TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Brings Startup Builders Together in San Francisco

TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is set to bring more than 10,000 people from the global startup and tech ecosystem to San Francisco from October 13-15. The event will take place at Moscone West, with startup pitches, founder-focused sessions, breakout discussions, side events, and networking opportunities across three packed days.

There is still time to save on admission, but the main discount window closes before the event begins. Discounted online pricing offers pass savings of up to $100 before October 13, while the code DISRUPT25 provides a 25% discount through October 12.

Pass deals arrive before the San Francisco event

People attending with a colleague, co-founder, or friend can get 50% off a second eligible pass. That makes the event easier to approach as a team, especially for founders who want to compare notes during sessions, meet potential connections, or discuss ideas between events.

A $75 Expo+ Pass is available for people who were laid off. The limited layoff passes are available through October 2, which is also the last day to exhibit at Disrupt. For everyone else, the key deadline is October 12 for the 25% discount code, followed by the event’s opening on October 13.

“Save up to $100 before doors open.”

“Get 50% off a second pass.”

The Expo Hall will remain open from October 13-15. Disrupt doors open October 13, giving attendees access to an event designed for founders at the pre-seed, early revenue, and scaling stages.

A broad program focused on building in the AI era

Disrupt 2026 will feature more than 200 sessions across six stages, with programming focused on Disrupt, Builders, AI, Real World AI, Smart Money, and Smart Systems. More than 250 tech leaders will speak, giving the event a broad mix of conversations around company building, technology, funding, and the changing demands of the AI era.

The speaker lineup includes Mark Wahlberg, Alexander Embiricos, RJ Scaringe, Alexa von Tobel, Andrew Feldman, Cat de Jong, Les Karpas, Amjad Masad, Panos Panay, Paolo Ardoino, Toni Schneider, and Rose Wang. The listed speakers include leaders connected with OpenAI, Rivian, Inspired Capital, Cerebras Systems, Anthropic, NVIDIA, Replit, Amazon, Tether, and Bluesky.

The event’s central focus is practical: helping founders build companies in the AI era. One description of the program puts it this way: “Every session is designed to answer one question: ‘What can I take back to my company on Monday morning?’”

That emphasis also shows up in the event’s broader message. “Disrupt is about building companies in it.” The program frames AI as a setting for company building, not only a subject for technical demonstrations.

Another event message says, “The AI race isn’t slowing down, but the founders often winning it aren’t the loudest — they’re the ones building something that holds up past the initial ideas and demos.” That focus gives the Builders, AI, and Real World AI stages a clear role within the larger program.

Startup Battlefield puts new companies on the main stage

Startup Battlefield 200 will feature 20 finalists competing live for a $100,000 prize. The Startup Battlefield winner will be announced at the end of Disrupt, making the competition one of the event’s key moments for founders and attendees.

The competition sits alongside sessions, side events, and networking opportunities that are designed for founders at different points in their company journeys. A founder at the pre-seed stage, an early-revenue team, and a scaling company can all find programming tied to their needs across the six stages.

Attendees can also use the TechCrunch Events app for AI-powered matchmaking and meetings. That feature adds a direct way to arrange conversations during an event built around connections, whether those meetings involve founders, colleagues, co-founders, or other people in the startup and tech ecosystem.

“Your next job opportunity could be one conversation away at Disrupt.” The event also describes itself as “a unique event” taking place at “a unique time for the startup community,” connecting its networking focus with the wider changes facing founders and technology companies.

For those planning to attend, the timeline is straightforward: October 2 is the last day to exhibit and the date tied to the limited $75 layoff passes, October 12 is the final day for the DISRUPT25 discount, and October 13 marks the opening of Disrupt 2026 at Moscone West. The event continues through October 15, with the Expo Hall, sessions, Startup Battlefield, meetings, and networking opportunities all part of the schedule.

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