Startups Share Hard-Won Lessons on Achieving Product-Market Fit at Disrupt 2025

The Quest for Product-Market Fit: Insights from the Front Lines It's a moment every startup founder dreads and desires at the same time – finding product-market fit. It's the holy grail of entrepreneurship, where your product finally resonates with customers, and you start to see real growth. But what does it take to get there? And how do seasoned investors and entrepreneurs navigate this critical phase? At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, a panel of experts will share their insights on how to find product-market fit in today's fast-paced tech landscape. Rajat Bhageria, founder and CEO of Chef Robotics, Ann Bordetsky, partner at NEA, and Murali Joshi, partner at ICONIQ, will take the stage to break down the complexities of this critical phase. For Bhageria, it's a journey he knows all too well. His company, Chef Robotics, is transforming food production with AI-powered automation. "We're not just building a product," he says. "We're changing an industry." But getting there wasn't easy. "It was a messy, make-or-break journey," he admits. "But that's what makes it so rewarding." Bordetsky, on the other hand, has seen her fair share of successes and failures. As a partner at NEA, she's invested in companies like Uber and Twitter. She knows what it takes to spot scrappy ingenuity that drives breakout success. "It's not just about the product," she says. "It's about understanding your customers' needs and pain points." Joshi, a Forbes Midas Brink List honoree with over $2.5 billion invested in companies like Drata, 1Password, and Fivetran, brings a unique perspective to the table. He's seen firsthand how important it is to listen to users without getting lost in the noise. "You can't just build something and hope people will come," he says. "You need to understand what they want and need." So, what are the secrets to finding product-market fit? According to the panelists, it's all about smart testing strategies, real-time iteration, and listening to users. They'll share their expertise on how to navigate this critical phase and offer actionable insights for founders. For those in prototype mode or scaling a growing product, this session will be a game-changer. "It's not just about building something customers like," says Bhageria. "It's about building something they can't live without." And that's the ultimate goal of every startup founder – to create something that truly resonates with their customers. Don't miss this rare inside look at what product-market fit really looks like. Register now for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 and catch the panel discussion on the Builders Stage. With up to $668 in savings, there's never been a better time to attend. The Takeaway Finding product-market fit is not a milestone, but a messy, make-or-break journey. It requires smart testing strategies, real-time iteration, and listening to users without getting lost in the noise. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Rajat Bhageria, Ann Bordetsky, and Murali Joshi will share their insights on how to navigate this critical phase and offer actionable advice for founders. The Call to Action Don't miss this opportunity to learn from the experts and take your startup to the next level. Register now for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 and catch the panel discussion on the Builders Stage. With up to $668 in savings, there's never been a better time to attend. *Based on reporting by Techcrunch.*