TechCrunch Disrupt SF is the startup world’s proving ground—where early-stage founders, top-tier investors, and the builders behind tomorrow’s breakout companies gather to debate what’s next and get real about what works. Hosted at Moscone West in SoMa (747 Howard St), Disrupt blends headline interviews, gritty founder how‑tos, and live startup competitions into a high‑signal, no‑fluff program built by TechCrunch’s editorial team.
Disrupt centers on the Startup Battlefield—TechCrunch’s signature pitch competition that has launched companies now valued in the billions—alongside multiple stages dedicated to founder fundamentals, AI and data, fintech, enterprise software, climate tech, and more. The expo floor features hundreds of early-stage startups in Startup Alley, while curated roundtables, office hours, and intimate breakouts offer tactical advice on fundraising, product‑market fit, growth, and go‑to‑market. Expect packed hallway dealmaking, sharp on‑stage questioning, and hands‑on workshops led by operators who have scaled from seed to IPO.
Early-stage and growth founders, product leaders, engineers exploring the leap into entrepreneurship, venture and angel investors, corporate innovation scouts, and ecosystem partners (accelerators, dev tools, cloud platforms) who want direct access to founders and real‑time market signals. Job‑seekers in startup roles and students with prototypes also find traction through the expo and networking programs.
Plan your agenda early—popular sessions and roundtables hit capacity. If you’re exhibiting in Startup Alley, refine a 30‑second narrative, demo on reliable hardware, and stock scannable one‑pagers; book investor office hours in advance. For founders, rehearse metrics, unit economics, and your ask; judges and reporters press for specifics. Investors: block time for floor walks; the highest signal often comes from unscripted conversations near Moscone West’s lobby and mezzanine. Transit is straightforward—BART and Muni stop nearby; rideshare pickup is well signed. Passes typically range from mid‑hundreds for Expo/Starter access to full‑conference tiers in the low‑to‑mid four figures; check the official site for current pricing, schedules, and application deadlines (including Battlefield and discounted passes for students and nonprofits).
Check-in at Moscone West, collect pass, explore SoMa neighborhood.
Startup battlefield finals, expert panels, networking sessions
Community roundtables, industry talks, event wrap-up
Featured appearances from CEOs of leading startups and industry disruptors, alongside keynotes from TechCrunch editors. Speaker lineup, subject to change.
Skip the surge pricing. Keep the good nights' sleep. Downtown hotels near Moscone West book up fast and surge in price during TechCrunch Disrupt SF. Marina Motel puts you in a quieter, classic San Francisco neighborhood — walkable to the waterfront, Chestnut Street shops and restaurants, and just a short ride to SoMa and the convention center via rideshare, bus, or the Marina/Union Street corridor. It's a good fit for attendees who want to end a long conference day away from the downtown crowds, with easier parking and a more relaxed, residential feel.
