TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is set to bring more than 10,000 innovators, founders, investors, and industry leaders to San Francisco’s Moscone West from October 13 to 15. But the community activity in the Bay Area doesn’t end when the main conference wraps. Through the Disrupt Side Events program, organizers can host their own gatherings and get them promoted directly to Disrupt attendees.
Side Events can take place anytime between October 10 and 16, giving hosts a full week to connect with the tech community. The catch: applications close this Friday, September 4, at midnight PT. There is no cost to apply or to participate.
Why Host a Side Event
Hosting a Side Event lets organizers decide how their community comes together while putting their brand in front of the people who matter most. Venture capitalists can spark new conversations, companies can showcase innovation, and community builders can share their expertise on their own terms.
The benefits include engaging directly with thousands of professionals in tech, building relationships with potential partners, investors, and collaborators, controlling your own narrative, and generating attention that extends beyond the event itself. Every approved event is promoted to Disrupt attendees and the broader audience through the official Side Events calendar and marketing channels.
What You Can Organize
Almost any format that fits your vision is likely to be approved. Past Disrupt gatherings have ranged from industry roundtables and VC office hours to in-depth workshops, small dinners, and casual networking happy hours. Hosts design the format themselves, with two requirements: bring energy, and keep the event open to both Disrupt attendees and the general public.
Evening events during the main conference dates of October 13 to 15 are recommended, since there is less competition for attention and more post-conference momentum to fuel meaningful conversations.
How to Apply
Before starting the application, it helps to have a few details settled. Hosts should secure a venue in the Bay Area, since the program centers on in-person experiences, and prepare a title, description, and location for the event. Reviewing the Side Events Host Guide and the Host Terms & Conditions is also advised.
The TechCrunch team prioritizes events that deliver real value to founders, investors, and the startup community, but hosts are trusted to know their own audiences best. Applicants are asked to share their vision, goals, and logistical needs, and the events team provides support and promotion from there.
The deadline to apply for a Side Event at Disrupt 2026 is September 4 at midnight PT.
Source
Image: techcrunch.com
