At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, happening October 27-29 at Moscone West in San Francisco, a candid conversation is coming to the Builders Stage — one that unpacks what startup funding looks like beyond the venture capital echo chamber.

TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 Gale Wilkinson, Erik Allebest, Kay Makishi

Funding routes that don’t start in the Valley

Founders today have more capital paths than ever. But how do you navigate them — and know which one actually supports your growth? In this session, hear from Erik Allebest, the CEO and co-founder of Chess.com; Gale Wilkinson, the founder and managing partner at VITALIZE; and Kay Makishi, vice president at Lupoff/Stevens Family Office. Each brings a different perspective on how to raise money without giving up your vision or your cap table.

Whether you’re bootstrapping, tapping family offices, or building through angel networks, this discussion breaks down what’s working now, what to avoid, and how to choose the approach that fits your goals.

Meet the speakers carving out new funding lanes

Erik Allebest turned a college passion into Chess.com, now the leading platform for players and learners with over 200 million users. Built without chasing venture capital, it’s a bootstrapped success story in a league of its own.

Gale Wilkinson has made 50 personal angel investments and led more than $80 million in early-stage funding across 150 startups. She’s a WorkTech expert, a champion for diversity in venture, and a go-to voice for founders who want capital that shares their values.

Kay Makishi brings a cross-border lens as a key investor at a New York-based family office. With experience spanning U.S. and Japanese markets, she offers rare insight into how high-net-worth individuals and families back startups for impact, not just returns.

Skip the status quo and fund smarter

There’s more than one way to get to your next round. Don’t miss this session that shows how founders are funding differently — and winning. Grab your pass to TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 today to save up to $668 in ticket savings, and be in the room with 10,000+ startup and VC leaders.

Techcrunch event

San Francisco | October 27-29, 2025

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How founders are ditching VC norms and finding capital on their own terms at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025