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A contributor to Entrepreneur argues that many founders misread networking's value, treating events, panels and coffee meetings as a substitute for building a strong product or service. The piece contends that genuine business relationships form as a byproduct of good work, reliable customer experience and follow-through, not from accumulating contacts.
Organizers announced HomelabFest will run September 12-14, 2027 at the St. Charles Convention Center near St. Louis. Early Bird registration is priced at $125 and available until November or while supplies last, with lodging offered at the adjoining Embassy Suites. The event will feature homelab content creators, though detailed programming and hours have not yet been released.
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.