Final Agenda for the SaaS Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 Is Here

Software as a Service (SaaS) continues to be a dynamic and rapidly evolving industry, driven by innovations that reshape how businesses operate. This year at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024, we’re excited to bring together some of the brightest minds and leaders from across the SaaS landscape, including executives from early- and late-stage SaaS companies, leaders from the infrastructure firms that support this ecosystem, and the venture capitalists who fuel their growth. Join us at the SaaS Stage for insightful discussions that will explore the current trends and future directions of the industry.

One of the highlights of the event will feature Bret Taylor, former co-CEO of Salesforce, who has recently co-founded Sierra, a startup focused on developing a customer experience AI agent. Bret will share his insights on why he believes AI agents are poised to transform enterprise software. He will also reflect on his transition from a large organization like Salesforce to a nascent startup, offering a glimpse into his experiences as a key player in Silicon Valley, including his time as board chair at Twitter during its acquisition by Elon Musk.

The surge of modern AI applications has underscored the critical importance of the data that fuels them. However, possessing data alone is insufficient; organizations must also have the appropriate tools to manage, secure, and create data pipelines that facilitate seamless data flow between applications. In this session, we will discuss with industry leaders who are at the forefront of developing the essential tools for effective data management and security.

In a one-on-one chat, we will hear from Denise Dresser, the CEO of Slack, who has navigated the challenges of leading a company through a turbulent period while integrating into the Salesforce ecosystem. As the third CEO in just ten months, Denise will share her experiences and insights on steering an organization during times of change.

Open source has become the de facto business model for many tech startups, but the success of this movement has not come without its challenges. Businesses must now find ways to reconcile the ideals of open source with the practicalities of operating in a competitive and ever-changing market. Join us for a discussion with industry leaders who will share their strategies for navigating these complexities and their visions for the future of open source as a sustainable business model.

Cyberattacks are a reality that every business must confront; however, there are ways to mitigate the damage and avoid catastrophic failures. Join seasoned security professionals who have built and expanded security teams as they share insights on how to stay ahead of cybercriminals before they strike.

Compliance with frameworks such as SOC 2, HIPAA, ISO 27001, and GDPR is increasingly essential for B2B startups seeking partnerships and contracts. Vanta, which achieved unicorn status in 2022, has emerged as a leader in automating significant portions of initial and ongoing compliance audits. We will hear from Vanta CEO and co-founder Christina Cacioppo about the journey of building and scaling a trust management startup and how emerging technologies, including AI, are influencing its future.

Every successful startup begins with a founder's vision. But how does that initial idea evolve into a thriving business? Venture capitalists sift through countless pitches daily to identify the next big success story. In this session, we will engage with a panel of investors to uncover what they look for in early-stage companies and the criteria they prioritize when making investment decisions.

TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 serves as a platform for innovation at every stage of the startup journey. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur with a groundbreaking idea, a seasoned startup seeking to scale, or an investor in search of the next game-changing venture, TechCrunch Disrupt provides unparalleled resources, connections, and expert insights to help propel your endeavors forward. This year, we anticipate over 10,000 startup leaders to attend from October 28-30 at Moscone West in San Francisco, making it an essential gathering for anyone involved in the startup ecosystem.