TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Brings Amazon, Tether, Replit Leaders Together
4 min read
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is preparing to host some of the biggest names in technology, AI, and crypto, with industry leaders from Amazon, Replit, Tether, Rivian, Cerebras, and several other major companies set to take the stage. The event will take place from October 13 to October 15 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, where founders, investors, developers, and technology professionals will gather to discuss the future of innovation.
For more than a decade, the Disrupt Stage has been known for hosting influential conversations featuring some of the world’s most recognizable technology leaders. Previous speakers have included Mark Zuckerberg, Marc Benioff, Elon Musk, Travis Kalanick, Marissa Mayer, and Jack Dorsey. This year, the focus shifts toward one of the industry’s biggest topics—how businesses can successfully build, fund, and grow in the age of artificial intelligence.
Rather than making predictions about what might happen in the future, TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 aims to deliver practical discussions centered on real-world challenges founders are facing today.
Attendees will hear directly from executives who are actively shaping software, AI infrastructure, finance, security, and next-generation computing.
One of the headline sessions, “What Comes After the Smartphone?”, will examine how artificial intelligence could transform the way people interact with technology. As AI continues to evolve, experts will explore what the next generation of devices could look like beyond today’s smartphones.
Another highly anticipated discussion, “What We Believe Now,” will bring all five partners from Benchmark together on the Disrupt Stage for the first time in San Francisco. The panel will debate where the next wave of startups may emerge, highlight common mistakes made by founders, and discuss opportunities that many entrepreneurs may still be overlooking.
Artificial intelligence will also dominate several other sessions. Amjad Masad, Founder and CEO of Replit, will lead “Everyone Can Build Software Now. What Happens Next?”, exploring how AI is making software development accessible to millions of new creators. The conversation will focus on entrepreneurship and how AI is changing the way products are built.
The crypto industry will receive special attention during “The Company Behind the World’s Most Controversial Currency.” Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, will discuss the company’s role in processing hundreds of billions of dollars in transactions, while addressing stablecoins, regulations, global payments, and whether cryptocurrency is finally entering mainstream adoption.
Public safety and artificial intelligence will be another major topic. Garrett Langley, Founder and CEO of Flock Safety, will discuss how AI is becoming part of everyday infrastructure, along with the growing debate surrounding surveillance, privacy, and security.
Enterprise AI will also be in focus as Winston Weinberg, Co-founder and CEO of Harvey AI, explains how artificial intelligence is transforming knowledge-based work. The session will examine why businesses, from law firms to Fortune 500 companies, are increasingly adopting AI and how software is beginning to perform tasks once handled by highly trained professionals.
The future of AI infrastructure will be explored by Andrew Feldman, Founder and CEO of Cerebras, during “Can AI Keep Scaling?” The discussion will cover the growing demand for computing power, energy, and hardware as AI models continue to expand.
Attendees will also hear from Max Hodak, Founder and CEO of Science Corp, who will present “Beyond Screens,” focusing on brain-computer interfaces and new ways humans could interact with machines. Meanwhile, RJ Scaringe, CEO of Rivian, will share insights into building a company that combines artificial intelligence, robotics, software, manufacturing, and transportation during the session titled “Building the Impossible.”
Beyond the main stage, TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will feature several specialized tracks. The AI Stage will examine security challenges and changing business models driven by AI. The Smart Money Stage will focus on stablecoins, instant payments, and AI’s role in financial trust. The Smart Systems Stage will explore energy infrastructure and technological breakthroughs supporting AI, while the Builders Stage will provide practical advice on fundraising, hiring, and scaling startups. Organizers have also teased one additional stage that will be revealed later.
Visitors will also gain access to the event’s largest Startup Battlefield, networking opportunities with founders, investors, and technology leaders, as well as an exhibition floor featuring more than 10,000 startup, technology, and venture capital professionals.
TechCrunch has also reminded attendees that its current discounted ticket pricing will end in the coming weeks. Buyers can save up to $300 on selected ticket types before prices increase.
With three days of discussions featuring some of the biggest names in AI, crypto, software, and venture capital, TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is shaping up to be one of the year’s most anticipated technology events, offering founders and innovators valuable insights into the future of the industry.
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