# TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 side events guide

> Over 25 networking events, parties, and demos happening around San Francisco during Disrupt week, October 11-15.
- Title: TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 side events guide · TechCrunch
- Summary: Over 25 networking events, parties, and demos happening around San Francisco during Disrupt week, October 11-15. Disrupt's side events offer dozens of ways…
- Keywords: techcrunch disrupt, san francisco, networking events, startup community, founders, investors, saas, hardtech, venture capital, october 2026, technology, TechCrunch
- Source: TechCrunch — https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/17/techcrunch-disrupt-2026-side-events-schedule-nmi-backblaze-peakxv-partners-augment-and-more-to-host
- Author: Jean Bradley, TechCrunch Events
- Published: 2026-09-17T16:34:36+00:00
- Read time: 3 min
- Topics: techcrunch disrupt, san francisco, networking events, startup community, founders, investors, ai, saas, hardtech, venture capital, october 2026, technology
## Disrupt 2026 takes over San Francisco
The main conference runs October 13-15 at Moscone West, but the tech community gathers across the city for side events all week long.
## Side events span the full week
Events kick off Sunday, October 11 and run through Thursday, October 15, with networking mixers, demo nights, workshops, and parties every evening.
## NMI hosts embedded payments mixer
On October 12, SaaS founders and developers gather at SPIN San Francisco to discuss turning embedded payments into revenue streams over ping-pong and drinks.
## Backblaze and Flamethrower unwind mixer
The Afterburn on October 14 offers cocktails, appetizers, and conversation with no panels or pitches, just a chance to relax after a day at Disrupt.
## PeakXV Partners ecosystem mixer
Peak XV brings together founders, operators, and investors on October 14 for good drinks and better conversations, zero pitches required.
## Augment and Mintz private markets party
Liquid Assets on October 14 brings together the private markets, technology, and venture ecosystem for cocktails and conversation with no programming or preset meetings.

> Disrupt is three days of panels. This is not one of them.
## AI Barmen robotic bartender experience
On October 11, meet AI Barmen, a robotic bartender that creates personalized drink recommendations and prepares cocktails and mocktails interactively.
## EPIC SF demo night for early-stage startups
Ten early-stage startups pitch their competitive moat to hand-selected venture investors on October 11, followed by open networking.
## Future of work social mixer and demos
On October 12, explore startup demos, open-mic pitches, and hands-on showcases spanning work tech, robotics, and agentic AI.
## Open to Work game show networking
On October 12, a live game show and networking night built around the job hunt lets you compete onstage with your resume and meet people naturally.
## AI founders and investors VIP gathering
On October 13, an invite-only event brings AI founders and accredited investors together for drinks and direct conversations with no pitches or panels.
## Physical AI and 4D spatial intelligence showcase
On October 14, explore the future of physical AI, robotics, and world models through live 4D capture and reconstruction with founders and researchers.
## Hardtech after party with live DJ
On October 14, founders, engineers, investors, and design leaders building hardware, robotics, wearables, and medtech gather for food, drinks, and live music.
## Token economics and AI business value
On October 14, explore how AI companies turn inference costs into business value through discussions on model selection, routing, caching, and pricing.
## SignalFire's annual Disrupt after-party
On October 14, SignalFire hosts an after-party with live music, immersive art and technology installations, food, drinks, and a gathering of founders and investors.
## NachoThursday rooftop SaaS mixer
On October 15, a limited-capacity rooftop happy hour brings together SaaS and AI founders, C-suite leaders, investors, and tech media.
## Side events require separate RSVP
Side events are independently operated and separate from the main Disrupt conference. You need a valid Disrupt pass to attend the main event, and must RSVP separately for each side event.

> A Side Event RSVP does not grant access to TechCrunch Disrupt.
## Key takeaway

Disrupt's side events offer dozens of ways to network with founders, investors, and tech leaders beyond the main conference stages.