TechCrunch Disrupt 2024: AI Takes Center Stage Amid Diverse Tech Discussions

Disrupt 2024: Day 3 | TechCrunch

Welcome to the third and final day of TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 at Moscone West in San Francisco! The excitement here is still in full swing, and there's no slowing down. If you thought it was too late to join, think again -- there's still time to register and be part of the action. Today brings some of the most anticipated stage sessions, with insights from trailblazers like Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress and founder and CEO of Automattic; former NFL quarterback and Lumi CEO Colin Kaepernick; Perplexity co-founder and CEO Aravind Srinivas, and others. Plus, we'll soon see who emerges victorious in Startup Battlefield 200. Don't miss your chance to explore groundbreaking innovations from our exhibiting startups in the Expo Hall, gain invaluable knowledge from industry leaders in hands-on sessions, and make meaningful connections. Get ready for an action-packed day -- here's what's in store for day 3 of Disrupt 2024. Grab your scannable badge at the Registration Desk anytime from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Don't forget your ticket and government-issued photo ID. The name on your badge/ticket must match the name on your ID. You cannot pick up a badge for another attendee. Return your badge at the end of Disrupt and you'll be automatically entered for a chance to win a free ticket to Disrupt 2025. Only 5 out of the 10,000+ attendees will win. We're ending Disrupt 2024 on a high note with more industry heavyweights taking the stage. Visit the full agenda for timing and session info. Matt Mullenweg: The Future of WordPress and the Web: Matt Mullenweg, Co-Founder, WordPress, and Founder and CEO, Automattic Startup Battlefield Alumi Update: Robhy Bustami, BioticsAI (2023 winner); Sheeba Dawood, Minerva Lithium (2022 winner); and Aaron Hall, Intropic Materials (2022 runner-up) Startup Battlefield 200: Navin Chaddha, Managing Partner, Mayfield Fund; Chris Farmer, CEO, Partner and Co-Founder, SignalFire; Dayna Grayson, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Construct Capital; Ann Miura-Ko, Co-Founding Partner, Floodgate; and Hans Tung, Managing Partner, Notable Capital From Search Engines to Knowledge Engines: Perplexity's Rush Toward an AI-Curated Web: Aravind Srinivas, Co-Founder and CEO, Perplexity Colin Kaepernick Helps Creators Own Their Story: Colin Kaepernick, Founder, Lumi, and Super Bowl Quarterback How to Raise in 2025 if You've Taken a Flat, Down, or Extension Round: Nikhil Basu Trivedi, Co-Founder and General Partner, Footwork; Dayna Grayson, Co-Founder and General Partner, Construct Capital; and Elliott Robinson, Partner, Bessemer Venture Partners How to Build Tech That Wins Over Customers: Wassym Bensaid, Chief Software Officer, Rivian How to Pick a Unicorn: Wesley Chan, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, FPV Ventures Making Something of Nothing: Carl Pei, CEO and Founder, Nothing Free but Not Cheap, the Open-Source Dilemma: Bogomil Balkansky, Partner, Sequoia Capital; Aeva Black, Section Chief, Open Source Security, U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency; and Luis Villa, Co-Founder and General Counsel, Tidelift When to Cash Out, When to Keep Fighting: Naveen Rao, Vice President, Generative AI, Databricks; Kamakshi Sivaramakrishnan, Head of Data Clean Rooms, Snowflake; and Dharmesh Thakker, General Partner, Battery Ventures How Generative AI Is Flooding the Web with Disinformation: Imran Ahmed, CEO, CCDH; Brandie Nonnecke, Director of the CITRIS Policy Lab, CITRIS UC; and Pamela San Martín, Co-Chair, Oversight Board Speeding Ahead: Lessons for the GenAI Evolution: Kirsty Roth, COO, Thomson Reuters The Advantages of "Open" AI: Ali Farhadi, CEO, Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence; and Irene Solaiman, Head of Global Policy, Hugging Face The AI Clouds Race: What's Behind the Scenes: Roman Chernin, Co-Founder and CBO, Nebius AI AI on Wheels with Zoox: Jesse Levinson, Co-Founder and CTO, Zoox Navigating AI's Legal and Ethical Minefield: Sarah Myers West, Executive Director, AI Now Institute; Aleksandra Pedraszewska, AI Safety, ElevenLabs; and Jingna Zhang, Founder and CEO, Cara What Does AI Governance Look Like Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond?: Elizabeth Kelly, Director, U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute; Scott Wiener, California Senator; and Jessica Newman, Director of CLTC's AI Security Initiative, UC Berkeley Architecting the Future: Building Hardware for an AI-Native World: Carl Pei, CEO and Founder, Nothing; Jerry Yue, Founder and CEO, Brain.ai; Mark Solomon, Co-Founder, Stealth Startup; and Lee Ott, VP of AI Products, HP The Future of AI's Data Infrastructure: Unlocking the Power of GenAI with MongoDB and Capgemini: Will Shulman, VP of Product, MongoDB; and Steve Jones, EVP, Collaborative Data Ecosystems and Capgemini But Is It Art? Generative AI's Evolving Role in Music and Video Production: Amit Jain, CEO, Luma AI; Michael Shulman, Co-Founder and CEO, Suno; and Kakul Srivastava, CEO, Splice At last, the day has arrived to crown the winner of Startup Battlefield 200! The last group of the top 20 startups, meticulously selected and tirelessly rehearsed, are set to present on the Disrupt Stage. They'll face an esteemed panel of VCs to compete for the coveted $100,000 equity-free prize and the Disrupt Cup. As they pitch, judges will offer key insights into what it takes to build a sustainable and successful startup. Dive into interactive sessions addressing today's biggest tech challenges. Check the full agenda for session times and details. Take part in these 30-minute collaborative Roundtables, but don't forget to pre-register on the event app. Keep in mind that Expo+ Passes do not grant access to these sessions. AI Innovation, Product-Market-Fit, and GTM Best Practices in Startups: Aishwarya Srinivasan Evolution of a Consumer AI Startup: Angela Du, SoftBank Investment Advisers Building Hybrid Teams of Tomorrow (encore): Haseeb Khan, Tkxel Refining Pre- and Post-training Data Strategy for LLM Success (encore): Ian McDiarmid, Siddharth Mall, Kaushik PS, TELUS Digital Visionary Companies Embrace Innovation to Thrive in the Fast-Paced Economy (encore): Meredith Roemer and Patrick Maroney, SAP America, Inc. From Experimental to Essential: Achieving Reliability with AI Agents in Mission-Critical Tasks (encore): Mike Carter, Vooma AI Engage in a dynamic 50-minute Q&A panel. Seats are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. All ticket types are welcome. How to Stand Out Amongst the AI Wave: Strategies for Success in Enterprise Sales: Rudina Seseri, Glasswing Ventures and Marc Boroditsky, Cloudflare Building AI Agents -- for Product Leaders & Founders: Marily Nika, Google Safety, Trust, and Profit: Anticipating Misuse to Build Safer Products and Attract Investment: Megs Shah, The Parasol Cooperative; Chad Sniffen, National Network to End Domestic Violence; and Sahab Aslam, Sukun Ventures Stablecoins: The Future of Fintech: Nik Milanović, The Fintech Fund; Cuy Sheffield, Visa; and Ben Milne, Brale. The bustling Expo Hall brings together attendees and global startups, creating a hub of innovation and discovery. Meet pioneering minds and see what's next in tech. Doors open at 8:00 a.m. Head over to the Expo Hall to catch some of our exhibiting startups as they present their pitches. 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: Startup Battlefield 200 Fast Pitches, Sustainability, Mobility + Logistics 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Startup Battlefield 200 Fast Pitches, SaaS, Enterprise+ Productivity 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.: Startup Battlefield 200 Fast Pitches, SaaS, Enterprise+ Productivity Alongside casual interactions with other Disrupt attendees, take your networking to the next level with the Braindate app. Explore or initiate topics for more in-depth discussions. Visit the Networking Lounge powered by Braindate on level 2 for in-person meetings in 1:1 or small-group settings any time from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This invite-only reception is where investors and founders will enjoy their breakfast with each other at Disrupt to discuss what it takes to scale groundbreaking ideas from seed to unicorn, along with actionable insights and growth strategies. After the Founder & Investor Breakfast, Investor and Founder Pass holders are welcome to enjoy their morning coffee with their peers at the Deal Flow Cafe. Opens at 10:00 a.m. Network with fellow AI professionals and attendees at an AI meetup, sponsored by Google Cloud and VioletX, as we wrap up our last day of Disrupt. Present your TechCrunch Disrupt badge at check-in for entry. Must be 21+ to attend. Check the Disrupt app agenda for venue information. More than 60 company-hosted Side Events are set to happen throughout San Francisco this week, extending the Disrupt excitement. Here's what's happening today. For times and more details, head to the Side Events page. Creative Tech for Future Products: Panel & Happy Hour: Hosted by JETRO, in collaboration with Japan Innovation Campus, AlchemistX, and Digital Garage The energy at Disrupt 2024 is still buzzing! Startups are pitching their innovations, attendees are deep in networking, and industry giants continue to share their game-changing insights onstage. Don't miss out -- this is your last chance before it's gone for a whole year. Register here or stop by the Registration Desk at Moscone West for your ticket.

Day 1 of Disrupt 2024 | TechCrunch

Welcome to day 1 of TechCrunch Disrupt 2024! We're beyond excited to have you here with us as we kick off this incredible event. Get ready for three action-packed days of immersive tech experiences! Learn from industry leaders onstage and in hands-on sessions, network with fellow innovators, meet the startups shaping the future of technology, enjoy receptions, and so much more. Want to attend but don't have a ticket? There's still time! Register here and be part of the action. Without further delay, here's a look at what's in store for you today! We've got an incredible lineup of top industry leaders ready to take the stage. For times and more info, view the full agenda. Assaf Rappaport: From Zero-Day to Hero: Assaf Rappaport, Wiz Startup Battlefield 200: Judge panel includes Morgan Beller, NFX; Alice Brooks, Khosla Ventures; Rohan Ganesh, Obvious Ventures; Galym Imanbayev, Lightspeed Venture Partners; Corinne Riley, Greylock; Christine Esserman, Accel; Eylul Kayin, Gradient Ventures; Lisa Morales-Hellebo, Refashiond Ventures; Jonathan Rosenbaum, Insight Partners; and Sharon Winter, Atomic. Vinod Khosla Looks into the Past to See the Future of AI: Vinod Khosla, Khosla Ventures Consumer, Culture, and Creators with Erin and Sara Foster: Erin Foster, Sara Foster, and Phil Schwarz, Oversubscribed Ventures Found Live with Kai Kloepfer from Biofire: Kai Kloepfer, Founder and CEO, Biofire What You Need to Raise a Series A Today: Renata Quintini, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Renegade Partners; Corinne Riley, Partner, Greylock; and Elizabeth Yin, Co-Founder and General Partner, Hustle Fund How AI and XR Will Revolutionize All of Your Devices: Qualcomm How to Find, and Keep, Product-Market Fit: Spenser Skates, CEO and Co-Founder, Amplitude; April Underwood, Managing Director, Adverb; and Tamar Yehoshua, President, Product and Technology, Glean Why AI Regulation Is Every Startup's Business: Martin Casado, General Partner, Andreessen Horowitz How to Launch a New Product Against Entrenched Incumbents: Paul Lambert, Founder and CEO, Quilt; Gurinder Nagra, CEO, Furno Materials; and Brigid O'Brien, Managing Partner, RA Capital Beyond the Hype: Building AI that Means Business: Iliana Quinonez, Director, Customer Engineering, North America Startups, Google, and Jia Li, Co-Founder, President and Chief AI Officer, LiveX AI Family Offices Want Startup Exposure, but What Are They Looking For?: Eti Lazarian, Family Office Principle, Elle Family Office; and Bruce Lee, CEO and Founder, Keebeck Wealth Management Startups in Dual Use: Even Rogers, CEO and Co-Founder, True Anomaly; Tim Solms, CEO Slingshot Aerospace; and Debra Emmons, Aerospace Corporation Future of Space Operations Challenge: Judges include Justin Krauss, Dr. Debra Emmons, Cody Bronkar, and Tom Cwik Peter Beck Takes the Space Industry by the Fins: Peter Beck, Founder and CEO, Rocket Lab There and Back Again: Solving Orbital Delivery: Kelly Hennig, COO, Stoke Space; and Justin Fiaschetti, Inversion Space Bridgit Mendler on Moving from Disney Star to Startup Founder: Bridgit Mendler, Founder and CEO, Northwood Space Cislunar: The Next Frontier: A.C. Charania, Agency Chief Technologist, NASA; and Steve Isakowitz, President and CEO, Aerospace Corporation Riding the Wave: The Future of Space Investing: Lewis Jones, VP, Seraphim Space; Jordan Noone, Co-Founder and General Partner, Embedded Ventures; and Katelin Holloway, Founding Partner, Seven Seven Six Finding the Consensus of Crypto VC: Morgan Beller, General Partner, NFX; Will Nuelle, General Partner, Galaxy Ventures; and Haseeb Qureshi, Managing Partner, Dragonfly Capital How These Neobanks Grew During Challenging Times: Colin Walsh, Founder and CEO of Varo Bank; and Jason Wilk, CEO, Dave With Tiptop, Postmates Founder Bastian Lehmann Is Hungry for More: Bastian Lehmann, Tiptop Future of Work: Lindsey Martin, Head of Engineering, Check; Marcelo Lebre, President and Co-Founder, Remote; and Josh Reeves, CEO, Gusto BaaS in a Post-Synapse Meltdown World: Itai Damti, Co-Founder and CEO, Unit; Peter Hazlehurst, CEO and Co-Founder, Synctera; and Sheetal Parikh, General Counsel and CCO, Treasury Prime Visa Everywhere Initiative: The Ultimate Fintech Pitch Competition Get ready for the excitement of Startup Battlefield 200, featuring 20 hand-picked, remarkable startups in one of Disrupt's highlight events. Experience the action as they pitch on the Disrupt Stage, vying for a $100,000 equity-free prize and the coveted Disrupt Cup, judged by prominent venture capitalists. Engage in interactive sessions that fuel in-depth conversations about the key issues facing tech leaders today and how to tackle them head-on. Visit the complete agenda for times and more info on each session. Join these 30-minute collaborative sessions, but make sure to pre-register on the event app. Expo+ Passes do not include access to these Roundtables. Leverage Data Standards to Accelerate Your Startup: Qi Li, InterSystems; and Nicholai Mitchko, InterSystems Tackle Every Challenge Head-on with Affiliate Marketing: Adam Weiss, Awin How to Build & Run Your Board: Mike Seckler, Justworks Consumer Social Network Effects with Vently: Gargi Kand, Vently; and Nicolas Meader, Lioncrest Ventures Berkeley Connect: Experience the World's #1 Startup Ecosystem: Harsha Gundala, Moonshine; Amy Jain, Swipefund; Jai Williams, OptiGenix; and Kate Sullivan, Uncracked Winning at Startup PR Without Paying for an Agency, with ex-TechCrunch Editor Josh Constine: Josh Constine, SignalFire Successfully Raising Your Seed or Series A in 2024: Brian Rothenberg and Medha Agarwal, defy.vc Unlocking Human Intelligence via Events: Atul Todi, 10Times Next-Gen Medicine: AI Simulation Generating New Data to Accelerate Drug Discovery: Marianna Bonanome, SandboxAQ AI Outlook: Where VCs Are Placing Their Bets in AI Today -- and Where We Go Next: Kevin Dunlap, Calibrate Ventures Creating Inclusive Hiring Practices in Fast-Growing Companies: Lori Lizotte, WomenTech Network These 50-minute Q&A sessions with a panel of industry leaders are on a first-come, first-served basis. All ticket types are welcome. The Future of High-Growth Tech: Beyond the Apple App Store: Sofia Dolfe, Index Ventures; James Ding, DraftWise; and Jordan Taylor, Vizcom How AI Is Supercharging Tools for Knowledge Workers: Harpinder Singh, Innovation Endeavors; Tanguy Chau, Paxton AI; Luke McGartland, Sequence; and Dion Almaer, Augment Code Generative AI: Beyond the Hype -- Building Real-World Applications: Priyanka Vergadia, Microsoft Beyond Snowflake and Databricks: Insights from the Frontlines of Data Transformation Disruption: Led by Colin Zima, Omni; Toby Mao, Tobiko Data; Jordan Tigani, MotherDuck; Daniel Svonava, Superlinked; and Tomasz Tunguz, Theory Ventures Navigating the Funding Landscape for Women: Natalie Pan, Mariane Bekker, and Jeni Chang, Women Founders Bay; and Aury Cifuentes, How Women Invest Powering Ahead: The Future of Energy & Infrastructure: Rachel Payne and Troy Helming, EarthGrid; and Nicholas Larson, Silicon Zombies IPO or Bust? Tactical Approaches for Late-Stage Success: Jai Das, Sapphire Ventures; and Karthik Subramanian, Goldman Sachs The Expo Hall will host startups from all stages and regions worldwide. Engage with them and explore the groundbreaking innovations they're thrilled to showcase. Opens at 8:00 a.m. Make your way to the Expo Hall and watch as some of our exhibiting startups deliver their pitches. 9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.: Korea Pavilion Pitch Session -- KOTRA 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Startup Battlefield 200 Fast Pitches, Hardware, Robotics + IoT 1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.: Japan Pavilion Pitch Session -- JETRO 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.: Startup Battlefield 200 Fast Pitches, Health Tech + Biotech 3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.: Korea Pavilion Pitch Session -- KOTRA 4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.: Ukraine Pavilion Pitch Session -- USAID Ukraine In addition to casually mingling with fellow Disrupt attendees, elevate your networking experience using the Braindate app. You can create or explore topics on the app for deeper conversations. Meet in person at the Networking Lounge powered by Braindate on level 2 for 1:1 or small-group discussions anytime between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Investor Pass holders are invited to savor their morning coffee with fellow investors at the Deal Flow Cafe, opening at 8:00 a.m. Over 60 company-hosted Side Events will take place across San Francisco throughout the week, allowing you to keep the Disrupt excitement going. These are the ones taking place today. Visit the Side Events page for times and more details. Unlock Your Investor Potential: How Tech Workers Can Become LPs Using Vested Stock Units: Hosted by Musa Capital Semiconductors and AI for Climate Startup Cup -- Finalists Announcement and Reception: Hosted by Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC) Startup Grind Happy Hour with Microsoft for Startups, Justworks, Withum, Qapita & DuploCloud: Hosted by Startup Grind Investor Talks by w.tech: Hosted by w.tech Pitch&Drink with P2S.VC: Hosted by Pre-seed to success (AltaIR Capital, Yellow Rocks, Smart Partnership Capital, I2BF Global Ventures) A Well Tech Terrace Party!: Hosted by Well Now! & Love Soul AI Startup x VC Mixer with Simon Lancaster, Founder of Omni Ventures: Hosted by NEC X Privacy and Social Media Happy Hour with Germ Network x Citizens: Hosted by Germ Network If you're hesitating to register for Disrupt 2024 because you think it's too late, worry not! There are plenty of immersive experiences waiting for you, and tickets will remain available until the final day. Register for yours here.

Disrupt 2024 full Breakout Session agenda | TechCrunch

With TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 just days away, we're gearing up for an incredible three-day event packed with interactive sessions! From October 28-30 at Moscone West in San Francisco, dive into Q&A conversations with a panel of industry experts around the most pressing issues and cutting-edge tech trends to help empower your growth. Don't miss your chance to save and engage in these first come, first served Breakouts! Register now to lock in up to $400 in savings on select tickets before door prices increase. Want to bring a friend? Take advantage of the Expo+ 2-for-1 Pass and bring a plus-one at half the cost of a single Expo+ Pass. These offers are valid through October 27. Discover the complete roster of Breakout Sessions below, spread across two stages at Disrupt. Led by Sofia Dolfe, Index Ventures; James Ding, DraftWise; Jordan Taylor, Vizcom As the tech landscape evolves, the next wave of high-growth, high-impact companies may not emerge from the Apple App Store, but rather from the Microsoft app store. This shift signals a broader transformation in historically slow-moving industries like legal tech, where innovative solutions are challenging the status quo. Buyers in these sectors are increasingly open to embracing change, paving the way for a new era of technological advancement. Join our panel of experts as we explore how AI and other emerging technologies are driving this evolution, and what it means for the future of knowledge work in industries traditionally resistant to rapid change. Led by Harpinder Singh, Innovation Endeavors; Tanguy Chau, Paxton AI; Luke McGartland, Sequence; Dion Almaer, Augment Code Advancements in AI are enabling new tooling that will 10x the productivity of knowledge workers by reducing monotonous, repetitive tasks. These advances have also unlocked opportunities for more creativity and experimentation. This panel explores the latest in professional services tooling and explores how companies can maximize performance and productivity. We will also explore the future of tooling for knowledge workers and how emerging breakthroughs might be applied. Let's explore the future of work. Led by Priyanka Vergadia, Microsoft Join this interactive session to explore the practical applications of generative AI. We'll break down the different types of generative models, discuss their strengths and limitations, and showcase inspiring use cases across various industries. Led by Colin Zima, Omni; Toby Mao, Tobiko Data; Jordan Tigani, MotherDuck; Daniel Svonava, Superlinked; Tomasz Tunguz, Theory Ventures By 2025, our global data volume will reach 175 zetabytes, a figure that is 50% more than 2023. But while the wealth of data grows, it remains unwieldy to use. Poor data quality costs organizations an average of $12.9 million annually. As organizations grapple with the exponential growth of data, they need better data transformation solutions to process it. The worldwide spending on such digital transformation solutions is forecasted to reach $3.9 trillion by 2027. In other words, the market is ripe for challenging the status quo, even despite the continued growth of data darlings Snowflake and Databricks. Tomasz can speak to the future of data in the context of SF and DB's direct competition, and how startups are tackling these challenges head-on amidst the acceleration of two industry giants. Led by Natalie Pan, Mariane Bekker, and Jeni Chang, Women Founders Bay; Aury Cifuentes, How Women Invest Join us for an exciting panel discussion featuring three leading female venture capitalists from Progressive Ventures and How Women Invest. This session will provide you with essential insights into the funding world, focusing on the latest trends, what investors look for, and effective strategies for women founders to stand out. Led by Rachel Payne and Troy Helming, EarthGrid; Nicholas Larson, Silicon Zombies Join us for "Powering Ahead: The Future of Energy & Infrastructure" featuring Troy Helming, a visionary leader in renewable energy and successful entrepreneur. In our breakout session, we'll dive into the latest innovations shaping the energy sector, including advancements in renewable technologies, grid modernization, and sustainable infrastructure development. We'll also share best practices for building a startup, offering practical advice drawn from Troy's experiences. Attendees will gain insights into how these trends are transforming the way we produce, distribute, and consume energy, and how to capitalize on emerging opportunities. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from an industry expert about the challenges and prospects that lie ahead in the quest for a cleaner, more efficient energy future. Led by Jai Das, Sapphire Ventures; Karthik Subramanian, Goldman Sachs With rising interest rates and stricter regulatory scrutiny on acquisitions, many growth and late-stage companies that once secured billions in funding are struggling to achieve a successful outcome. In this session, two experienced investors will debate the state of late-stage venture, what they're seeing in terms of deal activity, if this market is actually coming back as significantly as some are reporting, and where they see the landscape headed in 2025. As part of this, they will dig into what's going on with IPO markets, whether/when they will open back up, and how this is impacting exit strategies for founders. Led by Jane Alexander, CapitalG; Chris Klayko, Databricks; Kareem Amin, Clay; Austin Hughes, Unify From auto-generated outbound messages to AI-written blog posts, AI is fundamentally changing the way that companies go to market. Come discuss the tension between AI-powered automation and human creativity with the founders building these products and the leading practitioners who use them. Led by Turner Novak, Banana Capital; Kira McCroden, Forerunner; Emilie Gerber, Six Eastern; Jack Randall, Aetherflux The communications and PR landscape has dramatically shifted in recent years: new mediums (Substack, podcasts) have spiked in influence and popularity, fueling new strategies ("going direct") for shaping and amplifying public perceptions -- all while an increasingly critical media landscape continues to hold all types of industry stakeholders accountable. How can early and growing companies responsibly navigate these changes and be successful in building an inspiring brand? This roundtable will dissect the growing breadth and importance of different comms functions: the under-appreciated, consequential nature of internal comms, the increasingly indispensable need for owned channels, the pros and cons of political takes amidst an election year, and how to actually get meaningful press coverage for a company. The tech communications industry has arguably never been more dynamic. Led by Alessandra Andrenacci, Dropbox Many startups today fundraise on the promise of being an "AI-first company." But how do investors distinguish between companies that organically have AI at their core and those that are "GPT wrappers"? How can founders demonstrate that AI is intrinsic to their business and not an add-on intended to ride the wave of AI interest? This session addresses these and related questions by focusing on meaningfully incorporating AI into your startup and getting funded by investors. We use cutting-edge fundraising stats from DocSend to frame the conversation and ask founders and VCs how AI is changing fundraising expectations and how startups can organically incorporate AI into their businesses while staying ahead of increasingly sophisticated investor interest. Led by Roeland Nusselder and Tony Fadell, Plumerai Nest founder, former SVP of Apple's iPhone and iPod teams, and principal at Build Collective, Tony Fadell joins Plumerai's co-founder and CEO Roeland Nusselder to discuss how Tiny AI is democratizing AI. By making AI smaller, efficient, and cost-effective, Tiny AI is paving the way for widespread adoption across industries, fostering innovation, and putting the power of AI into the hands of many. Tiny AI is shaping a future where intelligence is embedded all around us, enhancing our daily lives in ways we've only dreamed of. The future is here, and it's smaller than you think! Led by Nick Borenstein, Webby Awards; Margaret Johnson, Goodby, Silverstein & Partners; Monica Khan, Bay Area Creator Economy; David Mogensen, Uber In the Webby Awards' annual thought leadership series focused on the trends and consumer insights shaping the internet, this year the leading award for internet excellence will explore how brands, marketers, digital creatives, and technologists are embracing chronically online culture to forge more creative and sustainable connections with audiences. The presentation, titled "It's giving brainrot: How chronically online culture is taking us from the niche to the nonsensical -- and why that can be a good thing," will be led by the Webby Awards general manager Nick Borenstein and will feature insights and social listening data from Meltwater, along with trends from over 13,000 submissions to the 28th Annual Webby Awards. Following the presentation, Margaret Johnson (chief creative officer, Goodby, Silverstein & Partners), David Mogensen (VP of Global Marketing, Uber), and Monica Khan (co-founder, Bay Area Creator Economy) will join for a fireside chat to share their insights into this cultural moment. Led by Dane Sherrets and Marten Mickos, HackerOne Rushed AI deployments can translate to embarrassing incidents, reputational damage, and financial loss. Brands like Adobe, Snap, and Anthropic have joined a growing list of companies embracing AI red teaming to deploy AI responsibly and find emerging threats before bad actors. HackerOne will share tales from the front lines of AI safety and security, so you know how to avoid AI embarrassments -- from the circumvention of AI guardrails to harmful content generation. You'll learn how top companies use AI red teaming and actionable ways to reduce AI risk that extend your AI advantage. Led by Kevin Hu, Metaplane; Tobi Coker, Felicis It's a challenging time to scale a technical or data-focused startup -- competition for customers, fundraising, and top talent continues to increase. This session will break down unique, timely challenges for technical founders and teams, and provide actionable advice to thrive in this highly competitive market. Attendees will take away best practices in product development, open source vs. closed source strategies, and how to position and message effectively -- especially in pre-revenue stages for investor appeal. Technical founders will learn how to navigate the complexities of fundraising, with a focus on raising Series A for data-driven businesses, and why scaling technical or infrastructure companies requires a different playbook compared to traditional SaaS startups. Led by Po Bronson, Pae Wu, and Duncan Turner, SOSV Venture's deep chill has been extra frigid for deep tech startups due to their reputation for long timelines and big capital needs. But investors are still game for deep tech startups that are smart about balancing product scope and time to market. Vertical integration and industrial scale-ups are out; selling innovation into existing supply chains, now that's smart. SOSV general partners Duncan Turner, Dr. Pae Wu, and Po Bronson help oversee the launch of about 75 deep tech startups a year and work with hundreds of deep tech co-investors. They will discuss what's getting investors to "yes" to deep tech investments now, and take questions from the audience. Led by Arvind Purushotham, Citi Ventures; Ari Tuchman, Quantifind; Kartik Mani, Citi Arvind, along with Citi partners and portfolio company Quantifind, will discuss Citi Ventures' approach to working with startups and how governance and risk management are essential to responsible innovation. He will also discuss how attendees can peer through their own crystal ball to predict the next big thing in tech and finance, from AI to the fintech revolution and beyond. Led by Christine Yen, Honeycomb; Anand Babu, MinIO; Prukalpa Sankar, Atlan; Karthik Ranganathan, Yugabyte In the evolving AI landscape, innovation is being powered by solutions to deeply technical problems that require leaders to take on a much more hands-on, technical approach. We have moved away from the business founder/CEOs of the past and into a new age where engineering founders are increasingly more common. This panel, composed of leaders from Honeycomb, MinIO, Atlan, and Yugabyte will discuss why engineering skills are critical for the modern leader's role. They will share specific examples of important skill sets, and how founders can position themselves for long-term success as technology leaders in the future. Led by Amy Kelly, Miri AI; Shronit Ladhani, LearnTube; Div Garg, MultiOn; Jeremiah Owyang, Blitzscaling Ventures Learn how today's top founders are using AI to solve real-world problems. The panel experts will include MultiOn, which creates AI agents on the web to solve a variety of problems such as booking flights, shopping, and internet research; Miri.ai, which offers health and wellness AI coaches; and LearnTube, which uses generative AI to create instant learning courses, curriculum, quizzes, and certifications. Panel discussion and Q&A on how to launch, build, grow, and fund an AI startup. Led by Rudina Seseri, Glasswing Ventures; Marc Boroditsky, Cloudflare Companies worldwide are actively investing in AI deployments across a wide range of use cases, and thousands of startups have emerged to fill these needs. This breakout session features Rudina Seseri, founder and managing partner of Glasswing Ventures, and Marc Boroditsky, president of Revenue at Cloudflare. They explore how AI has created a new paradigm shift in selling to enterprises, what the largest companies are using as criteria when considering their purchases, and how to avoid false indications of interest. Attendees will learn how to optimize scarce time and resources to build a truly valuable and viable product. Led by Marily Nika, Meta This is a live, hands-on workshop tailored for product leaders, aimed at providing a practical introduction to agentic products. You'll gain a clear understanding of what AI agents are, how they function, and where they fit into product strategies. The workshop will guide you step by step through the process of building two AI agents from scratch, giving you a strong grasp of how to apply these tools to solve business problems, automate processes, and enhance user experiences. Bring your laptops to this interactive workshop! Led by Megs Shah, The Parasol Cooperative; Chad Sniffen, National Network to End Domestic Violence; Sahab Aslam, Sukan Ventures In today's startup world, one data breach or safety failure can destroy your reputation and growth. For founders, the challenge is how to scale while ensuring user safety, privacy, and security, all within budget. VCs are focusing on startups with strong ESG practices, prioritizing those that address safety early. Failing to comply with data laws, such as COPPA, can result in penalties up to $170 million. This session covers how to build safeguards to prevent tech misuse, like Apple AirTag's misuse for stalking. With one in three women globally experiencing violence and 32 million child exploitation reports submitted to NCMEC in one year, tech's role in abuse is a rising threat. We will also explore how open source security tools can cut costs by 55% and how addressing safety and security early prevents legal risks and attracts ethical investors, and most importantly protects the vulnerable. Led by Nik Milanović, This Week in Fintech; Cuy Sheffield; Ben Milne Why are stablecoins beginning to take off as a payments product? What are the most interesting examples and use cases? What technology will they replace -- and where do they go from here? The only way to join these first come, first served Breakout Sessions is by registering for Disrupt 2024. Any pass grants you full access to these sessions. Register today and save up to $400 before prices rise at the door or get the Expo+ 2-for-1 Pass. Lock in your discounted ticket here.

Disrupt 2024 full Roundtable Session agenda

With TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 just days away, we're gearing up for an incredible three-day event packed with interactive sessions! From October 28-30 at Moscone West in San Francisco, dive into dynamic conversations around the most pressing issues and cutting-edge tech innovations to help empower your growth, facilitated by an industry leader. Don't miss your chance to pocket ticket savings and participate in these Roundtables! Register now to lock in up to $400 in savings on individual ticket types before door prices go up. These rates are valid only until October 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Scroll down for the complete lineup of Roundtable Sessions, spread across three separate rooms during Disrupt 2024. Join Justworks' CEO Mike Seckler for a discussion on how to build and run a high-performing board of directors. For many founders, board meetings can feel like a massive suck of time, focus, and resources. What if your board gave you energy instead? As a founder, you have the opportunity to set a foundation and approach that leads to more productive board conversations that make you and your company better. Participants will leave this session with multiple ideas for building a high-performing board from Mike's experience as a two-time founder and board member, and from his own journey at Justworks (from early investor/board member to CEO). Led by Gargi Kand and Nicolas Khonaysser, Vently This session will highlight the network effects driving consumer social platforms. After scaling Fizz and Nearby to 14 million users, a key insight emerged: Communities are using a fragmented stack of tools -- WhatsApp for communication, Partiful for event notifications, Venmo for payments, and Instagram for updates. Vently solves this by being the all-in-one platform that unifies these functions. It enables communities to engage, grow, and monetize in a single space, creating seamless experiences for both hosts and participants. Now Vently is raising capital to scale these efforts and redefine how communities manage and engage. Don't miss this opportunity to explore the future of consumer social networks and the potential of Vently to redefine social commerce. Led by Harsha Gundala, Moonshine; Amy Jain, Swipefund; Jai Williams, OptiGenix; and Kate Sullivan, Uncracked Join us for an exclusive opportunity to engage with the innovative minds behind UC Berkeley's top-ranked startup ecosystem. Recently named No. 1 by PitchBook for producing the most venture-backed companies and female founders, UC Berkeley is shaping the future of entrepreneurship. At this interactive Roundtable, visionary students from the Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology (SCET) will showcase their cutting-edge ventures in rapid demo pitches. Explore the Berkeley Method of Entrepreneurship (BMoE), SCET's unique, journey-based approach to fostering entrepreneurial success, and discover the "secret sauce" that propels Berkeley's entrepreneurial leaders to the forefront of innovation. Led by Khanh Ngo, TikTok Uncover new insights that decode consumer behavior. What this means for businesses and how you can thrive in this $1 trillion Shoppertainment space? Led by Sara Deshpande, Maven Ventures Maven Ventures general partner Sara Deshpande has been investing in the consumer tech space for a decade. Join me to discuss the current consumer landscape, novel startup ideas, fundraising, and why it's a great time to be building in consumer AI. Led by Josh Constine, SignalFire Sick of emailing reporters with no response and don't want to cough up $15,000 per month for a PR agency? Lesson one: It's about what audiences want to hear, not what you want to say. With the right mix of concise storytelling and data-driven content, you can learn to pitch press by yourself. In this roundtable session led by former TechCrunch editor-at-large turned VC Josh Constine, you'll get the playbook for how to teach readers something while you boost your fundraising, recruiting, and sales. Ask your biggest questions about how PR works, and hear what red flags are getting your pitches deleted. Led by Brian Rothenberg and Medha Agarwal, defy.vc In today's fundraising environment, securing seed or Series A funding requires a solid strategy, a compelling pitch, and a deep understanding of current market dynamics. This session from two former founders turned VCs will provide startup founders with actionable insights on what investors are looking for in 2024, from market fit to financial metrics, and guide you toward raising capital successfully. Led by Marianna Bonanome, SandboxAQ AI models require huge amounts of data to complete a given task -- but what if this data doesn't exist? Marianna Bonanome, PhD, Head of Education Outreach, SandboxAQ and Jim Breyer from Breyer Capital will discuss how AI and quantum-powered simulation generate the missing data AI models need to accelerate drug discovery -- leading to breakthroughs for challenging conditions like Alzheimer's while reducing the time, cost, and risk of developing new drugs. Marianna and Jim will showcase how UCSF, Riboscience, and other biopharma researchers are using simulation to turn molecules into medicine, and recent findings show how simulation data is performing beyond our wildest expectations. Led by Adam Weiss, Awin Affiliate marketing is just bottom-of-the-funnel, discount-focused, spammy content sites, right? Wrong. With an influx of innovative strategic partners and e-commerce technologies emerging in the channel, online brands can solve any marketing challenge far beyond that traditional advertising funnel. Need to drive more traffic to your store? Want to convert more shoppers into buyers? Looking to encourage repeat business and referrals? There's an affiliate solution for these obstacles and more. We will discuss how today's affiliate channel offers a kaleidoscope of partners helping online brands enhance their sales and marketing efforts. Led by Qi Li and Nicholai Mitchko, InterSystems What is the big deal with standards like FHIR? Why should I care when I am trying so hard to build an innovative solution and look for early customers? What would investors think? Does it allow my competitors to copy my offering easily? These are important questions for healthcare startups. InterSystems has been supporting global data standards for decades. We will share our experience to help you answer these questions and leverage the standards to your advantage, not just technically, but also in sales and marketing. Led by Lori Lizotte, WomenTech Network In the fast-paced and dynamic tech industry, establishing inclusive hiring practices is essential for fostering innovation, enhancing team performance, and reflecting the diverse user base. This roundtable discussion will delve into strategies for attracting diverse talent, methods to remove bias from the recruitment process, and the role of technology in inclusive hiring. Led by Kevin Dunlap, Calibrate Ventures After more than a year of frenzied investment into AI, investors are recalibrating. Instead of throwing money at any startup that claims to be AI, VCs are tightening their belts. Hear from a leading early-stage AI investor about what VCs are looking for in AI startups today. Find out why applied AI -- "putting AI to work -- is the next frontier in investment, with VCs looking for companies that can prove their technology can scale to disrupt established industries such as manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and financial services. Walk away with practical tips to get your AI startup funded! Led by Ian McDiarmid, Siddharth Mall and Kaushik PS, TELUS Digital LLMs have revolutionized AI, but their success hinges on the quality and strategy of the data used. This roundtable dives deep into the critical role of data throughout the LLM life cycle. Join us to explore best practices for: 1. Pre-training: Learn how to curate diverse, high-quality datasets that fuel robust and unbiased LLMs. 2. Post-training: Discover techniques like reinforcement learning and active learning to continually enhance LLM performance and address limitations. 3. Ethical considerations: Navigate the complex landscape of data privacy, bias, and fairness in LLM development. Whether you're building foundational models or leveraging LLMs for specific applications, this session offers insights to optimize your data strategy and unlock the full potential of these powerful AI tools. Led by Michelle Lawson, Computer Science Girlies In today's digital landscape, Gen Z holds unprecedented influence over market trends and online engagement. How can startups effectively connect with this savvy generation to drive growth and brand loyalty? Join us for an insightful roundtable led by the founder of Computer Science Girlies, a thriving online community that has successfully tapped into the Gen Z zeitgeist. We'll explore proven strategies for building and leading online communities that resonate with Gen Z users. Discover how to leverage platforms like TikTok and Instagram to create authentic connections, foster active engagement, and expand your startup's reach. Attendees will gain actionable insights into cultivating a loyal Gen Z user base, enhancing brand presence, and fueling sustainable growth through community-driven initiatives. Led by SC Moatti, Mighty Capital The old tactics don't work anymore. In an era where machines are bombarding inboxes with emails thousands of times a week, how do you break through the noise to make sure the right decision-makers are getting the message at a target enterprise company? Based on expertise and learnings from helping over half a million product leaders hone their GTM strategy, SC Moatti will lead this collaborative session exploring the challenges and opportunities of the enterprise GTM space. Founders and operators will walk away with the tools they need to start making real headway toward their enterprise ambitions. Led by Clayton Bryan, Global 500 + TBA As the startup ecosystem grows increasingly competitive with AI democratizing startup creation and increased investor due diligence, the need for strong leadership extends beyond the CEO to the entire founding team. This roundtable explores the critical role that leadership development plays in scaling successful startups. Learn from seasoned investors and entrepreneurs who have cultivated the right leadership qualities across their teams, creating a foundation for sustained growth and innovation. We'll discuss the strategies and resources available to help a founding team develop the skills needed to navigate challenges, inspire their teams, and drive long-term success. Led by Brent Murri, M13 This panel dives into the often-underutilized dynamics between founders and investors, debunking myths that can undermine these relationships. We'll discuss how founders can filter the flood of advice, position themselves to best utilize board and investor resources, and create partnerships that fuel long-term success. Leading the conversation is Brent Murri, partner at M13, who brings a sharp perspective on venture. Led by Meredith Roemer and Patrick Maroney, SAP America, Inc. In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, forward-thinking companies are leveraging innovation and modernization to stay competitive. By embracing new tools, trends, and strategies, they position themselves to lead in the fast-paced global economy, setting new benchmarks for efficiency, customer engagement, and sustainable growth. Join this session to learn how these visionary organizations are leveraging technological advancements to compete in today's market and driving transformative changes across industries. Led by Mike Carter, founder of Vooma AI The "happy path" brings imagination to life, but it's the "unhappy path" that makes the product. AI agents promise to revolutionize nearly every industry, yet the journey to reliability in real-world applications is fraught with challenges. Errors can snowball when agents make multiple decisions in sequence, especially in mission-critical real-world tasks where consistency is nonnegotiable. In this session, Mike Carter, founder of Vooma, will lead a discussion of practical approaches for building AI agents that excel in the edge cases. Drawing from his experience launching the AI agent for logistics and building self-driving vehicles, Mike will explore strategies to overcome technical hurdles, enhance agent reliability, and ensure AI agents make correct decisions when the wrong ones are costly. Led by Ben Fu, Justin Ouyang, Eugene Lee and Julianna Vitolo, OMERS Ventures This roundtable explores investment strategies in AI infrastructure software, DevOps, and B2B infrastructure. As AI continues to reshape industries, the demand for robust, scalable infrastructure has never been greater. Participants will discuss emerging trends in cloud computing, containerization, and edge computing tailored for AI workloads. The conversation will delve into the challenges of developing and deploying AI models at scale, examining how DevOps practices are evolving to meet these demands. Additionally, the roundtable will address the growing market for B2B infrastructure software that enables AI integration across various sectors. By analyzing current gaps in the ecosystem and projecting future needs, this discussion aims to identify key areas for strategic investment that will shape the next generation of AI infrastructure. Led by Gayatri Sarkar, Advaita Capital Detailed discussion on LLM, the future of AI is human, and how cognitive science and reasoning will play a big role in finding the right founders for strong ROI. What is the role of VC funds, especially growth equity to scale such frontier tech? Led by Haseeb Khan, Tkxel 1. Best practices for building and managing remote and hybrid teams 2. Leveraging AI for recruitment and performance management 3. How hybrid models are reshaping company culture and employee engagement 4. The future of workforce collaboration tools and platforms Led by Aishwarya Srinivasan, Microsoft for Startups Join me for an open and interactive discussion focused on the real challenges and opportunities of building AI-driven startups. We'll dive into how founders are applying AI in innovative ways, tackling scalability issues, and navigating the ethical considerations that come with it. We'll also explore the journey to finding the right product-market fit, along with practical go-to-market strategies that have worked for other startups. Whether you're a founder or an AI professional, this roundtable is a chance to share experiences, learn from each other, and spark new ideas. Led by Angela Du, SoftBank Investment Advisers The metric for startup success has shifted, and the debate has grown around topics such as which metrics matter and balancing growth and profitability. Join SoftBank Vision Fund partner and LTK and Misfits Market board member Angela Du for a lively discussion on the key challenges that consumer AI startups are facing, including evaluating product-market fit, scalability and monetization, and how to run the new playbook that startups need to succeed in today's market. Don't miss these dynamic, deep-dive discussions The only way to participate in these exclusive Roundtable Sessions is by registering for Disrupt 2024. Any pass, except the Expo+ Pass, grants you full access to these sessions. Register today and save up to $400 before prices rise at the door. Lock in your discounted ticket here.

Disrupt 2024 full Side Events schedule

With TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 less than a week away, we're thrilled to announce the complete list of companies behind the Side Events, set to amplify the excitement for thousands of attendees and Silicon Valley residents. From casual happy hours to insightful discussions and energizing morning runs, Disrupt Week -- spanning October 26 to November 1 -- features an exciting mix of Side Events happening across San Francisco, organized by a diverse collection of innovative companies. Side Event guidelines and disclaimers Description: We host weekly runs in San Francisco and 20 other locations worldwide, and this time, we're excited to be part of TechCrunch Disrupt! We offer two distances: 5K and 10K, with two pace groups. The focus is on community and connection, not pushing yourself too hard. For this event, we'll meet at the William McKinley Monument, take a group photo, and then run to Golden Gate Park and back. The 5K group will have an optional workout at the end, followed by a visit to a nearby coffee shop for more networking. Description: Are you a technology professional with vested stock units from companies like Google, Amazon, or Apple? Curious about how you can leverage those assets to become a limited partner (LP) in a venture capital (VC) fund? Join us for an exclusive Office Hours event where we'll guide you through the process of converting your vested stock units into investments in VC funds. Description: Kick off your TechCrunch Disrupt Days with some fresh air, energy, and networking! Join us for a relaxed 3.2-mile morning run through the iconic Crissy Field, heading toward Fort Point and back, set against the backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge. Whether you're an AI founder, venture capitalist, or simply passionate about AI, this run offers a great opportunity to connect while maintaining a comfortable pace for conversation at Disrupt. Description: Lightning Talks, Demo and Quick Start Challenges, Product Workshop, and prizes! If this sounds like a fun day to you, secure your spot and become part of the incredible tech community present! Description: An enriching Ikigai workshop that promises to transform the way you approach your business and personal goals and engage employees. Personalized Purpose Mapping: Explore the Japanese concept of Ikigai by crafting a purpose map that aligns your business with your aspirations. Strategic Clarity: Gain insights into how aligning your purpose with your business strategies can lead to more effective decision-making and higher employee engagement. Meaningful Connections: Engage with like-minded entrepreneurs in a reflective setting that encourages deep, meaningful interactions and collaborative growth. Description: Join us for an evening of great conversations, delicious drinks, and exciting poker action. Let's make this a night to remember! Announcing the 1st Annual TechCrunch Founders Poker Tournament! This is a fantastic opportunity to network with other founders while testing your skills at the table. Founders attending the conference are invited to sign up for the poker tournament in advance. Don't miss your chance to win bragging rights and some great prizes! Description: Join us for an exclusive evening of pitching and networking, featuring 8 cutting-edge startups from Ireland. These companies are driving innovation and are on the hunt for funding to accelerate their global growth. Connect with visionary founders and explore opportunities to be part of their journey, while having a few drinks in the infamous Ireland House on Post Street. Expert Panel: Hear from leading minds on where AI is headed and what it means for your business. Live AI Demo: See cutting-edge AI tools in action and discover how they boost human potential. Real-World Case Studies: Learn from companies that are successfully implementing human-centered AI solutions. Engaging Roundtables: Join interactive discussions with AI experts and fellow innovators. Don't miss this chance to gain actionable insights and shape your AI strategy! Description: Join us for an unforgettable evening as we unveil Embarkr -- the innovative event-hosting platform designed to elevate your social experience by connecting you with like-minded individuals in real time. Whether you're an entrepreneur, creative, or social butterfly, our launch party is the perfect opportunity to expand your network and make meaningful connections. Description: Join us at NTT Experience Center where our ecosystem partners like Microsoft's Carol Scott and BCG senior adviser Mickey McManus help us understand the transformative power of generative AI for rapid innovation and transformation. Engage in an interactive demo with Malcolm Gill, head of NTT Data Launch West of the Dear Mayor app. This GenAI tool unlocks collective intelligence for San Francisco powered by real "ChatGPT style inputs" -- or prompt engineering. Hear from San Francisco Chamber of Commerce president Rodney Fong and "Maker City" author Peter Hirshberg discuss how public and private partnerships can tackle urban and civic innovation challenges to support small businesses in San Francisco during this TechCrunch Disrupt side event. Description: Join us for a delightful evening of pitching and networking with innovative startups from Ulsan, South Korea, during TechCrunch Disrupt 2024. Connect with 7 pioneering companies and discover exciting ideas while enjoying Korean food and drinks. Please RSVP to secure your spot at this special gathering! Description: Join us for an exclusive gathering of APAC founders living in San Francisco at APAC Founders Connect, a unique event that brings together the brightest entrepreneurial minds from Asia-Pacific who are making their mark in the Bay Area. This is not just another networking event; it's a space where innovation, collaboration, and community come together, designed specifically for founders who have crossed borders to build the future in one of the world's most dynamic startup ecosystems. Description: The Futurist Happy Hour at Future Factory SF returns for TechCrunch Disrupt Week, following a highly successful event last year where we hosted over 200 VCs, founders, and tech leaders. This year's event will feature interactive AR/VR demos, cutting-edge tech showcases, and curated networking spaces designed to foster meaningful connections and collaboration. Held in a sleek, industrial-chic venue, this happy hour offers a unique opportunity to explore the future of technology in an immersive environment, with custom cocktails, fireside chats, and exclusive insights into the latest innovations. Description: Meetup for startups and VCs to network with each other. We are having Simon Lancaster, Founder of Omni Ventures, give a talk regarding his innovative approach to product design and engineering, as well as investing. We are also having 10 startups to showcase their products. The event is sponsored by NEC X, Digital Garage, and Qlay Technologies. Description: After the TechCrunch Disrupt conference, a B2B SaaS AI fireside chat hosted by SVB, GenAI Collective, Escalon Services, and Wilson Sonsini will feature a 30-minute discussion on cutting-edge trends and industry best practices, with expert panelists exploring the latest developments, sharing success stories, and providing actionable insights. The event will conclude with a networking happy hour, offering premium Napa Valley wines and craft beers, designed for institutionally backed founders and investors within the B2B SaaS AI community. Description: This isn't your typical networking event; our goal is to make space for meaningful connections, learn from each other, and move each other forward. This will be a highly curated group of founders and VCs, and there will be flowing 🥂 and conversation starters. You'll leave with new friends, business connections, and new thoughts on how to hit that next level of personal or company growth. Description: Mercury, Notion for Startups, and Gusto invite you to their Founders & Innovators Happy Hour at SHACK15 on October 28, 2024, from 6:30-8:30pm. Close out day one of TechCrunch Disrupt by meeting fellow entrepreneurs and builders just steps away from Moscone. Take in the Bay views, have a nibble at the oyster bar, and forge new connections in San Francisco's iconic Ferry Building. Description: Client-side attacks, particularly those targeting third-party scripts, are on the rise. Meanwhile, APls are the key drivers of your digital innovation but they are also a top target for attackers. And then there's code and dependencies to check for any vulnerabilities... Description: Sweatworking offers a refreshing alternative to the typical late-night, drinking-focused networking events. This unique workout session provides founders and investors with the opportunity to forge meaningful connections while engaging in a healthy activity. Description: Hosted by Open Future Forum, micro1, and Newmark to bring together a community of leaders, investors, founders, and engineers based in the Bay Area, California. Join us for a VCs and Founders Mixer, an exclusive evening of networking for AI startup founders looking to hire engineers and explore office space in San Francisco. If this sounds like you, we'd love to have you join! To apply, your startup must have over $240,000 ARR or have raised $1 million+ in funding within the last two years. Enjoy meaningful connections while indulging in wine, cheese, and hors d'oeuvres. Description: We are living in the AI gold rush era. True value may be just around the corner, but only if you manage to dodge the snake oil salesmen along the way. In such a crowded market, how do you prioritize, focus, and execute while setting your company apart from its competitors? Saurabh Sharma, CPO of You.com, knows a thing or ten about that. Join our exclusive fireside chat. Description: Llama Lounge is one of the longest-running AI startup event series in San Francisco. Ten AI startups will be on the demo floor, where you'll hear remarks from the hosts. Hundreds of AI founders and VCs will be present. Come network with the long-running SF AI community at this exclusive event partnered with Disrupt. Organized by Jeremiah Owyang, speaker at Disrupt. Description: What's one of the biggest hurdles for visionary organizations aiming to bring their ideas to market? It's turning those big ideas into something INVEST'able -- Independent, Valuable, Estimable, Small, and Testable. Successful organizations delight users, clients, and stakeholders by embracing Agile values, principles, and practices. They align their teams to transform visions into reality. This innovative workshop is designed for anyone eager to turn their ideas into reality. Attendees will engage in hands-on exercises with Rezoomex's AI assistants. Learn to break down big ideas into smaller, manageable pieces for your teams to understand, deliver, and validate. Description: Join us for Women Founders Bay Happy Hour at Novela! We will have a selection of food and drinks as well as activities for the group! Some fun surprises and giveaways as well. Description: Join our Women Tech Meetup w/Brex & Puzzle on October 28 as an official Side Event of TechCrunch Disrupt -- an incredible gathering of women in technology, female founders, entrepreneurs, community builders, and other professionals! The topic of the panel discussion -- growing from seed to success! We'll talk about fundraising, venture capital, and the challenges that female founders face on their journey to building successful companies, along with strategies to overcome them. Description: USF Startup Club + MS Entrepreneurship & Innovation program will be hosting a brunch on campus, including our graduate students, alumni, Silicon Valley operators, and investors. Description: Kick off TechCrunch Disrupt with a healthy start -- a fun social workout! Come connect with some of the best founders and investors while sweating out the weekend's indulgences. Hosted by Ankit Nayal (ex-bodybuilder, founder of Flamme.app). Difficulty level: Beginner/Intermediate Description: An afternoon of collaborative climate action -- addressing carbon capture storage, circular economy, clean energy transition, and climate finance. Hosted by a climate founder and angel investor. Description: Start your morning off right with a fun networking run designed for founders, investors, and innovators. Whether you're looking to talk about your next big idea, secure an investment, or simply get some fresh air with like-minded professionals, this is your sign to register. Expect a casual, friendly atmosphere -- no pitch decks required! But have your elevator pitch ready (in case of an interested investor). Description: Join us for the launch of DNV Ventures' Energy Transition Outlook, an invite-only networking event tailored to corporate venture capitalists and VCs. This event will showcase DNV ventures and its portfolio companies around a dynamic panel on the business opportunity that the energy transition represents. Connect with industry leaders and gain insights into the future of the energy transition. Description: Come connect with other attendees from TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 at the HardTech After Party hosted by Studio 45, Andrews Cooper, and informal! We will have food, drinks, and music. Description: Speak Easy with BrainCloud at our Hosted Happy Hour. In addition to talent services, BrainCloud supports startups with all kinds of free resources and the free resources of the day are bar bites and drinks! The Pawn Shop is -- wait for it -- a pawnshop up front, but it's a swanky speakeasy and tapas bar in the back. So come speak easy with fellow startup folks on Tuesday -- just down the street from where Disrupt 2024 will be at Moscone West! Description: Shared Travel, Shared Success: Connecting Entrepreneurs Through Smart Accommodation! Join us for a Happy Hour and short panel discussion on how shared travel experiences foster connections, optimize costs, and create business opportunities. Hear from travel tech innovators and entrepreneurs on leveraging platforms like Bubbl to simplify group travel, reduce expenses, and enhance networking at events. Expect insightful stories, practical tips, an audience Q&A, and exclusive offers for group stays at future conferences. Plus, one attendee will win a free Bubbl experience for a future tech conference within our portfolio! Transform how you travel and connect. Description: Join us for an exclusive gathering as we propel climate tech innovation forward. This event is dedicated to promoting technologies that reduce emissions, enhance energy efficiency, and minimize waste, all while fostering clean energy and sustainable practices. The event will feature remarks from XTC co-founders Young Sohn and Bill Tai, rapid pitches from the Top 30 XTC Startup Cup Semifinalist, and a networking reception with 200+ corporates, VCs, founders, ecosystem builders, and public sector stakeholders. Description: Gaming, Film & Interactive Media Tech Terrace Investors & Networking Party Overlooking San Francisco Bay Description: Join us for an exclusive cocktail reception designed to bring together dynamic startup players, venture capitalists, and lawyers from McDermott's capital markets, mergers & acquisitions, and venture capital practices. You'll enjoy a relaxed atmosphere and invaluable networking opportunities against the beautiful backdrop of San Francisco Bay. Description: We're bringing together 150 top 1% of founders, from pre-seed to Series D, along with active VCs and angel investors. Description: Calling all founders looking for investment opportunities to Pitch&Drink with P2S.vc! Connect with a community of like-minded individuals and VCs and gain insights into your next fundraising venture in a relaxed and fun environment. Event Format: Venture (founders and investors) speed dating. Founders will have 2 to 3 minutes to present their elevator pitch (no presentation) directly to the investors, followed by a 6- to 7-minute Q&A session. After 10 minutes, the gong sounds and the founders change their places. Description: Startup Grind understands how exciting the first day of a big startup conference is. Just a breezy 5-minute walk from TechCrunch in the heart of SF, our stunning happy hour venue awaits. Unwind, mingle with fellow founders, and enjoy a well-earned beer or glass of wine, plus some tasty finger food. See you there! Description: Beyond the main stage of TechCrunch Disrupt 2024, join us for a night of pitching and networking with deep tech Korean startups. Connect and discover where ideas spark! Meet and mingle with 8 startups of the event. Food and drinks on SWITH. RSVP only. Description: We are planning to dive deep into the world of tech funding, featuring leading voices in the industry. Hosted by the dynamic Wtech team, this is more than just a meetup -- it's a rare opportunity to connect with top women in tech. Expect insightful panel discussions, inspiring success stories, and invaluable networking opportunities with key players in the tech world. Description: Health tech and wellness tech, investors, and networking party on the terrace overlooking the San Francisco Bay. Description: Join us for "Scaling Smart," a panel and happy hour focused on actionable strategies for scaling your company's success. Hear from top women executives sharing real-world stories of turning startup and midlevel company challenges into sustainable growth. Explore how they've overcome obstacles, aligned teams, and leveraged digital innovation to capture new markets. Enjoy an open bar and hors d'oeuvres, and network with a curated guest list of tech leaders. Expect no-fluff insights, meaningful takeaways, and the opportunity to build connections that will drive your business forward. RSVP for a beautiful evening designed to inspire growth and foster valuable industry relationships, all in a relaxed, collaborative setting. Description: Wine tasting happy hour with the Vently team! Join us as we gear up to launch our social network for events app for an evening full of networking, socializing, and getting exclusive previews of our app! Raffles and giveaways are included. Description: Get ready to network and meet vetted immigrant founders, investors, and operators at Immigrant Founders Networking hosted by Young Entrepreneurs Hub, OpenSphere, and Qlay. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a fellow founder, or just curious about the future of the Immigrant Founder ecosystem, this is the place to be. Immigrant Founder? Apply to pitch. Description: Come socialize with fellow founders and investors for a casual event to bring tech founders and investors together. No overt pitching or selling allowed -- just fun conversation and genuine connection. Why come? Find your next investment or investor, make friends and future referrers or partners, and have fun and enjoy a night off. Description: Begin your evening with a private networking session for reporters and VIP guests. Enjoy the intimate atmosphere and make meaningful connections. Engage in our interactive "Business Card Bingo" during the general networking session, making it fun and easy to meet potential collaborators. Panel discussion -- "What the Media Wants": Gain insider knowledge from our esteemed panel of journalists, including a leading business magazine journalist, a top online tech publication reporter, a prominent lifestyle editor, and a freelance writer specializing in entrepreneurial stories. Description: Conferences get packed, but connecting stays hard. Meet other founders, funders, and conference attendees at Germ Network x Citizens' evening of mingling. Come join us if you're working on privacy, security, the future of communications, or healthier social media -- we're looking for our people too! Beers are on us. Description: After TechCrunch Disrupt 2024, join top-ranked founders and builders for a private, official after-party at one of San Francisco's premier penthouses. Hosted by former TechCrunch editor-at-large and current SignalFire VC, Josh Constine. Come meet fellow founders, AI researchers, and investors while enjoying live musical performances, craft cocktails, delicious food, and special activations in a multistory penthouse and heated rooftop decorated by Restoration Hardware. Description: Calling all founders, investors, operators, and individuals interested in construction tech! Join us for a happy hour to mingle with peers in the construction tech space. This event is hosted by Brick & Mortar Ventures, the first sector-focused venture capital firm focusing on the construction industry. Our portfolio exits include PlanGrid, Building Connected, Fieldwire and Levelset. Description: Founder Friends is a fireside chat and networking event where we gather 100-400 founders to connect over pizza and non-alcoholic beverages to hear from a notable founder who has been through the wringer and come out on the other side. This event will feature Eric Bahn, GP and co-founder at Hustle Fund, and Yin Wu, CEO and founder of Pulley. Founder Friends does a great job of promoting an intimate gathering focused on honest conversations, with a mainly founder and VC audience, including enthusiasts and experienced entrepreneurs. Description: Silicon Valley meeting the most interesting startups from Slovakia and Europe. Description: Calling all brave founders and startups! Join Fondo for a ghoulishly good time at TechCrunch Disrupt's spookiest side event -- Founders Fright Fest. Sip, snack, and swap "frightening" stories that will send shivers down your spine: from the terror of missing tax deadlines to haunting missed tax credits, and the bone-chilling horror of inaccurate books. No need to face these nightmares alone! The Fondo team will be there to share how to turn those fears into distant memories. Costumes are optional, but getting your financials in order? Absolutely necessary! Don't miss this chance to mix, mingle, and banish your startup's accounting and bookkeeping nightmares! Description: Join Beewise for an in-person beekeeping class featuring our AI and robotics-powered beehive, the BeeHome™. Attendees will meet the bees up close in an urban garden and learn how technology can help reduce colony losses by more than 70%. Connect with other sustainability and green tech leaders over light refreshments and a tasting featuring BeeHome™ honey. Description: Come join entrepreneurs who eat problems for breakfast®. At a Bootstrappers Breakfast®, we have serious conversations about growing a business based on internal cashflow and organic profit. This is for founders who are actively bootstrapping a startup. The other attendees will all be in startups. It will be a chance to compare notes on operational, development, and business issues with peers. Now in our 14th year in Silicon Valley. Description: Explore the intersection of technology, art, and innovation with industry leaders. Meet our panel of experts in design thinking, food engineering, space tech, sustainable materials, museum tech, AI, and more. Key discussion topics: