TL;DR
Vanessa Larco, a partner at Premise and former NEA partner, told TechCrunch’s Equity podcast she expects 2026 to be a breakout year for consumer AI, driven by concierge-style experiences. She and the host discussed whether established consumer apps will remain standalone or be absorbed by major AI platforms and where startups might still find opportunities.
What happened
On TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, Rebecca Bellan spoke with Vanessa Larco, now a partner at Premise and previously a partner at NEA, about the outlook for consumer-focused AI startups. Larco, who has a track record investing in consumer and prosumer businesses, predicted that 2026 could mark a significant shift in consumer behavior online as AI starts to power more 'concierge-like' services. The conversation raised questions about the fate of long-standing consumer apps — such as medical information or travel-review sites — and whether those products will survive as independent apps or be subsumed into large AI platforms like ChatGPT or Meta AI. The interview explored where startups might still carve out defensible, AI-enabled niches despite the competitive pressure from dominant platform players.
Why it matters
- A shift toward AI-powered, concierge-style consumer experiences could change how people spend time online and how value is delivered.
- Large AI platforms may absorb or displace standalone consumer apps, raising strategic questions for founders and incumbents.
- Investors are reassessing where startups can build defensible businesses in the face of platform-level competition.
- The conversation signals renewed investor interest in consumer and prosumer categories as AI capabilities mature.
Key facts
- Vanessa Larco is a partner at Premise and was previously a partner at NEA.
- Larco has been investing in consumer and prosumer startups for years.
- She predicted 2026 could be the year consumer AI gains wide traction.
- Larco described future consumer AI offerings as taking on 'concierge-like' characteristics.
- The discussion questioned whether legacy consumer products like WebMD and TripAdvisor will remain standalone or be absorbed into major AI platforms.
- The interview appeared on TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, hosted by Rebecca Bellan.
- The TechCrunch article that accompanies the episode tags topics including consumer AI, OpenAI, physical AI, smart glasses and wearables.
- Listeners are invited to follow and subscribe to Equity across platforms including YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and social channels.
What to watch next
- Timeline: Larco’s prediction that 2026 will be a pivotal year for consumer AI.
- The fate of established consumer apps — whether they stay independent or get absorbed by large AI platforms (not confirmed in the source).
- Which specific consumer categories will yield defensible startup opportunities amid competition from OpenAI and Meta AI (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Consumer AI: Artificial intelligence applications designed primarily for end users rather than enterprises, often focused on improving everyday tasks, services or entertainment.
- Concierge-like service: A service model where technology proactively assists users with personalized recommendations, bookings or task completion, emulating a human concierge.
- Incumbent consumer product: An established app or service with an existing user base and brand recognition, such as long-standing travel or health information sites.
- Platform competition: Market dynamics in which large technology platforms build broad capabilities that can replace or subsume specialized standalone apps.
Reader FAQ
Who is Vanessa Larco?
She is a partner at Premise and a former partner at NEA who invests in consumer and prosumer startups.
When does Larco expect consumer AI to take off?
She told TechCrunch’s Equity podcast she expects 2026 to be the year consumer AI breaks through.
Will OpenAI or other big platforms eliminate opportunities for startups?
The interview raised that concern and explored where startups might still win, but specific outcomes are not confirmed in the source.
Where was this discussion published?
The conversation appeared on TechCrunch’s Equity podcast and was summarized in a TechCrunch post.
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Sources
- Where VCs think AI startups can win, even with OpenAI in the game
- VCs predict strong enterprise AI adoption next year — again
- Where VCs Are Betting on AI in 2025 – by Ruben Dominguez
- A Handful Of Big, Mostly AI Startups Suck Up A Third Of All …
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