While hustle culture is deeply ingrained in the Silicon Valley startup scene, the pressure to constantly grind can take a toll on a founder’s mental well-being. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2024, we are thrilled to have Andy Dunn, co-founder and former CEO of Bonobos, join us for a fireside chat to explore how founders can meet the demands of the VC ecosystem without sacrificing their mental health.
Dunn has a personal understanding of this issue, having been diagnosed with bipolar 1 disorder during college. Despite keeping his diagnosis secret while building Bonobos, he later shared his journey in a TED Talk and a book titled “Burn Rate: Launching a Startup and Losing My Mind.” His openness included discussing a mental health crisis in 2016 that led to a hospitalization and a brief stint in jail, a year before Walmart acquired Bonobos.
As an early player in the direct-to-consumer market, Dunn co-founded Bonobos in 2007 with a focus on men’s pants, later expanding into a full range of men’s clothing. The company raised over $127 million in venture funding before the Walmart acquisition. Dunn also founded Red Swan Ventures, a VC fund, and Pie.
Don’t miss out on TechCrunch Disrupt 2024! Tickets are available for purchase, and the event will take place from October 28-30 in San Francisco. Join over 10,000 startup leaders and investors for three days of cutting-edge discussions on topics like AI, SaaS, and space exploration.
