At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, held from October 27-29 at Moscone West in San Francisco, two titans of the tech industry, Eric Yuan, CEO of Zoom, and Santi Subotovsky, General Partner at Emergence Capital, took the stage to discuss navigating the challenging 'second act' of a tech company's lifecycle.
This conversation, hosted on the newly introduced Going Public Stage, captivated an audience of over 10,000 startup and VC leaders eager to learn from their experiences.
From Startup to Scale-Up: The Second Act Challenge
Yuan reflected on Zoom’s meteoric rise during the pandemic, highlighting how the company had to pivot from rapid growth to sustainable innovation post-2020.
Subotovsky, whose firm was an early investor in Zoom, emphasized the importance of adaptability, noting that many companies struggle to redefine their purpose after initial success.
Historically, tech giants like Zoom have faced immense pressure to innovate beyond their flagship products, a challenge Yuan admitted required a cultural shift within the organization.
Zoom’s journey from a video conferencing tool to a broader collaboration platform serves as a case study in redefining market positioning.
Impact on the Tech Ecosystem
The insights shared by Yuan and Subotovsky resonate deeply with startups at Disrupt, many of whom are grappling with similar transitions in a competitive landscape.
Their discussion underscored the broader impact of such reinventions, as successful pivots by companies like Zoom inspire smaller firms to think long-term.
Looking to the future, Yuan hinted at AI-driven features and hybrid work solutions as key areas for Zoom’s next chapter, signaling a forward-thinking approach.
Subotovsky added that venture capital firms like Emergence Capital are increasingly focused on backing founders who can navigate these complex second acts.
Their dialogue at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 not only provided actionable advice but also set a tone of optimism for the tech industry’s ability to evolve amid uncertainty.
As the event continues to spotlight innovation and growth strategies, Yuan and Subotovsky’s session remains a highlight for those seeking to master the art of reinvention.
Andrew Lee
