Elad Gil, a prominent figure in the startup ecosystem, will share his insights into early-stage investing and innovation at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. Many of you may know Gil from his bestselling book, High Growth Handbook. This must-read guidance gives startup founders a roadmap through the pitfalls of high-speed scaling in today’s tech ecosystem. His venture portfolio includes more than 30 unicorns, a testament to his ability to identify breakout potential in fast-growing markets.
Home to some of the most well-known and innovative companies like Stripe, Airbnb, Coinbase, Instacart, Notion, Figma, Flexport and GitLab, Gil’s rich experience runs deep. These notable affiliations further emphasize his powerful position to help create the technology and innovative workforce we need to lead the future. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, he will discuss his approach to identifying promising startups and decoding emerging markets, offering attendees valuable strategies for success.
Insights from a Bestselling Author
Watermark founder Elad Gil’s High Growth Handbook is my favorite handbook for entrepreneurs. It does deliver valuable information for anyone eager to grow their companies the smart way. The book is full of real, practical strategies, and ideas that are particularly relatable to startup founders and leaders running a mile-a-minute operation. Some think it’s required reading to truly grasp the complexities of deeply innovative, high-growth companies.
During his time at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Gil will be further unpacking the principles laid out in his book. He aims to equip aspiring founders with the tools necessary to navigate the challenges of rapid growth and market fluctuations. His many years of experience and success in the tech field provide him with that special perspective. This understanding makes him perhaps the most influential national voice on the issue.
A Track Record of Success
Elad Gil’s record as an investor is characterized by early turns into companies that have gone on to become unicorns. He was an early investor in Perplexity, Character.AI, and Harvey — catching their potential before their technologies became mainstream. His unique talent for identifying viable and promising ventures has made him a highly sought-after advisor and investor.
History shows that throughout his career, Gil has had an extraordinary talent for spotting trends in the private, public and non-profit sectors. On day two of TC Disrupt 2025, he’ll help us drill down into the future of vital industries. Look forward to more on artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, health technology and enterprise software as a service (SaaS). His specialized knowledge will provide attendees with an exclusive look into the development of these fast-moving markets.
Decoding Emerging Markets
What’s been very hard to navigate, Gil will address at the IN-PERSON workshop is figuring out how to take advantage of those emerging markets. Globalization is dramatically changing the world of tech and entrepreneurship. As a result, charting smart policies has never been more urgent. Gil’s experience with diverse companies equips him to provide valuable insights into how startups can thrive in various market conditions.
His involvement at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is sure to inspire and educate the vibrant, talented ecosystem of entrepreneurs in attendance. Most importantly, they want an inside look at the dynamics of early-stage investing. Filled with actionable strategies and real-world examples, his mission is to create and inspire the next generation of interdisciplinary innovators.