TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Expands Beyond the Main Stage With Dozens of Side Events Across San Francisco

TechCrunch Disrupt serves as a gathering point for the technology sector to collaborate, exchange ideas, and build relationships. The official conference occupies Moscone West from October 13-15, but the programming and conversations extend well beyond the closing of the Expo Hall.

Accompanying the main event, the TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Side Event program assembles founders, investors, operators, researchers, and technology professionals across San Francisco for a range of activities including panels, workshops, networking sessions, parties, and more.

The roster continues to expand, with additional events rolling out in the weeks leading up to Disrupt. Attendees seeking to connect with fellow founders, meet capital providers, explore emerging technologies, or engage more deeply with the broader tech ecosystem will find numerous opportunities throughout the week. The chronological schedule is updated weekly as new Side Events are announced.

Featured Side Events

Several of this year's marquee Side Events are produced by TechCrunch partners, bringing the organizations and communities driving major technology conversations into the broader Disrupt Week experience.

Serve, Swipe, & Settle: Mixer for SaaS leaders scaling into embedded payments

SaaS founders, developers, and technical leaders will gather at SPIN San Francisco to discuss converting embedded payments into a business opportunity. The event, centered around ping-pong, food, and beverages, will enable participants to exchange insights on revenue generation, brand preservation, and expansion strategies beyond standard payment processing. Hosted by: NMI

The Afterburn: TechCrunch Disrupt Edition

This evening gathering offers a respite from the intensity of pitching, product demonstrations, and professional networking. Founders, builders, investors, and technology professionals will enjoy cocktails, appetizers, and informal conversation. The format prioritizes relaxation and connection without structured panels or presentations. Hosted by: Backblaze and Flamethrower

Ecosystem Mixer

Peak XV is organizing a gathering for founders, operators, and investors working on emerging ventures. The mixer emphasizes quality beverages and substantive dialogue, with no formal pitching required for participation. Hosted by: PeakXV Partners

Liquid Assets: A Private Markets Cocktail Party

Unlike the panel-heavy programming of the main conference, Augment and Mintz are hosting a Wednesday evening cocktail reception with beverages, light food, and ample space for dialogue. The event forgoes structured programming and scheduled meetings in favor of organic networking across the private markets, technology, and venture sectors. Hosted by: Augment and Mintz

The Side Event Schedule

The following events are scheduled throughout San Francisco during Disrupt week, arranged chronologically to help attendees plan their participation.

Sunday, October 11

Happy Hour with AI-Created Drinks by AI Barmen
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Attendees will encounter AI Barmen, a robotic bartending system that transforms happy hour into an interactive experience. The system delivers personalized drink suggestions and mechanically prepares and serves cocktails or non-alcoholic beverages.

EPIC SF Demo Night @ Finding Next Moat
6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Ten early-stage ventures will present their competitive advantages before a curated group of venture capital investors. A networking session with founders and investors will follow the presentations.

International Reception at the European Startup Embassy
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
An international startup community will host an evening featuring refreshments, beverages, and networking designed to unite founders, capital providers, and technology executives.

Monday, October 12

The Future of Work Social Mixer + Open Demos: Worktech, Robotics & Agentic AI
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
This event previews workplace evolution through startup demonstrations, open-format pitches, and interactive product experiences spanning workplace technology, robotics, and agentic AI. Founders, operators, and investors will explore collaboration models between human workers and artificial intelligence.

Open to Work: The Game Show
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
A live game show and networking event centered on employment and career advancement. Participants bring actual résumés and compete on stage, with audience members helping determine advancement. The game structure facilitates introductions and networking without traditional cold outreach.

Tuesday, October 13

SF Exclusive VIP Drinks for AI Founders & Accredited Investors
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
An invitation-only event for AI founders and accredited investors following the opening day of Disrupt. The gathering emphasizes direct conversation and beverages without formal pitches or panel discussions in an intimate setting.

Harvard Griffin GSAS Alumni Networking Mixer
A networking reception for Harvard Griffin GSAS alumni based in or visiting the Bay Area. The event welcomes guests of attendees.

South Asian Investor Founder Connect: TechCrunch Disrupt
South Asian founders, investors, operators, creators, and technology professionals will gather for an evening of networking and facilitated introductions within the startup ecosystem.

Attacks Never Arrive: Happy Hour
5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
AI founders, security professionals, and operators will convene for an evening of food, beverages, and discussion focused on social engineering, deepfakes, prompt injection, and emerging security threats in artificial intelligence systems.

Content Creators Meetup @ TechCrunch Disrupt
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Founders and content creators will exchange practical knowledge about founder-led media, covering topics from content hooks and strategy to distribution channels and audience growth. The conversation prioritizes actionable insights over formal presentations.

Shinhan Square Bridge Meetup @ TechCrunch Disrupt
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Ten startups participating in the Shinhan Square Bridge Global program will meet attendees in an informal setting featuring conversation, food, and beverages. The event excludes formal pitching and stage programming, focusing instead on founder connections.

Wednesday, October 14

NextGen – TechCrunch Disrupt Week 2026
The Israel Economic Mission to the West Coast will convene Israeli founders, investors, technology executives, and strategic partners for an invitation-only evening of networking and business discussions.

Love Soul AI Interactive Hologram Superfoods Happy Hour
5:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
Attendees will enjoy a nutrient-focused happy hour at Salesforce Park featuring Love Soul AI's interactive hologram technology, Princess. The event offers food, beverages, and a demonstration of the technology in operation.

Physical AI After Hours — See the World in 4D
6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
This event showcases the trajectory of physical AI, spatial intelligence, robotics, and world models through live 4D capture and reconstruction demonstrations. Founders, researchers, investors, and builders working at the intersection of artificial intelligence and physical systems will be present.

Hardtech After Party
Founders, engineers, investors, and design professionals building hardware futures—including robotics, wearables, connected devices, and medical technology—will gather for food, beverages, conversation, and live music.

Token Economics: From Cost per Token to Value per Outcome
This session examines how AI companies convert inference expenses into business value, addressing model selection, request routing, caching, system reliability, pricing strategies, and linking token expenditure to revenue and customer results.

AI Made Every Candidate Look Perfect. How Do You Find the Real Ones?
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
When artificial intelligence can enhance every résumé, professional profile, and interview response, identifying genuine qualifications becomes challenging. Founders, investors, and operators will discuss talent evaluation approaches in an AI-driven hiring landscape.

SignalFire's Disrupt Week Arthaus After-Party
7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
SignalFire's annual Disrupt Week celebration returns featuring live musical performances, immersive art and technology installations, food and beverages, and an assembly of founders, investors, journalists, and technology builders.

Thursday, October 15

NachoThursday: SaaS & AI Founder + Investor Happy Hour
A rooftop gathering for SaaS and AI founders, executive leadership, capital providers, and technology media. Attendance is limited with advance screening of guests.

Korea Emerging Tech Showcase
Emerging technology startups from Korea will be featured, spanning AI, software, medical technology, clean energy, digital platforms, and advanced industrial solutions. The evening includes rapid presentations followed by networking with founders, investors, and international partners.

LP, GP & Funded Founder Networking
An intimate gathering bringing together limited partners, general partners, and founders with funding for discussions regarding technology, venture capital, and industry evolution.

Fynex x Orion VC | Curated Rooftop Party
A selective rooftop event for founders and operators developing AI-powered solutions and investors concentrating on AI and infrastructure. The guest list is curated to enable substantive conversations.

Side Event Guidelines and Disclaimers

• An RSVP to a Side Event does not provide entry to TechCrunch Disrupt. Side Events operate independently from TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, which runs October 13-15 at Moscone West. Attendance at the main conference requires a valid Disrupt pass or badge.
• Side Events are independently managed. Each event is organized and operated solely by its listed host and is not organized, operated, or sponsored by TechCrunch or its parent companies unless explicitly stated.
• Age restrictions vary by event. All Side Events require attendees to be 18 or older unless specified otherwise. Certain venues and events may restrict attendance to guests 21 and older.
• Most Side Events welcome the general public. Individual hosts may maintain their own guest lists, capacity restrictions, approval processes, or other limitations, so review event specifics before attending.
• RSVPs are mandatory where indicated. Register for each Side Event through the provided RSVP link. An RSVP does not guarantee admission if an event reaches capacity or the host has additional requirements.
• Event details are subject to change. Hosts control their event details, including time, location, programming, and admission policies. Consult the RSVP page for current information before attending.

Additional Side Events will be announced as the conference approaches. The chronological schedule provides the complete lineup organized by date and time.