• Isabelle Johannessen
    • Richard Smith

     is a major highlight at every , and we’re looking forward to finding out which of the thousands of startup applicants will get the chance to pitch to top-tier VCs. Today, we’re announcing of those investors:

    • Galym Imanbayev, partner,
    • Rohan Ganesh, partner, 
    • Lisa Morales-Hellebo, founder and managing GP,  
    • Andrew Schoen, partner,
    • Christopher Wan, vice president,

    The Startup Battlefield winner, who will walk away with a $100,000 equity-free prize, will be announced at Disrupt 2024 — the startup epicenter. Join 10,000 attendees to witness this groundbreaking moment and see the next wave of tech innovation.

    • Henry Pickavet

    We’re in the final stretch of , and if you’re still on the fence about attending, here are the top five reasons you’ll want to join us at Moscone West in San Francisco from October 28-30.

    1. Networking. With countless opportunities to meet the right people, you’ll be in a prime position to advance your professional goals. Join 10,000 tech, startup, and VC leaders and connect in meaningful ways, including Braindate networking on its app, the countless founders and investors exhibiting and roaming the Expo Hall, receptions, and numerous company-hosted side events happening before and after the show. .
    2. Invaluable insights. Immerse yourself in top-tier industry insights across six dedicated stages: AI, Builders, Disrupt, Fintech, SaaS, and Space. Join in for in-depth discussions with industry heavyweights and gain knowledge you won’t find elsewhere. 
    3. Startup Battlefield 200. Make sure to attend one of Disrupt’s signature events: . Experience the excitement as the leading pre-Series A startups pitch their cutting-edge ideas to a panel of top VC judges. The champion will take home a $100,000 equity-free prize and the Disrupt Cup.
    4. Hands-on sessions. Take part in a 30-minute Roundtable with an industry expert for a chance to engage in collaborative conversations in a small-group setting. You can also attend a 50-minute Breakout Session, where leading experts will answer pressing questions about modern entrepreneurship.
    5. Scaling startups. We’re thrilled to introduce the  at this year’s Disrupt. This program will feature a variety of startups across multiple industries showcasing their cutting-edge innovations in the Expo Hall. Experience the future of technology firsthand. If you’re an investor looking to fund the next big idea or an individual interested in contributing to innovation, there’s something here for you.

    • Henry Pickavet

    We’ll talk to some of the brightest minds and leaders in the industry — executives from early- and late-stage SaaS companies, leaders from the infrastructure companies that power the industry and the venture capitalists who fund them. On the , hear from former Salesforce CEO Bret Taylor and Slack CEO Denise Dresser, as well as how to make peace with the fact that you’re gonna get hacked — and how to avoid it.

    • Henry Pickavet

    India tax department probe finds bogus purchases, undisclosed income by Infra.Market
    Image Credits:DIBYANGSHU SARKAR / AFP / Getty Images

    Across three days, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about product-market fit, what goes into raising a Series A, how to hire, and more. Throw a pitch-deck teardown into the mix and you’ve got yourself a full of information you’ll need to help you on your journey. 

    • Henry Pickavet

    Long exposure streak shot of rocket launch in Florida neighborhood
    Image Credits: / Getty Images

    The once-astronomical costs of doing business in orbit are falling, and  so are the technical barriers to entry. This means a diverse and highly competitive environment in both private and public markets. All this and more is repped on the . We’ll also be hosting a pitch competition this year called “The Space Challenge, powered by Aerospace” as part of the event.

    • Henry Pickavet

    Mary Barra wants to double GM’s revenues by the end of the decade, lead the market in EV sales, offer software-based services and commercialize autonomous vehicle technology through its subsidiary Cruise. She’ll be to tell us how. 

    • Henry Pickavet

    Colin Kaepernick
    Image Credits:Lumi

    Colin Kaepernick will to discuss the problems creators face today, as well as how his company Lumi is trying to empower its storytellers. We’ll also get in to how Lumi is addressing the biases that plague AI models throughout the tech industry.

    • Henry Pickavet

    As the fintech industry evolves, new opportunities abound for founders, investors, and customers. Areas such as mobile banking, global payroll, digital payments, embedded finance, and cryptocurrency are only growing in the coming years. Open banking is still gaining speed in the U.S., as well. On the , hear from leaders across the industry about what challenges they’ve faced so far and where the opportunities lie.

    • Henry Pickavet

    TechCrunch’s editorial staff read, vetted and debated over thousands of applications. This process reminded us, yet again, just how much creativity, innovation, and talent exists within the startup community. The include companies from around the globe in SaaS, health tech, hardware, robotics and IoT, fintech, edtech, security, privacy, social networking, sustainability, mobility, and logistics.

    • Henry Pickavet

    On the Disrupt Stage you’ll hear from the CEOs of General Motors and Wiz; investors Vinod Khosla, Ashton Kutcher, Tony Fadell, Erin Foster and Sara Foster; and former NFL player and founder Colin Kaepernick. The Disrupt Stage is the culmination of months of hard work and is just one of six stages featured at this year’s jam-packed event.