TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Blackstone’s Jas Khaira on building the next generation of AI giants

Jas Khaira, global head of Blackstone N1 and Blackstone Growth and head of tactical opportunities Americas, will take the Builders Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 for a session titled "Building the Next Generation of AI Giants." The session will cover what Blackstone looks for when backing category-defining companies, how founders should approach capital as they scale, and what distinguishes lasting businesses from early traction, according to the published description.

Khaira joined Blackstone in 2004, serves on several of the firm's investment committees, and founded Blackstone N1, described as its platform for growth, hybrid, and perpetual private equity investing across the AI ecosystem and next-generation high-growth companies.

Two Blackstone investments are cited as examples of capital scale in AI. 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. 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.

The session is one of more than 200 across six industry stages, roundtables and breakouts at Disrupt, scheduled for October 13–15 at Moscone West in San Francisco. More than 10,000 founders, investors, operators and tech leaders are expected, along with more than 250 speakers and more than 300 exhibiting startups.

TechCrunch is promoting a 50% discount on a second pass for attendees who bring a co-founder, partner, colleague or peer, with additional savings for groups of four or more.