At last year’s TechCrunch Disrupt, the ecosystem of Side Events demonstrated just how powerful these gatherings can be for founders, investors, and operators who seek to connect beyond the main conference programming. After the official sessions concluded each day, hundreds of ambitious entrepreneurs, seasoned investors, and pivotal startup operators gravitated toward an array of after-hours happenings. These ranged from intimate and intellectually stimulating roundtables—where small groups could engage in deep discussions about industry challenges and opportunities—to high-energy and convivial happy hours that fostered spontaneous relationship-building, and even to fully fledged pitch competitions where emerging startups battled for visibility and validation from both peers and potential backers. Every one of these specialized events served as a vital catalyst, unlocking fresh prospects for their hosts. Organizers benefitted from increased investor deal flow through meaningful conversations, established valuable talent connections that often extended into professional collaborations, and amplified brand recognition across the broader startup community through deliberate positioning in front of precisely the right audience.
This year, you and your organization have the chance to recreate—and even surpass—that momentum. By stepping into the role of a Side Event host during “Disrupt Week,” which will be held October 25 through October 31, you will be granted direct access to an audience consisting of more than 10,000 actively engaged attendees. And the reach does not end there; your event has the potential to draw interest from the expansive Bay Area technology ecosystem—a community globally renowned for its innovative spirit and role as a hub of entrepreneurial activity. The combination of highly targeted attendees at Disrupt and the wider influence of the local tech landscape ensures that your brand will be placed at the heart of a dynamic network eager for collaboration, discovery, and innovation.
Why should you seize this unique opportunity to host your own Side Event? The reasons can be distilled into three primary benefits, each carrying substantial weight. First, **Visibility**: your brand will receive prominent public recognition through official placement in the Disrupt 2025 Side Event listings. These listings appear across diverse platforms, including the main event website, the dedicated conference application used by thousands of participants, and TechCrunch.com itself, which commands global readership among technology professionals and enthusiasts. Such multi-channel exposure not only elevates awareness but also enhances credibility within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Second, **Connections**: Side Events provide an unparalleled chance to bring together startup founders, investors, and thought leaders in an environment you create and curate. With the atmosphere and agenda under your control, engagement becomes organic, allowing introductions and meaningful conversations to flourish in ways that are not always possible within the larger conference setting. Finally, **Flexibility**: there are no rigid formats imposed upon you. Whether you envision offering an insightful panel discussion tackling trending industry topics, an informal networking reception brimming with energy, or a festive launch party designed to celebrate new milestones, the format remains entirely in your hands. The event thus embodies not only your organizational goals but also your brand identity and values.
It is equally important to note the practical advantages: applying to host a Side Event comes at no cost, yet available slots remain strictly limited. The competitive nature of this opportunity underscores the urgency of acting quickly. If you wish to ensure that your company is counted among the brands shaping the conversation at Disrupt 2025, you must submit your Side Event application before the deadline—Friday, September 12. By doing so, you position yourself to stand at the intersection of opportunity, innovation, and influence during one of the most pivotal weeks in the global startup calendar.
Sourse: https://techcrunch.com/2025/09/09/from-mixers-to-pitch-offs-your-brand-event-belongs-at-techcrunch-disrupt-2025/
