# TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: founder's guide > TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 runs October 13-15 in San Francisco with six stages, 200+ sessions, and networking designed to help founders raise capital, hire talent, and build in the AI era. - Title: TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: founder's guide · TechCrunch - Summary: TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 runs October 13-15 in San Francisco with six stages, 200+ sessions, and networking designed to help founders raise capital, hire… - Keywords: techcrunch disrupt, startup conference, san francisco, founders, fundraising, networking, startup battlefield, technology, startups, TechCrunch, Disrupt, 2026 - Source: TechCrunch — https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/11/the-founders-guide-to-techcrunch-disrupt-2026-everything-you-need-to-know - Author: TechCrunch Events - Published: 2026-10-12T00:59:01+00:00 - Read time: 3 min - Topics: techcrunch disrupt, startup conference, san francisco, founders, fundraising, ai, networking, startup battlefield, technology, startups ## Disrupt 2026 opens in days TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 runs October 13-15 at San Francisco's Moscone West. The event brings together thousands of founders, investors, and tech leaders across six stages and more than 200 expert sessions. ## One central question Disrupt 2026 is built around one question: How do you build an enduring company in the AI era? Programming and speaker lineup reflect feedback from the community and reality on the ground. > How do you build an enduring company in the AI era? ## Last year's founder wins One founder saw a three times oversubscription rate after Startup Battlefield confirmation and more than one hundred investor inbounds. Another had nearly thirty back-to-back investor conversations after pitching onstage and following them to their booth. ## Opportunities beyond Battlefield Every conversation in the Expo Hall or in a Side Event can create opportunity for your startup. Those wins are not the exception at Disrupt. That is the point of the event. ## Discount deadlines Founders can bring a team member for fifty percent off their ticket. A special seventy five dollar Expo plus pass is available at limited volume for those impacted by layoffs this year. ## Pre-seed founders track Pre-seed and idea stage founders should prioritize the Builders Stage, Startup Battlefield semifinalist pitches, and the Expo Hall. Roundtables tied to your industry help pressure-test your thesis and meet first angel or pre-seed investors. ## Early revenue founders track Founders actively raising should prioritize investor-matchmaking tools and Founder Pass networking. Access to the Deal Flow Café fosters one-on-one conversations between founders and investors. Learn from VC perspectives at the Builders Stage. ## Scaling founders track Founders scaling, hiring, or seeking partnerships should use networking tools to meet potential hires and partners.Disrupt's Side Events are not to be missed. ## Startup Battlefield competition Two hundred startups chosen on August 20 compete in Startup Battlefield. They pitch onstage in front of top-tier VCs and Disrupt crowds. The winner receives one hundred thousand dollars and significant attention from investors. ## Battlefield expansion plans Most Battlefield participants and several winners have gone through the process multiple times.Applications for twenty twenty-six are closed. ## Six stages, six focuses Disrupt Stage features biggest conversations in technology. Builders Stage offers tactical playbook for building startups. AI Stage covers building, deploying, and monetizing AI. Real World AI Stage explores robotics, autonomous systems, manufacturing, healthcare, and defense. ## Finance and infrastructure stages Smart Money Stage explores fintech, stablecoins, payments, embedded finance, and AI-driven financial services. Smart Systems Stage covers chips, compute, energy, networking, and data centers that determine next generation technology companies. ## Confirmed speakers announced RJ Scaringe from Rivian, Panos Panay from Amazon, Paolo Ardoino from Tether, Toni Schneider and Rose Wang from Bluesky, Amjad Masad from Replit, and Andrew Feldman from Cerebras are confirmed speakers. ## Prepare before you arrive Check the regularly updated schedule of speakers and Side Events before October 13-15.Book networking opportunities in advance to get ahead of competitors' schedules. ## Key takeaway TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 opens October 13-15 at San Francisco's Moscone West with programming across six stages aimed at helping founders build companies in the AI era, with discounts available for founders bringing team members.