ReportWire

Tag: TechCrunch Disrupt

  • Naware’s chemical-free weed killer tech could change how we treat lawns | TechCrunch

    [ad_1]

    Naware founder Mark Boysen first tried killing weeds with drones and a 200-watt laser.

    He’d been noodling on ideas for a startup with some friends, and thinking about how his family in North Dakota had lost three members to cancer, something they suspected may be related to chemicals in the groundwater. Finding a chemical-free way to kill weeds seemed like a solid option.

    But the laser was a dead end. There’s too much risk of starting a fire, he told TechCrunch in an interview. After a lot of trial-and-error prototyping with ideas like cryogenics. The solution he settled on — which he showed off earlier this year at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 — is steam.

    Boysen’s company has developed a system that uses computer vision to spot weeds in lawns and fields and golf courses, and kill them with nothing but vaporized water. It can be attached to mowers, or tractors, or even ATVs. At the moment, Naware is flexible, and Boysen is visibly eager for his idea to spread fast — much like the weeds he’s trying to kill.

    In a world of agentic AI and billion-dollar software companies, Naware stands out as a classic garage startup story. Boysen said his team first tested the use of steam by ordering a “rinky dink” garment steamer off of Amazon. After that, they ordered seven more.

    “They’re not real industrial,” Boysen said he quickly realized. “And so there’s a lot of research helping to develop that, to get to the point of: ‘how do we make this effective and make it repeatable so it can scale?’”

    Developing the steamer tech was one challenge, but the bigger one may have been identifying the weeds, Boysen said. It’s well-established that artificial intelligence software can be trained to accurately recognize objects or patterns, but the “green-on-green” problem was tough, he said — especially because the software has to recognize the weeds in real-time while the rig is prowling over a lawn. (And yes, it’s using Nvidia GPUs.)

    Techcrunch event

    San Francisco
    |
    October 13-15, 2026

    He thinks they’ve gotten there, though. He said Naware is targeting companies that do lawn care for athletic fields and golf courses, and claims his company can save customers like that “anywhere from $100,000 to $250,000 on chemicals alone.”

    On top of that, he said customers will save money by not having to pay for people whose only job is to spray those chemicals. Naware has been doing paid pilots to test and dial in the product, but Boysen’s pitch has already attracted prospective partners, he said.

    “We’re going after the strategic partnerships. We’re in discussions with $5 billion companies that do equipment manufacturing that are interested in our product. And we’re a couple conversations into that — I can’t say their name, but you’ll figure it out,” he laughed.

    Success, Boysen said, will take three things: those partnerships, securing patents, and funding. Boysen has been bootstrapping Naware for now, but said he’ll open its first fundraising round in the coming months.

    “I’ve got to get a funding round that just crushes anybody else trying to think about it” he said. “I’ve got to deliver the promise that I can kill weeds, and it’s effective. And we’ll make it work. I’m not concerned about that.”

    [ad_2]

    Sean O’Kane

    Source link

  • Netflix launches redesigned profiles for kids | TechCrunch

    [ad_1]

    Netflix has rolled out a new TV experience for kids’ profiles on its service globally, the company confirmed to TechCrunch on Tuesday. The update, which aims to simplify the design and navigation, is the company’s latest attempt to connect users to content they’ll like more quickly.

    In May, Netflix introduced a similar redesign of its TV homepage for standard profiles, which added an AI-powered search tool, better recommendations, and more visible shortcuts, among other changes.

    Now, the company says that the same update has arrived on kids’ profiles, along with other tweaks aimed specifically at Netflix’s youngest users.

    The new design simplified the look and feel of the homepage. It also offers a new navigation bar at the top that links to “My Netflix,” a section that brings together everything kids have watched, saved, and loved in a single place. This makes it easier for users to revisit favorite content — something that younger users often do by rewatching their top movies and episodes.

    In addition, Netflix says kids’ recommendations will refresh in real-time, as they do on standard profiles. The company hopes this will decrease the time kids spend searching for something to watch.

    Some things on the Kids profile won’t change, however: the Character Themed Rows, Mystery Box suggestions, and parental controls are still available.

    Netflix also announced other updates for Netflix today, including features like real-time voting, live party games, podcasts, and more. Next year, for instance, Netflix will launch real-time voting on its upcoming new show “Star Search,” after earlier tests with “Dinner Time Live with David Chang.”

    The company says the new user interface is tied to these changes, as it offers a more flexible canvas for different types of creative content, including interactive content.

    [ad_2]

    Sarah Perez

    Source link

  • Venture capital is not an asset class, says Sequoia’s Roelof Botha | TechCrunch

    [ad_1]

    At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Sequoia managing partner Roelof Botha argued that the venture industry isn’t an asset class, and that throwing more money into Silicon Valley doesn’t lead to better companies.

    “Investing in venture is a return-free risk,” Botha said during an interview on TechCrunch’s Disrupt’s main stage on Monday. “Anybody who’s studied the capital asset pricing model understands the joke of that. The reason I came up with this is, if you look at the history of venture capital, it’s an asset that’s uncorrelated with other asset classes.”

    “And so the thinking for many allocators was you should allocate a certain percentage of your portfolio to this and more money should flow to venture capital, but the truth is that there are only so many companies that matter,” Botha continued.

    “In my opinion, throwing more money into Silicon Valley doesn’t yield more great companies. It actually dilutes that, it actually makes it harder for us to get that small number of special companies to flourish,” added Botha.

    Botha noted that there are currently 3,000 venture firms in the United States, while there were just 1,000 when he joined Sequoia 20 years ago.

    “When I joined Sequoia 2003 there were no mobile devices,” said Botha “Cloud computing didn’t exist. There were maybe 300 million people on the planet that had access to the internet. So the scale of the opportunity today is completely different. If you look technically at the numbers, I think for the last 20 years, there’s roughly been 380 billion-dollar-plus outcomes in the industry,” Botha said (meaning roughly 20 per year).

    “That’s a significant number, but I don’t think it will continue to scale just with more money going into the industry.”

    [ad_2]

    Aisha Malik

    Source link

  • Robotaxi companies must do more to prove safety, Waymo co-CEO says | TechCrunch

    [ad_1]

    Waymo co-CEO Takedra Mawakana believes other companies working on autonomous vehicles need to do more to prove their technology is safe, she said during an interview at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025.

    Mawakana had just been asked who she considered to be on the list of companies trying to make roads safer during Monday’s interview.

    “I don’t know who’s on that list, because they’re not telling us what’s happening with their fleets,” she said.

    Prioritizing safety while scaling operations was a big topic during the interview, and Mawakana was sure to cite the data Waymo recently released that shows, by its count, that the company’s vehicles are five times safer than human drivers and 12 times safer with respect to pedestrians.

    Mawakana declined to say whether she was specifically talking about Tesla, but there are only a few companies in the U.S. right now claiming to be working on robotaxi tech.

    Tesla publishes quarterly “vehicle safety reports.” But that data only focuses on the use of the company’s Autopilot driver assistance technology, which is designed to be used on highways, where the rate of crashes is lower than on surface streets. (And the latest report shows an uptick in crashes.) Tesla has not released any public data about the safety of its nascent robotaxi pilot program in Austin, Texas.

    Other companies in the space are early in the deployment phase or still testing their technology. Zoox has only just begun offering rides in its purpose-built AV in Las Vegas, Nevada. Companies like May Mobility and Pony AI have yet to launch commercially in the U.S. Aurora, the self-driving trucks company, has published a safety framework.

    “I think there is a responsibility, if you’re going to put vehicles on the road, and you’re going to remove the driver from behind the wheel, and you’re going to have someone in some other room observing the fleet who can take over their vehicles, it is incumbent upon you to be transparent about what’s happening,” she said. “And if you are not being transparent, then it is my view that you are not doing what is necessary in order to actually earn the right to make the road safer.”

    [ad_2]

    Sean O’Kane

    Source link

  • Introducing Build Mode: TechCrunch’s new podcast for founders  | TechCrunch

    [ad_1]

    Disrupt 2025 is just days away, with tickets still available here! And there’s no better time to announce that alongside our flagship event and annual Startup Battlefield 200 competition, we’re launching a brand-new TechCrunch franchise: Build Mode. 

    Hosted by Startup Battlefield Editor Isabelle Johannessen, Build Mode is a survival guide for early-stage founders navigating the messy, high-stakes chaos of building a company from scratch. No sugarcoating. No hype. Just candid conversations and tactical advice from the people who’ve done it before and have the scars (and term sheets) to prove it. 

    Starting November 13, Isabelle will sit down with founders, VCs, and operators to unpack the real stories behind the build. Each season and weekly episodes will tackle a theme that keeps founders up at night: go-to-market chaos, fundraising pressure, runaway runways, hiring misfires, and everything in between.  

    Whether you are an Apple, Spotify, or YouTube person, you can tune in to Build Mode wherever podcasts are found. Bonus content and exclusive clips will drop on TechCrunch’s social channels, including Instagram, X, and TikTok. If you’re not subscribed, well, the clock is ticking until we officially launch in a few weeks! 

    Check out the trailer for Build Mode, and for Season One, right here: 

    Season One of Build Mode kicks off by diving into the good, the bad, and the gritty reality of getting your product into the market. From big splashes to epic fails, we’re unpacking what it really takes to move from idea to execution. And we’re excited to have our Season One sponsor, J.P. Morgan, along with us for the ride.

    But that’s just the beginning. 

    Techcrunch event

    San Francisco
    |
    October 27-29, 2025

    We want Build Mode to be more than a podcast; we want it to be a community of builders helping other builders succeed, just like the 1,700+ startups that have come through the Startup Battlefield program. That means we want to hear from you, the founders, operators, and curious listeners, about the questions and themes that actually keep you up at night. 

    We’ll be weaving community-sourced stories, tips, and questions into upcoming episodes, so stay tuned for how to get involved! 

    And if you were previously subscribed to our Found podcast — welcome back! You’re already part of the Build Mode community. We’re keeping the Found archive alive so you can revisit founder interviews and insights from past years. No gatekeeping, just honest stories and hard-earned lessons, shared freely for anyone bold enough to build a startup.  

    [ad_2]

    Isabelle Johannessen, Maggie Nye

    Source link

  • The ZoraSafe app wants to protect older people online and will present at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025  | TechCrunch

    [ad_1]

    Apart from antivirus apps, the cybersecurity industry has traditionally been business to business, with regular internet users left on their own to protect themselves. And older people, who did not grow up with the internet and smartphones, are perhaps the most vulnerable. 

    ZoraSafe, a startup founded by sisters Catherine Karow and Ellie King Karow wants to step in and help them out. Their idea is to create an app that not only protects older people against scammers and hackers, but also teaches them how to stay safe through gamified microlearning, as Catherine and Ellie told TechCrunch ahead of the TechCrunch Disrupt conference, where ZoraSafe will be part of Startup Battlefield.

    The app is not out yet, but Catherine and Ellie expect to launch it in a month. They said it will cost $12.99 a month for individual subscribers, and a higher rate for family and group plans.

    The first version of the app, Catherine explained in a phone call, will have several features, such as a mode to scan QR codes for malware or phishing, the ability to send suspicious SMS text messages and emails to ZoraSafe to get them checked out, and a feature to share a known scam or threat with the app so it can be added to a database to help other users.

    “We’re trying to incentivize social sharing of scams, so we can also alert the entire Zora network at once, so one person is alerted by that scam, and then we can make sure everyone in that community is protected immediately,” Catherine said.

    Future releases will also include a feature that will allow users to get ZoraSafe to join a suspicious phone call, so the company’s AI system can detect if it’s a scam or a deepfake call. In that case, however, the app will not be listening to or recording the calls, according to Catherine.  

    Once the app detects a threat, it will spin up a chat that will explain to the user what that threat was and teach them how to spot and deal with similar situations in the future, Ellie said.  

    Techcrunch event

    San Francisco
    |
    October 27-29, 2025

    “The whole purpose of which is to build resilience and hopefully make it so that even if you’re not directly interacting with the app, you’re a little bit more aware when you are interacting online,” she added. 

    Ellie said that the AI engine is designed with privacy in mind, doing 85% of the processing on the device, and only 15% in the cloud, which she claimed will be “sanitized of your personal information before it leaves your device.” 

    Catherine also said they are planning to make an “NFC sticker” that will be incorporated in phone cases so that users can quickly pull up the app if they get a deepfake call, or even if they fall and need to alert their caretakers. That’s one of the ways they plan on getting around iOS’s restrictions on apps monitoring what happens on other apps. Another way is to have a “Share to ZoraSafe” option in the iOS menu that will allow users to send text messages or emails to the company’s systems.  

    Eventually, the sisters said they want to expand ZoraSafe to children, too, partner with schools, and also launch the app in different languages, starting with Spanish.  

    If you want to learn more about ZoraSafe — while also checking out dozens of other companies, hearing their pitches, and listening to guest speakers on four different stages — join us at Disrupt, October 27 to 29, in San Francisco. Learn more here.  

    [ad_2]

    Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai

    Source link

  • Dating app Cerca will show how Gen Z really dates at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 | TechCrunch

    [ad_1]

    It’s a universally acknowledged truth that the current dating scene sucks, no matter what city you live in. Everyone has a story. And everyone has a grievance. 

    Take Myles Slayton, who completed a banking internship in New York City and saw how he and his friends struggled to find significant others in the city’s ruthless dating scene. “We’re on our phones more than ever,” he told TechCrunch. ”I thought to myself, ‘Why are dating apps terrible?’” 

    He figured that it must not be a problem with dating apps, per se, but rather the way the products work these days. Many of the popular dating apps were built with millennials in mind, but his generation, Gen Z, operates in a completely different fashion, he said. It’s a throwback to how dating used to be: People of this generation meet “through mutuals, through people in our social circles,” he said. 

    He teamed up with friends Willy Conzelman and Carter Munk and just a few months ago launched Cerca, a dating app that matches people with others already in their social circles. The company announced a $1.6 million seed round this summer and already has people buzzing: The app has around 60,000 users, mainly in New York and scattered across universities. 

    The company is part of Startup Battlefield and will show off its tech at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 later this month in San Francisco.

    Image Credits:Cerca

    Slayton, the company’s CEO, said there is a reason Gen Z has retreated to the old ways of dating, and that’s because of the internet and the COVID pandemic. “We simply don’t trust strangers,” he said, adding that people are also deeply afraid of rejection. 

    Cerca’s product tries to address this. Users create a standard dating profile, sync their contacts, and from there, only friends or friends of friends already on the app are shown as potential matches. “The fear of strangers is eliminated,” Slayton said. All likes are anonymous, alleviating the fear of rejection. Users get four swipes a day, he said, in the hope of getting rid of the swiping fatigue and putting more emphasis on choosing a match. 

    Techcrunch event

    San Francisco
    |
    October 27-29, 2025

    “There is no world where you should be seeing 100 profiles in a minute,” he said. “You should really be taking a second to think about each profile. These are real people.” 

    The profiles first reveal the friends in common, then the background, and then the photos. “It’s not all just about looks for us,” he said. A user gets a notification that someone has liked their profile, though they won’t know who. The Cerca algorithm will boost the profile of whoever made the like into the feed of the person they’re interested in, who can then decide whether to like them back. 

    Each evening, matches are revealed, and nobody knows who made the first move. 

    Having friends in common makes it easier to vet for safety, as people can simply text their mutual friends to gather intel on who they are going on a date with. Users can also select which and how many contacts they want to share with Cerca, as well as block certain people from seeing their profiles. “You can also filter out words like dentist, doctor,” he said. “There’s no screenshotting or screen recording. Safety is paramount to us.” 

    Aside from the online world, the company has also created merchandise and is hosting events. 

    Slayton said he and his co-founders decided to apply to Startup Battlefield and knew a founder who had participated in the event. “I think it’s such an opportunity to have the U.S. and the world see who we are and to represent dating in a positive light,” he said. 

    If you want to learn from Cerca firsthand, and see dozens of additional pitches, attend valuable workshops, and make the connections that drive business results, head here to learn more about this year’s Disrupt, held October 27 to 29 in San Francisco. 

    TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

    [ad_2]

    Dominic-Madori Davis

    Source link

  • Save up to 20% on Disrupt 2025 Community Passes | TechCrunch

    [ad_1]

    The clock is ticking to get up to a 20% discount on group tickets! Bring your founder or investor community together and save.

    We’re offering exclusive bundle deals for founders and investors attending TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. Bring a group of 4 or more and save up to 20%. This offer ends Friday, October 3, at 11:59 p.m. PT. 

    These bundles are more than just savings — they’re a way to strengthen your network, grow your community, and make the most of every connection at Disrupt 2025. Bring your fellow founders or investor peers, collaborate on strategy, and experience the event together. Click here to register yourself and your community and save.

    Image Credits:TechCrunch

    What awaits you and your network at Disrupt 2025

    Join 10,000+ founders, VCs, operators, and visionaries on October 27–29 at San Francisco’s Moscone West for three days of actionable insights, community building, and meaningful connections. With 200+ sessions and 250+ top tech voices, you’ll gain tools to grow, scale, and collaborate.

    Image Credits:Kimberly White / Getty Images

    Explore the unique benefits of a Founder or Investor Pass that align with your goals.

    For investors

    • Access to 200 TechCrunch-vetted, pitch-ready pre-Series A startups 
    • Exclusive Deal Flow Cafe access: Connect informally with founders 
    • Curated 1:1 or small-group meetings: Meet startups that match your portfolio 
    • StrictlyVC investor-only session: LP insights and insider tips 
    • Early access to founder lists 

    Get investor bundle passes with 20% savings

    For founders

    • Curated VC matchmaking: Connect with investors aligned with your sector 
    • Exclusive Deal Flow Cafe access: Network informally with active investors 
    • Sector-focused stages and deep dives: AI, GTM, and scaling strategies 
    • Early access to the investor list: Plan meetings ahead of time 
    • Growth and IPO playbooks: Learn directly from industry leaders 
    • Startup Battlefield 200 pitches: Gain insider VC advice on what makes a viable company and see what makes a winning pitch. 

    Get founder bundle passes with 15% savings. 

    Techcrunch event

    San Francisco
    |
    October 27-29, 2025

    Bring a group of 4 or more and receive up to 20% savings 

    No other group bundle deals for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 will be offered after October 3. Bring your founder or investor network, save on passes, and experience Disrupt as a community. Going solo? Save up to $444 on an individual pass.

    TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

    [ad_2]

    TechCrunch Events

    Source link

  • Discover how developer tools are shifting fast at Disrupt 2025 | TechCrunch

    [ad_1]

    The idea of hiring your “first critical engineer” is getting a serious reality check at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, October 27–29 at San Francisco’s Moscone West.

    Join Lauri Moore, partner at Bessemer Venture Partners, and David Cramer, co-founder and chief product officer at Sentry, and Zach Lloyd, founder and CEO of Warp, on the Builders Stage for a candid conversation about how developer tools are reshaping early product development.

    Moore brings deep expertise in AI, infrastructure, and developer tooling from both the investor and founder perspectives. Cramer, who launched Sentry as an open source side project in 2012 and scaled it into a platform used by over 4 million developers, offers firsthand insights into how the right tools — and hires — can accelerate product velocity without overbuilding. Lloyd, who founded Warp to reinvent the terminal with AI-driven developer experiences, adds the perspective of a founder building for builders at the bleeding edge of coding workflows.

    Vibe coding: Hype or new reality?

    We’ll dig into what today’s founders actually need from their first engineering hires, what AI-enabled tooling can and can’t replace, and how the entire GTM (go-to-market) and product life cycle is adapting to this new dev world. Whether you’re a founder, a CTO, or just curious if code is still king, this panel gets into the messy, tactical details of modern startup building.

    Be there for the big questions and even bigger answers

    TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 brings together 10,000+ startup founders, VC leaders, and tech innovators to tackle what’s next in tech. Don’t miss your chance to join the conversation — and shape the future — with people who are building it.

    Regular Bird pricing ends September 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT — Secure your pass today and save up to $668.

    Disrupt 2024 Main Stage
    Image Credits:Kimberly White / Getty Images

    We’re always looking to evolve, and by providing some insight into your perspective and feedback into TechCrunch and our coverage and events, you can help us! Fill out this survey to let us know how we’re doing and get the chance to win a prize in return!

    Techcrunch event

    San Francisco
    |
    October 27-29, 2025

    [ad_2]

    TechCrunch Events

    Source link

  • Inside the Box: Aaron Levie on reinvention at Disrupt 2025 | TechCrunch

    [ad_1]

    At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, happening October 27–29 at Moscone West in San Francisco, Box CEO and co-founder Aaron Levie takes the Disrupt Stage for a candid conversation on what invention really looks like inside a public company, what AI is changing (and not changing) in enterprise software, and why staying sharp means questioning everything — even your own best ideas.

    The evolution of a cloud original

    Box launched before “the cloud” was a buzzword and outlasted a wave of competitors that couldn’t scale or adapt. Aaron Levie’s perspective — as both a visionary founder and a long-term public company CEO — is a rare combination. He’ll reflect on the hardest pivots, biggest surprises, and the mindset it takes to keep evolving when the tech landscape moves at warp speed.

    Why you don’t want to miss it

    Aaron Levie helped define cloud collaboration before it was a trend, and he’s still setting the bar. This fireside chat will go deep on what it takes to build something that lasts — not just in terms of product, but also culture, strategy, and mindset. Whether you’re navigating early growth or managing scale, this is one session you’ll want to take notes on.

    Join 10,000+ fellow founders, VCs, and innovators at Disrupt this October. Savings of up to $668 end September 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT — register now to lock in your spot.

    Disrupt 2024 Main Stage
    Image Credits:Kimberly White / Getty Images

    [ad_2]

    TechCrunch Events

    Source link

  • Even Rogers and Max Haot join the Space Stage at Disrupt 2025 | TechCrunch

    [ad_1]

    The space economy isn’t just about rockets and satellites — it’s about infrastructure, autonomy, and entirely new models for building and defending off-Earth assets. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, happening October 27–29 at San Francisco’s Moscone West, the Space Stage is where this shift gets real.

    If you’re ready to explore how next-gen tech meets the cosmos, grab your ticket before savings of up to $668 end on September 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

    Inside the next era of space tech

    In this forward-looking panel, Even Rogers, co-founder and CEO of True Anomaly, and Max Haot, serial entrepreneur and founder of Launcher (acquired by Vast) and CEO of Vast, take the stage to explore what’s changing — and what’s needed — to unlock a more sustainable and scalable space economy.

    Rogers brings deep national security and defense experience from his years as an Air Force officer and space systems strategist, including time as a DARPA Service Chiefs Fellow and contributor to the foundational doctrine of the U.S. Space Force. Now he’s deploying cutting-edge space technologies to protect orbital assets and reimagine how the U.S. ensures freedom of action in space.

    Haot, meanwhile, brings the commercial side of the equation. As CEO of Vast, he’s a multi-exit founder with companies spanning aerospace, livestreaming, and connected devices. Most recently, he led Launcher to acquisition by Vast as part of a mission to build artificial gravity space stations — making him a key voice in turning science fiction into capital-backed reality.

    The future of space isn’t theoretical — it’s operational

    From new government-commercial partnerships to venture-backed orbital platforms, this session looks at the strategies and tech fueling the next wave of growth. It’s a candid conversation for anyone betting on the intersection of space, innovation, and private enterprise. More space tech leaders will join this panel discussion, so stay tuned for the update.

    Join the new pioneers on the Space Stage

    Disrupt 2025 will bring together more than 10,000 founders, investors, and operators. Don’t miss the chance to hear what’s next in space before it makes headlines. Get your pass now to save up to $668 before September 26 and secure your seat at the Space Stage.

    Techcrunch event

    San Francisco
    |
    October 27-29, 2025

    [ad_2]

    TechCrunch Events

    Source link

  • Mirror founder Brynn Putnam to unveil her new startup at Disrupt 2025 | TechCrunch

    [ad_1]

    Seven years after unveiling Mirror at TechCrunch Disrupt 2018, Brynn Putnam is returning to the stage where it all began. The serial entrepreneur who turned a fitness concept into a $500 million acquisition by Lululemon will debut her latest venture at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 at San Francisco’s Moscone West in October.

    Putnam’s path from that breakthrough Disrupt moment to today is a story of very smart timing. Mirror, the connected fitness device that brought boutique workout classes into homes, launched just as the pandemic created unprecedented demand for home fitness solutions. The timing proved so prescient that Lululemon acquired the company for $500 million just two years after its Disrupt debut.

    Now Putnam is betting on another cultural shift — the growing desire to disconnect from screens and reconnect with family and friends in person. Her new company, still operating in stealth mode, is developing consumer gaming hardware designed to bring people face-to-face rather than isolate them behind individual devices.

    “We’re about to enter a golden age of hardware,” Putnam recently told TechCrunch at one of its investor-focused StrictlyVC evenings, pointing to the convergence of mature display technologies, affordable components, and AI capabilities that make new types of interactive devices possible.

    Image Credits:TechCrunch

    The new venture represents a shift in priorities for Putnam. Where Mirror was about individual performance and self-improvement, her latest project focuses on shared experiences and strengthening relationships. She describes it as using technology not as the primary experience but as an enabler for better human connections.

    Drawing inspiration from Nintendo’s philosophy of using “withered technology with lateral thinking” — mature, affordable components combined with innovative experiences — Putnam is following the playbook that made Mirror successful. Rather than pushing technological boundaries, though, she’s focusing on creating compelling user experiences with proven hardware.

    The gaming space represents a natural next step for Putnam, who built her reputation on understanding how tech can motivate behavior change. Her boutique fitness studios taught her how to create engaging group experiences, lessons she applied to Mirror’s virtual classes and now to gaming scenarios that encourage face-to-face interaction.

    Techcrunch event

    San Francisco
    |
    October 27-29, 2025

    Lerer Hippeau, the venture firm that led Mirror’s $3 million seed round, has already participated in a highly competitive funding round for Putnam’s new company, signaling strong investor confidence in her ability to identify and capitalize on consumer trends.

    The timing also aligns with a broader resurgence in consumer hardware investing. After years of focus on enterprise software and AI infrastructure, investors are showing renewed interest in consumer-facing hardware that can leverage AI and mature component ecosystems to create new categories of devices.

    Putnam’s appearance at Disrupt 2025 comes as TechCrunch celebrates its 20th anniversary, and attendees can be assured we’re bringing together the biggest names in tech to share insights on the future of innovation.

    Meanwhile, for entrepreneurs and investors watching consumer tech trends, Putnam’s return to the Disrupt Stage will provide a chance to see how one of the category’s most successful recent founders is positioning for the next wave of innovation. Don’t miss it. Register now for Disrupt 2025 to see what Brynn Putnam unveils next, and save up to $668 by September 26, 11:59 p.m. PT.

    The tech epicenter of the year runs October 27-29 at San Francisco’s Moscone Center.

    For an Investor Pass that includes access to the StrictlyVC event at Disrupt — plus exclusive perks — click here to learn more and secure yours.

    Disrupt 2024 Main Stage
    Image Credits:Kimberly White / Getty Images

    [ad_2]

    TechCrunch Events

    Source link

  • Only 7 days left to save up to $668 on Disrupt 2025 tickets | TechCrunch

    [ad_1]

    Time is running out to grab your pass to TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, happening October 27–29 in San Francisco. With less than 7 days left to lock in Regular Bird pricing, now’s your chance to save up to $668 on your ticket and join 10,000+ founders, investors, and builders at one of the most iconic startup conferences of the year.

    Disrupt brings together 250+ top voices in tech across 200+ sessions spanning five industry stages, roundtables, and breakouts. You’ll also meet 100+ emerging startups and brands shaping tomorrow’s ecosystem and take part in 2,000+ curated networking meetings — all designed with the intention to fuel your next stage of growth.

    Register by September 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT to pocket your Regular Bird savings.

    Image Credits:Jeff Bottari / Flickr (opens in a new window)

    Who’s in store this year?

    We’re adding new top voices from across the tech ecosystem to the Disrupt speaker page every day. Some of the visionary leaders you’ll hear from include:

    Box CEO Aaron Levie on stage at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco in 2019.
    Image Credits:Steve Jennings / Getty Images

    Five expert-curated industry stages

    AI, Builder, Disrupt, Space, and Going Public — packed with candid conversations, tactical advice, and what’s-next insights from across the startup ecosystem. Here’s a preview of a couple of top voices sitting front and center on each stage to share their insights and tips with 10,000+ tech leaders and VCs. Explore the agenda page to see the rest.

    AI Stage

    Space Stage

    Builders Stage

    Going Public Stage

    Disrupt Stage

    TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 AI Stage
    Image Credits:Slava Blazer Photography

    Startup Battlefield 200 

    Meet 200 of the most promising early-stage, TechCrunch-vetted startups and watch the top contenders pitch live in the Startup Battlefield competition for a chance to win $100,000. Hear real-time feedback from leading investors on what it takes to build a viable startup.

    Salva Health Co-Founder & CEO Valentina Agudelo Vargas, winner of the Startup Battlefield 2024, poses onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 Day 3 at Moscone Center on October 30, 2024 in San Francisco.
    Image Credits:Kimberly White / Getty Images

    Intentional networking with 10,000+ tech and VC leaders 

    With the help of the event app, curated 1:1 and small-group networking meetings are available. These meetings are designed to cut through the noise, dive into the details, and connect you with people who can support your scaling, ideas, or provide deeper insights beyond the programming. Use the app to plan your time, book 1:1s, and connect with the right people faster.

    Techcrunch event

    San Francisco
    |
    October 27-29, 2025

    Founders and investors can also take advantage of the Deal Flow Cafe — a quieter space to focus and jump straight into meaningful deals.

    TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 Braindate meeting with investor
    Image Credits:Slava Blazer Photography

    Your first look into the next wave of innovation

    The Expo Hall is where everyone at Disrupt comes together to get a firsthand look at tomorrow’s breakthroughs. Experience live demos and get hands-on with innovations from 100+ exhibiting startups. Additional breakthroughs will be showcased throughout the venue, creating an immersive experience across all three days.

    There are still a few exhibit tables available, and one of them bears your startup’s name.

    TechCrunch Disrupt Expo Hall
    Image Credits:Eric Slomonson, The Photo Group

    Hands-on learning, insightful lessons, and intentional networking to help you scale smarter, faster

    Prices increase in less than 7 days. Register now to save up to $668 on your pass before September 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Join us for the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch in San Francisco’s premier tech hub, October 27–29.

    TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

    [ad_2]

    TechCrunch Events

    Source link

  • Get startup insights from Chef Robotics, NEA, and ICONIQ at Disrupt 2025 | TechCrunch

    [ad_1]

    Finding product-market fit isn’t a milestone — it’s a messy, make-or-break journey. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 — October 27–29 at Moscone West in San Francisco — Rajat Bhageria (Chef Robotics), Ann Bordetsky (NEA), and Murali Joshi (ICONIQ) break down how to navigate this critical phase. Register now.

    No more guessing — just growth

    • Rajat Bhageria: Founder & CEO of Chef Robotics, scaling AI-powered automation that’s transforming food production.
    • Ann Bordetsky: Partner at NEA, previously at Uber and Twitter, spotting scrappy ingenuity that drives breakout success.
    • Murali Joshi: Partner at ICONIQ, Forbes Midas Brink List honoree, with $2.5B+ invested in companies like Drata, 1Password, and Fivetran.

    They’ll cover smart testing strategies, real-time iteration, and how to listen to users without getting lost in the noise — offering a rare inside look at what product-market fit really looks like.

    Build something customers can’t live without

    Whether you’re in prototype mode or scaling a growing product, this session will give founders actionable insight to cut the guesswork and focus on what actually moves the needle. Catch it on the Builders Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. Grab your pass before tomorrow ends to save up to $675.

    [ad_2]

    TechCrunch Events

    Source link

  • Discord founder Jason Citron returns to Disrupt 2025 | TechCrunch

    [ad_1]

    More than a decade ago, Jason Citron took the Disrupt stage to pitch his early-stage company in the Startup Battlefield competition at TechCrunch Disrupt as a scrappy founder pitching his vision. Today, he’s built Discord into one of the most successful consumer platforms of its era — valued in the billions and redefining how communities connect, game, and share online.

    This October, he returns to the Disrupt Stage with “From Startup Battlefield to Discord,” a session that unpacks his scaling journey at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, October 27–29 at Moscone West in San Francisco, where 10,000+ startup and VC leaders will gather to shape the future of tech.

    If you’re a founder aiming to scale a sustainable business, this is a session you can’t afford to skip. Hear Citron share his scaling journey on the Disrupt Stage. Register now to save up to $668 before rates rise after September 26.

    Lessons from a founder who never stopped building

    Citron’s journey from a Startup Battlefield competitor in 2013 to leading one of the most influential consumer platforms today is a case study in persistence and pivots. His session will dive into the tough calls, product bets, and relentless focus on vision that carried him through early struggles to eventual breakout success.

    Why this conversation matters now

    The path from idea to global platform is rarely a straight line. Citron’s story offers founders a real-world look at how to weather setbacks, rethink strategy, and stay true to product vision in a fast-moving market. His return to Disrupt is a full-circle moment you won’t want to miss. Be in the room at the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch this October at Disrupt 2025 to hear his story. Regular Bird savings are live now and ending on September 26, 11:59 p.m. PT.

    Image Credits:Kimberly White / Getty Images

    [ad_2]

    TechCrunch Events

    Source link

  • Humanoids, AVs, and what’s next in AI hardware at Disrupt 2025 | TechCrunch

    [ad_1]

    TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 hits Moscone West in San Francisco from October 27 to 29, bringing together 10,000+ startup and VC leaders for three days of bold ideas, groundbreaking tech, and future-shaping conversations. One of the most highly anticipated sessions happening on one of the two AI Stages will spotlight where AI hardware is heading next, featuring a live look at the robotics and autonomous systems pushing boundaries in real time.

    AI may be reshaping software, but when it comes to robotics and autonomous systems, the big breakout moment is still on the horizon. That’s what makes this session at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 so compelling. Raquel Urtasun, founder and CEO of Waabi, and Jeff Cardenas, co-founder and CEO of Apptronik, are joining forces on the AI Stage to talk about what it takes to put intelligence into motion — whether it’s behind the wheel or on two legs.

    AI meets real-world physics

    This conversation dives into the complex systems that power autonomous vehicles and humanoid robots — and the simulation, sensors, and software infrastructure needed to scale them safely. Both Waabi and Apptronik are pushing the limits of what’s possible in the physical world. At Disrupt, they’ll walk us through the breakthroughs and bottlenecks shaping the next generation of intelligent machines.

    Why this session matters

    AI is already changing how we build, ship, and move — but physical deployment brings a unique set of constraints and opportunities. Expect a grounded, forward-looking discussion on how the smartest robots and self-driving platforms are coming to life, and what that means for the future of industry, labor, and infrastructure.

    Catch Raquel Urtasun and Jeff Cardenas on the AI Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, happening October 27 to 29 at Moscone West in San Francisco. Register now to join more than 10,000 startup and VC leaders and save up to $668 before prices increase on September 26, 11:59 p.m. PT.

    [ad_2]

    TechCrunch Events

    Source link

  • From mixers to pitch-offs — your brand event belongs at Disrupt 2025 | TechCrunch

    [ad_1]

    Last year’s TechCrunch Disrupt Side Events drew hundreds of founders, investors, and operators after hours — from intimate roundtables to lively happy hours to full-on pitch competitions. Each event unlocked new opportunities for the hosts: investor deal flow, talent connections, and brand exposure with the startup community.

    This year, you can do the same. As a Side Event host during “Disrupt Week” (October 25–31), you’ll tap into an audience of 10,000+ attendees, plus the broader Bay Area tech community.

    Why host a Side Event?

    • Visibility: Your brand featured in Disrupt 2025 Side Event listings on the event site, event app, and TechCrunch.com.
    • Connections: Meet startup leaders and investors in your own environment.
    • Flexibility: From panels to parties, it’s your format, your brand.

    Applications are free — and spots are limited. Submit your Side Event before applications close this Friday, September 12.

    [ad_2]

    TechCrunch Events

    Source link

  • Want to know where VCs are investing next? See at Disrupt 2025 | TechCrunch

    [ad_1]

    Early-stage founders, take note. The Builders Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 will feature a powerhouse panel of seasoned investors sharing where their firms are placing bets for 2026 and beyond.

    Joining us onstage

    • Nina Achadjian, partner, Index Ventures — focused on automating overlooked industries and investing across AI, robotics, and vertical SaaS.
    • Jerry Chen, general partner, Greylock — backing product-driven founders in AI, data, cloud infrastructure, and open source.
    • Viviana Faga, general partner, Felicis — bringing two decades of expertise in scaling go-to-market SaaS, category creation, and brand strategy.

    Together, this seasoned group of VCs will reveal the sectors and innovations capturing their attention — from AI and data to cloud and robotics — and offer insights on what the “smart money” is chasing in the year ahead. For founders, this is a rare opportunity to get a direct perspective on how the next wave of investments is being shaped.

    Don’t miss it

    This session is part of TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, running October 27–29 at Moscone West in San Francisco.

    Save up to $668 with standard low pricing — available through September 26. Prices increase on September 27.

    The Disrupt 2025 agenda is now LIVE and GROWING!

    Disrupt 2024 Main Stage
    Image Credits:Kimberly White / Getty Images

    [ad_2]

    TechCrunch Events

    Source link

  • Just 4 days and 10 tables left to exhibit at Disrupt 2025 | TechCrunch

    [ad_1]

    The clock is ticking, and exhibit space at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is filling up fast. With just 4 days left to book your table, now’s the time to stop circling the idea and claim your spot on the show floor.

    Only 10 tables remain — and once they’re gone, they’re gone. No waitlist. No last-minute add-ons.

    Disrupt draws over 10,000 startup and VC leaders, and the exhibit floor is where some of the biggest conversations begin. If you’ve got a killer product, a bold vision, or early traction, and you’re ready to scale, then this is your platform.

    Image Credits:Silkroad (opens in a new window)

    Here’s what your table unlocks

    • Prime placement in front of the biggest names in venture, media, and tech
    • A dedicated listing on the Disrupt website, event app, on-site signage, and a shout-out to TechCrunch readers
    • 10 passes to the full event — perfect for team networking or joining interactive sessions with tech leaders
    • And many more benefits that are designed to help you scale your startup and strengthen your brand

    You’ve got just a few days to decide: Are you showing up, or watching from the sidelines?

    Secure your table before the September 5 deadline!

    TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 no anniversary

    [ad_2]

    TechCrunch Events

    Source link

  • Volunteer at Disrupt 2025 while you still can | TechCrunch

    [ad_1]

    Volunteers are needed, and time is ticking! With just over a month until TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 hits San Francisco, we’re calling on students, aspiring founders, marketers, and event pros to step behind the curtain and help the TechCrunch events team pull off one of the largest and most anticipated startup events of the year, taking place October 27–29.

    The deadline to apply is September 30

    Whether you’re looking to build your network, learn what it takes to launch a company, or get a front-row view from tech leaders like Aaron Levie (Box), Sarah Franklin (Lattice), and Elad Gil, volunteering is your fast-track ticket to the action — literally. Volunteers get a free pass to explore the show when they’re not working their shift.

    From helping with registration to supporting programming across stages, volunteers play a crucial role in making the event run smoothly. And along the way, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how a top-tier tech conference really comes together.

    Don’t wait. Volunteer slots are limited, and they’re already filling up. Make your mark — and make some career-defining connections while you’re at it. Apply to volunteer before September 30.

    [ad_2]

    TechCrunch Events

    Source link