UC Berkeley tech founders were among those featured at B-School Disrupt 2025, an after-hours event held during the annual TechCrunch Disrupt conference in San Francisco. The gathering brought together MBA alumni from top programs, also including Harvard Business School and INSEAD, who are launching technology startups — each inspired by solving real-world customer challenges through tech innovations.
A powerful theme emerged throughout the evening: “It’s going to be an AI-first world.” Entrepreneurs and investors alike echoed this sentiment as they shared insights on how artificial intelligence is reshaping industries and opportunity landscapes.
The event opened with a thought-provoking panel, “AI Unlocked: The Future Shaped by Innovators and Investors,” featuring Kanu Gulati (Khosla Ventures, HBS), Paul Manwell (TC Labs, INSEAD), and Jed Katz (Javelin Venture Partners, UC Berkeley alumnus). Panelists explored the future of AI innovation from both founder and investor perspectives, offering valuable guidance for emerging startups.
[Caption: 90-second pitches by UC Berkeley alumni, panel discussion and networking – all ingredients of more innovation to follow in the hours, days, months and years to come.]
The evening also featured 90-second startup pitches from alumni teams representing each school, highlighting bold ideas and ventures shaping the future of innovation. The event concluded with a robust networking and showcase session, connecting founders, investors, and tech enthusiasts from across the global startup ecosystem.
UC Tech News looks forward to learning more about UC campuses’ participation at B-School Disrupt and TechCrunch Disrupt.
👉 Have a story or startup to share? Contact us at UCTechNews@UCOP.edu with your news and insights from Disrupt, EDUCAUSE and all events where you present and/or glean news important to your tech peers at UC Tech.
