Inertia co-founder Jeff Lawson’s joins Disrupt 2026 | TechCrunch

Former Twilio co-founder and chief executive officer Jeff Lawson is scheduled to speak at the upcoming TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 conference, where he will discuss his transition from the software industry to the clean energy sector.

Having previously scaled Twilio into a major public corporation with billions in revenue and hundreds of thousands of global customers, Lawson has pivoted to a significantly different domain as the co-founder and CEO of Inertia. This startup focuses on the ambitious goal of supplying fusion energy to the power grid, marking a stark departure from digital product development to high-stakes physical engineering involving advanced laser technology and precision manufacturing.

During his fireside chat on the event's Smart Systems Stage, Lawson plans to explore the unique leadership and operational difficulties that arise when an experienced software entrepreneur transitions to a capital-intensive deep-tech venture. His discussion will cover critical topics such as recruiting specialized scientific talent, managing long-term development timelines, and securing massive venture backing, which includes Inertia's recent $450 million Series A funding round led by Bessemer Venture Partners. Ultimately, the session aims to provide practical lessons for both founders and investors on balancing rigorous scientific research with commercial business execution.