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TechCrunch has three days left on its early ticket pricing for Disrupt 2026, offering savings of up to $200 before the discount expires on September 25 at 11:59 p.m. PT. The event runs October 13–15 at San Francisco's Moscone West and expects more than 10,000 founders, investors, and operators to attend, with features including AI-powered 1:1 meeting matchmaking and a dedicated Networking Lounge.
Digital Realty's chief technology officer Chris Sharp says the data centre industry is moving away from copper for internal networking, though not electrical power or cooling systems. A typical 100MW facility uses around 400 tonnes of copper overall, with up to 20 tonnes used specifically in the wiring that connects servers together. Sharp argues this copper wiring between GPUs and CPUs is now a bottleneck limiting performance.
An Entrepreneur contributor describes a client who, as the only person of color on her executive team, started monthly breakfasts open to employees across all levels and departments rather than pursuing typical networking events like golf or drinks. Over two years these gatherings evolved into an informal communication channel that helped colleagues share information and solve problems, and the executive was later promoted to vice president.
Piper Sandler lowered its price target on Cisco Systems to $125 from $132, citing a lower price-to-earnings multiple assumption amid worries that networking-industry growth is peaking. Cisco shares fell about 5% on the news. The stock had hit a record high in June and remains up roughly 56% over the past year, helped by revenue growth tied to AI demand, including a fourth-quarter earnings beat last month with $17.25 billion in revenue versus a $16.8 billion estimate.
TechCrunch has set a September 18, 11:59 p.m. PT deadline for startups to reserve exhibit tables at Disrupt 2026, taking place October 13-15 at Moscone West in San Francisco. Exhibitors get a table in the Expo Hall, 10 team passes, app and website branding, press-list access, and Silver Tier sponsor status.
A new LinkedIn survey finds that while Gen Z entrepreneurship is rising, 73% of Gen Z respondents say fear of bothering others, sounding inauthentic, or being judged stops them from networking. This hesitation persists even though 83% of older generations say they're willing to help strangers who reach out, a rate matched by Gen Z's own willingness to help when asked.
A tech conference speaker and MC reflects on encouraging attendees at events like SmashingConf Freiburg and CSS Day to approach and talk with speakers, describing efforts to physically connect shy attendees with speakers at after-parties and dinners. The author notes that the informal feedback speakers once got via Twitter has largely disappeared, leaving many without direct affirmation of their talks.
Cornelis Networks, an Intel spinoff, secured $205 million in funding led by IAG Capital Partners. The company unveiled its Active Compute Fabric, a networking technology designed to reduce GPU idle time by letting chips process and transmit data simultaneously, and it has already begun shipping the product.
TechCrunch announced that tonight, September 11 at 11:59 p.m. PT, is the absolute final deadline to apply to host an official Side Event at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. The company stated there will be no further extensions or chances to apply after this cutoff.
New workplace research suggests that professionals benefit more from building networks that span different generations, industries, and backgrounds than from sticking with familiar peer groups. The findings indicate that homogeneous networks, while comfortable, tend to limit exposure to fresh ideas and opportunities.
Mark Pincus, the entrepreneur behind Zynga and FarmVille, has released a new book drawing on lessons from his career, including an early failure that still shapes his thinking. In it, he argues that despite the dominance of platforms like Facebook and Instagram, the fundamental challenge of building meaningful social connection online has not actually been solved.
TechCrunch is selling Expo Hall exhibit tables for Disrupt 2026, taking place October 13-15 at San Francisco's Moscone West. Tables start at $12,500 and include a 6'x30" setup with furnishings, 10 event passes, lead-generation tools via the event app, press list access, and sponsor branding. The offer closes September 25 or once tables sell out, whichever happens first.