Latest news with #CharlesHudson
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
From idea to first check: Raising pre-seed and seed capital with Charles Hudson and Navin Chaddha at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
More than 10,000 founders, investors, and tech insiders will convene at Moscone West in San Francisco from October 27-29 for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 — one of the year's most anticipated tech conferences. Of the 250+ tech leaders taking the stage, don't miss this standout panel on the Builders Stage featuring two of the most respected early-stage investors in venture: Charles Hudson of Precursor Ventures and Navin Chaddha of Mayfield. Their session dives into one of the toughest moments in any startup's journey: raising your first round when all you have is a vision. Why join this conversation on the Builders Stage? will cover what really matters when raising your first institutional check, from telling a compelling story to building trust without traction. Hudson and Chaddha will share the traits they consistently look for in zero-to-one founders, the red flags that raise eyebrows, and the most common mistakes first-time entrepreneurs make when fundraising. Betting on people before the product Pre-seed and seed fundraising often happens before there's a product, user base, or traction. That means investors are betting on the founder, not the business. And few know how to make that call better than Hudson and Chaddha. Between them, they've backed hundreds of founders at the earliest stages, before the pitch decks were polished, before there were metrics to show, and often before a single line of code had shipped. Charles Hudson, Managing Partner of Precursor Ventures, has invested in more than 400 companies and supported over 450 founders. He's built his reputation on backing people with bold ideas and unique perspectives, saying recently, 'The earlier you invest, the more important it is to believe in the founder's narrative and ability to adapt. It's not just about solving a problem — it's about whether I believe you're the one to do it.' Navin Chaddha, Managing Partner at Mayfield, brings decades of experience identifying breakout founders and guiding companies to scale. With more than $120 billion in equity value created through his investments, Chaddha believes the earliest stages are when founder values matter most. 'We invest in people first, markets second, and product third,' he's said. 'We look for founders who are mission-driven and wired for resilience.' Actionable insights on raising your first round Whether you're currently raising or planning for the future, this session will equip you with real, actionable advice on navigating early venture with clarity and conviction. Don't miss it live, in addition to 200+ sessions taking place across five industry stages. Register now to save up to $675 before prices increase after July!
TechCrunch
3 days ago
- Business
- TechCrunch
Charles Hudson and Navin Chaddha join the Builders Stage at Disrupt 2025
More than 10,000 founders, investors, and tech insiders will convene at Moscone West in San Francisco from October 27-29 for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 — one of the year's most anticipated tech conferences. Of the 250+ tech leaders taking the stage, don't miss this standout panel on the Builders Stage featuring two of the most respected early-stage investors in venture: Charles Hudson of Precursor Ventures and Navin Chaddha of Mayfield. Their session dives into one of the toughest moments in any startup's journey: raising your first round when all you have is a vision. Why join this conversation on the Builders Stage? This honest and tactical conversation will cover what really matters when raising your first institutional check, from telling a compelling story to building trust without traction. Hudson and Chaddha will share the traits they consistently look for in zero-to-one founders, the red flags that raise eyebrows, and the most common mistakes first-time entrepreneurs make when fundraising. Betting on people before the product Pre-seed and seed fundraising often happens before there's a product, user base, or traction. That means investors are betting on the founder, not the business. And few know how to make that call better than Hudson and Chaddha. Between them, they've backed hundreds of founders at the earliest stages, before the pitch decks were polished, before there were metrics to show, and often before a single line of code had shipped. Image Credits:Haje Kamps / TechCrunch Charles Hudson, Managing Partner of Precursor Ventures, has invested in more than 400 companies and supported over 450 founders. He's built his reputation on backing people with bold ideas and unique perspectives, saying recently, 'The earlier you invest, the more important it is to believe in the founder's narrative and ability to adapt. It's not just about solving a problem — it's about whether I believe you're the one to do it.' Navin Chaddha, Managing Partner at Mayfield, brings decades of experience identifying breakout founders and guiding companies to scale. With more than $120 billion in equity value created through his investments, Chaddha believes the earliest stages are when founder values matter most. 'We invest in people first, markets second, and product third,' he's said. 'We look for founders who are mission-driven and wired for resilience.' Actionable insights on raising your first round Whether you're currently raising or planning for the future, this session will equip you with real, actionable advice on navigating early venture with clarity and conviction. Don't miss it live, in addition to 200+ sessions taking place across five industry stages. Register now to save up to $675 before prices increase after July!
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
TechCrunch All Stage launches in Boston today — don't miss what founders are learning
Today's the day! TechCrunch All Stage is lighting up Boston's SoWa Power Station at 7:30 a.m. ET sharp. The stages are set, the speakers are ready, and the startup community is gathering for one powerful day of insight, innovation, and momentum. In Boston and ready to scale your startup faster and more efficiently? There's still time to join the founders and investors driving innovation and building what's next. Grab a pass, dive into the conversations shaping the future of startup growth, and make the connections that move the needle. Don't miss a moment — secure your ticket at the heart of today's startup action. We've got a powerhouse lineup of scaling and investing experts ready to deliver hard-hitting insights to an audience that thrives on growth, plus intentional, high-impact networking happening all day long. Check out the agenda for full session details and explore the speaker page to get to know the experts behind the ideas. Or better yet, join us in person today and experience it all firsthand. Just getting started on your startup journey? The Foundation Stage is your launchpad, packed with practical skills to help you build and grow from day one. All the Ways You Don't Realize VCs Are Evaluating Your Company at Pre-SeedCharles Hudson, Founder and Managing Partner, Precursor Ventures This topic is key for pre-seed founders. VCs often judge based on the team and idea. A mismatched co-founder signals hiring risk, and missteps in fundraising show a lack of prep. Do your homework. Preparing to Raise: Cap Table Best Practices to Help You Close FastLynne Zagami, Vice President, Customer Success, Fidelity Private Shares; John Andrews, CEO and Co-Founder, Darrell West, Co-Founder and CFO, DepositLink Raising funds? Make sure your cap table and data room are clean to avoid delays and costly legal fees. This session offers best practices and insights from legal, investor, and founder views. MVP in the Age of AI: When to Bot and When to NotChris Gardner, Partner, Underscore VC AI is changing how founders build. Learn how to use it to turbocharge your MVP without letting it take over. Discover where AI shines, where humans are essential, and how to avoid toaster copy. The TAM Myth: How the Best Startups Reshape MarketsJahanvi Sardana, Partner, Index Ventures Learn how top startups like Datadog and Airbnb created markets, not just sized them. Jahanvi Sardana of Index Ventures breaks down how to grow TAM and spot trends. A must for future-shaping founders. It's not 2021 anymore. Understanding the 2025 VC landscapeKristen Craft, Vice President, Business Partner Manager, Fidelity Private Shares; Samara Gordon, General Partner, Hyperplane; John Harthorne, Founder and Managing Director, Two Lanterns; Daniel Acheampong, General Partner, Visible Hands VC VC in 2025 favors strategic, high-impact deals. Learn how midstage startups can adapt, use regional strengths, embrace AI, and build strong models for growth and successful exits. Crafting the Perfect VC Pitch: Luck Meets StrategyTiffany Luck, Partner, NEA Join Tiffany Luck of NEA to learn how to pitch with clarity and impact. Get insider tips on what VCs value, how to avoid common pitfalls, and how to tell a story that wins funding. So You Think You Can Pitch? Watch three early-stage startups take the spotlight at So You Think You Can Pitch, delivering four-minute pitches and getting real-time feedback from a panel of seasoned investors. Ready to level up? The Scale Stage offers growth-stage founders actionable insights to take their startups to the next level. Fundraising Mistakes That Will Kill Your Round, and How to Avoid ThemAlysaa Co, Principal, Bain Capital Ventures; Kamila Khasanova, Founder and CEO, On Top Strategy; Dr. Richard Munassi, Managing Director, Tampa Bay Wave Raising funding as an early-stage startup is tough. This session reveals key mistakes to avoid and offers actionable tips to help founders optimize fundraising from pre-pitch to close for lasting success. The New Rules of Growth-Stage Fundraising: How to Win at Raising a Series C & BeyondCathy Gao, Partner, Sapphire Ventures Growth-stage fundraising is back, fueled by GenAI. Cathy Gao of Sapphire Ventures shares what it takes to raise a strong Series C+ and how to stand out in today's competitive VC landscape. The Operator's Playbook for Building and Scaling Sustainable CompaniesJon McNeill, CEO and Co-Founder, DVx Ventures Most startups chase product-market fit but miss scalable go-to-market plans, risking failure. Jon McNeill shows how validating both drives growth, profitability, and impact from day one. What to Think About Now If You Want to IPO SomedayMo Jomaa, Partner, Capital G Learn how to build for a public debut from Mo Jomaa of CapitalG. Get insights on metrics growth investors seek, from market to hiring, with advice for IPO readiness—whether near or far. Tech-Driven Fundraising: Making Financing Rounds Smarter, Faster, and Founder-Friendly Matt Derda, Director, Private Market Product Marketer, Fidelity Private Shares Raising capital is chaotic for early-stage startups. This roundtable shows how founders, investors, and legal teams can use modern tech to streamline due diligence, data rooms, planning, and post-close tasks. How to Successfully Build at the Inception StageEllen Chisa, Partner, Boldstart Ellen Chisa of Boldstart shares key lessons for early startups: how to choose the right capital, run fast experiments, and avoid common pitfalls to learn and grow quickly from day one. The 2025 VC Playbook: Where the Smart Money Is Going NextRob Biederman, Managing Partner, Asymmetric Capital Partners Rob Biederman of Asymmetric Capital Partners reveals 2025's VC trends, from hot sectors to deal shifts. Learn what drives investments and how founders can align with today's VC playbook. How Tech is Leveling The Playing Field So Anyone Can Be an Investor, Not Just the WealthyBrandon Krieg, Co-CEO and Co-Founder, Stash Brandon Krieg, CEO of Stash, shares how his platform helps 1.3M users build lasting wealth with simple investing. He'll discuss AI in finance coaching and fintech's focus on long-term impact over quick wins. Founders & Counsel: Reducing Friction, Increasing EfficiencyDerek Fieldhouse, Customer Success Manager, Fidelity Private Shares Early-stage startups face costly, slow legal counsel. This roundtable explores how founders work with lawyers, what they avoid, and how tech can ease collaboration during funding and beyond. Thriving with Anxiety: How Startup Founders Can Turn Fear, Pressure, and Self-Doubt into Their Greatest AdvantageDavid H. Rosmarin, Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School Anxiety isn't the enemy of success. Dr. Rosmarin of Harvard shares how founders can turn fear and doubt into focus and drive, leading with authenticity while avoiding burnout. Navigating Legal Landmines: Essential Legal Considerations for StartupsSpencer Ricks, Partner, and Naomi Smith, Counsel, Latham & Watkins Spencer Ricks and Naomi Smith map the legal journey for founders—from formation to growth, IP, equity, employment, and fundraising. Get practical tips to build a strong legal foundation for your startup. Breakthrough or Burnout: Why Founders Get Stuck (and How to Fix It)Jason Kraus, Founder and CEO, and Christopher Dube, Chief Innovation Officer, Prepare 4 VC Startups fail not from bad ideas but founder struggles. Jason Kraus and Christopher Dube of Prepare 4 VC lead a roundtable on overcoming decision fatigue, burnout, and more with real tools to regain clarity and drive. AI Transformation for Business Growth: A Practical Roadmap for CompaniesUmair Javed, CEO, tkxel This roundtable explores how Agentic AI adds cognition to workflows, boosting automation and efficiency. Learn practical steps to start, test, and scale AI, while sharing real experiences. No hype, just clarity. Winning Capital in a Competitive Market: How to Fund Your AI-Native StartupRick Grinnell, Managing Partner, Glasswing Ventures This roundtable covers AI-native startups' pitching challenges with investors using old SaaS metrics and how to find investors who truly understand and support AI-driven growth. Startup M&A Readiness: How to Be Acquired or Acquire Without RegretDan Hoffman, Partner, and Stephen Ranere, Partner, Latham & Watkins As startups scale, M&A gets real. Daniel Hoffman and Stephen Ranere share legal and strategic tips on due diligence, deal terms, integration, and talent retention for smoother, smarter acquisitions. From Fundraising to IPO: How to Build a PR & Marketing Engine That Drives GrowthNikki Parker, EVP, Marketing and Communications, Insight Partners PR and marketing are key to winning investors, customers, and talent. Nikki Parker of Insight Partners shares must-have strategies to craft your story, build your brand, and drive real business impact. Building Team Intelligence: How Product-Led Innovation Transforms Collaborative Problem-SolvingJeff Chow, Chief Product and Technology Officer, Miro Founder and exec Jeff Chow shares how to build inclusive, AI-powered tools that boost team communication. Learn what to automate, what to keep human, and how to balance tech with real-world expertise. The breakout and roundtable sessions are just the beginning. The real magic happens in the Expo Hall, Networking Lounge, and on the Braindate app. Whether you're troubleshooting a product, seeking pitch feedback from a VC, or hoping to connect with a mentor, today's the day to make it happen. Use Braindate to set up 1:1 or small-group meetings — post your own topic or join one that speaks to you, then meet in person at the Networking Lounge. And don't forget the happening across Boston through July 17. Hosted by fellow attendees and sponsors, they're designed to keep the momentum going — and the connections coming — long after the main event ends. It's not too late to join us at TechCrunch All Stage! Grab your ticket now and join us — and the rest of the startup community — at SoWa Power Station in Boston. The event wraps at 5:00 p.m. ET, so don't miss your chance to join the scaling conversations and leave with practical, strategic advice.
Times
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Times
Matterhon climber was haunted by tragedy — and a vicious letter
Edward Whymper was celebrated as the first climber to reach the summit of the Matterhorn, although the triumph was marred by the deaths of four of his party. For the remainder of his life he was tormented by both the tragedy and the authorship of a poison pen letter, which he believed was connected with a prominent rival. His celebrated account of the climb, which is being republished on the 160th anniversary of the expedition, includes for the first time a copy of the abusive letter and a second note that shows the mountaineer was still hunting for the author 41 years later. Whymper was 25 when he led the expedition in the Swiss Alps in July 1865. During the descent back to Zermatt on July 14 a rope severed, leading to the deaths of Lord Francis Douglas, 18, the son of the Marquess of Queensbury; The Reverend Charles Hudson, 36, a celebrated British climber; his protégé Douglas Hadow, 19, the son of the chairman of the P&O shipping company; and a local guide, Michel Croz, 35. Whymper was the only British survivor, along with the local guides Peter Taugwalder and his son of the same name. The rope was severed between the elder Taugwalder and Lord Douglas. There were suggestions, which were never proven, that it was deliberately cut to prevent all of the party being dragged to their deaths. In a letter to The Times, Whymper described Hadow slipping, knocking over Croz and then dragging Hudson and Lord Douglas with them. 'We held; but the rope broke mid way between Taugwalder and Lord F Douglas,' he wrote. 'For two or three seconds we saw our unfortunate companions sliding downwards on their backs, and spreading out their hands endeavouring to save themselves; they then disappeared one by one, and fell … we remained on the spot without moving a single step.' • Climbers scale Alpine 'murder wall' and smash three-peak record After Whymper made an appeal in The Times for the families of the guides he received an anonymous letter which was to aggravate him for the remainder of his life. The correspondence is published for the first time in the 2025 edition of The Ascent of the Matterhorn. The letter, sent from Winchester and dated August 25, 1865, begins: 'I enclose what I believe to be the full damage actually sustained to society by the late loss of life on the Matterhorn or Madder-horn (?) peak. 'The view of The Times and the opinions being expressed in that paper by an intelligent 'Swiss' coincide with my own, and with the general opinion of the English public. 'The fact is that the members of the 'Alpine Club' are generally a vain set … Vanity — the love of notoriety — a morbid hankering for the applause of the 'stupid starers'… 'Professor Tyndall is an exception — he risks his life, and nobly, for science and truth. But what benefit do the ordinary mountain-climbers confer on anybody? None.' The letter was signed 'Anti-Humbug', with a PS reading 'I did not read your own 'whimpering' account'. • What I've learnt climbing mountains dressed like history's female adventurers Was it just coincidence that the poison-pen letter referenced Whymper's great rival, Professor John Tyndall, an Irish experimental physicist, who had made a failed attempt on the summit before strongly discouraging Whymper from making the ascent? The letter obviously rankled as 41 years later Whymper was still seeking to identify the writer. He contacted Frederick Morshead, a fellow member of the Alpine Club who reached the top of the Matterhorn at least five times, and asked for help in identifying the writer. Morshead was housemaster at Winchester College and founder of the school's Morshead House. Morshead replied on February 2, 1907: 'After the lapse of so many years I am afraid that I am unable to give you any clue which might help you to find out the author of the enclosed document. 'From the handwriting — which is not at all the Wykhamist type — and the style — which hardly carries out the Wykhamist motto of 'Manners maketh man' — I should say that it certainly does not come from anybody connected with the college.' Whymper died four years later apparently without discovering the identity of the troll. The deaths, particularly of the young aristocrat, caused outrage in Victorian society. Charles Dickens condemned climbing as 'greater folly than gambling' with 'nothing to win but an empty boast'. Queen Victoria even suggested to William Gladstone, the prime minister, that mountaineering should be outlawed. The dramatic story inspired writers including Thomas Hardy, Mark Twain and Alphonse Daudet. The debate was extensively reported in The Times, which asked: 'Why is the best blood of England to waste itself in scaling hitherto inaccessible peaks, in staining the eternal snow and reaching the unfathomable abyss never to return?' Martin Rynja, the publisher of the new edition of Whymper's account by Gibson Square, said it was clear that the reference in the poison-pen letter to Tyndall 'stung Whymper deeply'. 'As an autodidact who left school at 14, he seems to have been deeply conflicted about the fact that his fame was based on scandal rather than science like Professor Tyndall,' Rynja said. 'Despite the scathing tone, the letter writer's position is nuanced compared to the public outcry. The invective is entirely aimed at Whymper and other 'humbugs' of the Alpine Club. 'However, the letter is highly partisan and extols beyond any reproach the same effort undertaken a few years earlier by Whymper's rival Professor Tyndall purely because it was further to the 'noble' pursuit of Tyndall's scientific interests. 'This distinction appears not to have been made or discussed in the press and suggests a proximity to Tyndall close enough to be well informed about Tyndall's minor research interest.' The forward to the new edition is written by Theresa May, the former prime minister, who describes Whymper's expedition as having 'defined the relationship between Britain and the Alps and opened up Alpinism to the rest of the world'. May is a regular visitor to Zermatt and, after leaving Downing Street, said she was considering writing a novel about the expedition. She said the reason why the rope broke 'is an interesting question'. 'We can only imagine the mixed emotions of triumph and grief that Whymper felt writing about his greatest mountaineering achievement while mourning the death of his friend Croz and the loss of three other lives,' she writes in the foreword. 'He had tamed the mountain, but in its own way the mountain had tamed him. What we do know is that this important ascent was to change the course of history for Zermatt and its people, change the relationship of the British with the Alps and leave a lasting legacy for mountaineering.'
TechCrunch
30-06-2025
- Business
- TechCrunch
At TechCrunch All Stage, Charles Hudson will tell you what investors really see
At the pre-seed stage, there's not much for a VC to analyze — no revenue curve, no retention metrics, no CAC. That doesn't mean they're guessing. It means they're watching everything else. At TechCrunch All Stage 2025 on July 15 in Boston, Charles Hudson, managing partner and founder of Precursor Ventures, will walk founders through the subtle, high-stakes signals that matter when data is scarce and the pitch is everything. In his session 'All the Ways You Don't Realize VCs Are Evaluating Your Company at Pre-Seed,' Hudson will pull back the curtain on how investors assess early-stage opportunities and why founders often underestimate the weight of seemingly small choices. Lean into this thought-provoking discussion at TechCrunch All Stage, featuring founders and VCs across all stages. Register now to save more than 60% on your tickets across our two most popular tiers. We're running a limited-time discount on Founder and Investor Passes, which you can now purchase for $155 and $250 respectively. Act swiftly before the discount ends! It's not just about the idea — it's about how you run the show From your choice of co-founder to how you run your fundraising process, everything you do — or don't do — is a signal. Charles Hudson will highlight the common red flags that spook investors before a single term sheet is on the table. For example, mismatched co-founder dynamics can suggest poor hiring instincts. Sloppy outreach? That signals you haven't done the work. These are the unspoken cues that can make or break a round — and most founders never hear about them. Charles Hudson breaks it all down at TechCrunch All Stage Hudson has seen it all. As the founder of Precursor Ventures, he has been one of the earliest believers in breakout startups long before they had the traction to prove themselves. He built his firm to back founders at the riskiest moment, before it was obvious. Before that, as a partner at SoftTech VC, he was deep in the world of mobile infrastructure. He knows the markers of long-term potential, and he is not guessing. He is pattern-matching with purpose. For early founders, this is the session that could change your trajectory TechCruch All Stage is happening on July 15 in Boston's SoWa Power Station, powered by Fidelity Investments. It's a one-day summit for startup builders who want practical, unfiltered insights from the experts who've done the work. Come for the playbook. Stay for the signal check. Charles Hudson is bringing both. Register now to save more than 60% on your tickets while the offer is still available!
