As the startup world descends on San Francisco for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 — happening October 27–29 at Moscone West — one question looms large: Does building in Silicon Valley still give founders an edge? With 10,000+ startup and VC leaders gathering for this milestone Disrupt, the conversation around access, geography, and opportunity has never been more timely. David Hall has spent the last decade proving that game-changing companies don’t have to come out of Silicon Valley. has spent the last decade proving that game-changing companies don’t have to come out of Silicon Valley. Catch this conversation live on the Builders Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, happening October 27–29 at Moscone West in San Francisco.