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StrictlyVC returns to NYC as startup funding surges
StrictlyVC returns to New York on September 10 as startups raise $16 billion in H1 2026. Tickets cost $180.
Image: TechCrunch
StrictlyVC will return to New York City on September 10, marking its first NYC event since 2024. The evening will take place at Ideal Glass Studios in the West Village, with general admission tickets priced at $180.
The event is aimed at founders, investors, and dealmakers, combining onstage discussions with networking designed to give attendees direct access to people shaping New York’s startup ecosystem.
New York startup funding reaches $16 billion
The return comes as New York’s startup market accelerates. According to a recent Tech:NYC report, more than 240 NYC startups raised a combined $1.13 billion in seed funding during the first half of 2026, up from $1.06 billion in H1 2025. Average seed rounds increased from $5.4 million to $6.64 million over the same period.
Across all stages, New York startups raised $16 billion in the first half of 2026—nearly matching the $19.1 billion raised during all of 2025. The funding spans sectors including AI, healthcare, climate, fintech, robotics, and consumer technology.
Speakers and sessions
The announced program will open with Craig Shapiro, founder and managing partner of Collaborative Fund, in conversation with Connie Loizos, TechCrunch editor-in-chief and StrictlyVC founder. Their session, titled “The Business of Belonging,” will examine community as a business asset and the opportunities emerging where technology, fandom, and real-world connection overlap.
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Tristan Walker, founder of Heirloom Craft, will discuss his experience building a major consumer startup, his decision to start over with Heirloom, and how his leadership and brand-building approach has changed in an AI-driven market.
Additional speakers and sessions will be announced in the weeks ahead. Previous StrictlyVC stages have featured OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana, Signal president Meredith Whittaker, Haun Ventures founder and CEO Katie Haun, Replit CEO and co-founder Amjad Masad, and Sequoia Capital VC Alfred Lin.
The event’s organizers say conversations will continue beyond the stage through informal meetings and networking. StrictlyVC tickets are available now for $180. TechCrunch will also host Founder Summit in Boston on November 4, focused on pitching, venture funding, financial management, and recruiting.
Enterprise Editor
Marcus follows the money. He covers enterprise software, cloud architecture, and the tectonic shifts in Big Tech strategy. He translates dense earnings calls and complex M&A activity into actionable insights about where the industry is actually heading. If a tech giant makes a silent pivot, Marcus is usually the first to notice.
via TechCrunch
