From Mixers to Pitch-Offs: How to Host a Standout Brand Event at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

TechCrunch Disrupt isn’t just a main-stage extravaganza. Last year, the event’s Side Events created dynamic opportunities for founders, investors, and operators alike. These gatherings ranged from intimate networking sessions and roundtables to energetic happy hours and high-stakes pitch competitions. Every Side Event gave hosts advantages like new investor connections, talent scouting, and enhanced brand presence among the startup ecosystem.

If you’re considering putting your company in the spotlight, 2025 offers your moment. By hosting a Side Event during Disrupt Week (October 25–31), you’ll reach over 10,000 event attendees and connect with the greater Bay Area’s tech innovators.

3 Reasons to Host a Side Event

• Elevated Visibility: Get your brand featured across Disrupt 2025’s official listings, event apps, and TechCrunch.com, ensuring high engagement and recall.
• Meaningful Connections: Meet startup leaders and investors on your own turf, driving deeper conversations and relationships.
• Event Flexibility: Choose the format that best supports your mission, from educational panels to social mixers.

Applications are free, but only a limited number of spots are available. To be considered, submit your Side Event proposal before the Friday, September 12 deadline.

Ready to make your mark during Disrupt Week? Apply here to host your Side Event and connect with the next wave of startup leaders.

Deep Founder Analysis

Why it matters

For startups and founders, Side Events at TechCrunch Disrupt represent a strategic expansion of the traditional conference experience. Beyond keynote sessions and expo floors, these gatherings foster organic relationship-building and brand storytelling. In a tech landscape defined by network effects and rapid market shifts, being able to host or participate in Side Events signals industry credibility and opens critical doors to capital, talent, and new markets.

Risks & opportunities

There is a clear upside for brands who leverage Side Events to stand out in a crowded innovation festival: curated experiences tend to drive stronger connections—and, often, investor or partner interest. However, the competitive nature of Disrupt means poorly executed Side Events may go unnoticed or even reflect negatively on a brand. Hosts should ensure events are well-targeted, thoughtfully themed, and provide real value beyond basic networking.

Startup idea or application

Drawing inspiration from the need for impactful Side Events, a startup could build an AI-powered platform that matches companies and founders with event formats, venues, and attendee lists optimized for their goals. Features could include data-driven matchmaking, real-time feedback, and automated event marketing—helping less-resourced startups punch above their weight at major conferences.

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