Tag: TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

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.

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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.

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.

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:

• Max Altschuler, founder and general partner, GTMfund
• Rajat Bhageria, founder and CEO, Chef Robotics
• Jason Citron, founder and former CEO, Discord
• David Cramer, co-founder and CPO, Sentry
• Jai Das, co-founder, president, and partner, Sapphire Ventures
• Charles Hudson, managing partner, Precursor Ventures
• Brynn Putnam, founder and CEO, Board
• Katie Stanton, founder and general partner, Moxxie Ventures
• Astro Teller, Captain of Moonshots, X, The Moonshots Factory
• Alison Wagonfeld, CMO, Google Cloud

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

The next era of 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 this October 27–29 in 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 prices rise on September 1 and save your seat at the Space Stage.

Building the new backbone of space

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 — he’s CEO of Vast, 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 before prices rise on September 1 and be there when the future lands.