Side Events at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026
Keep the conversation going beyond the stages
While the Disrupt stages lead the discussion on tech’s future, Side Events keep it going. These gatherings bring the community together for panels, workshops, networking, and social events designed to spark conversations, make connections, and explore what’s next.
Explore Side Events three ways: Featured Events for highlights, All Side Events for the full lineup, and the Schedule to see what’s happening day by day.
Featured Events
A few of this year’s Side Events are hosted by TechCrunch partners, bringing the companies and communities behind some of the biggest conversations in tech into the Disrupt Week experience.
Serve, Swipe, & Settle: Mixer for SaaS Leaders Scaling Into Embedded Payments
October 12 | 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. PT
Join SaaS founders, developers, and technical leaders at SPIN San Francisco for an evening of conversation about turning embedded payments into a revenue stream. Over Ping-Pong, food, and drinks, compare notes on monetization, maintaining brand control, and scaling beyond basic payments while connecting with others building the next generation of SaaS businesses.
Hosted by: NMI
RSVP: Register for Serve, Swipe, & Settle
The Irish Shark Tank
October 13 | 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. PT
Ireland’s startup scene is back at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Join Enterprise Ireland at Ireland House for The Irish Shark Tank, an evening happy hour bringing together Irish startups, founders, investors, and members of the broader tech community. Reconnect with familiar faces, meet emerging companies from Ireland, and make new connections across the startup ecosystem. Availability is limited, so be sure to register in advance.
Hosted by: Enterprise Ireland
RSVP: Register for The Irish Shark Tank
SafetyWing Happy Hour at Harrington’s
October 13 | 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. PT
Head to Harrington’s Irish Pub for an evening of drinks and conversation with founders, HR leaders, and members of the startup community. Hosted by SafetyWing during TechCrunch Disrupt week, this casual happy hour is an opportunity to meet new people, exchange ideas, and connect with the team behind a modern approach to health coverage for remote workers and globally distributed teams.
Hosted by: SafetyWing
RSVP: Register for SafetyWing Happy Hour
Born2Global Founder Networking Night
October 13 | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. PT
Meet 18 emerging startups from the Republic of Korea for an evening of founder conversations, curated introductions, and networking with investors, operators, corporate leaders, and fellow entrepreneurs. Each founder will give a brief introduction before the evening opens up for conversations and connections across the U.S. and global startup ecosystems. Discover new companies, explore potential partnerships, and build relationships with founders bringing Korean innovation to the international market.
Hosted by: WayFounder
RSVP: Register for Born2Global Founder Networking Night
Korea–US Startup & Investor Networking Night
October 14 | 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. PT
Connect with Korean startups, U.S. investors, founders, corporate partners, and technology leaders for an evening of networking and cross-border business opportunities. Organized by KOTRA as part of the Korea Pavilion’s programming, the event brings together companies entering the U.S. market with members of the Bay Area startup ecosystem to explore potential investments, partnerships, and collaborations.
The Korea Pavilion will also showcase cutting-edge technologies from 25 leading Korean startups in the TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Expo Hall. A limited number of complimentary Expo+ passes are available to qualified applicants who do not already have a Disrupt ticket. Registration is required.
Hosted by: KOTRA Silicon Valley, in collaboration with the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund (KODIT), Korea Tourism Organization, Seoul AI Hub, and Gimhae City Hall
RSVP: Register for Korea–US Startup & Investor Networking Night
Expo+ Passes: Learn how to apply
Ecosystem Mixer
October 14 | 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. PT
Join Peak XV for an evening mixer with founders, operators, and investors building what’s next. Enjoy good drinks and better conversations in a relaxed setting designed for meeting people across the startup ecosystem. Whether you’re looking to exchange ideas, make new connections, or simply spend time with fellow builders, this is an opportunity to connect without the pressure of a formal pitch.
Hosted by: Peak XV Partners
RSVP: Register for the Ecosystem Mixer
Liquid Assets: A Private Markets Cocktail Party
October 14 | 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. PT
Disrupt is three days of panels. This is not one of them.
Augment and Mintz are hosting a Wednesday evening cocktail party for people across the private markets, technology, and venture ecosystems. Enjoy drinks, light bites, and plenty of room for conversation without a formal program or preset meetings. Come meet fellow industry professionals, exchange perspectives, and build connections in a relaxed setting away from the conference floor.
Hosted by: Augment and Mintz
RSVP: Register for Liquid Assets
Vault & Verify: An Evening of Ping Pong, Cocktails & Conversation
October 14 | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. PT
Join Skyflow and Descope for an evening of food, cocktails, friendly competition, and conversation with San Francisco’s security, privacy, and identity community. As AI systems become more autonomous, keeping sensitive data protected and verifying identities are increasingly important challenges. Meet the leaders working on these issues, exchange ideas, and enjoy a little Ping-Pong away from the conference floor.
Hosted by: Descope and Skyflow
RSVP: Register for Vault & Verify
The Afterburn: TechCrunch Disrupt Edition
October 14 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. PT
Take a break from the pitching, demoing, and networking at this evening mixer for founders, builders, investors, and other members of the tech community. Join Backblaze and Flamethrower for cocktails, appetizers, and conversation in a relaxed atmosphere. No panels or presentations, just an opportunity to unwind after a full day of TechCrunch Disrupt and connect with people across the industry.
Hosted by: Backblaze and Flamethrower
RSVP: Register for The Afterburn
Polish Innovation Evening: From Ideas to Connections — Poland Meets Silicon Valley
October 14 | 5:30 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. PT
Join Polish founders, investors, technology leaders, and ecosystem partners aboard the historic Klamath for an evening connecting Poland’s innovation ecosystem with Silicon Valley during TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. The event combines discussion and informal networking on the San Francisco waterfront, offering an opportunity to discover emerging Polish companies, exchange perspectives, and build connections between the two startup communities.
Hosted by: Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) and Upper Silesian Fund
RSVP: Register for Polish Innovation Evening
Scaling Nordic Fintech Globally
October 14 | 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. PT
Join Innovation Norway and the Royal Norwegian Consulate General in San Francisco for an evening celebrating fintech, international growth, and the Nordic startup ecosystem. The event recognizes Aparta’s selection for TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200 and brings together people interested in the companies and ideas shaping the future of financial technology. Connect with founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders exploring how Nordic fintech innovation can scale globally.
Hosted by: Innovation Norway and Royal Norwegian Consulate General in San Francisco
RSVP: Register for Scaling Nordic Fintech Globally
Silicon Valley – Pak US Tech Connect 2026
Hosted by Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB)
Pak-US Tech Connect brings together Pakistani technology companies, U.S. businesses, industry leaders, investors, partners, and ecosystem stakeholders to explore opportunities for business collaboration, technology partnerships, outsourcing, investment, and market expansion.
Learn more & RSVP →
All Side Events
Saturday, October 10
The First Principles Way to Find the Next 10x Opportunity Hiding in Your Product
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Hosted by PrincipiumX
Learn how to use first-principles thinking to uncover overlooked customer needs, differentiate your product, strengthen product-market fit, and identify opportunities for significant growth through a real-world case study.
Sunday, October 11
Happy Hour with AI Created Drinks by AI Barmen!
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Hosted by AI Barmen
Meet AI Barmen, a robotic bartender that creates personalized cocktails and mocktails through an interactive happy hour experience.
EPIC SF Physical AI Demo Night @ Finding Next Move
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Hosted by EPIC Connector Pte. Ltd.
Ten early-stage startups pitch their products and competitive moats to a hand-selected group of venture investors, followed by an open networking after-party.
International Reception at the European Startup Embassy
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Hosted by Granite Landings LLC
Join an international startup community for an evening of food, drinks, and networking designed to build better business relationships.
Monday, October 12
The Partnership Exchange by onSpark
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Hosted by onSpark
The Partnership Exchange turns one evening into a live deal floor for founders who know partnerships drive growth. Walk in with your company, walk out with a real hit list. The onSpark team runs Hit List Live on the spot, mapping the exact partners who can move your revenue this year, then matching you with founders in the room who belong on each other’s lists.
Every attendee gets featured in One Golden Nugget, the co-published spotlight series from Disrupt Week.
Serve, Swipe, & Settle: Mixer for SaaS Leaders Scaling into Embedded Payments
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Hosted by NMI
SaaS founders, developers, and technical leaders can compare notes on embedded payments, monetization, and scaling beyond basic payment infrastructure over Ping-Pong, food, and drinks.
The Future of Work Social Mixer + Open Demos: Worktech, Robotics & Agentic AI
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Hosted by Ontology of Value
Explore work tech, robotics, and agentic AI through startup pitches, hands-on demos, and networking with founders, operators, and investors shaping the future of work.
Long Lead Time: A Hardware Happy Hour
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Hosted by Syntro
Connect with founders, engineers, and operators building robotics, chips, rockets, and other frontier hardware over drinks and light bites in a casual setting.
Open to Work: The Game Show
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Hosted by Khwajalabs
A live game show turns the job hunt into networking: compete using your real résumé, pitch yourself onstage, and let the audience decide who advances.
Tuesday, October 13
The Irish Shark Tank
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Hosted by Enterprise Ireland
Meet and mingle with Ireland’s hottest startups. Enterprise Ireland is back at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 and will welcome old friends and new faces to The Irish Shark Tank at Ireland House for happy hour. Availability is limited.
SafetyWing Happy Hour at Harrington’s
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Hosted by SafetyWing
Meet founders and HR leaders over drinks while connecting with SafetyWing and discussing the challenges of navigating health benefits for startups and their teams.
SF Exclusive VIP Drinks for AI Founders and Accredited Investors
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Hosted by EQUITY X INVESTMENTS, LLC
An invite-only gathering for AI founders and accredited investors featuring drinks, direct introductions, and informal conversations with no pitches or panels.
Harvard Griffin GSAS Alumni Networking Mixer
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Hosted by Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Connect with Harvard Griffin GSAS alumni living and working in the Bay Area during an informal networking reception. Guests are welcome.
South Asian Investor Founder Connect: TechCrunch Disrupt
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Hosted by American South Asian Network
Connect with South Asian founders, investors, operators, creators, and technology leaders through curated introductions and informal networking.
Real World AI: Connect, Invest & Scale in Taiwan
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Hosted by Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs
Discover how Taiwan, a powerhouse behind the global AI revolution, is bringing AI into the real world through robotics, intelligent hardware, and advanced manufacturing, with startup pitches, investor connections, and networking over light fare and drinks.
Attacks Never Arrive: Happy Hour with Trotta
5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Hosted by Trotta
Join AI founders, security leaders, and operators for food, drinks, and conversation around social engineering, deepfakes, prompt injection, and emerging AI security threats.
Content Creators Meetup @ TechCrunch Disrupt
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Hosted by Founder-Led Media
Founders and creators building in public come together to share practical lessons on content, hooks, distribution, and growing a founder-led audience.
Pets of Disrupt: Founders, Investors & Their Pets
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Hosted by Omelo
Step away from the conference crowd for an informal evening with founders, investors, operators, builders, creators, and the pets that make San Francisco’s startup community more human.
K Tech Startup Networking Reception | TCD 2026
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Hosted by WayFounder
Meet 18 emerging Korean startups through quick founder introductions, curated conversations, and open networking with investors, operators, corporate leaders, and entrepreneurs.
EdgeM8: B2B Partnership Mixer
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Hosted by EdgeM8
Connect with founders, revenue leaders, and executives working across go-to-market, partnerships, distribution, and technology while building relationships across the Bay Area startup ecosystem.
Shinhan Square Bridge Meetup @ TechCrunch Disrupt
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Hosted by SWITH
Meet 10 startups from the Shinhan Square Bridge Global program in an intimate evening of founder conversations, networking, food, and drinks.
Wednesday, October 14
NextGen — TechCrunch Disrupt Week 2026
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Hosted by TradeIL
An invitation-only gathering bringing together Israeli founders, investors, technology executives, and strategic partners from across the Bay Area.
Fynex x Orion VC | Curated Rooftop Party
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Hosted by Fynex
Join founders, operators, and AI-focused investors for a curated rooftop evening centered on networking, food, drinks, and conversations around AI and infrastructure.
Love Soul AI & WellGem: Interactive Hologram Showcase & Founder Networking
5:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
Hosted by Love Soul AI
The event takes place on the patio at Per Diem, beneath Salesforce Park and a short distance from Moscone West. Connect with fellow founders, investors, and members of the tech community while experiencing Love Soul AI’s hologram technology and enjoying superfood-inspired appetizers. All ages are welcome. Ticket required.
Korea–US Startup & Investor Networking Night
5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Hosted by KOTRA Silicon Valley
Connect Korean startups entering the U.S. market with investors, founders, corporate partners, and Bay Area ecosystem leaders for conversations around investment, partnerships, and business opportunities.
Scaling Nordic Fintech Globally
Time not provided
Hosted by Innovation Norway & Royal Norwegian Consulate General in San Francisco
An evening of fintech, global growth, and great conversations, celebrating Aparta’s selection for TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200.
Ecosystem Mixer
5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Hosted by Peak XV Partners
Peak XV brings founders, operators, and investors together for an informal evening of drinks and conversation. No pitches required.
Liquid Assets: A Private Markets Cocktail Party by Augment & Mintz
5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Hosted by Augment and Mintz
A private markets cocktail gathering with drinks, light bites, and informal conversation among founders, investors, and technology leaders.
Watch It Run: Live Automation Meetup with Bolter
5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Hosted by Improbable
See business automation happen live as Bolter turns attendees’ most dreaded weekly processes into working automations during dinner, using plain-language descriptions instead of code.
Polish Innovation Evening: From Ideas to Connections — Poland Meets Silicon Valley
5:30 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
Hosted by Polish Investment and Trade Agency and Upper Silesian Fund
Join us aboard the Historic Klamath for an evening connecting Poland’s innovation ecosystem with Silicon Valley during TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Meet Polish founders, investors, technology leaders, and ecosystem partners for a discussion followed by informal networking on the San Francisco waterfront.
Rooftop Gathering: Pilaf Evening for Tech Founders and Investors
6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Hosted by INNOVA × BeGlobe PR Agency
Join a private rooftop gathering built for tech builders, deep tech innovators, and investors for conversations over a shared meal. No standing around, no pitch decks — just real talk and a great view.
Worldmodels—See the World in 4D
6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Hosted by NLINK INC
Explore physical AI, spatial intelligence, robotics, and world models through live 4D capture, demos, and conversations with founders, researchers, and investors.
The Afterburn: TechCrunch Disrupt Edition
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Hosted by Backblaze and Flamethrower
Wind down after Disrupt with cocktails, food, and informal conversations among founders, builders, investors, and friends. No panels or presentations.
Hardtech After Party
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Hosted by Whipsaw
Connect with founders, engineers, investors, and design leaders building in robotics, wearables, connected devices, medtech, and other areas of hard tech.
Token Economics: From Cost per Token to Value per Outcome
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Hosted by Hellyeah AI
Founders, investors, engineers, and operators explore how AI companies turn inference costs into business value through pricing, routing, reliability, and token-level economics.
Vault & Verify: An Evening of Ping Pong, Cocktails & Conversation
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Hosted by Descope
Bring together security, privacy, and identity leaders for food, cocktails, friendly competition, and conversations about managing sensitive data and identity as AI systems become more autonomous.
AI Made Every Candidate Look Perfect. How Do You Find the Real Ones?
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Hosted by SLI.pro
Explore how founders, investors, and operators can identify meaningful talent signals when AI has made résumés, profiles, and interview answers increasingly polished.
SQLDoom Deathmatch Night at Disrupt
6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Hosted by CedarDB
Play SQLDoom deathmatch against the CedarDB team alongside arcade games, food, drinks, and conversations with database engineers and startup founders.
SignalFire’s Disrupt Arthaus After-Party
7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Hosted by SignalFire
Spend the evening with founders, investors, journalists, and builders at an arts campus featuring live music, immersive art and technology, food, and drinks.
Thursday, October 15
NachoThursday: TechCrunch Disrupt SaaS & AI Founder + Investor Happy Hour
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Hosted by NachoNacho
A rooftop happy hour for SaaS and AI founders, C-suite leaders, investors, and tech media. Attendance is screened and limited to approved guests.
Korea Emerging Tech Showcase
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Hosted by Brinc
Join a curated group of venture and corporate investors for an intimate evening with Korean founders from 14 emerging tech startups over food and wine at a private members’ club in San Francisco’s Financial District. Curated guest list. Limited capacity. Approval required.
Fynex x Orion VC | Curated Rooftop Party
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Hosted by Fynex and Orion VC
Fynex and Orion VC host a rooftop gathering for AI founders, operators, and investors focused on AI and infrastructure. The guest list is curated to make the room itself part of the experience.
LP, VC & Funded Founder Networking + Demo
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Hosted by Founder Institute
An intimate networking evening for LPs, GPs, and funded founders focused on technology, venture capital, and new relationships.
Korea–US Startup & Investor Networking Night
5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Hosted by KOTRA Silicon Valley
Korean startups entering the U.S. market come together with investors, founders, corporate partners, and Bay Area ecosystem leaders for an evening of casual networking and meaningful connections around potential investment, partnership, and business opportunities. Registration is required.
Japan Startups Showcase
5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Hosted by 500 Global
Meet 12 Japanese startups building for global markets across AI, enterprise software, health, biotech, defense, agtech, sports tech, and consumer technology, with live demos and direct conversations with founders.
Venture Night @ TechCrunch Disrupt 2026
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Hosted by TechEmbassy
Ten selected startups. Fast-paced pitches. Startup prizes. Venture Night brings founders, investors, and tech leaders together for a live pitch competition and Q&A, followed by a Founder Feedback Session, awards, and networking.
Friday, October 16
Silicon Valley – Pak US Tech Connect 2026
10:00 a.m.– 2:00 p.m.
Hosted by Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB)
Pak-US Tech Connect brings together Pakistani technology companies, U.S. businesses, industry leaders, investors, partners, and ecosystem stakeholders to explore opportunities for business collaboration, technology partnerships, outsourcing, investment, and market expansion.
THE RUNWAY: A Morning Founder Run
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Hosted by Handler
Start the day with a casual waterfront run along the Embarcadero, complete with startup-themed “runway” markers, followed by coffee and networking at the Ferry Building.
Funded Founders @ Alchemy Springs
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Hosted by Press Club
Combine sauna and cold-plunge experiences with conversations and networking around startups competing in this year’s Startup Battlefield 200. Space is limited.
Find a Cofounder, Help or Join a Startup
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Hosted by Startup Oasis
Hear startup pitches and then join breakout groups where attendees can offer feedback, make connections, or explore opportunities to work with the presenting teams.
Schedule of Side Events
Saturday, October 10
| 9:00 a.m. – 11 a.m. | The First Principles Way to Find the Next 10x Opportunity Hiding in Your Product RSVP Hosted by PrincipiumX | Learn how to use first-principles thinking to uncover overlooked customer needs, differentiate your product, strengthen product-market fit, and identify opportunities for significant growth through a real-world case study. |
Sunday, October 11
| 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | EPIC SF Demo Night@Finding Next Moat RSVP Hosted by EPIC Connector Pte. Ltd. | Ten early-stage startups pitch their products and competitive moats to a hand-selected group of venture investors, followed by an open networking after-party. |
| 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Happy Hour with AI created drinks by AI Barmen! RSVP Hosted by AI Barmen | Meet AI Barmen, a robotic bartender that creates personalized cocktails and mocktails through an interactive happy hour experience. |
| 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | International Reception at the European Startup Embassy RSVP Hosted by Granite Landings LLC | Join us for an international startup evening at the European Startup Embassy for food, drinks, and networking to build better business relationships! |
Monday, October 12
| 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | The Partnership Exchange by onSpark RSVP Hosted by onSpark | The Partnership Exchange turns one evening into a live deal floor for founders who know partnerships drive growth. Walk in with your company, walk out with a real hit list. Our team runs Hit List Live on the spot, mapping the exact partners who can move your revenue this year, then matching you with founders in the room who belong on each other’s lists. Every attendee gets featured in One Golden Nugget, our co-published spotlight series from DISRUPT week. |
| 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Serve, Swipe, & Settle: Mixer for SaaS Leaders Scaling into Embedded Payments RSVP Hosted by NMI | SaaS founders, developers, and technical leaders can compare notes on embedded payments, monetization, and scaling beyond basic payment infrastructure over Ping-Pong, food, and drinks. |
| 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | The Future of Work Social Mixer + Open Demos: Worktech, Robotics & Agentic AI RSVP Hosted by Ontology of Value | Explore work tech, robotics, and agentic AI through startup pitches, hands-on demos, and networking with founders, operators, and investors shaping the future of work. |
| 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Long Lead Time: A Hardware Happy Hour RSVP Hosted by Syntro | Connect with founders, engineers, and operators building robotics, chips, rockets, and other frontier hardware over drinks and light bites in a casual setting. |
| 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Open to Work: The Game Show RSVP Hosted by Khwajalabs | A live game show turns the job hunt into networking: compete using your real résumé, pitch yourself onstage, and let the audience decide who advances. |
Tuesday, October 13
| 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | The Irish Shark Tank RSVP Hosted by Enterprise Ireland | Meet and mingle with Ireland’s hottest startups! Enterprise Ireland is BACK at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, and we’re excited to reconnect with old friends and welcome new faces to The Irish Shark Tank at Ireland House for Happy Hour. Availability is limited! |
| 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | SafetyWing Happy Hour at Harrington’s RSVP Hosted by SafetyWing | Meet founders and HR leaders over drinks while connecting with SafetyWing and discussing the challenges of navigating health benefits for startups and their teams. |
| 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | SF Exclusive VIP Drinks for AI Founders (Seed to Series A+) and Accredited Investors RSVP Hosted by EQUITY X INVESTMENTS, LLC | An invite-only gathering for AI founders and accredited investors featuring drinks, direct introductions, and informal conversations with no pitches or panels. |
| 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Harvard Griffin GSAS Alumni Networking Mixer RSVP Hosted by Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) | Connect with Harvard Griffin GSAS alumni living and working in the Bay Area during an informal networking reception. Guests are welcome. |
| 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | South Asian Investor Founder Connect: TechCrunch Disrupt RSVP Hosted by American South Asian Network (ASAN) | Connect with South Asian founders, investors, operators, creators, and technology leaders through curated introductions and informal networking. |
| 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m | Real World AI: Connect, Invest & Scale in Taiwan RSVP Hosted by Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs | Discover how Taiwan, the powerhouse behind the global AI revolution, is now bringing AI into the real world through robotics, intelligent hardware, and advanced manufacturing, with startup pitches, investor connections, and high signal networking over light fare and drinks. |
| 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Attacks Never Arrive: Happy Hour RSVP Hosted by Trotta | Join AI founders, security leaders, and operators for food, drinks, and conversation around social engineering, deepfakes, prompt injection, and emerging AI security threats. |
| 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Content Creators Meetup @ TechCrunch Disrupt RSVP Hosted by Founder-Led Media | Founders and creators building in public come together to share practical lessons on content, hooks, distribution, and growing a founder-led audience. |
| 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Pets of Disrupt: Founders, Investors & Their Pets RSVP Hosted by Omelo | Step away from the conference crowd for an informal evening with founders, investors, operators, builders, creators, and the pets that make San Francisco’s startup community more human. |
| 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Born2Global Founder Networking Night RSVP Hosted by WayFounder | Meet 18 emerging Korean startups through quick founder introductions, curated conversations, and open networking with investors, operators, corporate leaders, and entrepreneurs. |
| 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | EdgeM8: B2B Partnership Mixer RSVP Hosted by EdgeM8 | Connect with founders, revenue leaders, and executives working across go-to-market, partnerships, distribution, and technology while building relationships across the Bay Area startup ecosystem. |
| 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | 『Shinhan Square Bridge』 (S2B) Meetup @ TechCrunch Disrupt RSVP Hosted by SWITH | Meet 10 startups from the Shinhan Square Bridge Global program in an intimate evening of founder conversations, networking, food, and drinks. |
Wednesday, October 14
| 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | NextGen — TechCrunch Disrupt Week 2026 RSVP Hosted by TradeIL | An invitation-only gathering bringing together Israeli founders, investors, technology executives, and strategic partners from across the Bay Area. |
| 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Fynex x Orion VC | Curated Rooftop Party RSVP Hosted by Fynex | Join founders, operators, and AI-focused investors for a curated rooftop evening centered on networking, food, drinks, and conversations around AI and infrastructure. |
| 5:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. | Love Soul AI: Interactive Hologram Showcase & Founder Networking with Superfood Appetizers RSVP Hosted by Love Soul AI | The event will take place on the patio at Per Diem, located beneath Salesforce Park in the heart of San Francisco, just a short distance from Moscone West. Stop by after the conference to connect with fellow founders, investors, and members of the tech community and experience Love Soul AI’s hologram technology + enjoy superfood-inspired appetizers. All ages are welcome. Free to spectate! |
| 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Korea–US Startup & Investor Networking Night RSVP Hosted by KOTRA Silicon Valley | Connecting Korean startups entering the U.S. market with investors, founders, corporate partners, and Bay Area ecosystem leaders for conversations around investment, partnerships, and business opportunities. |
| 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Ecosystem Mixer RSVP Hosted by PeakXV Partners | Peak XV brings founders, operators, and investors together for an informal evening of drinks and conversation. No pitches required. |
| 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Liquid Assets: A Private Markets Cocktail Party by Augment & Mintz RSVP Hosted by Augment and Mintz | A private markets cocktail gathering with drinks, light bites, and informal conversation among founders, investors, and technology leaders. |
| 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Watch It Run: Live Automation Dinner with Bolter RSVP Hosted by Improbable | See business automation happen live as Bolter turns attendees’ most dreaded weekly processes into working automations during dinner, using plain-language descriptions instead of code. |
| 5:30 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. | Polish Innovation Evening: From ideas to connections — Poland meets Silicon Valley RSVP Hosted by Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) and Upper Silesian Fund | Join us aboard the Historic Klamath for an evening connecting Poland’s innovation ecosystem with Silicon Valley during TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Meet Polish founders, investors, technology leaders, and ecosystem partners for a discussion followed by informal networking on the San Francisco waterfront. |
| 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | The Rooftop Pilaf: An Evening for Tech Founders and Investors RSVP Hosted by INNOVA × BeGlobe PR Agency | Join us for a private rooftop gathering built specifically for tech builders, deep tech innovators and the investors for conversations over a shared meal. No standing around, no pitch decks – just real talk and a great view. |
| 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. | Physical AI After Hours — See the World in 4D RSVP Hosted by NLINK INC | Explore physical AI, spatial intelligence, robotics, and world models through live 4D capture, demos, and conversations with founders, researchers, and investors. |
| 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | The Afterburn: TechCrunch Disrupt Edition RSVP Hosted by Backblaze and Flamethrower | Wind down after Disrupt with cocktails, food, and informal conversations among founders, builders, investors, and friends. No panels or presentations. |
| 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Hardtech After Party RSVP Hosted by Whipsaw | Connect with founders, engineers, investors, and design leaders building in robotics, wearables, connected devices, medtech, and other areas of hard tech. |
| 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Token Economics: From Cost per Token to Value per Outcome RSVP Hosted by Hellyeah ai | Founders, investors, engineers, and operators explore how AI companies turn inference costs into business value through pricing, routing, reliability, and token-level economics. |
| 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Vault & Verify: An Evening of Ping Pong, Cocktails & Conversation RSVP Hosted by Descope | Bring together security, privacy, and identity leaders for food, cocktails, friendly competition, and conversations about managing sensitive data and identity as AI systems become more autonomous. |
| 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | AI Made Every Candidate Look Perfect. How Do You Find the Real Ones? RSVP Hosted by SLI.pro | Explore how founders, investors, and operators can identify meaningful talent signals when AI has made résumés, profiles, and interview answers increasingly polished. |
| 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | SQLDoom Deathmatch Night at Disrupt RSVP Hosted by CedarDB | Play SQLDoom deathmatch against the CedarDB team alongside arcade games, food, drinks, and conversations with database engineers and startup founders. |
| 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. | Disrupt Week Arthaus After-Party RSVP Hosted by SignalFire | Spend the evening with founders, investors, journalists, and builders at an arts campus featuring live music, immersive art and technology, food, and drinks. |
Thursday, October 15
| 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | NachoThursday: TechCrunch Disrupt SaaS & AI Founder + Investor Happy Hour RSVP Hosted by NachoNacho | A rooftop happy hour for SaaS and AI founders, C-suite leaders, investors, and tech media. Attendance is screened and limited to approved guests. |
| 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Korea Emerging Tech Showcase RSVP Hosted by Brinc | Join a curated group of venture and corporate investors for an intimate evening with Korean founders from 14 emerging tech startups over food and wine at a private members’ club in San Francisco’s Financial District. Curated guest list. Limited capacity. Approval required. |
| 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | LP, VC & Funded Founder Networking + Demo RSVP Hosted by Founder Institute | An intimate networking evening for LPs, GPs, and funded founders focused on technology, venture capital, and new relationships. |
| 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Korea–US Startup & Investor Networking Night RSVP Hosted by KOTRA Silicon Valley | Korean startups entering the U.S. market come together with investors, founders, corporate partners, and Bay Area ecosystem leaders for an evening of casual networking and meaningful connections around potential investment, partnership, and business opportunities. Registration is required. |
| 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Japan Startups Showcase RSVP Hosted by 500 Global | Meet 12 Japanese startups building for global markets across AI, enterprise software, health, biotech, defense, agtech, sports tech, and consumer technology, with live demos and direct conversations with founders. |
| 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Venture Night @TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 – The Ultimate Startup & Investor Experience! RSVP Hosted by TechEmbassy | Ten selected startups. Fast-paced pitches. Startup prizes. Venture Night brings founders, investors, and tech leaders together for a live pitch competition and Q&A, followed by a Founder Feedback Session, awards, and networking. |
| 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Curated Rooftop Party RSVP Hosted by Fynex and Orion VC | Fynex and Orion VC host a rooftop gathering for AI founders, operators, and investors focused on AI and infrastructure. We curate the guest list, so the room is the reason to come. |
Friday, October 16
| 10:00 a.m.– 2:00 p.m. | Silicon Valley – Pak US Tech Connect 2026 RSVP Hosted by Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) | Pak-US Tech Connect brings together Pakistani technology companies, U.S. businesses, industry leaders, investors, partners, and ecosystem stakeholders to explore opportunities for business collaboration, technology partnerships, outsourcing, investment, and market expansion. |
| 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | THE RUNWAY 🛫 a morning founder run (An Nayal & TechCrunch Disrupt Week) RSVP Hosted by Handler | Start the day with a casual waterfront run along the Embarcadero, complete with startup-themed “runway” markers, followed by coffee and networking at the Ferry Building. |
| 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Founders @ Alchemy Springs RSVP Hosted by Press Club | Combine sauna and cold-plunge experiences with conversations and networking around startups competing in this year’s Startup Battlefield 200. Space is limited. |
| 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Find a Cofounder, Help or Join a Startup RSVP Hosted by Startup Oasis | Hear startup pitches and then join breakout groups where attendees can offer feedback, make connections, or explore opportunities to work with the presenting teams. |
Questions: [email protected]