Do startups still need Silicon Valley? Hear from the founders and funders challenging old assumptions at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

As the startup world descends on San Francisco for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 — happening October 27–29 at Moscone West — one question looms large: does building in Silicon Valley still give founders an edge? With 10,000+ startup and VC leaders gathering for this milestone Disrupt, the conversation around access, geography, and opportunity has never been more timely.

On the Builders Stage, Anh-Tho Chuong (Lago), Davice Hall (Revolution), and Heather Doshay (SignalFire) lead a must-attend session for anyone looking to scale smart in today’s startup landscape.

Register now to save up to $675 before July ends and to join this (and many more sessions).

As distributed teams, regional hubs, and global fundraising become more normalized, founders are increasingly asking if their zip code actually gives them an edge. Does being in the Bay Area still open the right doors? Or has the playing field finally leveled?

This session brings together startup veterans and seasoned investors who’ve built and backed companies across the country — and well beyond it. They’ll dig into what access looks like in 2025, how remote collaboration has evolved post-pandemic, and where true opportunity lies for emerging founders.

Anh-Tho Chuong is rethinking open-source billing with Lago, a YC-backed platform trusted by AI leaders like Mistral and Together. From her time scaling Qonto to her early roles at Weebly and McKinsey, she’s no stranger to navigating growth across continents.

David Hall has spent the last decade proving that game-changing companies don’t have to come out of Silicon Valley. As Managing Partner at Revolution’s Rise of the Rest Seed Fund, he’s helped build a portfolio that spans the country — backing bold founders in places often overlooked by coastal VCs.

Heather Doshay knows how to scale people-first organizations from the inside. As a Partner at SignalFire and former VP of People at Webflow, she’s seen how the hiring landscape has shifted for startups outside the Valley — and what it takes to build standout teams in a distributed world.

Whether you’re building from a big city, a small town, or somewhere in between, this session will offer a fresh perspective on where startup success really comes from. Find out what still matters, what doesn’t, and how to build your network — no matter your location.

Catch this panel live on the Builders Stage at Disrupt 2025, happening October 27–29 at Moscone West in San Francisco. Tickets are moving fast, and prices increase after July — register now to save up to $675 and lock in your spot.