TechCrunch Founder Summit preview spotlights founders and investors across the startup ecosystem

TechCrunch’s preview of its Founder Summit highlights a group of founders, executives and investors with experience across startups, venture capital and technology. The publication said the summit would begin six days after the preview in Boston.

Steve Fredette is among the featured participants. Toast identifies Fredette as the company’s president, co-founder and director. The company also says he oversees product and innovation work and earned a bachelor’s degree from MIT.

The preview also highlights Kent Bennett, whom TechCrunch lists as a partner at Bessemer Venture Partners. Rudina Seseri is identified as the founder and managing partner of Glasswing Ventures. Their roles place venture investing and company-building experience among the perspectives represented in the event preview.

Vineet Edupuganti is listed as the co-founder and CEO of Cogent Security. Dave Balter is identified as a venture partner and the CEO of Edisyl at True Ventures. The lineup also includes Chase Garbarino, listed as CEO and co-founder of HqO, and Tina Tosukhowong, listed as an investment director at TDK Ventures.

Together, the featured participants represent several parts of the startup landscape. Fredette’s background is tied to building and leading Toast, while Bennett and Seseri are presented through their venture-investing roles. Edupuganti brings a cybersecurity company perspective, and Balter combines venture work with an operating role at Edisyl.

Garbarino’s listed position connects the preview to workplace technology through HqO. Tosukhowong’s role adds an investment perspective from TDK Ventures. TechCrunch’s selection therefore gives the preview a mix of company operators, founders and investors rather than focusing on a single industry or career path.

The available preview identifies the participants and their professional roles, while the official speaker listings provide the organizational affiliations for most of the group. Toast’s leadership page supplies additional background on Fredette’s responsibilities and education. Those details offer a concise view of the experience represented in the event lineup without relying on unverified session times or agenda claims.