity Investments exhibiting at TechCrunch Early Stage 2024 at SoWa Power Station in Boston.Image Credits:Halo Creative
Interactive, in-depth roundtables
Take part in focused, small-group roundtables guided by industry experts. Connect with fellow founders and investors, dive deep into your growth challenges, and leave with tailored strategies and actionable insights to help you scale smarter.
Roundtable session at TechCrunch Early Stage 2024 at SoWa Power Station in Boston.Image Credits:Halo Creative
Connecting founders and investors for lasting impact
Make high-impact connections with founders and investors in focused 1:1 or small-group sessions. Collaborate on key challenges, exchange valuable insights, and form alliances that shape the future. Keep the momentum alive by attending exclusive Side Events throughout Boston during TC All Stage Week.
Founders and investors engaging in high-impact networking at TechCrunch Early Stage 2024 in SoWa Power Station in Boston.Image Credits:Halo Creative
Startup pitches taking center stage
Founders, So You Think You Can Pitch gives you a front-row seat to live pitches and expert feedback from top VCs. Discover the secrets to a winning pitch, get immediate advice, and sharpen your approach for your upcoming funding round.
VCs, this is your chance to identify new investment opportunities while guiding founders to improve their pitches.
Accelerate your startup growth before prices increase
