The rules of growth have changed. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, happening October 27-29 at Moscone West in San Francisco, 10,000+ startup and VC leaders will gather to explore how founders are adapting in a market that looks nothing like it did five years ago. And on October 27, on the premier industry stage Going Public, David George of Andreessen Horowitz will take the mic for a fireside chat focused on one of the biggest questions facing founders today — how do you scale and succeed when the old rules no longer apply?
What happens when your company stays private longer?
Startups today can reach multibillion-dollar valuations, cash out early employees, and stay private far longer than their predecessors. But those benefits come with trade-offs. Late-stage founders now face a new set of expectations around capital efficiency, liquidity, and growth strategy. This fireside chat with David George, general partner at Andreessen Horowitz, will unpack what it really takes to build enduring companies in today’s VC landscape.
George leads the Growth investing team at a16z and has backed some of the most iconic tech names of the last decade, including Airbnb, Slack, Opendoor, and Uber. His insight into how capital is deployed — from early rounds to late-stage funding and secondary markets — offers founders a rare look behind the curtain at what growth investors are looking for now.
Why this conversation matters now
With fewer IPOs, increased scrutiny on burn, and more capital staying private longer, today’s late-stage companies are navigating a totally different set of incentives. This session will explore how the IPO window is shifting, what role secondaries play in employee liquidity, and how startups can set themselves up to weather longer timelines while still moving toward big outcomes.
Don’t miss this conversation with one of the most experienced growth investors in the game. Join 10,000 tech, startup, and VC leaders on October 27 at the Going Public Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. Secure your spot and save up to $675before prices go up.