Fundraising advice often becomes abstract at the moment founders need it to become measurable.
TechCrunch is addressing that gap with The 5 Metrics Investors Are Looking for in 2026, a free webinar on August 12.
What Investors Are Testing
The session focuses on five core metrics, with attention to stage-specific and industry-specific expectations. It also examines capital efficiency, founder-market fit, go-to-market clarity, and the benchmarks that help investors distinguish an interesting company from a fundable one.
That distinction matters in 2026. Capital is available, but founders are being asked to show that growth is repeatable, spending is disciplined, and the team understands which inputs actually move the business.
The Investor View
The panel brings together Kristen Craft of Fidelity Private Shares, Daniel Acheampong of Visible Hands VC, John Harthorne of Two Lanterns VC, and Ali Mahmoud of Glasswing Ventures.
Their perspectives span company readiness, early-stage investing, portfolio construction, and the practical signals that shape an investment decision.
Who Should Attend
The webinar is relevant for founders preparing to raise, operators building fundraising dashboards, and teams deciding whether their current traction supports an institutional round.
The session takes place Wednesday, August 12, at 10:00 AM PT and 1:00 PM ET. Registration is free through the official TechCrunch invitation.