Host your own piece of Disrupt: Apply to run a Side Event at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026
TechCrunch opens applications for community-led side events during Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 takes place at Moscone West in San Francisco.
- Official side events run across the city from October 10 to 16.
- There is no application fee or licensing cost to host an event.
- The deadline to submit your side event application is September 4.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is heading to Moscone West in San Francisco from October 13 to 15, but the conference experience extends far beyond the main stages and workshop halls. Throughout the week of October 10 to 16, conversations spill out into happy hours, rooftop mixers, breakfast meetups, and pitch nights scattered across the entire city.
Many of these gatherings operate as official Disrupt Side Events, offering a wide-open opportunity for anyone with a compelling theme and a suitable venue to host their own session. Organizers simply design the concept—ranging from founder mixers and after-hours panels to morning runs—and the TechCrunch team helps promote it to the thousands of attendees already gathered in town.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The application process is entirely free with no licensing fees involved, allowing the strongest community ideas to rise to the top and enrich the overall conference atmosphere. Last year's diverse lineup featured everything from VIP penthouse mixers with major cloud players and founder pitch nights to running clubs and late-night AI debates.
Allowing decentralized community events acts as a powerful multiplier for tech conferences, letting smaller startups and independent groups leverage the influx of 10,000 founders and investors without purchasing expensive exhibition booths or sponsorship tiers.
For community builders and product teams, running a side event serves as the easiest method to align your brand with Disrupt. While dedicated exhibition tables in the Expo Hall and formal sponsorship packages remain available for companies seeking expanded exposure, community-led gatherings offer an intimate alternative.
Interested organizers must submit their side event applications by September 4. For any inquiries regarding the process, applicants can reach out directly via email at side.events@techcrunch.com.
Source: TechCrunch
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