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Disrupt 2026: Day 1 | TechCrunch
Day 1 of TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is officially underway, bringing together 10,000+ startup founders, investors, and tech leaders under one roof at San Francisco’s Moscone West. Big ideas are colliding, connections are forming at every turn, and the startup ecosystem’s most influential voices are driving the conversation.
From Startup Battlefield to six new industry stages focused on scaling, AI, fintech, climate tech, and more, Disrupt is packed with game-changing perspectives and opportunities. The next partnership, investment, or breakout company could emerge from any meeting, session, or coffee line conversation. Meet the 250+ speakers shaping the discussion.
Grab your ticket now so you don’t miss a moment at Disrupt. There’s still a little time to grab your pass and be a part of this annual startup epicenter.
Explore. Connect. Discover.
Day 1 highlights
Registration hours: 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Stop by the registration desk in the Level 1 lobby of Moscone West to register in person or pick up your scannable event badge. The badge features Klik technology, which makes it easy to exchange contact information with people you scan your badge with. Using the event app, you can access and keep those contacts even after the event ends.
Expo Hall (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
Explore 300+ exhibiting startups showcasing cutting-edge technologies across industries. This is the center of Disrupt, where 10,000+ attendees converge to discover new breakthroughs and spark new connections.
Haven’t registered yet? You still can — but don’t wait, or you will miss out. Grab your ticket now and walk straight into the action: six industry stages, interactive roundtables, Q&A breakouts, hundreds of exhibiting startups, investor-founder meetings, AI-powered matchmaking networking, and side events lighting up the Bay Area tech scene all week long.
Pitch Showcase Stage
Make your way to the Pitch Showcase Stage at the back of the Expo Hall to experience one of the most electrifying formats on the conference floor: rapid-fire, one-minute lightning pitches from some of the most promising startups representing their home countries and regions.
The Startup Battlefield Fast Pitches — Built World
The Startup Battlefield 200 Built World category showcases the most innovative early-stage startups tackling major challenges in real estate, construction, architecture, smart cities, and infrastructure. Discover the technologies transforming the physical spaces where we live, work, and play. Stop by to catch their lightning pitches and meet the bold entrepreneurs building what’s next.
The spotlight also shines on Startup Battlefield, TechCrunch’s renowned “World Series of pitch competitions.” After vetting thousands of applicants, TechCrunch selected the top 20 early-stage startups to pitch in front of some of the world’s most seasoned VCs. They’ll compete for a $100,000 equity-free prize and the coveted Disrupt Cup.
Startup Battlefield 200 Fast Pitches – Sustainability
The Startup Battlefield 200 Sustainability category highlights the most groundbreaking early-stage companies tackling the world’s most urgent environmental and climate challenges, from renewable energy and carbon capture to circular economy platforms, sustainable agriculture, clean water solutions, and beyond.
These are the founders turning bold climate commitments into real-world technology, building businesses that prove profitability and planetary impact are not mutually exclusive — and they’re making their case in just two minutes. Stop by, catch their lightning pitches, and meet the startups who are determined to leave the world better than they found it.
Stage sessions
From physical AI and the future of intelligent systems to fundraising, hiring, and scaling breakout companies, today’s speakers are tackling the opportunities and challenges shaping the next generation of startups. Here’s a look at what’s happening across the stages today. Check out the full agenda that includes 200+ sessions.
Disrupt Stage
The Startup Battlefield — Space and Physical AI: Judges include Anu Bharadwaj (ICONIQ), Sara Deshpande (Maven Ventures), Benjamin Narasin (Tenacity Venture Capital), Aatish Nayak (Kleiner Perkins), Michael Palank (MaC Venture Capital)
Building the Impossible: RJ Scaringe (Rivian)
The Startup Battlefield — Energy and Manufacturing: Caleb Appleton (Bison Ventures), Feyza Haskaraman (Felicis), Sho Sho Leigha Ho (General Catalyst), Leah Solivan (Precedent.vc)
Can AI Keep Scaling?: Andrew Feldman (Cerebras Systems)
Beyond Screens: Max Hodak (Science Corporation)
Builders Stage
Equity Live: The Startup Stories Shaping 2026
TechCrunch’s Equity podcast takes the Builders Stage for a live recording from Disrupt. Join the Equity team as they break down the biggest startup, venture, and technology stories of the moment and what they mean for founders and investors heading into 2027.
What Happens When OpenAI Ships Your Roadmap: Rob Toews (Radical Ventures), Linda Tong (Webflow), Michel Tricot (Airbyte)
The Rise of Agentic AI: Lessons for Hardware Founders: Ziad Asghar (Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.), Florence Ion (PCMag)
Competing for AI Talent: Pay, Equity, and Retention: Matt Birnbaum (Wylder.co), Ioana Hreninciuc (Runware), Atli Thorkelsson (Redpoint Ventures)
The Builder’s Playbook: What Founders Need to Win the Agentic Era: Stephan Bitton (Google Cloud)
PMF Red Flags: How to Tell If You Really Have It: Anu Bharadwaj (ICONIQ), Rajeev Dham (Sapphire Ventures), Rahul Vohra (Superhuman)
From MVP to Billions of Users: How Product Decisions Must Change at Scale: Robby Stein (Google)
When Machines Clock In (Hosted by NYSE Wired): Brian Baumann (New York Stock Exchange), Dr. Adam Campbell (Gatik), Samir Menon (Dexterity AI), Sankaet Pathak (Foundation Future Industries, Inc.)
Hiring When AI Is a Co-founder: Michelle Johnson (Insight Partners), John Koelliker (Leland), Josh Reeves (Gusto)
Industry Stage: Smart Money
The Future of Money Movement in the Agentic Economy: Nikhil Chandhok (Circle), Rodney Robinson (TabaPay, Inc.), Carlotta (Lotti) Siniscalco (Emergence Capital)
AI, Trust & Verification in Financial Services: Hannah Bozian (American Express), Pedro Sanzovo (Plaid), Victoria Zuo (QED Investors)
Winning the Modern Financial Consumer: Abhishek Fatehpuria (Robinhood)
Industry Stage-Smart Systems
Where the AI Infrastructure Boom Is Creating Winners: Ben Longmier (Ambrosia Energy), Bill Thayer (Bloom Energy)
When the Energy Gets Smart: What Vertical AI Actually Delivers at Scale: Deepak Garg (SEW.AI), Paul Lau (SMUD)
How Twilio’s Founder Is Tackling the Power Problem: Jeff Lawson (Twilio)
Bringing Fusion to the Grid: David Kirtley (Helion), Brandon Sorbom (Commonwealth Fusion Systems)
Rewiring the Grid for the Electric Age: Apoorv Bhargava (Weave Grid, Inc.), Kristin Eberhard (Rewiring America), Tim Heidel (VEIR)
Breakout Stage
Located at the end of the Expo Hall, breakout sessions include a panel of experts on the presented topic, with room at the end for attendees to ask direct questions. See the full three-day lineup in the Disrupt agenda.
What is Physical AI, Anyway?: Susan Schofer (SOSV HAX), Parikshit Sharma (SOSV SF), Duncan Turner (SOSV HAX), Pae Wu (SOSV SF)
The New Job of the Data Team is Providing Context to AI: George Fraser (Fivetran + dbt Labs)
The Quantum Revolution: What Investors and Builders Need to Know: Andrew Dzurak (Diraq)
Taiwan Powering the Next AI Revolution: Connect, Invest & Scale: Michelle Chan (Phison Electronics USA), BoGaun Chen (ITRI International), Erica Lin (ITRI International), Mingche Wang (ITRI International)
How to Build AI We Can Trust: Robbie Goldfarb (Forum AI)
The Inference Economy: Why AI’s Next Trillion Dollars Won’t Look Like Its First: Hagay Lupesko (Cerebras Systems), Ali Mahmoud (Glasswing Ventures)
Roundtables
These small-group sessions give founders and investors the chance to tackle real-world challenges up close. Remember: Pre-registration on the event app is required for entry. Visit the Disrupt agenda to see all the roundtable sessions for the next three days.
Arm Wrestling Your Data: The Physical AI Challenge: Radha Basu (iMerit)
Can AI Take You Public? The New Playbook for IPO-Ready Finance: Eléonore Crespo (Pigment), Sofia Fatakhova (Chime)
AI’s Next Frontier: Modernizing Legacy Industries: Rob Biederman (Asymmetric Capital Partners)
Atoms vs. Bits: Physical AI for the Physical World: Jackson Feder (MetaProp)
Beyond Inventory: The Commerce AI Playbook for the Intent Era: Srishti Chaudhary (Walmart eCommerce)
Healthcare Took 40 Years to Adopt EHRs, Then Adopted Generative AI in Three. What Comes Next?: Brian Butler (Questa Capital)
From Pilot to Production at Scale: Provable, Trusted Agentic AI for the Enterprise: Dr. Maha Achour (Kodamai), Pankaj Kedia (2468 Ventures), Yasser Shaaban (Humain)
Specialty Post-Training Data: Powering the Next Wave of AI: Dani London (Base10 Partners)
The Science of Powerful Introductions: How to Be Remembered in an AI World: Cal Amir (Introduction Lab)
Beyond the Demo: Building Physical AI That Actually Works: Logan Farrell (Rugged Robotics), Austin Yount (Brick & Mortar Ventures)
Labs or Factory Floors: Who Will Win Physical AI?: Matt Burns (Insight Media Group), Roman Hölzl (RobCo)
Beyond the Term Sheet: How To Architect a Great Fundraise: Weston Moyer (MVP Ventures)
Brutal Truth: 12 Critical Mistakes That Nearly Derailed My CISO Career: Stephen Ward (Brightmind Partners)
Networking opportunities
Networking Lounge powered by Signify Business Cash World Elite Mastercard® by Wells Fargo: Open 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Find your next co-founder, investor, or mentor through meetings you schedule via the event app or spontaneous meetups.
Deal Flow Cafe: Opens at 9:00 a.m. Exclusive to founders and investors, providing a quiet space to make deals over coffee.
Disrupt 2025 Side Events
Company-hosted Side Events are happening throughout San Francisco this week, extending the Disrupt energy well beyond Moscone West. Here are a few events happening tonight — panels, parties, and meetups designed to connect founders, investors, and innovators across every corner of tech. Make sure to RSVP for your spot at any of these. Explore the full lineup of Side Events and fill your schedule with more time for connections and insights.
The Irish Shark Tank – Hosted by Enterprise Ireland
SafetyWing Happy Hour at Harrington’s – Hosted by SafetyWing
Born2Global Founder Networking Night – Hosted by WayFounder
Still time to join Disrupt 2026
There’s still some time left to register for your pass and explore all these activations. Get your ticket now. There’s still so much more to experience at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 — including more Startup Battlefield pitches, game-changing sessions, and unforgettable connections. Tickets are available through the final day. Secure yours now and be part of the future of tech. Do not wait.
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In a bid to attract more subscribers, the company now known as SpaceX Super Intelligence is bundling all its subscriptions, including X Premium, Grok, and Cursor, into one plan called simply “The X Subscription.”
The idea is that the combined offering could potentially attract more subscribers than any single subscription, given the competitive paid AI subscription market, where SpaceXSI faces rivals like OpenAI, Anthropic, and others.
With the X Subscription, users can gain access to Grok for AI-powered chat, with support for voice, images, video and the API. Grok’s agentic AI Bot is also available, as is Cursor for AI coding and the paid features that come with an X Premium subscription, like the blue verified checkmark, creator tools, and fewer ads.
There are five plans available on the new subscription: free, Plus ($8/month), Premium ($30/month), Super ($100/month) and Ultra ($200/month), with AI usage caps increasing as you move up through the tiers. The free plan will only offer limited chat and agent usage, and Premium or higher is required to access the latest Grok models.
There’s another draw for existing X Premium+ subscribers: the comparable plan on the new X subscription costs the same or less, the company noted.
Existing users can either switch from their subscription settings on X to upgrade to the new bundle, or maintain their current plan. The option to upgrade will roll out gradually, so interested customers will need to keep an eye on their billing settings for the offer to upgrade.
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Following broad pushback from merchants across the country, India has delayed plans to introduce merchant fees on its digital payments network that aimed to make the business more lucrative for the companies that facilitate the payments service, long dominated by Google and PhonePe.
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which operates the country’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), said on Tuesday it was postponing the planned October 15 rollout of a 0.4% fee on eligible merchant transactions exceeding ₹2,000 (about $21), citing the festive shopping season. The fee, announced last month, would mark a significant departure from India’s years-long policy of keeping UPI payments free for merchants.
The rollout will now take place after Diwali, one of India’s biggest festivals and shopping periods, though the NPCI did not specify a new date. In September alone, UPI processed 24.07 billion transactions worth ₹29.37 trillion (about $305 billion), per NPCI.
The proposed fee drew opposition from retailers and petrol pump operators, some of whom warned they could stop accepting UPI payments if the charge took effect.
Over the past several years, UPI has become the backbone of India’s digital payments system, powering payments through apps such as Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm. Its growth has been supported by the Indian government keeping UPI payments free for merchants and providing subsidies to banks and payment providers to help them cover some of the costs.
UPI was not always free for merchants, however. Banks and payment providers previously charged merchants for transactions, but the Indian government scrapped those fees in January 2020 as it sought to encourage more people to shift away from using cash, long the dominant way people have paid for goods and services in the country. UPI has continued to grow in both transaction volume and value.
In recent years, the government has sought to take UPI overseas. In April 2020, NPCI set up its international arm, and the network is currently available in several countries, including Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and France.
NPCI had sought to limit the impact of the new merchant fee by exempting payments of ₹2,000 or less, as well as small merchants that receive less than ₹100,000 (about $1,033) a month through UPI. It also capped the fee at ₹300 (around $3) for larger transactions. The organization said it would share the money collected among participants in the UPI ecosystem to help pay for infrastructure, cybersecurity and fraud prevention.
Citing industry estimates, NPCI said last month that the annual cost of running UPI was about ₹200 billion (around $2.1 billion), including spending on server capacity, fraud prevention, and technical support. Banks and payment companies have for years argued that they need a way to recoup those costs as transaction volumes grow.
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Apple is getting serious about the smart home space. The company on Tuesday showed off its new Apple Home Collection, which includes a new smart deadbolt lock, video doorbell, thermostat, temperature sensor, and a range of security cameras.
The new devices are designed to work with HomeView, the company’s new smart home hub which can be used to control connected accessories and interact with Apple’s software.
This new range of smart home accessories could help Apple compete better with Amazon Ring and Google Nest, two established players in connected home security. The products will become available in December.
Apple says the devices were built in partnership with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric — an interesting move for the company, which has long sought to build and support every smart home accessory itself.
The smart lock, priced at $349.95, stands out for its support for ultra-wideband (UWB), a wireless technology that enables more precise proximity detection than traditional Bluetooth. This could allow the lock to recognize when an authorized user approaches and automatically unlock the door, reducing the need to pull out a phone or reach for a physical key.
The $249.95 wired video doorbell, meanwhile, will let homeowners see who’s outside, monitor visitors, and receive notifications when someone approaches their property. When someone rings it, a chime will sound through Apple devices like HomeView, HomePod, and HomePod mini. Users will also be notified on their iPhone or iPad.
As for the temperature sensor, it can provide insight into conditions in individual rooms, helping users identify temperature differences between areas and make adjustments.
For security, Apple is also introducing indoor and outdoor cameras, as well as a floodlight camera ($399.95) that combines exterior lighting with video monitoring. The camera lineup includes features such as live viewing, motion detection, intelligent alerts and video storage.
When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.
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Disney Offers $20M For Character.AI Assets As Startup Files For Bankruptcy
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Disrupt 2026: Day 1 | TechCrunch
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