How to Make Your Pitch Stand Out: Key Startup Insights from Investors at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

Standing out in a sea of startup pitches is no easy feat. Seasoned investors are pitched to constantly, but only a select few founders manage to break through the noise. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, an expert panel — Medha Agarwal (Defy.vc), Jyoti Bansal (Harness), and Jennifer Neundorfer (January Ventures) — will share their practical advice on what truly catches an investor’s eye and the subtle mistakes founders frequently overlook.

Meet the Investors: Insights from the Front Lines

Medha Agarwal brings deep experience from Defy.vc and Redpoint Ventures, backing startups in fintech, SaaS, marketplaces, and healthcare. Jyoti Bansal is a serial entrepreneur, CEO, and co-founder behind AppDynamics’ $3.7 billion exit, also launching Traceable and Unusual Ventures. Jennifer Neundorfer leads January Ventures, driving early-stage investment and working to diversify the venture ecosystem.

These experts will reveal what it takes to earn their trust and attention, from authentic storytelling to demonstrating traction and market understanding — the kind of insights that can immediately help founders sharpen their pitch deck and fundraising strategies.

Instant Tips for a Better Pitch

• Clarity is critical: Start with a concise "why now" and explain the pain point you solve.
• Tailor your approach: Research the audience and investors in advance — generic pitches rarely succeed.
• Show traction, not just vision: Back up claims with data, even if early.
• Be authentic: Investors invest in people, so let your passion and expertise shine through.

Upcoming Opportunity: TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

The event will take place October 27–29 at San Francisco's Moscone West, gathering more than 10,000 founders, investors, and innovation leaders. The agenda is live and ticket discounts are available through September 26.

Deep Founder Analysis

Why it matters

For founders, a successful pitch can mean the difference between stagnation and breakout growth. Events like TechCrunch Disrupt spotlight the current bar for storytelling, data, and authenticity in the startup ecosystem — reflecting evolving investor priorities. This also signals a growing demand for founders who understand both their market and their narrative.

Risks & opportunities

While the flood of pitches increases competition, it also raises the standard for clarity and substance. Startups that rely on buzzwords or lack product validation face more skepticism than ever. However, founders who actively incorporate investor feedback and demonstrate early traction can set themselves apart and attract outsized attention — even in crowded markets. AI-driven pitch coaching or analytics platforms represent a growing opportunity.

Startup idea or application

Inspired by the TechCrunch Disrupt panel, one viable startup could be an AI-based pitch coach that analyzes a founder's narrative, slide content, and delivery, benchmarking it against successful fundraising decks and live investor feedback. This tool could offer sector-specific guidance and even adapt advice in real time as market expectations evolve.

Startup FundingPitchingTechCrunch DisruptInvestor InsightsEntrepreneurship

For more event insights, you might also enjoy our article "Robinhood Launches Copy Trading Feature Amid Shifting U.S. Regulatory Landscape", which dives into fintech product launch and fundraising lessons relevant for early-stage founders.

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