Steering the technology in an early-stage startup is a thrilling, challenging, and often chaotic endeavor. This track brings together battle-tested CTOs and Founding Engineers to share hard-won lessons on building software effectively under uncertainty. Learn strategies for making rapid, flexible technical decisions, implementing "just enough" solutions that are robust and extensible for growth, tackling scaling challenges, prioritizing work when resources are scarce, and balancing speed with a healthy work/life environment. If you're an engineer, technical lead, or aspiring founder navigating the unique landscape of a nascent business, this track offers invaluable, real-world advice and perspectives to help you build for both today and tomorrow.
From this track
Session
From Founding Engineer to CTO to CEO – At the Same Startup
As a college sophomore, Trisha Ballakur founded Pointz, coding day and night to evolve from a dorm-room developer to CTO, securing VC funding while prioritizing the startup over classes.

Trisha Ballakur
Co-Founder and CEO @Pointz, Forbes 30 Under 30 2025, Previously @Techstars and @Adobe