TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is expanding its footprint beyond the Moscone West convention center in San Francisco, offering a full slate of side events that connect founders, investors, and operators across the city from October 7 through October 16.
Global Startup Showcases and Cross-border Networking
International delegations and venture groups are anchoring several major evening gatherings during Disrupt Week. WayFounder is hosting the Born2Global Founder Networking Night on October 13 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. PT, where 18 emerging startups from the Republic of Korea will present quick introductions before opening up networking with U.S. and global investors.
On October 14, KOTRA Silicon Valley is organizing the Korea–US Startup & Investor Networking Night from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. PT as part of the Korea Pavilion’s programming. KOTRA is offering complimentary Expo+ passes to qualified applicants who lack a main conference ticket.
Industry Happy Hours and Community Meetups
Casual evening events offer alternative spaces for specialized sectors to connect away from the main stages. SafetyWing is hosting a happy hour at Harrington’s Irish Pub on October 13 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. PT for founders, HR leaders, and members of the startup community. Syntro is gathering hardware engineers and operators for “Long Lead Time: A Hardware Happy Hour” on October 12, focusing on robotics, chips, and rockets.
Privacy and security professionals can attend “Vault & Verify,” hosted by Skyflow and Descope on October 14 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. PT, featuring ping pong and cocktails. Other community-focused gatherings include Omelo’s “Pets of Disrupt” on October 13, EdgeM8’s B2B Partnership Mixer on October 13, a rooftop party hosted by Fynex on October 14, and an automated dinner event hosted by Improbable with Bolter on October 14.
Specialized Workshops and Product Demonstrations
Early-week programming kicks off with distinct technical and medical demonstrations. On October 7, Uhura Bionics co-founder Konrad Zieliński will host a live U.S. demonstration of the Whitney Electrolarynx voice-restoration technology. PrincipiumX is leading a workshop titled “Find the 10x Opportunity Hiding in Your Product” on October 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. PT to examine first-principles thinking and product-market fit.
Access and registration for TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 side events
How can attendees access the side events?
Most side events require advance RSVP through individual hosts. Some organizations, such as KOTRA, are also offering complimentary Expo+ passes for specific networking functions to qualified applicants.
Are the side events limited to main conference ticket holders?
Many side events are organized independently by participating companies, delegations, and sponsors, allowing community members to register for specific gatherings outside of official Moscone West programming.
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