The founder’s guide to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Everything you need to know — SkimNews
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- TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 runs October 13-15 at San Francisco's Moscone West, organized around the central question of how to build an enduring company in the AI era
- The conference spans six editorially curated stages — Disrupt, Builders, AI, Real World AI, Smart Money, and Smart Systems — with more than 200 expert sessions across the three days
- Startup Battlefield selected 200 startups on August 20 to pitch for a $100,000 winner's prize; 2026 applications are closed, and the program will expand to more international markets in 2027
- Confirmed speakers include RJ Scaringe (Rivian), Panos Panay (Amazon), Paolo Ardoino (Tether), Toni Schneider and Rose Wang (Bluesky), Amjad Masad (Replit), and Andrew Feldman (Cerebras)
- Past attendees cite concrete outcomes: one founder reported a 3x oversubscription rate and 100+ investor inbounds after Startup Battlefield, while another held nearly 30 back-to-back investor conversations following an onstage pitch
- Founders can bring a team member for 50% off a second ticket, and workers impacted by layoffs can access a $75 Expo+ Pass at limited volume
Why it matters: For early-stage founders, Disrupt compresses fundraising, networking, and tactical learning into three days: Startup Battlefield puts 200 startups in front of top-tier VCs for a $100,000 prize, while investor matchmaking and 200+ sessions target practical questions about building in the AI era. With the program expanding to more international markets in 2027, the conference is positioning itself as the default global pipeline connecting founders to capital.
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