TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 centers around a pivotal inquiry: How can one establish a lasting enterprise in the age of artificial intelligence? Our agenda and roster of speakers are tailored to address this question, informed by insights from the community and the current landscape. The event commences in just a few days, so act swiftly to secure a $100 discount on your pass before the opportunity expires.
During last year’s Disrupt, we engaged with founders to learn about their experiences and witnessed the tangible outcomes of their participation. One founder reported a threefold oversubscription rate following their acceptance into Startup Battlefield, along with over 100 inquiries from investors that sparked discussions regarding future fundraising efforts. Another founder experienced nearly 30 consecutive meetings with investors who approached them after their pitch on stage and continued the dialogue at their booth. Such occurrences are not anomalies at Disrupt; they are integral to the event. Moreover, these opportunities extend beyond just Battlefield finalists. Every interaction in the Expo Hall or at a Side Event has the potential to create valuable prospects for your startup.
For years, whether hosted in New York, San Francisco, or other locations, Disrupt has united thousands of founders, investors, startup team members, and technology leaders. We are committed to continuing this mission at San Francisco’s Moscone West from October 13-15, featuring a robust lineup of speakers, over 200 expert sessions, a plethora of organized and spontaneous networking opportunities, and, most importantly, the chance to connect with individuals who could significantly influence your emerging concept or your current startup’s direction.
This guide is designed for founders who are newly acquainted with Disrupt, those seeking a refresher, or individuals who are uncertain about its value. TechCrunch has been a mainstay for over two decades; we can withstand scrutiny. Before you dive in, we have two discounts available until the event begins that you should be aware of. Founders can bring a team member for half off their ticket by following this link, or assist laid-off individuals in your network in discovering their next opportunity at Disrupt with our substantial discount on Expo+ passes.
Image Credits: hinews / Slava Blazer Photography
The essence of what makes Disrupt, Disrupt
If you are contemplating whether TechCrunch Disrupt is worthwhile, you are not alone. The truth is that Disrupt is a distinctive event occurring at a critical juncture for the startup ecosystem. This year’s Disrupt is not focused on forecasting the future of AI; rather, it emphasizes the construction of companies within that framework. Across six carefully curated stages, founders will gain practical insights from the CEOs, investors, engineers, and operators who are shaping the technological landscape for the next decade.
Whether you are seeking to raise your initial round, expand your team, or determine how AI will influence your product, each session is crafted to address one fundamental question: “What actionable insights can I bring back to my company on Monday morning?”
The founders Disrupt empowers
Disrupt operates somewhat differently depending on your stage of founding, offering various tracks to maximize the three-day experience:
Pre-seed and idea stages
You are here to validate your thesis, connect with your first angel or pre-seed investors, and identify others working in your domain. Focus on the Builders Stage, the Startup Battlefield semifinalist pitches, and the Expo Hall, alongside industry-specific roundtables and discussions that pique your interest.
Early revenue or actively raising
Your primary goals are capital and validation, making your time extremely valuable. Concentrate on our investor-matchmaking tools and the connections afforded by your Founder Pass, including the networking features in our app. You will also have access to the Deal Flow Café, where we facilitate one-on-one discussions between founders and investors. When you are not engaged in deal-making, benefit from VC insights and fundraising-oriented sessions at the Builders Stage.
Scaling, hiring, and seeking partnerships
You are searching for talent, strategic alliances, and market exposure. The same networking tools and opportunities can assist you in meeting potential hires and partners, deepening existing connections, or forging new ones. Do not overlook Disrupt’s Side Events—there is something for every industry, interest, or post-event atmosphere you may be seeking.
Startup Battlefield: The most iconic pitch competition
The announcement of the Startup Battlefield winner is the highlight of the Disrupt stage and serves as the event’s capstone. However, it is the journey leading up to the awarding of the $100,000 prize and the subsequent surge of attention that the winner garners that proves most beneficial for founders attending Disrupt. The 200 startups selected on August 20 to compete undergo a rigorous preparation process and have the chance to pitch on stage before esteemed VCs and the Disrupt audience. You will also have the opportunity to observe these pitches, take notes, learn from the successes and challenges, and potentially engage with the teams behind the innovations, whether in follow-up meetings or while navigating the halls of Moscone.
If this inspires you, here’s a tip: Most Battlefield participants, including several winners, have gone through this process multiple times. While we are no longer accepting applications for the 2026 competition, we are expanding the program to more international markets, and the 2027 process will closely resemble this year’s, so keep this in mind for the future!
The founder-focused programming
Disrupt 2026 encompasses several stages, each designed to address specific founder needs:
Disrupt Stage: Engaging discussions on technology featuring the founders, CEOs, and industry leaders defining the future. These conversations will resonate long after Disrupt concludes.
Builders Stage: A tactical playbook for startup development. Covering topics from fundraising and hiring to go-to-market strategies, product development, and scaling, every session aims to provide founders with actionable advice they can implement immediately.
AI Stage: AI is not a distant prospect—it is our current reality. Discover how the fastest-growing startups are building, deploying, and monetizing AI, with practical insights on agents, models, infrastructure, and strategies for success in the AI era.
Real World AI Stage: AI is transitioning from digital interfaces to tangible applications. Investigate how robotics, autonomous systems, manufacturing, healthcare, and defense are transforming AI breakthroughs into real-world products and enterprises.
Smart Money Stage: Follow the financial trends. From fintech and stablecoins to payments, embedded finance, and AI-driven financial services, this stage examines how technology is reshaping capital movement.
Smart Systems Stage: Every AI advancement relies on the underlying infrastructure. Explore innovations in chips, computing, energy, networking, and data centers that will shape the next generation of technology companies.
Image Credits: hinews / Slava Blazer Photography
Conversations you can only get at Disrupt
RJ Scaringe (Rivian): Building a generational company.
Panos Panay (Amazon): Designing products people love.
Paolo Ardoino (Tether): Money, AI, and infrastructure.
Toni Schneider and Rose Wang (Bluesky): Can social media start anew?
Amjad Masad (Replit): Every founder becomes technical.
Andrew Feldman (Cerebras): Winning the AI compute race.
And this is just the beginning—more speakers will be announced as we approach Disrupt. You can view the complete lineup of speakers across all stages and events here.
How to maximize your investment at Disrupt
As Disrupt approaches, ticket prices will increase, but we have several promotions for founders looking to save. You can receive a 50% discount on a second ticket by following this link, allowing you to bring a colleague or co-founder along for the experience.
If you know colleagues in your network affected by layoffs who would benefit from attending, we also offer a special $75 Expo+ Pass available in limited quantities for those impacted by recent cutbacks. Your time at Disrupt is invaluable, so before attending, review our frequently updated schedule of speakers and Side Events, get ahead of competitors by booking your networking opportunities in advance, and prepare your elevator pitches to make the most of those serendipitous Disrupt moments that can arise at any time from October 13-15!
