TechCrunch Disrupt is a place where the tech community comes together for construction, debate, and communication. During Disrupt Week, even if the doors to Moscone West are closed, this kind of dialogue will not cease.
Side Events The project will bring together founders, investors, operators, and technology leaders from various places in San Francisco. The event formats include small roundtables, founder gatherings, social gatherings, dinners, workshops, and community meet-ups.
Whether you're looking to make a few new friends, find your next business partner, gain in-depth knowledge of a particular industry, or just want to take a break from the usual routine, there are plenty of activities to participate in here.
Browse through 2026 Side Events to find your fellow travelers.
Selected Side Events
Korea-US Entrepreneurs and Investors Exchange Night
October 14th | 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM PTWelcome Korean startups, American investors, founders, and technology professionals to spend an evening of exchange and cross-border connection in San Francisco. This event is organized by KOTRA as part of the Korean Pavilion project, with the aim of bringing Korean startups entering the American market together with investors, founders, corporate partners, and members of the Bay Area's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
For those who do not have a ticket to attend TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, KOTRA will provide eligible applicants with free Expo plus passes.
Organizer: KOTRA Sil Token Issuance n Valley
Born2Global Founder Exchange Night
October 13th | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM PTMet with 18 emerging startups from South Korea, spending an evening centered around conversations with founders, targeted introductions, and exchanges with investors, operations personnel, business leaders, and other entrepreneurs. Each founder would give a brief introduction first, after which the event would open up for interactions and connections with the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the United States and around the world.
Organizer: WayFounder
Irish Shark Tank
October 13 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PMCome to meet and connect with Ireland's most notable startups. Enterprise Ireland will return to TechCrunch Disrupt in 2026, and we'll be hosting a fun event at Ireland House. We look forward to reuniting with old friends and welcoming new faces as well. Spaces are limited.
Organizer: Enterprise Ireland
SafetyWing in the happy times of Harrington
October 13th | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM PTHead to Harrington's Irish Pub to spend an evening of drinks and networking with the founder, the head of human resources, and members of the entrepreneurial community. This joyful event is organized by SafetyWing during TechCrunch Disrupt, providing a relaxed atmosphere for making new friends and learning about the startup's solutions for providing health coverage for remote and global teams.
Organizer: SafetyWing
Vault & Verify: A Night of Table Tennis, Cocktails, and Networking
October 14th | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM PTJoin Skyflow and Descope to spend an evening filled with delicious food, cocktails, friendly competition, and networking with the security, privacy, and identity communities of San Francisco. As the AI system becomes more autonomous, this event will bring together industry leaders dedicated to protecting sensitive data and identity security, providing opportunities for communication away from the venue.
Organizer: Descope
More Side Events
"Chasing Happiness": Uhura Bionics Live Demonstration Whitney Electrolarynx
October 7th | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM PTExperience voice restoration technology on-site. Uhura Bionics, co-founder Konrad Zieli, and ski will showcase Whitney Electrolarynx to American audiences. The event explores how this technology can help people regain their voices and autonomy after cancer treatment.
Organizer: Uhura Bionics
Hidden within your product are 10 times more opportunities.
October 10th | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM PTDiscover how first-principles thinking can uncover overlooked customer needs, enhance product-market fit, and identify significant growth opportunities. This session will explore through a real case study how founders and product teams can identify new opportunities within existing products.
Organizer: PrincipiumX
Long delivery cycle: A joyful time for hardware enthusiasts
October 12th | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM PTInteracting with founders, engineers, and operators who are building robots, chips, rockets, and other cutting-edge hardware. This relaxed gathering, without any demonstrations, provided an opportunity to exchange ideas, share experiences, and meet other individuals engaged in the construction of physical technologies.
Organizer: Syntro
Real World AI: Connecting, Investing, and Expanding in Taiwan
October 13th | 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM PTThrough startup roadshows and discussions surrounding robotics, smart hardware, and advanced manufacturing, gain insights into Taiwan's emerging AI ecosystem. Meet with founders and investors working within Taiwan's tech landscape to further explore opportunities for connection, investment, and collaboration.
Organizer: Taiwan Ministry of Economic Affairs
Pets of Disrupt: Founders, Investors, and Their Pets
October 13th | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM PTTemporarily leave the venue crowd to join a relaxed evening with founders, investors, operators, builders, creators, and the pets that add a touch of humanity to San Francisco's startup community.
Organizer: Omelo
EdgeM8 : B2B Partner Exchange Meeting
October 13th | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM PTCommunicate with founders, revenue leaders, and executives working in the areas of go-to-market, partnerships, distribution, and technology. The event aims to bring together people who are building relationships and creating new opportunities within the startup ecosystem of the Bay Area.
Organizer: EdgeM8
Fynex x Orion VC | Exclusive Rooftop Party
October 14th | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM PTParticipate in a rooftop evening event with the founders, operators, and investors focused on AI, engaging in conversations around online communication, gourmet food, drinks, as well as AI and infrastructure.
Organizer: Fynex
Watch it in action: Bolter On-site Automation Gala
October 14th | 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM PTWatch in real time how business automation takes place at the dinner party. Bolter will transform the most troublesome weekly processes for attendees into executable automations. Guests can describe a process in natural language and watch it be automated without any need for programming.
Organizer: Improbable
The Rooftop Pilaf: A Night for Tech Founders and Investors
October 14th | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM PTJoin a limited-capacity rooftop dinner with founders, investors, and growth leaders to discuss cutting-edge technology topics. The dinner will include a meal and provide opportunities to network with others in the tech and investment ecosystem.
Organizers: INNOVA × BeGlobe PR Agency
Disrupt on SQLDoom Duel Night, hosted by CedarDB
October 14th | 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM PTTest your SQL skills in the SQLDoom duel, arcade games, gourmet food, drinks, and networking night. You can play with the CedarDB team and get to know database engineers, startup founders, and other tech enthusiasts.
Organizer: CedarDB
Korean Emerging Technology Exhibition
October 15th | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM PTLearn about emerging startups in South Korea that are developing in the fields of AI, software, medical technology, cleaning technology, digital platforms, and advanced industries. The event will include quick pitch sessions, as well as exchanges with founders, investors, and global partners.
Organizer: Brinc
J- StarX Sil Token Issuance n Valley Extended Program Startup Showcase
October 15th | 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM PTGet to know 12 Japanese startups targeting global markets, with businesses covering AI, enterprise software, health, biotechnology, defense, agricultural technology, sports technology, and consumer technology. The showcase will include live demonstrations as well as opportunities to communicate directly with the founders.
Organizer: 500 Global
The Runway 🛫 Founder's Morning Run
October 16th | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM PTStart your day with a relaxing morning run along the waterfront. The route follows Embarcadero and is marked with signs featuring entrepreneurial themes. After your run, you can head to Ferry Building to enjoy coffee and engage in discussions with other founders and members of the tech community.
Organizer: Handler
Founders @ Alchemy Springs
October 16th | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM PTCombining sauna and cold water immersion experiences with networking, we will engage in conversations and social interactions around this year's Startup Battlefield 200 participating startups. After the Disrupt event, you will have the opportunity to establish connections with the founders and members of the Startup Battlefield community in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Organizer: Press Club
Looking for co-founders, seeking help, or wanting to join a startup company
October 16th | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM PTFirst, listen to the pitch presentations of startup projects, then proceed to group discussions. Participants can provide feedback, establish contacts, or explore opportunities for team collaboration and collaboration with presenting teams. This is an event designed around getting to know founders and finding ways to participate in early-stage startups.
Organizer: Startup Oasis
Please regularly check the schedule arranged in chronological order, as new Side Events items will be added each week.
During my time in San Francisco...
If you are scheduling the agenda for Disrupt Week, don't forget about the main venue activities.
TechCrunch Disrupt will take over from Moscone West from October 13th to 15th, 2026, bringing together thousands of founders, investors, operational staff, and technology leaders under one roof. Come here to participate in the events, stay to engage in discussions in the corridors, and leave with a schedule of people you never knew you would want to get to know.
Tickets are still on sale, welcome to join.
