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TechCrunch Disrupt 2026<\/a> is built around one question: How do you build an enduring company in the AI era? Our programming and speaker lineup reflect that, based on the feedback we\u2019ve gotten from the community and the reality on the ground.<\/p>\n Last year at Disrupt, we spoke with founders about their experiences and discovered the results of their attendance firsthand. One founder saw a 3x oversubscription rate after their confirmation for Startup Battlefield<\/a> and more than 100 investor inbounds helping fuel conversations about a future fundraising round. Another founder had nearly 30 back-to-back conversations with investors who flocked to them after a pitch onstage and followed them to their booth<\/a>.<\/p>\n That\u2019s not the exception at Disrupt \u2014 that\u2019s the point. And those opportunities aren\u2019t just available for Battlefield finalists. Every conversation in the Expo Hall<\/a> or in a Side Event<\/a> can create an opportunity for your startup. For years, whether it\u2019s been held in New York, San Francisco, or elsewhere, Disrupt has brought together thousands of founders, investors, startup team members, and tech leaders. \u00a0<\/p>\n We\u2019re keeping that mission alive at SF\u2019s Moscone West, this October 13-15<\/a> with a packed lineup of speakers, more than 200 expert sessions, a wealth of organized and serendipitous networking opportunities, and most of all, the chance to be in the same room as the person who could change your nascent idea for a company or your current startup\u2019s trajectory.<\/p>\n This guide is for the founders out there who are just learning about Disrupt, who need a refresher, or are skeptical of whether it\u2019s worth it. TechCrunch has been around for more than 20 years; we can take it.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re asking Claude or ChatGPT if TechCrunch Disrupt is worth it, you\u2019re not alone. The reality is that Disrupt is a unique event, and it\u2019s happening at a unique time for the startup community.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s Disrupt isn\u2019t about predicting the future of AI; it\u2019s about building companies in it. Across six editorially curated stages, founders will hear practical lessons from the CEOs, investors, engineers, and operators shaping the next decade of technology. \u00a0<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re raising your first round, scaling your team, or deciding how AI changes your product, every session is designed to answer one question: \u201cWhat can I take back to my company on Monday morning?\u201d<\/p>\n Disrupt works a bit differently, depending on where you are in your founding journey, with different tracks you can follow to make the most of the three days:<\/p>\n You\u2019re here to pressure-test your thesis, meet your first angel or pre-seed investors, and figure out who else is building in your space. Prioritize the Builders Stage<\/a>, the Startup Battlefield semifinalist pitches, and the Expo Hall, along with roundtables tied to your industry and conversations you\u2019ll want to learn more from.<\/p>\n You\u2019re here for capital and validation above all else, and your time is valuable. Prioritize our investor-matchmaking tools and the connections that come with your Founder Pass, including the networking tools in our app. You also get access to the Deal Flow Caf\u00e9, where we foster one-on-one conversations between founders and investors. \u00a0<\/p>\n And when your schedule isn\u2019t packed with dealmaking, learn from VC perspectives and fundraising-focused sessions at the Builders Stage<\/a>.<\/p>\n You\u2019re here in search of talent, strategic partners, and market visibility. Those same networking tools and opportunities can help you meet potential hires and partners and deepen those connections or make new ones. Disrupt\u2019s Side Events aren\u2019t to be missed<\/a> \u2014 there\u2019s one for every industry, interest, or post-event vibe you could be looking to find.<\/p>\n The Startup Battlefield winner\u2019s reveal packs the Disrupt stage<\/a> and is each year\u2019s capstone event. But it\u2019s the lead-up to that $100,000 check and the deluge of attention the winner receives that\u2019s the most valuable for founders attending Disrupt.<\/p>\n The 200 startups chosen on August 20 to compete go through a rigorous prep process and get the opportunity to pitch onstage in front of top-tier VCs and the Disrupt crowds. You\u2019ll also get to watch those pitches, take notes, learn from the peaks and valleys, and potentially meet the teams behind the ideas and innovations. It could be in a follow-up meeting or just walking through the halls of Moscone. \u00a0<\/p>\n And if that all leaves you inspired, here\u2019s an insider tip: Most Battlefield participants, and several winners, have gone through the process multiple times. We\u2019re no longer taking applications for 2026\u2019s competition, but we\u2019re expanding<\/a> the program<\/a> to more international<\/a> markets, and the 2027 process will be similar to this year\u2019s<\/a>, so take note for the future!<\/p>\n \nThe reality of what makes Disrupt, Disrupt\u00a0<\/h2>\n
The founders\u00a0Disrupt empowers\u00a0<\/h2>\n
Pre-seed\u00a0and\u00a0idea stages\u00a0<\/h3>\n
Early revenue\u00a0or\u00a0actively raising\u00a0<\/h3>\n
Scaling, hiring, in search of\u00a0partnerships\u00a0<\/h3>\n
Startup Battlefield: The most iconic pitch competition\u00a0<\/h2>\n