The main stage at Moscone West runs October 13-15 for TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, but the action in San Francisco kicks off earlier and stretches into the evenings. A rich Side Events schedule complements the conference with workshops, parties, networking dinners, and deep-dive discussions. Events are organized independently by host companies—each with its own RSVP rules, age limits, and capacity constraints. All require separate registration; having a Disrupt badge doesn’t automatically grant access. More gatherings may be added in the lead-up. Hosted gatherings are 18+ unless individual event notices say otherwise. Venue, timing, and guest rules vary by host. (Details below.)
Featured Hosted Socials & Private Mixers
Several standout events are hosted by Disrupt partners aimed at bringing together founders, investors, operators, and industry experts between conference sessions:
- Serve, Swipe, & Settle: On October 12 (5-7 pm PT), NMI hosts a mixer dedicated to SaaS leaders navigating embedded payments—sharing how to monetize, maintain brand control, and scale beyond basic fee-taking over Ping-Pong and drinks. (RSVP required.)
- The Afterburn: Disrupt Edition: Backblaze and Flamethrower co-host an informal evening on October 14 (6-8 pm PT), giving founders, builders, and investors a chance to unwind with cocktails and conversation—no panels, no pitches.
- Ecosystem Mixer: PeakXV Partners holds a mixer October 14 (5:30-8:30 pm PT) aimed at founders, operators, and investors shaping future tech, with relaxed conversation over drinks—pitch-free zone.
- Liquid Assets: Private Markets Cocktail Party: Hosted by Augment and Mintz on October 14 (5:30-8:30 pm PT), this event is a space for meeting peers in venture, private equity, and the tech ecosystem in a social setting with light bites.
Daily Events to Build Your Disrupt Week Itinerary
There’s nearly one evening event for each night of Disrupt week. Themes range widely—from robotics and AI to talent evaluation and regional startup spotlights. You’ll find conversational mixers, after-parties, and deep-dive roundtables. Highlights by day:
- Sunday, October 11: An interactive Happy Hour features AI-powered bartending and robotic drink recommendations (5-8 pm). Later, a Demo Night draws early-stage startups pitching moats, followed by open networking. The evening ends with an International Reception for founders and tech leaders worldwide.
- Monday, October 12: Focus areas include demos from work tech, robotics, and agentic AI in “The Future of Work Social Mixer.” Also sideline events like “Open to Work: The Game Show” turn networking and resume reviews into participatory entertainment.
- Tuesday, October 13: Curated networking opens the night—first with AI founders and accredited investors, followed by alumni meetups, South Asian founder connect sessions, security-themed happy hours discussing deepfakes and prompt injection, creator-focused panels, and startup family evenings.
- Wednesday, October 14: This is peak side-event night. Expect invitation-only and themed evenings including world models, physical AI, and talent evaluation in an AI-first world. Spotlight events: hardware-centric after-parties, SignalFire’s immersive arts & tech installations, and others.
- Thursday, October 15: SaaS & AI founders and investors meet on rooftops; there’s a showcase of Korean emerging tech spanning cleantech, medtech, platforms; plus LPs, GPs & funded founders gather; and an AI-infrastructure focused rooftop party rounds the night.
Important Logistics & Fine Print
All side events are run by the individual hosts—not by Disrupt or its parent teams—so rules on guestlist, age, capacity, and RSVP vary. Sky-high demand means spots might fill up fast; RSVP doesn’t always issue a guarantee. Venues and times are subject to change—always double-check the arrival details. Badge or pass for Disrupt does not translate to automatic access for side events.
Full schedule guide is published chronologically, continually updated, and organizers suggest checking it often for new additions or changes.
Why it matters: These side events aren’t just extras—they’re where real connection happens. For founders and investors operating in today’s AI, SaaS, hardware, and venture ecosystems, informal conversations borne from mixers or regional meetups often lead to partnerships, fundraising, or idea sparks that formal stages don’t capture. If you’re attending Disrupt 2026, your side-event calendar could matter as much as the main sessions. Watch as RSVPs go live, scope guest criteria, and plan for a full week—not just the conference dates.
