Day 1 of TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 has officially begun, bringing together over 10,000 startup founders, investors, and technology leaders at Moscone West in San Francisco. Big ideas are colliding, connections are being formed at every turn, and the most influential voices in the startup ecosystem are driving the conversation.
From the Startup Battlefield to six new industry stages focused on scaling, AI, fintech, climate tech, and more, Disrupt is packed with innovative perspectives and opportunities. The next partnership, investment, or breakout company can emerge from any meeting, session, or coffee line conversation. Meet over 250 speakers who will shape the discussion.
Get your tickets now and don’t miss out on any Disrupt moments. There’s still some time to get your pass and join the annual startup hub.
Explore. Connect. Discover.
Highlights of day 1
Reception hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Please stop by the registration desk in the Level 1 lobby of Moscone West to register in person or pick up a scannable event badge. This badge features Klik technology, which makes it easy to exchange contact information with anyone who scans your badge. The Events app allows you to access and save your contacts even after the event ends.
Expo Hall (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Check out over 300 startups showcasing cutting-edge technology from a variety of industries. This is the epicenter of Disrupt, where over 10,000 attendees come together to discover new breakthroughs and create new connections.
Not registered yet? It’s still possible, but don’t wait. Otherwise, you will miss the opportunity. Get your tickets now and get in on the action right away. Six industry stages, interactive roundtables, Q&A breakouts, hundreds of startup exhibitors, investor and founder meetings, AI-powered matchmaking networking, and side events that keep the Bay Area tech scene buzzing throughout the week.
pitch showcase stage
Head to the Pitch Showcase stage at the back of the Expo Hall to experience one of the most shocking formats on the conference floor: electrifying one-minute pitches from the most promising startups representing their countries and regions.
Fastpitch on the startup battlefield — Built World
The Startup Battlefield 200 Built World category features the most innovative early-stage startups tackling big challenges in real estate, construction, architecture, smart cities, and infrastructure. Discover the technologies that are transforming the physical spaces in which we live, work, and play. Stop by their lightning pitch and meet the brave entrepreneurs building what’s next.
TechCrunch’s famous “World Series of Pitch Competitions,” Startup Battlefield, is also in the spotlight. After vetting thousands of applicants, TechCrunch has selected the top 20 early-stage startups to pitch in front of the world’s most experienced VCs. They will compete for a non-stock prize of $100,000 and the coveted Disrupt Cup.
Startup Battlefield 200 Fast Pitch – Sustainability
The Startup Battlefield 200 Sustainability category highlights the most innovative early-stage companies tackling the world’s most pressing environmental and climate challenges, from renewable energy and carbon capture to circular economy platforms, sustainable agriculture, clean water solutions, and more.
These founders are building businesses that turn bold climate action into real-world technology and prove that profitability and impact on the planet are not mutually exclusive, making their case in just two minutes. Stop by, listen to their lightning pitches, and meet startups who are determined to leave the world better than they started.
stage session
From the future of physical AI and intelligent systems to raising capital, hiring, and scaling startups, today’s speakers address the opportunities and challenges that will shape the next generation of startups. Let’s take a look at what’s happening across the stage today. View the full agenda with over 200 sessions.
disrupt stage
Startup Battlefield — Space and Physical AI: Judges include Anu Bharadwaj (ICONIQ), Sara Deshpande (Maven Ventures), Benjamin Narasin (Tenacity Venture Capital), Aatish Nayak (Kleiner Perkins), and Michael Palank (MaC Venture Capital).
Building the Impossible: RJ Scaringe (Rivian)
Startup Battlefield — Energy and Manufacturing: Caleb Appleton (Bison Ventures), Feyza Haskaraman (Felicis), Sho Sho Leigha Ho (General Catalyst), Leah Solivan (Precedent.vc)
Can AI continue to scale?: Andrew Feldman (Cerebras Systems)
Beyond the Screen: Max Hodak (Science Corporation)
builder’s stage
Stocks Live: Startup stories that will shape 2026
TechCrunch’s Equity podcast features a live recording of the Builders Stage from Disrupt. Join the Equity team as we break down the biggest startup, venture, and technology stories of today and what they mean for founders and investors as we head into 2027.
What happens when OpenAI ships its 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)
AI Talent Acquisition: Salary, Equity, and Retention: Matt Birnbaum (Wylder.co), Ioana Hreninciuc (Runware), Atli Thorkelsson (Redpoint Ventures)
The builder’s handbook: What founders need to win in the age of agents: Stephan Bitton (Google Cloud)
PMF Red Flag: How to tell if you really have it: Anu Bharadwaj (ICONIQ), Rajeev Dharm (Sapphire Ventures), Rahul Vohra (Superhuman)
From MVP to billions of users: How product decisions need to change at scale: Robby Stein (Google)
When Machines Clock In (sponsored 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)
Industry stage: smart money
The future of money movement in agent economies: Nikhil Chandhok (Circle), Rodney Robinson (TabaPay, Inc), Carlotta (Lotti) Siniscalco (Emergence Capital)
AI, trust, and verification in financial services: Hannah Bozian (American Express), Pedro Sanzovo (Plaid), Victoria Zuo (QED Investors)
Capturing the modern financial consumer: Abhishek Fatepuria (Robinhood)
Industrial stage – smart systems
Where the AI infrastructure boom creates winners: Ben Longmier (Ambrosia Energy), Bill Thayer (Bloom Energy)
When energy gets smart: What vertical AI actually enables at scale: Deepak Garg (SEW.AI), Paul Lau (SMUD)
How Twilio’s founder is tackling power issues: Jeff Lawson (Twilio)
Bringing Fusion to the Grid: David Kirtley (Helion), Brandon Sorbom (Commonwealth Fusion Systems)
Rewiring the power grid for the electric age: Apoorv Bhargava (Weave Grid, Inc.), Kristin Eberhard (Rewiring America), Tim Heidel (VEIR)
breakout stage
Breakout sessions located at the ends of the expo hall will include expert panels on the topics presented, with space at the end for attendees to ask direct questions. Check out the full three-day lineup on the Disrupt agenda.
What exactly is physics AI?: Susan Schofer (SOSV HAX), Parikshit Sharma (SOSV SF), Duncan Turner (SOSV HAX), Pae Wu (SOSV SF)
The new job for data teams is to provide context to AI: George Fraser (Fivetran + dbt Labs)
The quantum revolution: What investors and builders need to know: Andrew Dzurak (Diraq)
Taiwan Powers the Next AI Revolution: Connect, Invest, and Scale: Michelle Chan (Phison Electronics USA), BoGaun Chen (ITRI International), Erica Lin (ITRI International), Mingche Wang (ITRI International)
How to build trustworthy AI: Robbie Goldfarb (Forum AI)
Inferential Economics: Why AI’s Next $1 Trillion Isn’t Like the First: Hagay Lupesko (Cerebras Systems), Ali Mahmoud (Glasswing Ventures)
round table conference
These small group sessions give founders and investors the opportunity to tackle real-world challenges up close. Please note: Pre-registration on the event app is required for admission. Visit the Disrupt Agenda to see all roundtable sessions for the next three days.
Arm Wrestling with Data: Physical AI Challenge: Radha Basu (iMerit)
Can AI take you public? A new handbook for IPO-ready finance: Eléonore Crespo (Pigment), Sofia Fatakhova (Chime)
The Next Frontier of AI: Modernizing Legacy Industries: Rob Biederman, Ametric Capital Partners
Atoms vs. Bits: Physics AI for the Physical World: Jackson Feder (MetaProp)
Beyond Inventory: A Commerce AI Handbook in the Age of Intents: Srishti Chaudhary (Walmart eCommerce)
The healthcare industry took 40 years to implement EHRs, followed by generative AI in three years. What happens next?: Brian Butler (Questa Capital)
From pilot to scale operations: Provable and trusted enterprise agent AI: Dr. Maha Achour (Kodamai), Pankaj Kedia (2468 Ventures), Yasser Shaaban (Humain)
Professional post-training data: Powering the next wave of AI: Dani London (Base10 Partner)
The science of powerful introductions: How to be remembered in the AI world: Kal Amir (Introduction Lab)
Beyond the Demo: Building Working Physical AI: Logan Farrell (Rugged Robotics), Austin Yount (Brick & Mortar Ventures)
Labs and factory floors: Who will win with physical AI?: Matt Burns (Insight Media Group), Roman Hölzl (RobCo)
Beyond the Term Sheet: How to Build Great Financing by Weston Moyer (MVP Ventures)
The Brutal Truth: 12 Big Mistakes That Almost Derailed My CISO Career: Stephen Ward (Brightmind Partners)
networking opportunities
Networking Lounge powered by Signify Business Cash World Elite Mastercard® by Wells Fargo: Open 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Find your next co-founder, investor, or mentor through meetings scheduled through the Events app or spontaneous meetups.
Deal Flow Cafe: Opens at 9am for founders and investors only, offering a quiet space to grab a coffee and make deals.
Sabotage the 2025 side event
This week, company-sponsored side events will be held across San Francisco, spreading Disrupt’s energy far beyond Moscone West. Here are some of the events happening tonight. Panels, parties, and meetups designed to connect founders, investors, and innovators from all corners of the technology industry. Be sure to RSVP to attend one of these. Check out our full lineup of side events and schedule more time for connections and insights.
Irish Shark Tank – Sponsored by Enterprise Ireland
SafetyWing Happy Hour at Harrington’s – Sponsored by SafetyWing
Born2Global Founder Networking Night – Sponsored by WayFounder
There’s still time to attend Disrupt 2026
There’s still time to sign up for a pass and explore all of these activations. Get your tickets now. There’s so much more to experience at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, including Startup Battlefield pitches, game-changing sessions, and unforgettable connections. Tickets are on sale until the last day. Get secure today and be part of the future of technology. Don’t wait.
If you buy through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This does not affect editorial independence.
