Secure Funding Your Way at Disrupt 2025 – Skip VC Norms
▼ Summary
– TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 will feature a session on alternative startup funding options beyond traditional venture capital, held October 27-29 in San Francisco.
– The session will explore diverse funding routes like bootstrapping, family offices, and angel networks, helping founders choose the best path for their goals.
– Speakers include Erik Allebest (Chess.com CEO), Gale Wilkinson (VITALIZE founder), and Kay Makishi (Lupoff/Stevens Family Office VP), each offering unique funding perspectives.
– Erik Allebest built Chess.com into a 200M-user platform without VC, Gale Wilkinson has invested in 150 startups, and Kay Makishi specializes in cross-border family office investments.
– Attendees can learn practical strategies for funding startups while saving up to $668 on passes and networking with 10,000+ industry leaders.
Finding alternative funding paths for startups will take center stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, where industry leaders will challenge the conventional venture capital playbook. The event, scheduled for October 27-29 at San Francisco’s Moscone West, will feature an eye-opening discussion on the Builder Stage about how founders can secure capital without compromising their vision.
The traditional VC route isn’t the only option anymore, and this session will explore practical alternatives. Speakers include Erik Allebest, co-founder and CEO of Chess.com; Gale Wilkinson, founder of VITALIZE; and Kay Makishi, a vice president at Lupoff/Stevens Family Office. Each brings firsthand experience in funding strategies that sidestep the Silicon Valley model, from bootstrapping to leveraging family offices and angel networks.
Erik Allebest’s journey with Chess.com proves that venture capital isn’t always necessary. What started as a college passion project has grown into the world’s largest chess platform, boasting over 200 million users, all without relying on institutional investors. His story is a masterclass in sustainable, self-funded growth.
Gale Wilkinson has redefined early-stage investing with a portfolio of 150 startups and $80 million deployed. A vocal advocate for diversity in venture capital, she helps founders align funding with their values rather than chasing trends. Her insights are invaluable for entrepreneurs looking beyond traditional check-writers.
Kay Makishi offers a global perspective on how family offices and high-net-worth individuals invest in startups. With expertise in both U.S. and Japanese markets, she sheds light on how private capital can drive meaningful impact alongside financial returns.
This session is a must-attend for founders tired of the VC grind. Whether you’re exploring revenue-based financing, strategic partnerships, or other creative solutions, the discussion will provide actionable takeaways. Secure your pass to Disrupt 2025 now, early birds save up to $668 and gain access to 10,000+ innovators reshaping the future of funding.
(Source: TechCrunch)
