The fundraising landscape is shifting fast, and in 2025, the old rules no longer apply. Startups navigating flat, down, or extension rounds must be more strategic than ever in securing their next round of capital. Traditional metrics like $100 million in revenue for an IPO or $1 million ARR for a Series A are becoming outdated. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2024, we’ll explore the evolving dynamics founders must understand to succeed in today’s challenging capital markets.

On the Builders Stage, we’ll be joined by an esteemed panel of experts who have lived through these changes and come out on top. Nikhil Basu Trivedi, co-founder and general partner of Footwork; Dayna Grayson, co-founder and general partner of Construct Capital; and Elliott Robinson, partner at Bessemer Venture Partners will share their insights on how startups can thrive amid unpredictable fundraising environments.

Meet the speakers

Nikhil Basu Trivedi, Co-Founder and General Partner of Footwork

Nikhil Basu Trivedi has built a reputation as one of the sharpest minds in early-stage consumer tech. At Footwork, Nikhil focuses on startups at the intersection of consumer behavior and enterprise technology, sectors that are transforming the way investors evaluate opportunities. His investments in Canva, Lattice, and other category-defining companies demonstrate his knack for identifying breakout potential even in difficult markets. At Disrupt, Nikhil will discuss how founders can differentiate themselves when traditional benchmarks don’t apply.

Dayna Grayson, Co-Founder and General Partner of Construct Capital

Dayna Grayson’s expertise lies in industries that have long resisted change, such as manufacturing and mobility. As co-founder of Construct Capital, she’s led investments in companies that are reimagining legacy sectors and securing funding in environments where growth is slow and investor confidence can be shaky. With experience guiding startups like Desktop Metal and Formlabs through various funding stages, Dayna will offer valuable insights into how companies in traditional industries can attract the capital they need to drive transformation.

Elliott Robinson, Partner at Bessemer Venture Partners

Elliott Robinson is a leading authority on cloud software, and his work at Bessemer Venture Partners has positioned him at the forefront of the SaaS industry. Co-author of Bessemer’s “10 Laws of Cloud Computing” and the annual State of the Cloud Report, Elliott understands the key drivers that investors look for in cloud and SaaS startups. From board seats at companies like Hinge Health and Canva to investments in Forter and Netlify, he has a bird’s-eye view of how cloud companies are navigating down rounds and market resets. At Disrupt, he’ll discuss how companies can secure funding, even during down rounds, by emphasizing the fundamentals that ensure long-term success.

Join the discussion on navigating today’s fundraising landscape

Whether you’re a founder navigating tough fundraising conditions or an investor looking for the next big opportunity, this conversation is one you can’t afford to miss. Join us at Disrupt 2024, alongside 10,000 tech, startup, and VC leaders, to gain actionable insights into the strategies that will define your next capital raise.

Don’t wait — tickets are selling fast. Be part of this essential dialogue at Disrupt 2024, happening October 28-30 at Moscone West in San Francisco. Get your pass before prices increase at the door. Grab the Expo+ 2-for-1 Pass, and your plus-one can join you for only half the cost of an Expo+ Pass. 

Microsoft and OpenAI announced they’re offering a select group of media outlets up to $10 million ($2.5 million in cash plus $2.5 million worth of “software and enterprise credits” from each) to try out AI tools in the newsroom.

The first round of funding will go to Newsday, The Minnesota Star Tribune, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Chicago Public Media, and The Seattle Times.

These outlets will receive a grant to hire a two-year fellow who will work to develop and implement AI tools using Microsoft Azure and OpenAI credits. The program is part of a collaboration between Microsoft, OpenAI, and the Lenfest Institute for Journalism, which aims to promote local media.

“While nothing will replace the central role of reporters, we believe that AI technology can help in the research, investigation, distribution, and monetization of important journalism,” Tom Rubin, the chief of intellectual property and content at OpenAI, said in the press release.

Microsoft and OpenAI will provide grants to three more media organizations at a later date. Some AI applications that the outlets will explore include leveraging the technology for, transcription, content summaries, and creating a “conversational” search tool for archives.

Google is continuing to infuse the Gemini Live AI assistant across Android phones with the ability to make calls and send messages, even when your phone is locked, on its way. As discovered in a piece of as-yet unreleased code by Android Authority, the update would further cement Gemini as the replacement for Google Assistant.

Controlling the phone while it is locked is a signature feature of Gemini Live. You could already talk to the AI and ask it questions when your phone is locked, but currently, only Google Assistant can send messages or make calls without unlocking the device. The unreleased code points to Gemini getting that option, too.

An AI system developed by Meta can find solutions to maths problems that have eluded mathematicians for over a century, researchers at the firm claim.

The problems involve mathematical tools called Lyapunov functions, named after mathematician Aleksandr Lyapunov, which analyse whether a system will remain stable over time, meaning its behaviour can be predicted. One famous example of such a system is the motion of three celestial bodies as a result of their mutual gravitational interactions – describing the behaviour of this “three-body problem” is extremely challenging.

The second season of the Legend of Legends animated Netflix show Arcane comes out next month, and Riot Games plans to celebrate that in League of Legends itself. Namely, it will add Ambessa Medarda, a character introduced in the show, as a new champion as part of Patch 14.22.

You might recall that Ambessa is the matriarch of the Noxian Merdarda family who first appears partway through the first season of Arcane to advise her daughter Mel. After Jinx’s attack on Mel and the rest of the Piltover council at the end of the first season, it seems like Ambessa will be on a path of vengeance in the show’s second season. Riot Games believes that she’s a compelling enough character to bring over to the game that inspired Arcane, with game designer Max Perlman saying that the show gave the developers a “jumping off point to eventually find the center point of her kit,” in comments provided to Digital Trends.

Ambessa is designed to be a top lane champion who can 1v1 against other characters, and her abilities reflect that. Her passive ability is Drakehound’s Step, which allows Ambessa to dash after casting an ability and give her next ability range, damage, and attack speed buffs while refunding energy. Her Q ability starts as Cunning Sweep, a basic attack that deals damage in front of her with blades; if Ambessa hits an enemy, it turns into Sundering Slam, which deals bonus damage to the first enemy it hits while doing damage in a line.

Ambessa’s W ability is Repudiation, which gives her Shield as she slams into the ground and damages nearby enemies. Her E ability is Lacerate, which deals damage around Ambessa and enables a combo with Drakehound’s Step by allowing her to strike twice. Finally, her Ultimate Ability is Public Execution, which teleports her to the farthest enemy champion in a line players choose and suppresses, damages, and stuns that champion.

Ambessa seems like an appealing choice for more aggressive players and newer ones playing the game for the first time after watching Arcane. Ambessa’s addition isn’t the only Arcane-related tie-in with League of Legends, as its All Random, All Mid game mode is getting a new map based on the Bridge of Progress and more between the launch of Patch 14.22 and January 8, 2025.

The second season of Arcane will be released across three acts on November 9, November 16, and November 23.

Microsoft has just announced its new Xbox Wireless Headset, and it now comes with a free Dolby Atmos license. Previous iterations of the headset required owners to purchase a license separately. That’s typically a $15 purchase, which covers up to 10 Windows or Xbox devices. Another notable upgrade is its battery life, which, according to Microsoft, has increased to 20 hours of playtime.

Regarding the Dolby Atmos license, Microsoft once posted that it had an exclusivity window with Dolby for Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision. This was later proven untrue as the company clarified that the post was published in error. However, the fact that this headset comes with a license saves users some cash and could help more people try out the technology. Our best gaming headset list also contains some headsets that come with Dolby Atmos licenses, like the Audeze Maxwell.

The new Xbox Wireless Headset model doesn’t only have audio improvements. The microphone now has voice isolation and an improved auto-mute to prevent outside noises from garbling your audio output. Clear communication is important when communicating with the team to win, after all.

Besides having Dolby Atmos support, this new headset works with Windows Sonic and DTS Headphone:X. Windows Sonic is a spatial sound solution found on Windows computers. DTS Headphone:X is another 3D sound solution also for Windows, but requires a free download from the Microsoft Store. All three are designed to help enhance game audio and make it more immersive for the player. If the sound isn’t good enough for your tastes, you can adjust it using the Xbox Accessories app.

To reduce latency, the Xbox Wireless Headset comes with a Qualcomm S5 Gen 2 chipset. It also has Bluetooth 5.3 support.

Currently, the Xbox Wireless Headset is available for purchase for $110. While Microsoft hasn’t mentioned which regions have it in stock, it’s available in select regions both online and from retailers.