TechCrunch Disrupt 2026’s biggest stage features leaders from Amazon, Replit, Tether, with much more to come

The Disrupt Stage is where many of the biggest conversations in technology happen, with a legacy that stretches back for more than a decade. The names that have taken to the stage are so big, they are synonymous with the past era of startups and the new era of AI and major incumbents: Zuckerberg, Benioff, Musk, Kalanick, Mayer, Dorsey.

And at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 , we’re tackling the biggest topic of the year with some of the biggest names to match. We’re homing in on what it actuallytakes to build, fund, and scale in the age of AI.

From October 13–15 in San Francisco at Moscone Center, founders, investors, and technologists will hear directly from the people shaping the future of software, infrastructure, finance, security, and computing.

Join Amazon’s Panos Panay, Replit’s Amjad Masad, Tether’s Paolo Ardoino, Flock Safety’s Garrett Langley, the full partnership at Benchmark, and more across a set of conversations built to answer the questions founders are actively grappling with right now. No prognostication. Just solutions.

We’re also nearing the end of our current pricing window, so your chance to save up to $300 on a number of ticket types is ending in just a few weeks — the time to act is now !

Here’s what is current on deck for the Disrupt Stage, with more announcements still to come:

What Comes After the Smartphone?

For nearly two decades, the smartphone has been the center of our digital lives. As AI transforms how we interact with technology, the next generation of products may look — and behave — very differently.

With Panos Panay, SVP, Devices and Services, Amazon

What We Believe Now

For the first time on the Disrupt Stage in San Francisco, all five Benchmark partners come together to debate where the next generation of startups will come from, what founders are getting wrong, and the opportunities still hiding in plain sight.

Everyone Can Build Software Now. What Happens Next?

AI is making it possible for millions of people to create software for the first time, and Replit sits at the center of that shift. A conversation about the future of programming, entrepreneurship, and what happens when anyone can turn an idea into a product.

AI, Surveillance, and the Future of Public Safety

As AI moves from the cloud into the real world, few companies sit at the center of the debate quite like Flock Safety. A conversation about privacy, security, and the trade-offs that emerge when AI becomes part of everyday infrastructure.

With Garrett Langley, Founder and CEO, Flock Safety

Building the AI Workforce

From law firms to Fortune 500 companies, AI is rapidly changing how knowledge work gets done. Harvey has emerged as one of the breakout enterprise AI companies of the last two years — a conversation about what enterprises actually want from AI, and what happens when software starts doing work once reserved for highly trained experts.

With Winston Weinberg, Co-founder and CEO, Harvey AI

Can AI Keep Scaling?

The AI boom has created unprecedented demand for compute, energy, and infrastructure. Cerebras is challenging conventional assumptions about how AI systems should be built — and what happens if today’s hardware hits its limits.

With Andrew Feldman, Founder and CEO, Cerebras

Beyond Screens

For decades, humans have adapted to computers. Max Hodak believes the next era of technology will adapt to us — from brain-computer interfaces to entirely new ways of interacting with machines.

With Max Hodak, Founder and CEO, Science Corp

Building the Impossible

Building a breakthrough software company is hard. Building one that also designs, manufactures, and delivers world-class hardware is even harder. Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe joins us to discuss what it takes to build an enduring company at the intersection of AI, software, robotics, manufacturing, and transportation.

And this is just the Disrupt Stage. Over the full three days, you’ll also get access to our other stages:

Plus, your pass unlocks access to our biggest Startup Battlefield yet , networking opportunities with many of the movers and shakers in attendance, and the exhibition floor — alongside more than 10,000 startup, tech, and VC leaders.

It’s a three-day sprint in the heart of the startup community that will leave you ready for the next year of innovation — so register today !

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission . This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

Scale faster. Grow your portfolio. Gain practical expertise. No matter your goal, Disrupt can empower you. Save up to $330 toda y!

Claude Opus 5 became downright ruthless when tasked with running a vending machine

Sam Altman is ready to decelerate

Librarians are hosting viral ‘Avoiding AI’ workshops for people who are fed up with Big Tech

SpaceX launches new V3 Starlink satellites but suffers another booster failure

Prentis, new AI lab co-founded by Reid Hoffman, Mark Pincus in talks to raise $100M

US accuses American of allegedly wiping his phone using a ‘duress’ password during border search

Anduril reportedly in talks to raise funding at $100B valuation, more than 3x last year’s mark