Where will the next breakout startup come from? Benchmark’s full partnership weighs in at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026
techcrunch ·
Benchmark’s five general partners will appear together for the first time at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 to discuss the future of venture capital and startup innovation. The session, titled "What We Believe Now," explores where the next generation of breakout companies might emerge amidst a rapidly changing market. Benchmark recently raised approximately $2 billion across flagship and growth funds, reflecting its adaptation to new investment realities. With AI capturing over 60% of global VC funding in 2025, the partners will debate whether the application layer is overcrowded or if opportunities still hide in plain sight. The discussion features diverse perspectives from Jack Altman, Peter Fenton, Chetan Puttagunta, Everett Randle, and Eric Vishria, who bring varied backgrounds from founding to early-stage investing. Attendees are encouraged to reconsider their own assumptions about defensibility, distribution, and investability in an era of rapid technological change. The event takes place in San Francisco from October 13–15, offering insights into how sophisticated investors assess markets and teams.
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