TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 has opened its application window for organizations seeking to host "Side Events" during the main conference period, set for October 25–31. The initiative aims to expand the engagement opportunities beyond the primary event, particularly within high-growth technology sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), which holds increasing relevance for industrial innovation.
Building on the success of previous years, the 2024 TechCrunch Disrupt Side Events reportedly attracted numerous founders, investors, and operators, creating a varied environment for industry interaction. These supplementary gatherings included formats such as intimate roundtables, networking happy hours, and competitive pitch events. Data from organizers indicates that participating hosts last year realized benefits including enhanced investor deal flow, strengthened talent acquisition pathways, and increased brand visibility within the technology startup community.
For 2025, organizations approved to host a Side Event will be positioned to engage with an audience estimated at over 10,000 attendees, extending their reach into the broader Bay Area technology ecosystem. The stated focus areas for the overall Disrupt event, including AI, fundraising, startups, and venture capital, suggest a platform where advancements pertinent to industrial automation, smart manufacturing, and logistics technologies are likely to be showcased. The explicit inclusion of AI as a key topic indicates the event's appeal to developers, researchers, and investors focused on next-generation industrial applications of AI. Host organizations are provided significant flexibility in structuring their events, ranging from panels and workshops to informal mixers, allowing them to tailor the experience to their specific objectives and brand.
Applications for hosting a Side Event are being accepted without a fee, though the number of available slots is finite. Prospective hosts must submit their proposals by the deadline of Friday, September 12. TechCrunch Disrupt continues to serve as a significant platform for reporting on emerging technologies and fostering connections across the startup landscape.
