It’s no secret that AI has eaten the lion’s share of funding over the past couple of years, with investments into the sector surging 62% to $110 billion in 2024 alone, while startup funding overall declined 12%.
Startups may think that just adding “AI” to their company’s name might help them secure that funding. But as the frenzy around foundation models has given way to a focus on real-world applications, AI agents, and long-term profitability, investors are seeking startups that can turn technical ingenuity into sustained traction.
At TechCrunch Sessions: AI, happening on June 5 in Zellerbach Hall at UC Berkeley, top VCs Zeya Yang (IVP), Jill Chase (CapitalG), and Kanu Gulati (Khosla Ventures) will break down exactly what they look for at each…