TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Final Week for Lowest Ticket Prices to Premier Tech Gathering

Imagine stepping into San Francisco’s bustling Moscone West, surrounded by 10,000 innovators debating the next wave of AI-driven gadgets and sustainable hardware breakthroughs— that’s the electric atmosphere awaiting at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, where ideas turn into industry-shaping realities.

Why Tech Leaders Return to Disrupt Year After Year

TechCrunch Disrupt has long served as a pivotal hub for the technology ecosystem, drawing founders, venture capitalists, and operators to exchange insights on emerging trends. Scheduled for October 13-15, 2026, at San Francisco’s Moscone West, the event promises a curated three-day program amid a landscape of rapid gadget evolution and digital transformation. The gathering emphasizes high-signal interactions over superficial networking, featuring over 200 expert-led sessions with more than 250 influential speakers. Attendees gain access to 300 exhibiting startups showcasing new technologies, including potential gadget innovations in wearables, AI hardware, and smart devices. A highlight remains the Startup Battlefield 200, an intense pitch competition that has historically launched companies into the spotlight. Past participants highlight the event’s tangible benefits, which include:

• Direct engagement with active builders in the tech space, fostering collaborations on product development and market strategies.
• Discussions that often lead to funding opportunities, strategic partnerships, and critical hires within the gadgets and broader tech sectors.
• Actionable knowledge on immediate applications, such as integrating AI into consumer electronics or scaling hardware production.
• Forward-looking perspectives on tech trajectories, from autonomous systems to next-gen connectivity, before they reach mainstream adoption.

This format positions Disrupt as a strategic venue for professionals navigating the competitive gadgets market, where hardware-software convergence drives innovation.

Spotlight on Esteemed Past Speakers

The 2026 agenda is forthcoming, but the event’s track record includes high-profile figures whose insights have influenced gadget design, investment, and policy. Notable past speakers encompass leaders from automotive tech, venture capital, and software giants, offering analytical views on industry challenges like supply chain disruptions and ethical AI in devices. Key figures include:

• Chris Barman, CEO of Slate Auto, discussing electric vehicle integrations.
• Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, addressing politics of electric vehicles and autonomous tech futures.
• Roelof Botha, managing partner at Sequoia Capital, sharing investment strategies in emerging hardware.
• Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, co-founders of Phia, exploring climate-focused tech innovations.
• Vinod Khosla, founder of Khosla Ventures, on bold bets in AI and robotics.
• Roy Lee, co-founder and CEO of Cluely, insights into AI-assisted productivity tools.
• Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO of Waymo, on advancements in self-driving hardware.
• Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress and CEO of Automattic, covering open-source impacts on digital ecosystems.
• Kevin Scott, CTO of Microsoft, analyzing cloud integration in gadgets.
• Elizabeth Stone, CTO of Netflix, on streaming tech’s hardware demands.
• Tristan Thompson, NBA champion and fintech entrepreneur, bridging sports tech and wearables.
• Astro Teller, captain of moonshots at X, detailing experimental projects in human-computer interfaces.
• Anatoly Yakovenko, co-founder of Solana and CEO of Solana Labs, examining blockchain’s role in secure device ecosystems.

These sessions provide neutral, data-driven analyses, underscoring implications for gadget accessibility, scalability, and societal integration.

Tailored Experiences for Founders and Investors

Disrupt differentiates itself through intentional programming that aligns with participants’ professional growth in the tech and gadgets fields. Rather than generic sessions, the event facilitates targeted connections, enabling founders to refine prototypes with investor feedback and operators to benchmark against advanced hardware solutions. Specialized passes enhance this focus:

• The Founder Pass offers tools and networks for accelerating gadget development, from ideation to market entry.
• The Investor Pass provides curated access to promising startups, aiding portfolio diversification in high-growth areas like smart home devices and IoT.

This structured approach minimizes noise, allowing attendees to derive practical implications for their work, such as adapting to regulatory shifts in consumer electronics or leveraging AI for personalized user experiences. As the Super Early Bird rates conclude on February 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT, offering savings of up to $680 on individual passes or 30% on community options, the event underscores its role in propelling the gadgets industry forward. How do you see events like Disrupt influencing the future of gadget innovation in your field?

Fact Check

• TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is set for October 13-15 at San Francisco’s Moscone West, expecting 10,000 attendees and over 200 sessions.
• The event features 300+ startup exhibitors and the Startup Battlefield 200 pitch competition.
• Past speakers include executives from General Motors, Sequoia Capital, Microsoft, and Netflix, among others.
• Super Early Bird pricing ends February 27, 2026, with potential savings up to $680 per pass.
• Specialized Founder and Investor Passes are available to support targeted networking and insights.