> At a Glance
> – Premise partner Vanessa Larco sees consumer AI roaring back in 2026
> – Enterprise adoption stalls because buyers “don’t know where to start”
> – ChatGPT apps already let users shop Target, book Expedia, browse Zillow
> – Why it matters: Startups can validate product-market fit faster with everyday users than with slow-moving corporations
Consumer-tech venture funding has slumped since 2022, but one VC thinks the sector is primed for an AI-driven rebound. Vanessa Larco, partner at Premise and former NEA investor, told News Of Philadelphia‘s Equity podcast that “this is gonna be the year of the consumer” in 2026.
Enterprise vs. Everyday Users
Big companies dangle fat budgets, yet deployment drags. Larco says corporate teams sign contracts and still stall because “they don’t know where to start.”
Consumers move faster:
- They already know the job they want done
- Purchase happens in a click
- Retention is immediate if the tool works
> “If you’re selling to consumers, you’ll know very quickly if it’s fitting a need or not.”
- Vanessa Larco, Premise
The Coming Concierge Wave
OpenAI’s app store turned ChatGPT into a mini operating system. Target, Zillow, Expedia and Spotify now plug directly into the chatbot, hinting at AI concierge services for every click.
Larco expects a flood of specialized helpers alongside one-stop giants. The open question: which legacy brands survive as standalone destinations and which get swallowed by the AI interface?
Where Startups Can Hide
OpenAI probably won’t build products that require messy real-world assets or human management, Larco argues. That leaves room for startups handling:
- Physical inventory or property (think Airbnb-style marketplaces)
- Gig-worker coordination
- Regulated or high-touch services
A 30% traffic toll-mirroring Apple’s App Store cut-could still loom. “Is Airbnb gonna want to play ball with that?” she asks.
Monetization and Trust
Larco sees fresh business models emerging from new interaction patterns. She also believes 2026 will be “gangbuster” for M&A as cash-rich platforms hunt for differentiation.
Meanwhile, deepfakes are crowding feeds. While scrolling Instagram for news on Venezuela’s crisis, Larco found mostly AI-generated Maduro clips. Her takeaway: treat Meta as an entertainment hub, not a reliable news source.
Hardware and Voice
Meta’s quiet acquisition of AI-agent startup Manus looks enterprise, yet Larco thinks the prize is smarter Ray-Ban glasses. She already uses the specs to:
- Take calls
- Snap photos
- Query Meta AI without a screen
With speech recognition finally good enough, she predicts designers will pick voice-first form factors for quick queries like “what’s the tallest building?”
Key Takeaways
- 2026 rebound: VCs expect consumer AI funding to surge as usage outpaces enterprise deals
- Fast feedback loops: Startups learn instantly if everyday users love or hate a product
- OpenAI moat gaps: Marketplaces needing homes, drivers or regulators remain startup territory
- New rules: Voice, wearables and concierge-style agents are reshaping how people transact online
Watch for fresh funding waves-and maybe a few surprise buyouts-once consumers decide which AI helpers earn permanent home-screen spots.
