Jennifer Neundorfer, co-founder of January Ventures, speaking recently at TechCrunch Disrupt. There, she provided us with key advice for navigating the unique challenges and opportunities that founders are experiencing in the ever-changing AI market. The 2026 event will take place in San Francisco from October 13-15, 2026. It will feature stimulating conversations on issues ranging from fundraising to market correction, and most importantly, the central role of innovation in drawing investor attention.
Neundorfer stressed the changing nature of the overall venture capital ecosystem, especially as it pertains to raising money in an AI-centric environment. She warned that a market correction is likely on the horizon, suggesting that many companies currently attracting investment may not survive the impending changes.
“Founders who can stay ahead of that curve, build at the edge of what’s possible today, and build for what’s coming,” Neundorfer stated, highlighting the need for foresight in entrepreneurship.
She explained her dedication to helping founders in their most formative stages. Neundorfer stays involved, regularly checking in to offer granular feedback that empowers them to avoid pitfalls and address their distinctive challenges. We hope this hands-on approach will build greater resilience among startups doing their best to survive the unpredictable climate ahead.
In her report, Neundorfer noted the high barriers to entry for many new would-be clean tech startups in an increasingly competitive space. “Where I think founders are breaking through is when they can communicate to investors why what they’re doing is really different than the other dozens of startups that are doing that and why they are the team to go after that,” she remarked. This distinction is important for luring investment in a climate where the competition is fierce.
Neundorfer walked through some promising, cutting-edge applications of AI that her firm is pursuing to help improve operational efficiency. She stressed that AI would dramatically improve due diligence measures for market needs and competitive analysis. This change would serve the interests of investors and founders alike.
“Anything else becomes something they can’t control, and the worry isn’t worth it,” she said, reflecting on the importance of focusing on controllable factors in a startup’s strategy.
Beyond analyzing bigger macro-market trends, Neundorfer focused on the lack of funding accorded to minority and female founders. Filling those gaps, she stressed that we need to do a lot more to serve these underrepresented groups. They often face additional barriers when seeking to access venture capital.
Additionally, she explained that the best venture markets are developing outside the normal areas such as San Francisco. Illustrating that innovation is no longer limited to the traditional, tech-heavy hotbeds, Neundorfer’s observations show that it’s now going everywhere.
That’s what we’re looking at. She stressed the importance of less incremental tinkering. Instead, she called for wholly different behavior, proving once again her faith in the transformative potential of bold concepts.
Dominic-Madori Davis is a senior VC and startup reporter at TechCrunch. Representing New York City, she last wrote about Neundorfer’s session. Davis emphasized how her insights resonate with many entrepreneurs navigating today’s challenging economic landscape.