TechCrunch Disrupt is where the tech community comes together to build, debate, and connect. And while the main event takes over Moscone West from October 13-15, the conversation doesn’t stop when the Expo Hall closes.
The TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Side Event program brings founders, investors, operators, researchers, and tech enthusiasts together across San Francisco for panels, workshops, networking events, parties, and more.
The schedule is growing, with more events being added in the lead-up to Disrupt. Whether you’re looking to meet other founders, connect with investors, dig into a specific technology, or simply spend more time with the tech community, there’s plenty happening around Disrupt.
Check the chronological schedule regularly as new Side Events are added weekly.
Featured Side 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 conversations about turning embedded payments into a revenue stream. Over Ping-Pong, food, and drinks, compare notes on monetization, brand control, and scaling beyond basic payments.Hosted by: NMIRSVP↗
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. Join founders, builders, investors, and other members of the tech community for cocktails, appetizers, and conversation.
No panels or presentations, just a chance to connect and unwind after a day at TechCrunch Disrupt.Hosted by: Backblaze and FlamethrowerRSVP↗
Ecosystem Mixer
October 14 | 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. PT
Join Peak XV for a mixer with founders, operators, and investors building what’s next. Good drinks, better conversations, zero pitches required to join our mixer.Hosted by: PeakXV PartnersRSVP↗
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 cocktail party Wednesday evening with drinks, light bites, and plenty of room for conversation. No programming or preset meetings, just an opportunity to connect with people across the private markets, technology, and venture ecosystem.Hosted by: Augment and MintzRSVP↗
The Side Event Schedule
Here’s what’s happening around San Francisco during Disrupt week. Events are listed chronologically so you can find something that fits your schedule.
Sunday, October 11
Happy Hour with AI-Created Drinks by AI Barmen
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Meet AI Barmen, the robotic bartender turning happy hour into an interactive experience. Get personalized drink recommendations and watch as a robotic system prepares and serves your cocktail or mocktail.
EPIC SF Demo Night @ Finding Next Moat
6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Ten early-stage startups take the stage to make the case for their competitive moat in front of a hand-selected group of venture investors. Stick around after the demos for an open networking session with founders and investors.
International Reception at the European Startup Embassy
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Join an international startup community for an evening of food, drinks, and networking designed to bring founders, investors, and technology leaders together.
Monday, October 12
The Future of Work Social Mixer + Open Demos: Worktech, Robotics & Agentic AI
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Get a preview of the future of work with startup demos, open-mic pitches, and hands-on product showcases spanning work tech, robotics, and agentic AI. Meet founders, operators, and investors exploring how humans and AI will work together.
Open to Work: The Game Show
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
A live game show and networking night built around the job hunt. Bring your real résumé and compete onstage, and let the audience help decide who advances. The format creates the introductions, so networking happens without the awkward cold approach.
Tuesday, October 13
SF Exclusive VIP Drinks for AI Founders & Accredited Investors
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
An invite-only gathering for AI founders and accredited investors following Day 1 of Disrupt. No pitches or panels, just drinks and direct conversations in an intimate setting.
Harvard Griffin GSAS Alumni Networking Mixer
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Connect with Harvard Griffin GSAS alumni during a networking reception for alumni living and working in the Bay Area. Guests are welcome.
South Asian Investor Founder Connect: TechCrunch Disrupt
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Connect with South Asian founders, investors, operators, creators, and technology leaders for an evening of networking and curated introductions across the startup community.
Attacks Never Arrive: Happy Hour
5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Join AI founders, security leaders, and operators for an evening of food, drinks, and conversation around social engineering, deepfakes, prompt injection, and the evolving security challenges facing AI.
Content Creators Meetup @ TechCrunch Disrupt
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Founders and creators come together to trade what actually works in founder-led media, from hooks and content strategy to distribution and growth. Expect practical conversation rather than polished keynotes.
Shinhan Square Bridge Meetup @ TechCrunch Disrupt
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Meet 10 startups from the Shinhan Square Bridge Global program in an intimate evening of conversation, food, and drinks. No pitches or stage programming — just time to connect with founders and explore what’s next.
Wednesday, October 14
NextGen – TechCrunch Disrupt Week 2026
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
The Israel Economic Mission to the West Coast brings together Israeli founders, investors, technology executives, and strategic partners for an invitation-only evening of networking and business conversations.
Love Soul AI Interactive Hologram Superfoods Happy Hour
5:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
Enjoy a superfood-filled happy hour at Salesforce Park featuring Love Soul AI’s interactive hologram, Princess. Stop by after the conference for food, drinks, and a look at the technology in action.
Physical AI After Hours — See the World in 4D
6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Explore the future of physical AI, spatial intelligence, robotics, and world models through live 4D capture and reconstruction. Meet founders, researchers, investors, and builders working at the intersection of AI and the physical world.
Hardtech After Party
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Connect with founders, engineers, investors, and design leaders building the future of hardware, from robotics and wearables to connected devices and medtech. Expect food, drinks, conversation, and a live DJ.
Token Economics: From Cost per Token to Value per Outcome
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Explore how AI companies turn inference costs into business value, with conversation around model selection, routing, caching, reliability, pricing, and connecting token spend to revenue and customer outcomes.
AI Made Every Candidate Look Perfect. How Do You Find the Real Ones?
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
When AI can polish every résumé, profile, and interview answer, how do you identify meaningful signal? Join founders, investors, and operators for an intimate conversation about evaluating talent in an AI-first world.
SignalFire’s Disrupt Week Arthaus After-Party
7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
SignalFire’s annual Disrupt Week after-party returns with live music, immersive art and technology installations, food and drinks, and a gathering of founders, investors, journalists, and builders.
Thursday, October 15
NachoThursday: SaaS & AI Founder + Investor Happy Hour
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
A rooftop happy hour for SaaS and AI founders, C-suite leaders, investors, and tech media. Attendance is limited and guests are screened in advance.
Korea Emerging Tech Showcase
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Discover emerging technology startups from Korea spanning AI, software, medtech, clean tech, digital platforms, and advanced industrial solutions. The evening features rapid-fire pitches followed by networking with founders, investors, and global partners.
LP, GP & Funded Founder Networking
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
An intimate networking event bringing together LPs, GPs, and funded founders for conversations around technology, venture capital, and the future of the industry.
Fynex x Orion VC | Curated Rooftop Party
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
A curated rooftop gathering for founders and operators building with AI and investors focused on AI and infrastructure. Expect food, drinks, and an approval-only guest list designed for meaningful conversations.
Side Event Guidelines and Disclaimers
A few things to know before you RSVP:
- A Side Event RSVP does not grant access to TechCrunch Disrupt. Side Events are separate from TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, which takes place October 13-15 at Moscone West. You’ll need a valid Disrupt pass or badge to attend the main event.
- Side Events are independently operated. Each event is organized and operated solely by its listed host and is not organized, operated, or sponsored by TechCrunch or its affiliates unless explicitly stated otherwise.
- Age requirements vary. All Side Events are 18+ unless otherwise specified. Some venues and events may be restricted to guests 21 and older.
- Side Events are generally open to the public. Individual hosts may have their own guest lists, capacity limits, approval requirements, or other restrictions, so check the event details before attending.
- RSVPs are required where indicated. Please register for each Side Event directly through the RSVP link provided. An RSVP does not guarantee entry if an event reaches capacity or the host has additional admission requirements.
- Event details may change. Hosts are responsible for their individual event details, including timing, location, programming, and admission requirements. Check the RSVP page for the latest information before heading out.
More Side Events will be added as we get closer to Disrupt. To see what’s happening and when, the chronological schedule is your friend. It has the full lineup, organized by date and time.
