Beyond TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: The Side Events, Parties & Networking You Can’t Miss

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TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 brings founders, investors, operators, builders, and technology leaders to San Francisco from October 13-15. But the activity doesn’t stop when the conference floor closes. Throughout Disrupt Week, startups and organizations from across the global tech ecosystem will host networking events, happy hours, showcases, demos, dinners, and more. Here’s what’s happening around San Francisco from Saturday, October 10 through Friday, October 16. Featured Polish Innovation Evening: From Ideas to Connections — Poland Meets Silicon Valley Hosted by Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) and Upper Silesian Fund Join us aboard the Historic Klamath for an evening connecting Poland’s innovation ecosystem with Silicon Valley during TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Meet Polish founders, investors, technology leaders, and ecosystem partners for a discussion followed by informal networking on the San Francisco waterfront. Learn more & RSVP → Scaling Nordic Fintech Globally Hosted by Innovation Norway & Royal Norwegian Consulate General in San Francisco An evening of fintech, global growth, and great conversations, celebrating Aparta’s selection for TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200. Learn more & RSVP → Silicon Valley – Pak US Tech Connect 2026 Hosted by Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) Pak-US Tech Connect brings together Pakistani technology companies, U.S. businesses, industry leaders, investors, partners, and ecosystem stakeholders to explore opportunities for business collaboration, technology partnerships, outsourcing, investment, and market expansion. Learn more & RSVP → Saturday, October 10 The First Principles Way to Find the Next 10x Opportunity Hiding in Your Product 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Hosted by PrincipiumX Learn how to use first-principles thinking to uncover overlooked customer needs, differentiate your product, strengthen product-market fit, and identify opportunities for significant growth through a real-world case study. Sunday, October 11 Happy Hour with AI Created Drinks by AI Barmen! 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Hosted by AI Barmen Meet AI Barmen, a robotic bartender that creates personalized cocktails and mocktails through an interactive happy hour experience. EPIC SF Physical AI Demo Night @ Finding Next Move 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Hosted by EPIC Connector Pte. Ltd. Ten early-stage startups pitch their products and competitive moats to a hand-selected group of venture investors, followed by an open networking after-party. International Reception at the European Startup Embassy 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Hosted by Granite Landings LLC Join an international startup community for an evening of food, drinks, and networking designed to build better business relationships. Monday, October 12 The Partnership Exchange by onSpark 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Hosted by onSpark The Partnership Exchange turns one evening into a live deal floor for founders who know partnerships drive growth. Walk in with your company, walk out with a real hit list. The onSpark team runs Hit List Live on the spot, mapping the exact partners who can move your revenue this year, then matching you with founders in the room who belong on each other’s lists. Every attendee gets featured in One Golden Nugget, the co-published spotlight series from Disrupt Week. Serve, Swipe, & Settle: Mixer for SaaS Leaders Scaling into Embedded Payments 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Hosted by NMI SaaS founders, developers, and technical leaders can compare notes on embedded payments, monetization, and scaling beyond basic payment infrastructure over Ping-Pong, food, and drinks. The Future of Work Social Mixer + Open Demos: Worktech, Robotics & Agentic AI 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Hosted by Ontology of Value Explore work tech, robotics, and agentic AI through startup pitches, hands-on demos, and networking with founders, operators, and investors shaping the future of work. Long Lead Time: A Hardware Happy Hour 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Hosted by Syntro Connect with founders, engineers, and operators building robotics, chips, rockets, and other frontier hardware over drinks and light bites in a casual setting. Open to Work: The Game Show 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Hosted by Khwajalabs A live game show turns the job hunt into networking: compete using your real résumé, pitch yourself onstage, and let the audience decide who advances. Tuesday, October 13 The Irish Shark Tank 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Hosted by Enterprise Ireland Meet and mingle with Ireland’s hottest startups. Enterprise Ireland is back at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 and will welcome old friends and new faces to The Irish Shark Tank at Ireland House for happy hour. Availability is limited. SafetyWing Happy Hour at Harrington’s 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Hosted by SafetyWing Meet founders and HR leaders over drinks while connecting with SafetyWing and discussing the challenges of navigating health benefits for startups and their teams. SF Exclusive VIP Drinks for AI Founders and Accredited Investors 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Hosted by EQUITY X INVESTMENTS, LLC An invite-only gathering for AI founders and accredited investors featuring drinks, direct introductions, and informal conversations with no pitches or panels. Harvard Griffin GSAS Alumni Networking Mixer 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Hosted by Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Connect with Harvard Griffin GSAS alumni living and working in the Bay Area during an informal networking reception. Guests are welcome. South Asian Investor Founder Connect: TechCrunch Disrupt 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Hosted by American South Asian Network Connect with South Asian founders, investors, operators, creators, and technology leaders through curated introductions and informal networking. Real World AI: Connect, Invest & Scale in Taiwan 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Hosted by Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs Discover how Taiwan, a powerhouse behind the global AI revolution, is bringing AI into the real world through robotics, intelligent hardware, and advanced manufacturing, with startup pitches, investor connections, and networking over light fare and drinks. Attacks Never Arrive: Happy Hour with Trotta 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Hosted by Trotta Join AI founders, security leaders, and operators for food, drinks, and conversation around social engineering, deepfakes, prompt injection, and emerging AI security threats. Content Creators Meetup @ TechCrunch Disrupt 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Hosted by Founder-Led Media Founders and creators building in public come together to share practical lessons on content, hooks, distribution, and growing a founder-led audience. Pets of Disrupt: Founders, Investors & Their Pets 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Hosted by Omelo Step away from the conference crowd for an informal evening with founders, investors, operators, builders, creators, and the pets that make San Francisco’s startup community more human. K Tech Startup Networking Reception | TCD 2026 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Hosted by WayFounder Meet 18 emerging Korean startups through quick founder introductions, curated conversations, and open networking with investors, operators, corporate leaders, and entrepreneurs. EdgeM8: B2B Partnership Mixer 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Hosted by EdgeM8 Connect with founders, revenue leaders, and executives working across go-to-market, partnerships, distribution, and technology while building relationships across the Bay Area startup ecosystem. Shinhan Square Bridge Meetup @ TechCrunch Disrupt 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Hosted by SWITH Meet 10 startups from the Shinhan Square Bridge Global program in an intimate evening of founder conversations, networking, food, and drinks. Wednesday, October 14 NextGen — TechCrunch Disrupt Week 2026 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Hosted by TradeIL An invitation-only gathering bringing together Israeli founders, investors, technology executives, and strategic partners from across the Bay Area. Fynex x Orion VC | Curated Rooftop Party 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Hosted by Fynex Join founders, operators, and AI-focused investors for a curated rooftop evening centered on networking, food, drinks, and conversations around AI and infrastructure. Love Soul AI & WellGem: Interactive Hologram Showcase & Founder Networking 5:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. Hosted by Love Soul AI The event takes place on the patio at Per Diem, beneath Salesforce Park and a short distance from Moscone West. Connect with fellow founders, investors, and members of the tech community while experiencing Love Soul AI’s hologram technology and enjoying superfood-inspired appetizers. All ages are welcome. Ticket required. Korea–US Startup & Investor Networking Night 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Hosted by KOTRA Silicon Valley Connect Korean startups entering the U.S. market with investors, founders, corporate partners, and Bay Area ecosystem leaders for conversations around investment, partnerships, and business opportunities. Scaling Nordic Fintech Globally 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Hosted by Innovation Norway & Royal Norwegian Consulate General in San Francisco An evening of fintech, global growth, and great conversations, celebrating Aparta’s selection for TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200. Ecosystem Mixer 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Hosted by Peak XV Partners Peak XV brings founders, operators, and investors together for an informal evening of drinks and conversation. No pitches required. Liquid Assets: A Private Markets Cocktail Party by Augment & Mintz 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Hosted by Augment and Mintz A private markets cocktail gathering with drinks, light bites, and informal conversation among founders, investors, and technology leaders. Watch It Run: Live Automation Meetup with Bolter 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Hosted by Improbable See business automation happen live as Bolter turns attendees’ most dreaded weekly processes into working automations during dinner, using plain-language descriptions instead of code. Polish Innovation Evening: From Ideas to Connections — Poland Meets Silicon Valley 5:30 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Hosted by Polish Investment and Trade Agency and Upper Silesian Fund Join us aboard the Historic Klamath for an evening connecting Poland’s innovation ecosystem with Silicon Valley during TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Meet Polish founders, investors, technology leaders, and ecosystem partners for a discussion followed by informal networking on the San Francisco waterfront. Rooftop Gathering: Pilaf Evening for Tech Founders and Investors 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Hosted by INNOVA × BeGlobe PR Agency Join a private rooftop gathering built for tech builders, deep tech innovators, and investors for conversations over a shared meal. No standing around, no pitch decks — just real talk and a great view. Worldmodels—See the World in 4D 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Hosted by NLINK INC Explore physical AI, spatial intelligence, robotics, and world models through live 4D capture, demos, and conversations with founders, researchers, and investors. The Afterburn: TechCrunch Disrupt Edition 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Hosted by Backblaze and Flamethrower Wind down after Disrupt with cocktails, food, and informal conversations among founders, builders, investors, and friends. No panels or presentations. Hardtech After Party 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Hosted by Whipsaw Connect with founders, engineers, investors, and design leaders building in robotics, wearables, connected devices, medtech, and other areas of hard tech. Token Economics: From Cost per Token to Value per Outcome 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Hosted by Hellyeah AI Founders, investors, engineers, and operators explore how AI companies turn inference costs into business value through pricing, routing, reliability, and token-level economics. Vault & Verify: An Evening of Ping Pong, Cocktails & Conversation 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Hosted by Descope Bring together security, privacy, and identity leaders for food, cocktails, friendly competition, and conversations about managing sensitive data and identity as AI systems become more autonomous. AI Made Every Candidate Look Perfect. How Do You Find the Real Ones? 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Hosted by SLI.pro Explore how founders, investors, and operators can identify meaningful talent signals when AI has made résumés, profiles, and interview answers increasingly polished. SQLDoom Deathmatch Night at Disrupt 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Hosted by CedarDB Play SQLDoom deathmatch against the CedarDB team alongside arcade games, food, drinks, and conversations with database engineers and startup founders. SignalFire’s Disrupt Arthaus After-Party 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Hosted by SignalFire Spend the evening with founders, investors, journalists, and builders at an arts campus featuring live music, immersive art and technology, food, and drinks. Thursday, October 15 NachoThursday: TechCrunch Disrupt SaaS & AI Founder + Investor Happy Hour 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Hosted by NachoNacho A rooftop happy hour for SaaS and AI founders, C-suite leaders, investors, and tech media. Attendance is screened and limited to approved guests. Korea Emerging Tech Showcase 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Hosted by Brinc Join a curated group of venture and corporate investors for an intimate evening with Korean founders from 14 emerging tech startups over food and wine at a private members’ club in San Francisco’s Financial District. Curated guest list. Limited capacity. Approval required. Fynex x Orion VC | Curated Rooftop Party 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Hosted by Fynex and Orion VC Fynex and Orion VC host a rooftop gathering for AI founders, operators, and investors focused on AI and infrastructure. The guest list is curated to make the room itself part of the experience. LP, VC & Funded Founder Networking + Demo 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Hosted by Founder Institute An intimate networking evening for LPs, GPs, and funded founders focused on technology, venture capital, and new relationships. Korea–US Startup & Investor Networking Night 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Hosted by KOTRA Silicon Valley Korean startups entering the U.S. market come together with investors, founders, corporate partners, and Bay Area ecosystem leaders for an evening of casual networking and meaningful connections around potential investment, partnership, and business opportunities. Registration is required. Japan Startups Showcase 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Hosted by 500 Global Meet 12 Japanese startups building for global markets across AI, enterprise software, health, biotech, defense, agtech, sports tech, and consumer technology, with live demos and direct conversations with founders. Venture Night @ TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Hosted by TechEmbassy Ten selected startups. Fast-paced pitches. Startup prizes. Venture Night brings founders, investors, and tech leaders together for a live pitch competition and Q&A, followed by a Founder Feedback Session, awards, and networking. Friday, October 16 Silicon Valley – Pak US Tech Connect 2026 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Hosted by Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) Pak-US Tech Connect brings together Pakistani technology companies, U.S. businesses, industry leaders, investors, partners, and ecosystem stakeholders to explore opportunities for business collaboration, technology partnerships, outsourcing, investment, and market expansion. THE RUNWAY: A Morning Founder Run 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Hosted by Handler Start the day with a casual waterfront run along the Embarcadero, complete with startup-themed “runway” markers, followed by coffee and networking at the Ferry Building. Funded Founders @ Alchemy Springs 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Hosted by Press Club Combine sauna and cold-plunge experiences with conversations and networking around startups competing in this year’s Startup Battlefield 200. Space is limited. Find a Cofounder, Help or Join a Startup 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Hosted by Startup Oasis Hear startup pitches and then join breakout groups where attendees can offer feedback, make connections, or explore opportunities to work with the presenting teams. Event details, availability and registration requirements are subject to change. Check each event’s RSVP page for the latest information before attending.