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.