TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Day 1
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TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Day 1 TechCrunch Events 7:00 AM PDT · October 13, 2026 Day 1 of TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is officially underway, bringing together 10,000+ startup founders, investors, and tech leaders under one roof at San Francisco’s Moscone West. Big ideas are colliding, connections are forming at every turn, and the startup ecosystem’s most influential voices are driving the conversation.
From Startup Battlefield to six new industry stages focused on scaling, AI, fintech, climate tech, and more, Disrupt is packed with game-changing perspectives and opportunities. The next partnership, investment, or breakout company could emerge from any meeting, session, or coffee line conversation. Meet the 250+ speakers shaping the discussion.
Grab your ticket now so you don’t miss a moment at Disrupt. There’s still a little time to grab your pass and be at this annual startup event.
Registration hours: 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Stop by the registration desk in the Level 1 lobby of Moscone West to register in person or pick up your scannable event badge. The badge features Klik technology, which makes it easy to exchange contact information with people you scan your badge with. Using the event app, you can access and keep those contacts even after the event ends.
Explore 300+ exhibiting startups showcasing cutting-edge technologies across industries. This is the center of Disrupt, where 10,000+ attendees converge to discover new breakthroughs and spark new connections.
Haven’t registered yet? You still can — but don’t wait, or you will miss out. Grab your ticket now and walk straight into the action: six industry stages, interactive roundtables, Q&A breakouts, hundreds of exhibiting startups, investor-founder meetings, AI-powered matchmaking networking, and Side Events lighting up the Bay Area tech scene all week long.
Make your way to the Pitch Showcase Stage at the back of the Expo Hall to experience one of the most electrifying formats on the conference floor: rapid-fire, one-minute lightning pitches from some of the most promising startups representing their home countries and regions.
The Startup Battlefield 200 Built World category showcases the most innovative early-stage startups tackling major challenges in real estate, construction, architecture, smart cities, and infrastructure. Discover the technologies transforming the physical spaces where we live, work, and play. Stop by to catch their lightning pitches and meet the bold entrepreneurs building what’s next.
The spotlight also shines on Startup Battlefield, TechCrunch’s renowned “World Series of pitch competitions.” After vetting thousands of applicants, TechCrunch selected the top 20 early-stage startups to pitch in front of some of the world’s most seasoned VCs. They’ll compete for a $100,000 equity-free prize and the coveted Disrupt Cup.
The Startup Battlefield 200 Sustainability category highlights the most groundbreaking early-stage companies tackling the world’s most urgent environmental and climate challenges, from renewable energy and carbon capture to circular economy platforms, sustainable agriculture, clean water solutions, and beyond.
These are the founders turning bold climate commitments into real-world technology, building businesses that prove profitability and planetary impact are not mutually exclusive — and they’re making their case in just two minutes. Stop by, catch their lightning pitches, and meet the startups that are determined to leave the world better than they found it.
From physical AI and the future of intelligent systems to fundraising, hiring, and scaling breakout companies, today’s speakers are tackling the opportunities and challenges shaping the next generation of startups. Here’s a look at what’s happening across the stages today. Check out the full agenda , which includes 200+ sessions.
The Startup Battlefield — Space and Physical AI: Judges include Anu Bharadwaj (Iconiq), Sara Deshpande (Maven Ventures), Benjamin Narasin (Tenacity Venture Capital), Aatish Nayak (Kleiner Perkins), Michael Palank (MaC Venture Capital).
Building the Impossible: RJ Scaringe (Rivian).
The Startup Battlefield — Energy and Manufacturing: Caleb Appleton (Bison Ventures), Feyza Haskaraman (Felicis), Sho Sho Leigha Ho (General Catalyst), Leah Solivan (Precedent.vc).
Can AI Keep Scaling?: Andrew Feldman (Cerebras Systems).
Beyond Screens: Max Hodak (Science Corporation).
Equity Live: The Startup Stories Shaping 2026: TechCrunch’s Equity podcast takes the Builders Stage for a live recording from Disrupt. Join the Equity team as they break down the biggest startup, venture, and technology stories of the moment and what they mean for founders and investors heading into 2027.
What Happens When OpenAI Ships Your Roadmap: Rob Toews (Radical Ventures), Linda Tong (Webflow), Michel Tricot (Airbyte).
The Rise of Agentic AI: Lessons for Hardware Founders: Ziad Asghar (Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.), Florence Ion (PCMag).
Competing for AI Talent: Pay, Equity, and Retention: Matt Birnbaum (Wylder.co), Ioana Hreninciuc (Runware), Atli Thorkelsson (Redpoint Ventures).
The Builder’s Playbook: What Founders Need to Win the Agentic Era: Stephan Bitton (Google Cloud).
PMF Red Flags: How to Tell If You Really Have It: Anu Bharadwaj (Iconiq), Rajeev Dham (Sapphire Ventures), Rahul Vohra (Superhuman).
From MVP to Billions of Users: How Product Decisions Must Change at Scale: Robby Stein (Google).
When Machines Clock In (Hosted by NYSE Wired): Brian Baumann (New York Stock Exchange), Dr. Adam Campbell (Gatik), Samir Menon (Dexterity AI), Sankaet Pathak (Foundation Future Industries, Inc.).
Hiring When AI Is a Co-founder: Michelle Johnson (Insight Partners), John Koelliker (Leland), Josh Reeves (Gusto).
The…
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