GoKawiilTechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is built around one question for founders: How do you build an enduring company in the AI era? For investors, it’s the opposite: How do you find that company before someone else does?
At Disrupt, the volume and competition are the point for investors, not a drawback. Year after year, investors who’ve explored the Expo Halls, met founders, and learned from peers at panels and Side Events have proven why you need to be on the ground to get ahead of the curve.
Consider that every founder pitching during the Startup Battlefield competition does so in front of a packed room of VCs. Why? Because they know their next cohort could be sitting right there. All it takes is making the trip to San Francisco this October 13-15.
This guide is for the investors who recognize that three days spent at Moscone West are well worth it and who plan to walk away with the insights and prospects that yield returns.
And speaking of returns, we have up to $300 in savings with our current ticket tiers, which end Friday, August 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT, so act swiftly to get an even greater ROI on Disrupt.
Let’s dive in!
How Disrupt works for different investors
Disrupt features numerous tracks, depending on the check sizes you’re able to write and the stage of startup you specialize in.
Angel, pre-seed, scout
If you’re coming to build out your portfolio of early bets and get in on rounds before they’re priced, prioritize the Startup Battlefield 200 semifinalist pitches, the Builders Stage, and the Expo Hall.
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