At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, Jas Khaira, global head of Blackstone N1, will address the critical question of what separates fleeting AI startups from companies built for longevity. Speaking on the Builders Stage during the session titled “Building the Next Generation of AI Giants,” Khaira plans to outline the factors Blackstone evaluates when backing category-defining firms and advise founders on managing capital during rapid expansion.
The discussion comes as the AI sector faces escalating costs associated with compute power, data centers, and infrastructure. Khaira highlighted recent Blackstone investments that illustrate this financial scale, including a commitment of up to $600 million in primary equity in Indian AI infrastructure provider Neysa, alongside a separate $600 million in debt financing. Additionally, Blackstone participated in a $1.5 billion joint venture in July to back Anthropic’s new implementation arm, Ode, alongside partners such as Hellman & Friedman and Goldman Sachs.
According to Khaira, while fast-growing startups can attract early attention from customers and investors, securing the right type of capital is distinct from building a resilient enterprise. He noted that founders often face significant financing decisions before they can determine if initial traction will translate into a sustainable business model.
Khaira, who joined Blackstone in 2004, currently leads the firm’s N1 platform, which focuses on growth, hybrid, and perpetual private equity investing within the AI ecosystem. He also serves as head of tactical opportunities for the Americas and sits on several investment committees.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is scheduled for October 13–15 at Moscone West in San Francisco. The event is expected to draw over 10,000 attendees, including founders and investors, featuring more than 200 speakers and 300 exhibiting startups across six industry stages.
Finally, someone talking about endurance over hype. The market is tired of flash-in-the-pan startups burning cash for nothing.
Wait, Neysa gets $600 million? For a relatively unknown provider? I need more details on why that valuation makes sense.
Isn’t $1.2 billion already committed just in India? The capital flooding into AI infra is staggering. Makes sustainability worries seem tiny.
Blackstone betting big on Anthropic and Indian infrastructure proves they take AI scale seriously. Excited to hear Khaira’s take.