The world of technology is constantly evolving, and with it, the need for innovative and disruptive ideas is on the rise. In order to turn these ideas into reality, entrepreneurs often require funding to take their startups to the next level. However, securing funding, especially at the Series A stage, can be a daunting task for many. That’s why at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, three successful investors, Katie Stanton of Moxxie Ventures, Thomas Krane of Insight Partners, and Sangeen Zeb of GV, shared their insights on how to win Series A funding in 2026.
Katie Stanton, the founder and general partner of Moxxie Ventures, has a wealth of experience in the tech industry. She has previously worked at Google, Twitter, and Color Genomics, and has invested in companies like Airtable, Bird, and Cameo. Thomas Krane, a managing director at Insight Partners, has been investing in technology companies for over 20 years and has led investments in companies like Shopify, DocuSign, and Qualtrics. Sangeen Zeb, a partner at GV, has a background in engineering and has invested in companies like Uber, Slack, and Airbnb. With their combined expertise, these investors have a deep understanding of what it takes to secure Series A funding.
The first piece of advice that all three investors emphasized was the importance of having a strong and unique idea. In today’s competitive market, having a great idea is not enough. It needs to be something that stands out and has the potential to disrupt the industry. Katie Stanton believes that “the best ideas are often the simplest ones.” She advises entrepreneurs to focus on solving a problem that they are passionate about and that has a real impact on people’s lives. Thomas Krane adds that “a great idea is one that has a clear and scalable business model.” Investors are looking for ideas that have the potential to grow and generate significant returns.
Apart from a great idea, investors also look for a strong and capable team. Sangeen Zeb stresses the importance of having a diverse team with a mix of skills and experiences. He says, “a diverse team brings different perspectives and can help in identifying blind spots.” Investors want to see a team that is not only passionate about their idea but also has the skills to execute it successfully. Katie Stanton adds that “a team that has a track record of working together is a big plus.” It shows that the team has a good dynamic and can work well together, which is crucial for the success of any startup.
Another crucial aspect that investors consider is the market potential of the idea. Thomas Krane advises entrepreneurs to do thorough market research and understand the size and growth potential of their target market. He says, “investors want to see that there is a large enough market for the idea to scale and generate significant returns.” Sangeen Zeb adds that “having a clear go-to-market strategy is also important.” Investors want to see that the team has a plan in place to reach their target audience and acquire customers.
When it comes to pitching to investors, all three investors agree that preparation is key. Katie Stanton says, “entrepreneurs should be able to clearly articulate their idea and its potential in a concise and compelling manner.” Investors are often bombarded with pitches, so it’s important to make a strong first impression. Thomas Krane advises entrepreneurs to “be open to feedback and be willing to adapt.” Investors may have suggestions or concerns, and it’s important to listen and address them. Sangeen Zeb adds that “having a solid financial plan and projections is crucial.” Investors want to see that the team has a clear understanding of their financials and how they plan to use the funding.
In addition to these key factors, all three investors stress the importance of building relationships. Katie Stanton says, “networking is crucial in the tech industry.” Attending events like TechCrunch Disrupt allows entrepreneurs to meet potential investors and build relationships with them. Thomas Krane adds that “having a warm introduction to an investor can make a big difference.” It shows that someone in the investor’s network trusts and believes in the team, which can increase their chances of securing funding.
As the panel came to an end, all three investors left the audience with one final piece of advice – perseverance. Sangeen Zeb says, “the road to securing funding is not easy, and there will be many re
