Going Viral Is the Easy Part: Cal AI's Zach Yadegari on Keeping Momentum

What happens after a startup goes viral overnight? In this TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 session, Cal AI's Zach Yadegari explains how to turn breakout attention into lasting retention and a durable company. The conversation focuses on the hard work that begins once the spotlight arrives: converting a surge of interest into engaged, retained users and building the foundations of a business that outlasts the moment. Yadegari shares how Cal AI approached that transition and what it takes to sustain growth after the initial spike. For founders who have experienced sudden traction — or hope to — this discussion offers practical perspective on the gap between virality and durability, and on the decisions that determine whether attention becomes a lasting advantage.