Apply now to host a Side Event at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026

1. Submit Your Proposal – Quick Start

Recommendation: Apply early to improve your chances of being selected for a side‑event at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Slots are limited and applications are reviewed in the order they are received.

First action: Visit the official side‑event portal at

https://events.techcrunch.com/disrupt2026/side-event-application

and create an account. The portal guides you through a short questionnaire and lets you upload the required files (pitch deck, speaker bios, agenda draft). If you encounter technical problems, you can email the events team at sideevents@techcrunch.com; the team aims to respond within 48 hours, though response times may vary.

Why act early: Submitting your proposal promptly gives the review committee time to request clarifications and places you in the early‑selection pool that feeds into the final schedule. Late submissions are still considered, but they compete for the remaining slots after the primary allocation is complete.

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2. Eligibility & Restrictions

Who can apply

Required documentation

1. Pitch deck (PDF, ≤ 10 slides) – outline the event concept, target audience, and value proposition.
2. Speaker bios (max 200 words each) – include name, role, and a brief professional summary.
3. Draft agenda (timeline, session titles, estimated duration) – the agenda should fit within the standard side‑event block of 90 minutes to 2 hours.
4. Sponsor list (if any) – name the sponsor, describe the contribution, and confirm that the sponsor is not a TechCrunch partner.

All files are uploaded through the portal. The system checks format and size automatically; if a file is rejected, an error message will indicate the required changes.

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3. Timeline & Key Dates

All dates are subject to change; the portal will display the exact calendar once the application window opens. Check the “Announcements” tab for any adjustments.

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4. Costs & Commitments

Direct fees

TechCrunch does not publish a fixed price for side‑events because costs depend on venue size, production level, and branding options. After you indicate your preferences, the portal provides a preliminary quote.

Fees vary widely depending on venue size, production level, and branding options. Because each event is unique, request a detailed quote through the portal after the initial review.

Resource commitments

• Staffing: At least one on‑site coordinator should be present for the entire duration of the side‑event. For virtual events, a technical lead must be available for the live‑stream run‑through.
• Content preparation: Final slide decks, video assets, and speaker contracts must be delivered at least two weeks before the pre‑event logistics deadline.
• Compliance: If you plan to collect attendee data (e.g., for post‑event follow‑up), you must comply with applicable privacy regulations such as GDPR or CCPA. TechCrunch will request a brief data‑handling statement during the contract phase.

Revenue‑share & sponsorship

Hosts may sell tickets, subject to price limits set by TechCrunch. Revenue from ticket sales is retained by the host after standard processing fees are deducted.

External sponsors can be allocated a portion of ticket revenue, but any sponsor branding must be approved by the events team. TechCrunch does not take a cut of ticket sales.

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5. Host Benefits & Exposure

Audience size

Side‑events appear on the official Disrupt agenda and are promoted through the conference’s email newsletters, mobile app, and website. Attendance numbers reported by previous hosts vary widely; in‑person participation typically ranges from dozens to over a hundred attendees, while virtual streams have attracted several hundred concurrent viewers. Exact figures depend on topic relevance, promotional effort, and scheduling.

Media coverage

• Live‑stream inclusion – Your session is embedded in the Disrupt live‑stream platform, which is accessed by thousands of remote attendees.
• Post‑event recording – Recordings are archived on TechCrunch’s on‑demand portal for a limited period after the conference. Hosts receive a shareable link for embedding on their own sites.
• Press mention – The daily recap email may highlight selected side‑events; inclusion is at the discretion of the editorial team and is more likely for events with notable speakers or novel topics.

Branding placements

• Website banner – Your logo appears in the side‑event section of the Disrupt schedule page.
• On‑site signage – For physical venues, a 2 × 4 ft banner is provided at the room entrance.
• App push notification – Hosts may request a single push notification to the Disrupt app audience, subject to approval.

Networking opportunities

• Dedicated networking slot – A 15‑minute informal Q&A follows each side‑event, allowing attendees to interact directly with speakers.
• Conference passes – Hosts receive full‑conference passes for a limited number of team members, enabling meetings with investors, journalists, and other founders.

Analytics

After the event, TechCrunch supplies a brief report that includes:

• Number of live attendees (in‑person and virtual)
• Average watch time for the recording
• Engagement metrics such as chat messages and poll responses

These data help you evaluate return on investment and refine future outreach.

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6. Format & Technical Specs

Session format

• Standard block: 90 minutes (10‑minute intro, 60‑minute main content, 20‑minute Q&A).
• Extended block: up to 2 hours if approved during the contract stage; this requires additional production resources.

Common formats include:

• Panel discussion – 3‑5 speakers, moderated.
• Product demo – Live demonstration followed by audience Q&A.
• Workshop – Interactive segment with breakout rooms (virtual only).

Length & pacing

• Speaker time: No more than 12 minutes per speaker to keep the session dynamic.
• Breaks: For a 2‑hour block, schedule a 5‑minute pause for virtual attendees to stretch or for in‑person attendees to refresh.

Technical requirements

Pre‑event technical rehearsal

A technical rehearsal is scheduled during the pre‑event logistics window. During the rehearsal you will:

1. Verify video and audio quality.
2. Test streaming bitrate