Innovative Insights: Exciting New Side Events for 2026 from KOTRA, WayFounder, Enterprise Ireland, SafetyWing, and Descope
TechCrunch Disrupt serves as a crucial hub for the technology community to engage, collaborate, and network. The dialogue continues even after the Moscone West doors close during Disrupt Week.
Through our Side Events program, we unite founders, investors, tech leaders, and operators across San Francisco. These events range from cozy roundtables and founder meet-ups to happy hours, dinners, workshops, and community gatherings.
Whether you’re aiming to forge new relationships, discover potential collaborators, dive deeper into certain sectors, or simply take a break from the main conference, there is plenty to experience beyond the exhibition hall.
Check out the 2026 Side Events to connect with like-minded individuals.
Highlighted Side Events
Born2Global Founder Networking Night
October 13 | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. PT
Join 18 innovative startups from South Korea for an evening filled with founder discussions, tailored introductions, and networking with investors, corporate leaders, and other entrepreneurs. Each startup founder will present a brief overview before attendees engage in deeper conversations.
Hosted by: WayFounder
RSVP
SafetyWing Happy Hour at Harrington’s
October 13 | 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. PT
Enjoy drinks and discussions at Harrington’s Irish Pub with fellow founders, HR professionals, and members of the startup community. Hosted by SafetyWing during TechCrunch Disrupt, this happy hour provides a relaxed environment to connect and learn about innovative health coverage solutions for remote teams.
Hosted by: SafetyWing
RSVP
The Irish Shark Tank
October 13 | 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Engage with Ireland’s top startups at The Irish Shark Tank, hosted by Enterprise Ireland during TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. This happy hour at Ireland House is an opportunity to reconnect and make new contacts in a limited-capacity setting.
Hosted by: Enterprise Ireland
RSVP
Korea–US Startup & Investor Networking Night
October 14 | 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. PT
Network with Korean startups and U.S. investors, founders, and tech professionals at this event designed to foster cross-border connections in San Francisco. Organized by KOTRA as part of the Korea Pavilion initiative, attendees will have the chance to meet startups entering the U.S. market.
Hosted by: KOTRA Silicon Valley
RSVP
Vault & Verify: An Evening of Ping Pong, Cocktails & Conversation
October 14 | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. PT
Join Skyflow and Descope for an evening filled with cocktails, food, and friendly ping pong competitions while connecting with the security and privacy landscape in San Francisco. This event focuses on collaboration among leaders tackling the complexities of data and identity security.
Hosted by: Descope
RSVP
Additional Side Events
Pursuit of Happiness: Revolutionary Demonstration of Whitney Electrolarynx by Uhura Bionics
October 7 | 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. PT
Witness a live demo showcasing the Whitney Electrolarynx, presented by Uhura Bionics co-founder Konrad Zieliński. This event illustrates how technology can help individuals regain their voices post-cancer treatments.
Hosted by: Uhura Bionics
RSVP
Identify the 10x Opportunity in Your Product
October 10 | 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. PT
Discover how first-principles thinking can reveal unmet customer needs, bolster product-market fit, and uncover substantial growth opportunities. This session uses a case study to highlight how product teams can identify latent potentials in their offerings.
Hosted by: PrincipiumX
RSVP
Long Lead Time: A Hardware Happy Hour
October 12 | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. PT
Network with founders, engineers, and operators focused on robotics, chips, and other advanced hardware. This informal gathering encourages the exchange of ideas and experiences related to the development of physical tech.
Hosted by: Syntro
RSVP
Real World AI: Connect, Invest & Scale in Taiwan
October 13 | 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. PT
Dive into Taiwan’s thriving AI scene through startup pitches and discussions on robotics, intelligent hardware, and advanced manufacturing. Meet with founders and investors engaged in Taiwan’s tech ecosystem and explore opportunities for collaboration.
Hosted by: Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs
RSVP
Pets of Disrupt: Founders, Investors & Their Pets
October 13 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. PT
Take a breather from the conference at an informal gathering featuring founders, investors, and their beloved pets. Join fellow attendees in a relaxed atmosphere that makes the startup community feel more human.
Hosted by: Omelo
RSVP
EdgeM8: B2B Partnership Mixer
October 13 | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. PT
Connect with founders and revenue leaders working in partnerships and technology at this mixer designed to foster new opportunities and relationships within the Bay Area’s startup scene.
Hosted by: EdgeM8
RSVP
Fynex x Orion VC | Curated Rooftop Party
October 14 | 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. PT
Gather with AI-focused founders and investors for a rooftop evening filled with food, drinks, and discussions surrounding AI and infrastructure topics.
Hosted by: Fynex
RSVP
Watch It Run: Live Automation Dinner with Bolter
October 14 | 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. PT
Participate in a unique dinner where Bolter transforms attendees’ tedious tasks into automated processes in real-time. Guests describe tasks, and they are converted into automations without the need for coding.
Hosted by: Improbable
RSVP
The Rooftop Pilaf: An Evening for Tech Founders and Investors
October 14 | 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. PT
Join tech founders, investors, and growth leaders for a dinner on the rooftop that encourages deep tech discussions and networking. Share a meal while connecting with leaders in technology and investment.
Hosted by: INNOVA × BeGlobe PR Agency
RSVP
SQLDoom Deathmatch Night at Disrupt, hosted by CedarDB
October 14 | 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. PT
Challenge your SQL skills at an exciting SQLDoom deathmatch along with games, food, drinks, and camaraderie. Join the CedarDB team and connect with database professionals and fellow tech enthusiasts.
Hosted by: CedarDB
RSVP
Korea Emerging Tech Showcase
October 15 | 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. PT
Explore cutting-edge Korean startups in AI, software, medtech, clean technology, and digital platforms. The evening includes rapid presentations and networking opportunities with founders and investors.
Hosted by: Brinc
RSVP
J-StarX Silicon Valley Extended Program Startup Showcase
October 15 | 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. PT
Meet 12 innovative Japanese startups aiming for global markets in fields like AI, enterprise software, biotech, and consumer tech. The showcase includes live demonstrations and direct interactions with the founders.
Hosted by: 500 Global
RSVP
The Runway 🛫 A Morning Founder Run
October 16 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PT
Start your day with a leisurely run along the Embarcadero, marked with startup-themed “runway” signs. Afterward, enjoy coffee and networking at the Ferry Building with fellow founders and tech community members.
Hosted by: Handler
RSVP
Founders @ Alchemy Springs
October 16 | 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. PT
Engage in sauna and cold-plunge experiences while networking with founders participating in this year’s Startup Battlefield 200. This event fosters connections in a relaxed, post-Disrupt setting.
Hosted by: Press Club
RSVP
Find a Co-founder, Help, or Join a Startup
October 16 | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. PT
Participate in startup pitches followed by breakout sessions where attendees can give feedback, form connections, or explore collaboration opportunities with pitching teams. This event is designed to help discover ways to get involved with emerging startups.
Hosted by: Startup Oasis
RSVP
Regularly check the chronological schedule as new Side Events are added frequently.
While You’re in San Francisco…
If you’re planning your Disrupt Week calendar, remember to include the central event.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will take place at Moscone West from October 13-15, bringing together thousands of founders, investors, operators, and tech leaders. Attend for the programming, engage in meaningful hallway conversations, and leave with a schedule full of essential new contacts.
Tickets are still available. Join us!
