Blackstone's jas khaira discusses capital strategies for AI startups at techcrunch disrupt 2026

At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, Jas Khaira, global head of Blackstone N1, will discuss capital strategies for AI startups. Khaira will highlight what Blackstone looks for in category-defining companies and how founders should approach capital as they scale. He will also address the distinction between rapid growth and sustainable business models. Blackstone recently invested up to $600 million in Neysa, an Indian AI infrastructure company, with additional debt financing planned. The firm also backed Anthropic’s Ode, an AI implementation company, through a $1.5 billion joint venture. Khaira will explore the challenges founders face when scaling, including early financing decisions and the need for infrastructure. The event, taking place October 13–15 in San Francisco, will feature over 10,000 attendees and 250 speakers. Khaira, who joined Blackstone in 2004, will provide an investor’s perspective on evaluating AI startups for long-term success.