Time is flying as we prepare for TechCrunch Disrupt 2026! An exciting new panel for founders seeking M&A advice is on the way, but first, we have a limited-time ticket offer for you.
Disrupt returns to San Francisco’s Moscone West from October 13–15, and for a limited time, you can bring a colleague, co-founder, investor, or teammate for less! Buy one Disrupt 2026 pass and get 50% off a second pass of the same ticket type, but hurry—this offer ends May 8 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
Dive into our latest panel on the Builders Stage that promises to keep you engaged during Disrupt’s three days.
Hear how M&A is becoming an early-stage strategy at Disrupt. Our recent coverage shows acquisitions and acqui-hires remain popular, particularly in AI. Whether it’s OpenAI acquiring Hiro, Anthropic acquiring Vercept, Google taking Hume AI’s team, or Databricks securing two startups for its security product, the year has been eventful!
Acquisition isn’t just an endpoint for founders; it can be part of their early-stage journey. With many recent acquisitions in mind, we’ve gathered an expert panel to guide founders on the M&A options ahead.
Our panelists will provide a playbook for creating options for potentially selling, making your startup more appealing to buyers, and understanding the realities of the acquisition process. Learn more about the industry leaders on our panel.
Aklil Ibssa, Coinbase’s Head of Corporate Development and M&A, offers a buyer-side view from one of the largest crypto companies. Aklil has overseen over 14 acquisitions and nearly 50 investments, helping shape Coinbase’s highly active M&A program. His insights on how strategic buyers evaluate young companies, including tech, talent, and product velocity, will be invaluable.
Lindsey Mignano, Founder of Mignano Law Group, brings the legal and structural knowledge crucial to closing early-stage M&A deals. As general counsel for tech companies, SMEs, and venture-backed startups, she navigates SAFE notes, investment rounds, and acquisitions. Her experience with seed through Series B companies will help founders understand early M&A readiness.
Karl Alomar, Managing Partner at M13, rounds out our discussion, offering insights as an investor and operator. Supporting seed and Series A software founders, Karl’s understanding of strategic decisions, from raising capital to acquisitions, is extensive. His experience as COO of DigitalOcean, which went public with a peak valuation of around $15 billion, and as a founder with companies acquired in the past, provides him with a unique perspective.
Remember, if you sign up for Disrupt 2026 by May 8 at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can get your pass with savings of up to $410 and 50% off a second pass of the same ticket type. Disrupt’s insights are best shared with a partner or colleague, so don’t miss this chance!