Learn what VCs want to see from founders at TechCrunch Sessions: AI

It’s no secret that AI has eaten the lion’s share of funding over the past couple of years, with investments into the sector surging 62% to $110 billion in 2024 alone, while startup funding overall declined 12%. Startups may think that just adding “AI” to their company’s name might help them secure that funding. But as the frenzy around foundation models has given way to a focus on real-world applications, AI agents, and long-term profitability, investors are seeking startups that can turn technical ingenuity into sustained traction. At TechCrunch Sessions: AI, happening on June 5 in Zellerbach Hall at UC Berkeley, top VCs Zeya Yang (IVP), Jill Chase (CapitalG), and Kanu Gulati (Khosla Ventures) will break down exactly what they look for at each stage of investment, from seed rounds to Series C. And they’ve got the investment history and on-the-ground expertise to back it up. Meet our speakers Zeya Yang has invested in winners such as Grammarly and Figma and has a track record of w ... Read full article.