Where will the next breakout startup come from? Benchmark’s full partnership weighs in at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026
Where will the next breakout startup come from? Benchmark’s full partnership weighs in on the main stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Save up to $200 before September 25, 11:59 p.m. PT. Register now.
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, Benchmark's five general partners gathered together for the first time to discuss the future of startups. Jack Altman, Peter Fenton, Chetan Puttagunta, Everett Randle and Eric Vishria shared their insights on where the next generation of companies will emerge, the assumptions founders should reconsider, and opportunities that may be overlooked.
This year, Benchmark made significant changes to its investment strategy, raising $3 billion across a flagship fund and a growth fund. The session aimed to explore the impact of AI on venture capital, with AI companies capturing 61% of global venture capital investment in 2025. However, the capital was not evenly distributed, with deals over $100 million representing 73% of total AI investment value.
The panel focused on the challenges of building a defensible business in a rapidly evolving market, where investors must decide how to allocate limited capital amidst growing competition.
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