TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is approaching fast, with a limited-time offer to save up to $200 on tickets ending September 25 at 11:59 p.m. PT. This highly anticipated event will take place from October 13 to 15 in San Francisco, bringing together over 10,000 founders, investors, operators, and tech leaders. Attendees will gain early access to groundbreaking ideas, emerging technologies, and key industry trends across six specialized stages and 200-plus sessions, encompassing fields like AI, robotics, fintech, infrastructure, and the future of work.

A highlight of Disrupt 2026 is the Startup Battlefield 200, where 200 early-stage companies compete, with 20 finalists pitching for a $100,000 equity-free prize. This intense competition offers attendees a unique window into how top venture capitalists evaluate startups on factors like team execution, market size, timing, and defensibility. The event also includes networking opportunities enhanced by AI-powered matchmaking, allowing investors, founders, and operators to make meaningful connections, discover new partners, and explore potential collaborations.

Several prominent investors will judge the Startup Battlefield 200 contestants, including Vaibhav Agrawal of ODDBIRD VC, Anu Bharadwaj from ICONIQ Growth, Sho Sho Leigha Ho of General Catalyst, Miloni Madan Presler at IVP, and Aidan Madigan-Curtis of Eclipse Ventures. These judges bring diverse backgrounds and deep expertise in areas ranging from AI and enterprise software to healthcare and climate tech. Their presence underscores the event’s focus on identifying breakthrough innovations and supporting the next wave of technology companies.

The conference will also feature a special session with Benchmark’s full partnership, where five of Silicon Valley’s leading investors share insights on current venture market dynamics, portfolio strategies, and where they see opportunity despite AI’s rapid rise. This panel will provide founders, investors, and industry insiders a rare chance to hear how seasoned venture capitalists are rethinking assumptions and identifying areas ripe for disruptive growth. Attendees are encouraged to register before September 25 to secure savings and experience one of the startup ecosystem’s most crucial gatherings.