Time is running out if you want to host an official Side Event during Disrupt 2026. Applications close on September 4 at midnight Pacific Time—just 48 hours left. The main conference runs October 13–15, but the Side Events span a broader window from October 10 to October 16 across San Francisco’s tech scene.
Why apply to host a Side Event?
Hosting a Side Event gives brands, communities, founders, and innovators an opportunity to plug into Disrupt Week beyond the main stage. Whether it’s a workshop, panel discussion, networking event, or social gathering like a happy hour or meet-up, Side Events offer a more intimate platform to build visibility.
Those approved get promotional benefits including presence on the Disrupt Side Events page, app listings, newsletter features, social media promotion, and mentions in the event agenda. Plus, hosts earn a 25% discount on Disrupt tickets to share with their audience.
How it fits into Disrupt Week and who should apply
Disrupt Week—October 10–16—brings together investors, startup founders, tech leaders, and builders in one of the year’s biggest innovation hubs. Side Events extend the impact beyond the main conference days, creating space for more tailored conversations, local partners, or niche communities to participate.
If you’re leading a community, building a startup, or organizing around tech interests like AI, biotech, fintech, or fundraising, this is a chance to shape a unique experience around your brand or network.
To apply, you must submit your event plan before the September 4 deadline (midnight PT). Events may take place anywhere in the Bay Area during the full Disrupt Week timeframe.
What you gain:
- Extended exposure through multiple Disrupt channels (agenda, app, newsletters).
- Access to thousands of attendees including investors, tech talent, and ecosystem partners.
- Tools to host something aligned to your vision—with enough time and space beyond the main conference.
- Discounted tickets to cultivate your own community’s presence.
This is the final push. The chance to own a moment during Disrupt Week—and bring your community into conversations that extend beyond the show floor—is narrowing fast.
Don’t miss out: apply before September 4 at midnight PT to host an event that puts your brand or community at the center of one of tech’s major gathering weeks.
What this means
The Side Events component reflects a shift in how conferences are evolving—recognizing that the marquee sessions don’t capture the full ecosystem’s stories. For organizers, brands, or networks, hosting a Side Event isn’t just about visibility—it’s about shaping the conversation, partnering locally, and forging deeper connections during one of the tech world’s busiest weeks. Watch closely how these satellite events might redefine Disrupt’s influence beyond its main stage.
