Two drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2024 while using Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving system were likely distracted in the moments before impact, according to new information released Wednesday by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The safety board released documents for each crash and announced it will hold a public hearing on March 31 in Washington D.C., where it will discuss the findings and likely issue recommendations to Ford. The NTSB is an independent federal agency that investigates transportation accidents, but doesn’t regulate the industry. The agency is expected to release a final report in the weeks following the March 31 hearing.
The crashes not only triggered an investigation by the NTSB, but also one from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). NHTSA, which is a safety regulator, said in early 2025 it had determined BlueCruise has limitations in the “detection of stationary vehicles in certain conditions” and upgraded the probe; the regulator sent Ford an exhaustive list of questions as part of that probe in June 2025, which the company answered in August. The investigation is ongoing.
Ford has maintained through all this that BlueCruise is a “convenience feature” and that drivers must always be ready to take control of the vehicle. It also warns drivers that BlueCruise is “not a crash warning or avoidance system.” Buyers of new Ford vehicles can purchase BlueCruise for a one-time fee of $2,495 or a $495 annual subscription, according to the company.
That said, the NTSB’s investigation — and the hearing later this month — will likely put more of a spotlight on how companies like Ford communicate what purpose these driver assistance systems are supposed to serve and how to ensure they’re being used properly.
Distracted driving is a theme that has come up in various other investigations into other popular driver-assistance systems like Tesla’s now-retired Autopilot and its “Full Self-Driving (Supervised)” software. The NTSB’s prior investigation into a 2018 Autopilot-related death made particular note of distracted driving.
“In this crash we saw an over-reliance on technology, we saw distraction, we saw a lack of policy prohibiting cell phone use while driving, and we saw infrastructure failures, which, when combined, led to this tragic loss,” NTSB chairman Robert Sumwalt said at the time in reference to the 2018 crash.
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The first crash
The BlueCruise crashes took place in early 2024. The first one occurred in February that year in San Antonio, Texas. The driver of a 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E was traveling in the center lane of Interstate 10 when he crashed into a stationary 1999 Honda CR-V at around 74 miles per hour. The Ford driver was using BlueCruise just before impact, which happened at 9:48 p.m. local time. The Ford driver had minor injuries, while the Honda driver died as a result of injuries sustained during the crash.
New information released by the NTSB on Wednesday shows that the Ford’s camera-based driver monitoring system registered the driver as looking at the main infotainment screen in the five seconds before the crash. The driver monitoring system only detected him looking at the road for a few fractions of a second at about 3.6 seconds before the crash, and again at about 1.6 seconds before the crash. He received two visual and auditory alerts to watch the road in the 30 seconds before the crash, but did not brake before impact.
The documents show that the driver told the San Antonio Police Department that he had been using the vehicle’s navigation system to travel to a charging station. One of the reports states that “he may have looked at the center screen console because directions to the charging station were displayed there.”
It’s possible he was nodding off before the crash, but nearly impossible to say for sure, based on the information released Wednesday. Ford’s system captured a still image of the driver two seconds before the crash, which the NTSB says shows him “sitting upright and facing forward, with his head resting (or nearly resting) on the headrest and slightly rotated to the right.” The driver obtained an attorney after the police interviewed him, and the attorney declined to allow him to speak with the NTSB.
The second crash
The second fatal BlueCruise crash happened in March 2024 in Philadelphia. The driver of a 2022 Mach-E was traveling on Interstate 95 at 3:16 a.m. local time when she crashed into a 2012 Hyundai Elantra, which was stopped on the left side of the road. The Elantra hit a 2006 Toyota Prius that had stopped in front of it.
Those two drivers were friends and had stopped for an unknown reason, and the Prius driver had gotten out of his car and was standing to the left of the Elantra. Both the Elantra and Prius drivers died, while the Mach-E driver sustained minor injuries.
The driver of the Mach-E, a 23-year-old woman named Dimple Patel, was intoxicated at the time, according to the local police. In late 2024 she was charged with DUI homicide. She was traveling at about 72 miles per hour before the impact despite being in a construction zone limited to 45 miles per hour. Zak Goldstein, a lawyer for Patel, told TechCrunch on Wednesday that the case is still pending and that a trial date has not been set.
The new NTSB documents show that the driver monitoring system in Patel’s car registered her eyes being “on-road” for the full five seconds before the crash. But the photograph taken two seconds before impact appears to show her holding a phone above the steering wheel and almost totally out of view of the driver monitoring system.
Ford did not immediately respond to a request to questions about whether it was aware of this potential shortfall of its driver monitoring system, or if the company has done anything to mitigate it.
What about automatic emergency braking?
Modern Ford vehicles are equipped with a forward-collision warning (FCW) system and automatic emergency braking (AEB), which are separate from BlueCruise.
In addition to warning that BlueCruise is “not a crash warning or avoidance system,” Ford also warns owners in fine print that FCW and AEB are “driver-assist” features that are “supplemental,” and “do not replace the driver’s attention, judgement, and need to control the vehicle.”
That may be because Ford sees real limitations in the capabilities of the technology that powers these systems — a mix of camera and radar sensors.
The NTSB says in one of the reports about the Texas crash that it held meetings with Ford staff about “AEB response to stationary targets in conditions similar to this crash.”
The Ford employees told the NTSB that, “[b]ased on the functional limitations of the industry’s sensing technologies, coupled with the scenario of vehicle travel speed, nearby vehicle maneuvers & environmental factors, Ford would not expect the current generation of radar-camera fusion AEB systems to detect and classify a collision target with enough confidence for the AEB system to respond.”
To that end, the NTSB noted in the documents released Wednesday that no vehicle subsystem applied any braking in either of the fatal crashes.
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#Drivers #fatal #Ford #BlueCruise #crashes #distracted #impact #TechCrunch
![The founder’s guide to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Everything you need to know | TechCrunch
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is built around one question: How do you build an enduring company in the AI era? Our programming and speaker lineup reflect that, based on the feedback we’ve gotten from the community and the reality on the ground.
Last year at Disrupt, we spoke with founders about their experiences and discovered the results of their attendance firsthand. One founder saw a 3x oversubscription rate after their confirmation for Startup Battlefield and more than 100 investor inbounds helping fuel conversations about a future fundraising round. Another founder had nearly 30 back-to-back conversations with investors who flocked to them after a pitch onstage and followed them to their booth.
That’s not the exception at Disrupt — that’s the point. And those opportunities aren’t just available for Battlefield finalists. Every conversation in the Expo Hall or in a Side Event can create an opportunity for your startup. For years, whether it’s been held in New York, San Francisco, or elsewhere, Disrupt has brought together thousands of founders, investors, startup team members, and tech leaders.
We’re keeping that mission alive at SF’s Moscone West, this October 13-15 with a packed lineup of speakers, more than 200 expert sessions, a wealth of organized and serendipitous networking opportunities, and most of all, the chance to be in the same room as the person who could change your nascent idea for a company or your current startup’s trajectory.
This guide is for the founders out there who are just learning about Disrupt, who need a refresher, or are skeptical of whether it’s worth it. TechCrunch has been around for more than 20 years; we can take it.
Image Credits:TechCrunch / Slava Blazer Photography
The reality of what makes Disrupt, Disrupt
If you’re asking Claude or ChatGPT if TechCrunch Disrupt is worth it, you’re not alone. The reality is that Disrupt is a unique event, and it’s happening at a unique time for the startup community.
This year’s Disrupt isn’t about predicting the future of AI; it’s about building companies in it. Across six editorially curated stages, founders will hear practical lessons from the CEOs, investors, engineers, and operators shaping the next decade of technology.
Whether you’re raising your first round, scaling your team, or deciding how AI changes your product, every session is designed to answer one question: “What can I take back to my company on Monday morning?”
The founders Disrupt empowers
Disrupt works a bit differently, depending on where you are in your founding journey, with different tracks you can follow to make the most of the three days:
Pre-seed and idea stages
You’re here to pressure-test your thesis, meet your first angel or pre-seed investors, and figure out who else is building in your space. Prioritize the Builders Stage, the Startup Battlefield semifinalist pitches, and the Expo Hall, along with roundtables tied to your industry and conversations you’ll want to learn more from.
Early revenue or actively raising
You’re here for capital and validation above all else, and your time is valuable. Prioritize our investor-matchmaking tools and the connections that come with your Founder Pass, including the networking tools in our app. You also get access to the Deal Flow Café, where we foster one-on-one conversations between founders and investors.
And when your schedule isn’t packed with dealmaking, learn from VC perspectives and fundraising-focused sessions at the Builders Stage.
Scaling, hiring, in search of partnerships
You’re here in search of talent, strategic partners, and market visibility. Those same networking tools and opportunities can help you meet potential hires and partners and deepen those connections or make new ones. Disrupt’s Side Events aren’t to be missed — there’s one for every industry, interest, or post-event vibe you could be looking to find.
Startup Battlefield: The most iconic pitch competition
The Startup Battlefield winner’s reveal packs the Disrupt stage and is each year’s capstone event. But it’s the lead-up to that 0,000 check and the deluge of attention the winner receives that’s the most valuable for founders attending Disrupt.
The 200 startups chosen on August 20 to compete go through a rigorous prep process and get the opportunity to pitch onstage in front of top-tier VCs and the Disrupt crowds. You’ll also get to watch those pitches, take notes, learn from the peaks and valleys, and potentially meet the teams behind the ideas and innovations. It could be in a follow-up meeting or just walking through the halls of Moscone.
And if that all leaves you inspired, here’s an insider tip: Most Battlefield participants, and several winners, have gone through the process multiple times. We’re no longer taking applications for 2026’s competition, but we’re expanding the program to more international markets, and the 2027 process will be similar to this year’s, so take note for the future!
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49QN3jIThz0[/embed]
The founder-focused programming
Disrupt 2026 spans several stages, each built around a different founder need:
Disrupt Stage: The biggest conversations in technology, featuring the founders, CEOs, and industry leaders defining what’s next. These are the conversations you’ll be talking about long after Disrupt ends.
Builders Stage: The tactical playbook for building a startup. From fundraising and hiring to GTM, product, and scaling, every session is designed to give founders practical advice they can put to work immediately.
AI Stage: AI isn’t the future — it’s the present. Learn how the fastest-growing startups are building, deploying, and monetizing AI, with practical lessons on agents, models, infrastructure, and what it takes to win in the AI era.
Real World AI Stage: AI is moving beyond the screen and into the physical world. Explore how robotics, autonomous systems, manufacturing, healthcare, and defense are turning AI breakthroughs into real-world products and businesses.
Smart Money Stage: Follow the money. From fintech and stablecoins to payments, embedded finance, and AI-driven financial services, this stage explores how technology is reshaping the movement of capital.
Smart Systems Stage: Every AI breakthrough depends on the infrastructure behind it. Discover the innovations in chips, compute, energy, networking, and data centers that will determine the next generation of technology companies.
Image Credits:TechCrunch / Slava Blazer Photography
Conversations you can only get at Disrupt
RJ Scaringe (Rivian): Building a generational company.
Panos Panay (Amazon): Designing products people love.
Paolo Ardoino (Tether): Money, AI, and infrastructure.
Toni Schneider and Rose Wang (Bluesky): Can social start over?
Amjad Masad (Replit): Every founder becomes technical.
Andrew Feldman (Cerebras): Winning the AI compute race.
And that’s just the beginning — we’ll have more speakers to announce as we get closer to Disrupt. Check out the full lineup of speakers across all stages and events here.
How to get the most bang for your buck at Disrupt
Disrupt’s prices increase as we get closer to the event, and founder tickets are currently 0 off their final price until August 21. But if you make the call to attend Disrupt before 11:59 p.m. PT August 7 via this link, you’ll save an additional 0!
If you want to bring a co-founder, you can get a 10% discount on that second ticket. For larger teams, we have additional per-ticket discounts available.
San Francisco might be the hotbed of the startup community and an AI epicenter, but we all know it’s caused prices to spike in the Bay. We’ve partnered with some excellent nearby hotel options to keep accommodation costs as low as possible. Check out our four partner hotels right here.
Your time at Disrupt is valuable, too, so before you head there, check on our regularly updated schedule of speakers and Side Events, get ahead of competitors’ schedules by booking your networking opportunities in advance, and get your own elevator pitches in order to make the most of those magical Disrupt moments that can come at any point October 13-15!
When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.#founders #guide #TechCrunch #Disrupt #TechCrunchTechCrunch Disrupt](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/54885180072_e211a254ca_k.jpg?w=680 "The founder’s guide to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Everything you need to know | TechCrunch
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is built around one question: How do you build an enduring company in the AI era? Our programming and speaker lineup reflect that, based on the feedback we’ve gotten from the community and the reality on the ground.
Last year at Disrupt, we spoke with founders about their experiences and discovered the results of their attendance firsthand. One founder saw a 3x oversubscription rate after their confirmation for Startup Battlefield and more than 100 investor inbounds helping fuel conversations about a future fundraising round. Another founder had nearly 30 back-to-back conversations with investors who flocked to them after a pitch onstage and followed them to their booth.
That’s not the exception at Disrupt — that’s the point. And those opportunities aren’t just available for Battlefield finalists. Every conversation in the Expo Hall or in a Side Event can create an opportunity for your startup. For years, whether it’s been held in New York, San Francisco, or elsewhere, Disrupt has brought together thousands of founders, investors, startup team members, and tech leaders.
We’re keeping that mission alive at SF’s Moscone West, this October 13-15 with a packed lineup of speakers, more than 200 expert sessions, a wealth of organized and serendipitous networking opportunities, and most of all, the chance to be in the same room as the person who could change your nascent idea for a company or your current startup’s trajectory.
This guide is for the founders out there who are just learning about Disrupt, who need a refresher, or are skeptical of whether it’s worth it. TechCrunch has been around for more than 20 years; we can take it.
Image Credits:TechCrunch / Slava Blazer Photography
The reality of what makes Disrupt, Disrupt
If you’re asking Claude or ChatGPT if TechCrunch Disrupt is worth it, you’re not alone. The reality is that Disrupt is a unique event, and it’s happening at a unique time for the startup community.
This year’s Disrupt isn’t about predicting the future of AI; it’s about building companies in it. Across six editorially curated stages, founders will hear practical lessons from the CEOs, investors, engineers, and operators shaping the next decade of technology.
Whether you’re raising your first round, scaling your team, or deciding how AI changes your product, every session is designed to answer one question: “What can I take back to my company on Monday morning?”
The founders Disrupt empowers
Disrupt works a bit differently, depending on where you are in your founding journey, with different tracks you can follow to make the most of the three days:
Pre-seed and idea stages
You’re here to pressure-test your thesis, meet your first angel or pre-seed investors, and figure out who else is building in your space. Prioritize the Builders Stage, the Startup Battlefield semifinalist pitches, and the Expo Hall, along with roundtables tied to your industry and conversations you’ll want to learn more from.
Early revenue or actively raising
You’re here for capital and validation above all else, and your time is valuable. Prioritize our investor-matchmaking tools and the connections that come with your Founder Pass, including the networking tools in our app. You also get access to the Deal Flow Café, where we foster one-on-one conversations between founders and investors.
And when your schedule isn’t packed with dealmaking, learn from VC perspectives and fundraising-focused sessions at the Builders Stage.
Scaling, hiring, in search of partnerships
You’re here in search of talent, strategic partners, and market visibility. Those same networking tools and opportunities can help you meet potential hires and partners and deepen those connections or make new ones. Disrupt’s Side Events aren’t to be missed — there’s one for every industry, interest, or post-event vibe you could be looking to find.
Startup Battlefield: The most iconic pitch competition
The Startup Battlefield winner’s reveal packs the Disrupt stage and is each year’s capstone event. But it’s the lead-up to that 0,000 check and the deluge of attention the winner receives that’s the most valuable for founders attending Disrupt.
The 200 startups chosen on August 20 to compete go through a rigorous prep process and get the opportunity to pitch onstage in front of top-tier VCs and the Disrupt crowds. You’ll also get to watch those pitches, take notes, learn from the peaks and valleys, and potentially meet the teams behind the ideas and innovations. It could be in a follow-up meeting or just walking through the halls of Moscone.
And if that all leaves you inspired, here’s an insider tip: Most Battlefield participants, and several winners, have gone through the process multiple times. We’re no longer taking applications for 2026’s competition, but we’re expanding the program to more international markets, and the 2027 process will be similar to this year’s, so take note for the future!
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49QN3jIThz0[/embed]
The founder-focused programming
Disrupt 2026 spans several stages, each built around a different founder need:
Disrupt Stage: The biggest conversations in technology, featuring the founders, CEOs, and industry leaders defining what’s next. These are the conversations you’ll be talking about long after Disrupt ends.
Builders Stage: The tactical playbook for building a startup. From fundraising and hiring to GTM, product, and scaling, every session is designed to give founders practical advice they can put to work immediately.
AI Stage: AI isn’t the future — it’s the present. Learn how the fastest-growing startups are building, deploying, and monetizing AI, with practical lessons on agents, models, infrastructure, and what it takes to win in the AI era.
Real World AI Stage: AI is moving beyond the screen and into the physical world. Explore how robotics, autonomous systems, manufacturing, healthcare, and defense are turning AI breakthroughs into real-world products and businesses.
Smart Money Stage: Follow the money. From fintech and stablecoins to payments, embedded finance, and AI-driven financial services, this stage explores how technology is reshaping the movement of capital.
Smart Systems Stage: Every AI breakthrough depends on the infrastructure behind it. Discover the innovations in chips, compute, energy, networking, and data centers that will determine the next generation of technology companies.
Image Credits:TechCrunch / Slava Blazer Photography
Conversations you can only get at Disrupt
RJ Scaringe (Rivian): Building a generational company.
Panos Panay (Amazon): Designing products people love.
Paolo Ardoino (Tether): Money, AI, and infrastructure.
Toni Schneider and Rose Wang (Bluesky): Can social start over?
Amjad Masad (Replit): Every founder becomes technical.
Andrew Feldman (Cerebras): Winning the AI compute race.
And that’s just the beginning — we’ll have more speakers to announce as we get closer to Disrupt. Check out the full lineup of speakers across all stages and events here.
How to get the most bang for your buck at Disrupt
Disrupt’s prices increase as we get closer to the event, and founder tickets are currently 0 off their final price until August 21. But if you make the call to attend Disrupt before 11:59 p.m. PT August 7 via this link, you’ll save an additional 0!
If you want to bring a co-founder, you can get a 10% discount on that second ticket. For larger teams, we have additional per-ticket discounts available.
San Francisco might be the hotbed of the startup community and an AI epicenter, but we all know it’s caused prices to spike in the Bay. We’ve partnered with some excellent nearby hotel options to keep accommodation costs as low as possible. Check out our four partner hotels right here.
Your time at Disrupt is valuable, too, so before you head there, check on our regularly updated schedule of speakers and Side Events, get ahead of competitors’ schedules by booking your networking opportunities in advance, and get your own elevator pitches in order to make the most of those magical Disrupt moments that can come at any point October 13-15!
When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.#founders #guide #TechCrunch #Disrupt #TechCrunchTechCrunch Disrupt")
![The founder’s guide to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Everything you need to know | TechCrunch
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is built around one question: How do you build an enduring company in the AI era? Our programming and speaker lineup reflect that, based on the feedback we’ve gotten from the community and the reality on the ground.
Last year at Disrupt, we spoke with founders about their experiences and discovered the results of their attendance firsthand. One founder saw a 3x oversubscription rate after their confirmation for Startup Battlefield and more than 100 investor inbounds helping fuel conversations about a future fundraising round. Another founder had nearly 30 back-to-back conversations with investors who flocked to them after a pitch onstage and followed them to their booth.
That’s not the exception at Disrupt — that’s the point. And those opportunities aren’t just available for Battlefield finalists. Every conversation in the Expo Hall or in a Side Event can create an opportunity for your startup. For years, whether it’s been held in New York, San Francisco, or elsewhere, Disrupt has brought together thousands of founders, investors, startup team members, and tech leaders.
We’re keeping that mission alive at SF’s Moscone West, this October 13-15 with a packed lineup of speakers, more than 200 expert sessions, a wealth of organized and serendipitous networking opportunities, and most of all, the chance to be in the same room as the person who could change your nascent idea for a company or your current startup’s trajectory.
This guide is for the founders out there who are just learning about Disrupt, who need a refresher, or are skeptical of whether it’s worth it. TechCrunch has been around for more than 20 years; we can take it.
Image Credits:TechCrunch / Slava Blazer Photography
The reality of what makes Disrupt, Disrupt
If you’re asking Claude or ChatGPT if TechCrunch Disrupt is worth it, you’re not alone. The reality is that Disrupt is a unique event, and it’s happening at a unique time for the startup community.
This year’s Disrupt isn’t about predicting the future of AI; it’s about building companies in it. Across six editorially curated stages, founders will hear practical lessons from the CEOs, investors, engineers, and operators shaping the next decade of technology.
Whether you’re raising your first round, scaling your team, or deciding how AI changes your product, every session is designed to answer one question: “What can I take back to my company on Monday morning?”
The founders Disrupt empowers
Disrupt works a bit differently, depending on where you are in your founding journey, with different tracks you can follow to make the most of the three days:
Pre-seed and idea stages
You’re here to pressure-test your thesis, meet your first angel or pre-seed investors, and figure out who else is building in your space. Prioritize the Builders Stage, the Startup Battlefield semifinalist pitches, and the Expo Hall, along with roundtables tied to your industry and conversations you’ll want to learn more from.
Early revenue or actively raising
You’re here for capital and validation above all else, and your time is valuable. Prioritize our investor-matchmaking tools and the connections that come with your Founder Pass, including the networking tools in our app. You also get access to the Deal Flow Café, where we foster one-on-one conversations between founders and investors.
And when your schedule isn’t packed with dealmaking, learn from VC perspectives and fundraising-focused sessions at the Builders Stage.
Scaling, hiring, in search of partnerships
You’re here in search of talent, strategic partners, and market visibility. Those same networking tools and opportunities can help you meet potential hires and partners and deepen those connections or make new ones. Disrupt’s Side Events aren’t to be missed — there’s one for every industry, interest, or post-event vibe you could be looking to find.
Startup Battlefield: The most iconic pitch competition
The Startup Battlefield winner’s reveal packs the Disrupt stage and is each year’s capstone event. But it’s the lead-up to that 0,000 check and the deluge of attention the winner receives that’s the most valuable for founders attending Disrupt.
The 200 startups chosen on August 20 to compete go through a rigorous prep process and get the opportunity to pitch onstage in front of top-tier VCs and the Disrupt crowds. You’ll also get to watch those pitches, take notes, learn from the peaks and valleys, and potentially meet the teams behind the ideas and innovations. It could be in a follow-up meeting or just walking through the halls of Moscone.
And if that all leaves you inspired, here’s an insider tip: Most Battlefield participants, and several winners, have gone through the process multiple times. We’re no longer taking applications for 2026’s competition, but we’re expanding the program to more international markets, and the 2027 process will be similar to this year’s, so take note for the future!
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49QN3jIThz0[/embed]
The founder-focused programming
Disrupt 2026 spans several stages, each built around a different founder need:
Disrupt Stage: The biggest conversations in technology, featuring the founders, CEOs, and industry leaders defining what’s next. These are the conversations you’ll be talking about long after Disrupt ends.
Builders Stage: The tactical playbook for building a startup. From fundraising and hiring to GTM, product, and scaling, every session is designed to give founders practical advice they can put to work immediately.
AI Stage: AI isn’t the future — it’s the present. Learn how the fastest-growing startups are building, deploying, and monetizing AI, with practical lessons on agents, models, infrastructure, and what it takes to win in the AI era.
Real World AI Stage: AI is moving beyond the screen and into the physical world. Explore how robotics, autonomous systems, manufacturing, healthcare, and defense are turning AI breakthroughs into real-world products and businesses.
Smart Money Stage: Follow the money. From fintech and stablecoins to payments, embedded finance, and AI-driven financial services, this stage explores how technology is reshaping the movement of capital.
Smart Systems Stage: Every AI breakthrough depends on the infrastructure behind it. Discover the innovations in chips, compute, energy, networking, and data centers that will determine the next generation of technology companies.
Image Credits:TechCrunch / Slava Blazer Photography
Conversations you can only get at Disrupt
RJ Scaringe (Rivian): Building a generational company.
Panos Panay (Amazon): Designing products people love.
Paolo Ardoino (Tether): Money, AI, and infrastructure.
Toni Schneider and Rose Wang (Bluesky): Can social start over?
Amjad Masad (Replit): Every founder becomes technical.
Andrew Feldman (Cerebras): Winning the AI compute race.
And that’s just the beginning — we’ll have more speakers to announce as we get closer to Disrupt. Check out the full lineup of speakers across all stages and events here.
How to get the most bang for your buck at Disrupt
Disrupt’s prices increase as we get closer to the event, and founder tickets are currently 0 off their final price until August 21. But if you make the call to attend Disrupt before 11:59 p.m. PT August 7 via this link, you’ll save an additional 0!
If you want to bring a co-founder, you can get a 10% discount on that second ticket. For larger teams, we have additional per-ticket discounts available.
San Francisco might be the hotbed of the startup community and an AI epicenter, but we all know it’s caused prices to spike in the Bay. We’ve partnered with some excellent nearby hotel options to keep accommodation costs as low as possible. Check out our four partner hotels right here.
Your time at Disrupt is valuable, too, so before you head there, check on our regularly updated schedule of speakers and Side Events, get ahead of competitors’ schedules by booking your networking opportunities in advance, and get your own elevator pitches in order to make the most of those magical Disrupt moments that can come at any point October 13-15!
When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.#founders #guide #TechCrunch #Disrupt #TechCrunchTechCrunch Disrupt](https://i2.wp.com/techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/54885180072_e211a254ca_k.jpg?w=680&ssl=1 "The founder’s guide to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Everything you need to know | TechCrunch
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is built around one question: How do you build an enduring company in the AI era? Our programming and speaker lineup reflect that, based on the feedback we’ve gotten from the community and the reality on the ground.
Last year at Disrupt, we spoke with founders about their experiences and discovered the results of their attendance firsthand. One founder saw a 3x oversubscription rate after their confirmation for Startup Battlefield and more than 100 investor inbounds helping fuel conversations about a future fundraising round. Another founder had nearly 30 back-to-back conversations with investors who flocked to them after a pitch onstage and followed them to their booth.
That’s not the exception at Disrupt — that’s the point. And those opportunities aren’t just available for Battlefield finalists. Every conversation in the Expo Hall or in a Side Event can create an opportunity for your startup. For years, whether it’s been held in New York, San Francisco, or elsewhere, Disrupt has brought together thousands of founders, investors, startup team members, and tech leaders.
We’re keeping that mission alive at SF’s Moscone West, this October 13-15 with a packed lineup of speakers, more than 200 expert sessions, a wealth of organized and serendipitous networking opportunities, and most of all, the chance to be in the same room as the person who could change your nascent idea for a company or your current startup’s trajectory.
This guide is for the founders out there who are just learning about Disrupt, who need a refresher, or are skeptical of whether it’s worth it. TechCrunch has been around for more than 20 years; we can take it.
Image Credits:TechCrunch / Slava Blazer Photography
The reality of what makes Disrupt, Disrupt
If you’re asking Claude or ChatGPT if TechCrunch Disrupt is worth it, you’re not alone. The reality is that Disrupt is a unique event, and it’s happening at a unique time for the startup community.
This year’s Disrupt isn’t about predicting the future of AI; it’s about building companies in it. Across six editorially curated stages, founders will hear practical lessons from the CEOs, investors, engineers, and operators shaping the next decade of technology.
Whether you’re raising your first round, scaling your team, or deciding how AI changes your product, every session is designed to answer one question: “What can I take back to my company on Monday morning?”
The founders Disrupt empowers
Disrupt works a bit differently, depending on where you are in your founding journey, with different tracks you can follow to make the most of the three days:
Pre-seed and idea stages
You’re here to pressure-test your thesis, meet your first angel or pre-seed investors, and figure out who else is building in your space. Prioritize the Builders Stage, the Startup Battlefield semifinalist pitches, and the Expo Hall, along with roundtables tied to your industry and conversations you’ll want to learn more from.
Early revenue or actively raising
You’re here for capital and validation above all else, and your time is valuable. Prioritize our investor-matchmaking tools and the connections that come with your Founder Pass, including the networking tools in our app. You also get access to the Deal Flow Café, where we foster one-on-one conversations between founders and investors.
And when your schedule isn’t packed with dealmaking, learn from VC perspectives and fundraising-focused sessions at the Builders Stage.
Scaling, hiring, in search of partnerships
You’re here in search of talent, strategic partners, and market visibility. Those same networking tools and opportunities can help you meet potential hires and partners and deepen those connections or make new ones. Disrupt’s Side Events aren’t to be missed — there’s one for every industry, interest, or post-event vibe you could be looking to find.
Startup Battlefield: The most iconic pitch competition
The Startup Battlefield winner’s reveal packs the Disrupt stage and is each year’s capstone event. But it’s the lead-up to that 0,000 check and the deluge of attention the winner receives that’s the most valuable for founders attending Disrupt.
The 200 startups chosen on August 20 to compete go through a rigorous prep process and get the opportunity to pitch onstage in front of top-tier VCs and the Disrupt crowds. You’ll also get to watch those pitches, take notes, learn from the peaks and valleys, and potentially meet the teams behind the ideas and innovations. It could be in a follow-up meeting or just walking through the halls of Moscone.
And if that all leaves you inspired, here’s an insider tip: Most Battlefield participants, and several winners, have gone through the process multiple times. We’re no longer taking applications for 2026’s competition, but we’re expanding the program to more international markets, and the 2027 process will be similar to this year’s, so take note for the future!
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49QN3jIThz0[/embed]
The founder-focused programming
Disrupt 2026 spans several stages, each built around a different founder need:
Disrupt Stage: The biggest conversations in technology, featuring the founders, CEOs, and industry leaders defining what’s next. These are the conversations you’ll be talking about long after Disrupt ends.
Builders Stage: The tactical playbook for building a startup. From fundraising and hiring to GTM, product, and scaling, every session is designed to give founders practical advice they can put to work immediately.
AI Stage: AI isn’t the future — it’s the present. Learn how the fastest-growing startups are building, deploying, and monetizing AI, with practical lessons on agents, models, infrastructure, and what it takes to win in the AI era.
Real World AI Stage: AI is moving beyond the screen and into the physical world. Explore how robotics, autonomous systems, manufacturing, healthcare, and defense are turning AI breakthroughs into real-world products and businesses.
Smart Money Stage: Follow the money. From fintech and stablecoins to payments, embedded finance, and AI-driven financial services, this stage explores how technology is reshaping the movement of capital.
Smart Systems Stage: Every AI breakthrough depends on the infrastructure behind it. Discover the innovations in chips, compute, energy, networking, and data centers that will determine the next generation of technology companies.
Image Credits:TechCrunch / Slava Blazer Photography
Conversations you can only get at Disrupt
RJ Scaringe (Rivian): Building a generational company.
Panos Panay (Amazon): Designing products people love.
Paolo Ardoino (Tether): Money, AI, and infrastructure.
Toni Schneider and Rose Wang (Bluesky): Can social start over?
Amjad Masad (Replit): Every founder becomes technical.
Andrew Feldman (Cerebras): Winning the AI compute race.
And that’s just the beginning — we’ll have more speakers to announce as we get closer to Disrupt. Check out the full lineup of speakers across all stages and events here.
How to get the most bang for your buck at Disrupt
Disrupt’s prices increase as we get closer to the event, and founder tickets are currently 0 off their final price until August 21. But if you make the call to attend Disrupt before 11:59 p.m. PT August 7 via this link, you’ll save an additional 0!
If you want to bring a co-founder, you can get a 10% discount on that second ticket. For larger teams, we have additional per-ticket discounts available.
San Francisco might be the hotbed of the startup community and an AI epicenter, but we all know it’s caused prices to spike in the Bay. We’ve partnered with some excellent nearby hotel options to keep accommodation costs as low as possible. Check out our four partner hotels right here.
Your time at Disrupt is valuable, too, so before you head there, check on our regularly updated schedule of speakers and Side Events, get ahead of competitors’ schedules by booking your networking opportunities in advance, and get your own elevator pitches in order to make the most of those magical Disrupt moments that can come at any point October 13-15!
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