TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Blackstone’s Jas Khaira on building the next generation of AI giants

AI startups can grow at a speed that would have been difficult to imagine a generation ago. But rapid growth comes with another reality: scaling AI can require enormous amounts of capital, and founders have to make financing decisions long before they know whether early momentum will turn into an enduring business.

So what separates the AI companies built to last from those simply growing fast?

At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, Jas Khaira, global head of Blackstone N1, will take the Builders Stage for “Building the Next Generation of AI Giants.” He’ll share what Blackstone looks for when backing category-defining companies, how founders should think about capital as they scale, and what distinguishes lasting businesses from early traction.

The right capital can fund the infrastructure, talent, and expansion needed to compete. But raising more money isn’t the same thing as building a stronger company.

Secure your Disrupt pass to hear how one of the world’s largest alternative asset managers evaluates the companies trying to become AI’s next giants. Bring your co-founder, partner, colleague, or peer with a 50% discount on their pass. Bring a group of four or more for additional savings.

AI is changing the capital equation

Building an AI company can mean financing more than product development and customer acquisition. Compute, data centers, and other infrastructure can add significant capital requirements as companies grow.

One recent Blackstone investment illustrates the scale. Blackstone and co-investors agreed to invest up to $600 million in primary equity in Indian AI infrastructure company Neysa, which planned to raise an additional $600 million in debt financing.

Capital is flowing into more than infrastructure. In July, Anthropic launched Ode with Anthropic, an AI implementation company backed through a $1.5 billion joint venture with Blackstone, Hellman & Friedman, Goldman Sachs and others.

Those investments put Blackstone close to some of the biggest questions surrounding AI growth: where capital is needed, which opportunities warrant it, and what businesses have the potential to endure.

If your company is approaching the point where growth requires significantly more capital, get your ticket to Disrupt and hear how Khaira thinks about the decisions that come with scaling. Save 50% on a second pass to share the insights.

What separates momentum from staying power?

Fast growth can attract customers, employees, and investors. Khaira will look beyond that early momentum to what makes a business endure and what Blackstone considers when evaluating the next generation of category-defining companies.

Rapid growth can force big financing decisions early. Founders may be raising capital while simultaneously building products, hiring teams, competing for customers, and determining whether the advantages driving today’s growth can hold up over time.

Add “Building the Next Generation of AI Giants” to your Disrupt agenda for an investor’s perspective on evaluating early momentum, financing growth, and building for the long term.

An investor’s view of what comes next

Jas Khaira joined Blackstone in 2004 and is global head of Blackstone N1 and Blackstone Growth, as well as head of tactical opportunities Americas. He serves on several of the firm’s investment committees and founded Blackstone N1, its platform for growth, hybrid, and perpetual private equity investing across the AI ecosystem and next-generation high-growth companies.

Want to know what an investor at Blackstone’s scale looks for before committing capital? Secure your Disrupt pass and hear directly from Khaira on the Builders Stage. Bring another person with you to share the insights at 50% off their pass.

Learn how to build for what comes after the early momentum

“Building the Next Generation of AI Giants” is one of 200+ sessions across six industry stages, roundtables and breakouts at Disrupt, October 13–15 at Moscone West in San Francisco. More than 10,000 founders, investors, operators and tech leaders are expected, along with 250+ speakers and 300+ exhibiting startups.

Beyond the sessions, matchmaking, dealmaking and ad hoc networking give attendees opportunities to connect with potential investors, customers, partners and other founders tackling many of the same challenges.

For AI founders, raising capital may be one milestone. Deciding how to use it to build a company that lasts is a much bigger challenge. At Disrupt, Khaira will bring the investor’s perspective to that question and give founders a closer look at what Blackstone sees when it evaluates the companies aiming to define the next generation of AI.

Secure your pass to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 and get an investor’s perspective on what it takes to build an AI company for the long haul. Bring a co-founder, colleague, partner, or peer at 50% off. Bring four or more for additional discounts.