AI has made it much easier for entrepreneurs to create impressive prototypes—proof-of-concept models that show an idea is technically possible. However, turning those prototypes into real, usable products is a far more complex challenge. Founders dream of seeing their breakthroughs become trusted products that customers rely on, but the journey from idea to reality is rarely straightforward. Manufacturing hurdles, infrastructure needs, and ensuring systems work reliably in the real world are just a few of the challenges that arise once a technology leaves the lab. These issues are the focus of the session “From Prototype to Production: Can It Scale in Reality?” at the Real World AI Stage during TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Industry leaders in space communications, autonomous systems, and AI infrastructure will share their experiences of moving from promising prototypes to fully deployed products. While each industry has its own unique path, all three speakers agree: a successful prototype is just the beginning of a much larger challenge. The session highlights the differences between creating a prototype and scaling it to meet real-world demands. For example, building optical communications hardware is very different from deploying autonomous vehicles or construction equipment. Yet, all these technologies must function reliably outside of controlled environments, where factors like manufacturing, infrastructure, and daily operations become critical. The Real World AI Stage session does not offer a single formula for success but instead brings together founders who have approached production from different angles. This allows for a unique comparison of how scaling looks across various industries. Each founder on the stage has taken a distinct path from prototype to production, offering valuable insights for startups. John Mackey, co-founder and CEO of MBRYONICS, has transformed a specialized photonics company into a leader in space-based optical communications. His work includes expanding high-volume manufacturing and building the infrastructure for next-generation space networks. His experience will help startups understand the changes that come when a company shifts from building prototypes to creating products that customers can rely on. Boris Sofman, co-founder of Bedrock Robotics, brings experience from leading autonomous trucking and core technologies at Waymo, where driverless vehicles logged over 100 million miles. His insights will focus on scaling production while maintaining safety and reliability in real-world environments. Adrian Macneil, co-founder of Foxglove, previously led infrastructure engineering at Cruise, where he developed the data platform that supported large-scale autonomous vehicle operations. His talk will emphasize how the engineering systems around a technology are just as important as the technology itself in moving from experimentation to everyday use. These three founders represent different but equally important aspects of the journey from prototype to production. Whether it’s building infrastructure, ensuring reliability, or scaling manufacturing, each offers lessons that can help startups navigate the transition. The session will take place at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco, where more than 10,000 founders, investors, and operators will gather to explore the future of technology. Attendees can register for the event with up to $200 in savings before September 25.