The founder’s guide to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Everything you need to know
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will take place at Moscone West in San Francisco from 13 to 15 October, with a programme focused on helping founders build durable companies in the AI era. The event is intended to connect startups with investors, partners and peers, while offering practical sessions on fundraising, product strategy, hiring and scaling.
TechCrunch says the conference will feature six curated stages, more than 200 expert sessions, networking tools, side events and an Expo Hall. It presents different suggested routes for founders at pre-seed, early-revenue and scaling stages; Founder Pass holders can use investor matchmaking and the Deal Flow Café for one-to-one investor discussions. The article cites previous attendees who reported increased investor interest after appearing in Startup Battlefield, including one founder who received more than 100 investor enquiries.
- Disrupt 2026 focuses on building AI-era companies.
- The event runs in San Francisco, 13–15 October.
- Founders can access sessions, networking and investor meetings.
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TechCrunch Disrupt is a technology conference where startup founders meet investors, business partners and other people building companies. It combines talks and practical sessions with networking and an exhibition area where startups can present their work.
The event is aimed at companies at different stages, from those just getting started to businesses preparing to grow. Topics such as fundraising, product choices, hiring and expansion can affect how a startup develops and whether it can attract investment.
Startup Battlefield is a competition associated with the conference, where selected startups present to judges and an audience. Investor meetings and exposure at events like this can help founders make useful contacts, though they do not guarantee funding or business success.