TechCrunch Disrupt San Francisco 2019

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Deadline extended! Apply to the All Raise female founder program at Disrupt SF 2019

Published July 19, 2019

We’ve got great news for all the time-strapped female founders out there. Yeah, we’re looking at you, sister. We’re extending the application deadline to apply for the All Raise “ask me anything” (AMA) sessions at Disrupt SF 2019. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to meet with a leading female VC and, well, ask her anything. Apply for an AMA session by August 15.

Not familiar with All Raise? This startup nonprofit, dedicated to accelerating female founder success, will host a day-long AMA event on October 3 at Disrupt SF 2019 — in a dedicated section of Startup Alley. Each AMA session lasts 30 minutes and consists of three founders and one VC. All Raise expects more than 100 female founders to take part in at least 30 sessions scheduled throughout the day.

Don’t bring your pitches, bring your questions — the kind of questions that keep you up at night. It’s a rare opportunity to ask a leading VC advice on topics like your next raise, key hires, your competition. Imagine receiving business advice from any of these female VCs:

Dayna Grayson, NEA
Susan Lyne, BBG
Shauntel Garvey, Reach Capital
Eurie Kim, Forerunner
Jess Lee, Sequoia
Kara Nortman, Upfront
Sara Guo, Greylock,
Anarghya Vardhana, Maveron
Eva Ho, Fika Ventures
Sarah Smith, Bain Capital Ventures
Jess Lin, Work-Bench

You can apply for an All Raise AMA session if you’re a U.S.-based woman founder and you’ve raised at least $250,000 in a seed, A or B round. All Raise gives special consideration to founders from underrepresented groups (e.g. Black, Latinx or LGBTQIA women).

All Raise will review the applications and notify the founders. Acceptance is based on availability for session spots, investor fit with industry sector and company stage, as well as demand for certain categories.

If you’re selected, your next step is to buy any pass to Disrupt SF (including Expo Only). All Raise will send an email to let you know what time they’ve scheduled your session.

Networking opportunities of this caliber don’t come along very often — especially for women in tech. Build connections, learn from expert female VCs and move your startup forward. Take advantage of the deadline extension and apply for an AMA session before August 15. We want to see you in San Francisco!

If you are interested in sponsoring this event or exhibiting at Disrupt San Francisco 2019, fill out this form to get in contact with our sales team.

Let CrunchMatch simplify your networking at Disrupt SF 2019

Published July 17, 2019

Set in the city where startup dreams began, TechCrunch’s flagship tech conference — Disrupt San Francisco 2019 — takes place October 2-4. And with more than 10,000 attendees converging on Moscone North Convention Center, the networking possibilities can seem downright daunting. More like a contact sport than a business opportunity, right?

Why waste your valuable time talking to the wrong people? Reap the benefits of simplified networking with CrunchMatch. This free business match-making platform — available to attendees with Innovator, Founder or Investor passes — helps you find and connect with the people who can move your business forward.

How does it all work? Qualified pass holders will be able to access the platform via the Disrupt app to fill out their CrunchMatch profile outlining their specific roles, goals and the type of people they want to meet. Founders, for example, would list category, stage, location, funding status, etc. Investor profiles might include investment categories, preferred funding stage, geographic preferences and the like.

It’s not just for founders and investors. Whether you’re a developer looking for founders, a technology service provider searching for new customers or a startup looking for marketers, CrunchMatch can help you zero in on the right people, too.

CrunchMatch gets to work matching people based on their mutual business interests. It suggests meetings and sends out invitations (which recipients can easily accept or decline). Here’s another real time-saver: CrunchMatch lets you reserve dedicated meeting spaces where you can network in comfort. No more shouting just to be heard.

At a conference this size, an efficient strategic planning tool like CrunchMatch comes in handy. You’ll gain access to the Disrupt app in September, which gives you plenty of time to view the CrunchMatch platform and vet meeting requests before you step foot inside the Moscone Center.

Here’s what Michael Kocan, managing partner at Trend Discovery, had to say about his experience with CrunchMatch:

I scheduled more than 35 meetings with startups that I pre-vetted using CrunchMatch, and we made a significant investment in one of them.

On the other side of the investor/founder coin, Caleb John, co-founder of Cedar Robotics, appreciated the platform’s time-saving efficiency:

CrunchMatch is a great way to pitch your ideas to investors quickly. Instead of approaching each one individually, just type up your pitch and send it to 50 people. Even if only 10 percent get back to you, you still have five investors. It’s one of the best benefits.

Make the most of your time at Disrupt San Francisco 2019. Buy an Innovator, Founder or Investor pass and take advantage of the many networking benefits CrunchMatch has to offer. We’ll see you in October!

Is your company interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at Disrupt San Francisco 2019? Contact our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form.

Apply to TC Top Picks before the deadline & exhibit free at Disrupt SF 2019

Published July 16, 2019

Does your company have what it takes to be part of an elite cadre of early-stage startups and exhibit for free at Disrupt San Francisco 2019? There’s only one way to know for sure, but time is running out. Apply to be a TC Top Pick now — before the application window closes for good at 5:00 p.m. (PT) on July 19.

Why should you apply? For starters, it doesn’t cost anything, and all TC Top Picks receive a free Startup Alley Exhibition Package good for one full day of exhibiting in Startup Alley, the heart of every Disrupt. It’s the intersection of tech present and tech future — where more than 1,200 pre-Series A startups and sponsors exhibit their products, platforms and services. It’s a breeding ground of opportunity, and you never know who you might meet and where that connection might lead.

TechCrunch editors vet all applications and choose up to five startups in each of these (and only these) tech categories: AI/Machine Learning, Biotech/Healthtech, Blockchain, Fintech, Mobility, Privacy/Security, Retail/E-commerce, Robotics/IoT/Hardware, SaaS and Social Impact/Education.

TC Top Picks also receive three Founder passes and plenty of other perks, starting with the VIP treatment. You’ll exhibit in a dedicated space within Startup Alley, and we promote the Top Pick startups in our pre-conference marketing. Everyone wants to see who made the cut, including journalists covering the show and investors looking to add to their portfolios.

In a classic “but wait, there’s more” moment, a TechCrunch editor conducts a live interview with each Top Pick on the Showcase Stage in Startup Alley. We record the interviews for posterity and promote them across our social media platforms. That’s the kind of marketing tool that keeps on giving.

Take a page from DiaMonTech’s playbook. The company, the maker of a non-invasive glucose monitoring device, earned a Top Pick designation for Disrupt Berlin 2018. Markus Teuber, head of strategic partnerships, had this to say about the Top Pick experience.

“Exhibiting as a TC Top Pick helped us build credibility right away, and it still pays off during pitches as an anchor point for further discussion. The interview and media coverage helped us generate awareness for our groundbreaking approach, and it also helped us identify leads and build substantial cooperation agreements.”

Pro Tip: Every startup that exhibits in Startup Alley has a shot to win a Wild Card entry to Startup Battlefield. Yet another great reason to apply to be a TC Top Pick.

Disrupt San Francisco 2019 takes place October 2-4. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to place your startup in the Disrupt spotlight. Apply to be a TC Top Pick before the deadline clocks out precisely at 5:00 p.m. (PT) on July 19. Show us what you’ve got!

Is your company interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at Disrupt San Francisco 2019? Contact our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form.

3 reasons startups should exhibit at Disrupt SF 2019

Published July 10, 2019

Early-stage startup founders, you’re searching for opportunities to take your company to greater heights, amirite? Then allow me to direct your attention to Disrupt San Francisco 2019, TechCrunch’s flagship event that takes place October 2-4. More specifically to Startup Alley, the exhibition floor where opportunity thrives.

Grab that opportunity by the scruff and buy a Startup Alley Exhibitor Package. There’s simply no better way to place your early-stage startup in front of influential change agents. Yes, we’re biased, but that doesn’t make us wrong. Here are just three of the many reasons why you should exhibit in Startup Alley.

Media exposure

Along with 10,000+ attendees, Disrupt SF draws more than 400 media outlets. And all those journalists spend time prowling Startup Alley hunting for stories about fascinating founders, emerging tech trends or maybe even a future unicorn. Scoring media coverage can work wonders for your bottom line — as Luke Heron, CEO of TestCard, learned when he exhibited in Startup Alley:

We got a fantastic writeup in Engadget, which was really valuable. Cash at the beginning of the start-up journey is difficult to come by, and an article from a credible organization can help push things in the right direction.

Last year, TestCard closed a $1.7 million funding round.

Investor attention

Journalists aren’t the only influencers perusing the tech and talent on display in Startup Alley. Investors are just as eager to find up-and-coming prospects to add to their portfolios. It’s the perfect place to start conversations and develop relationships. Here’s what David Hall, co-founder of Park & Diamond, had to say about his experience:

Exhibiting in Startup Alley was a game-changer. The chance to have discussions and potentially form relationships with investors was invaluable. It completely changed our trajectory and made it easier to raise funds and jump to the next stage.

Last year, Park & Diamond closed its first round of funding, allowing the company to relocate to New York and make its first key hires.

Wild Card shot at Startup Battlefield

Exhibit in Startup Alley for a chance to win a Wild Card entry to the Startup Battlefield pitch competition. TechCrunch editors will select two standout startups as Wild Card teams. Both teams will compete head-to-head in Startup Battlefield for $100,000 equity-free cash, the Disrupt Cup and even more glorious investor and media attention.

There you have it. Three terrific reasons to buy a Startup Alley Exhibitor Package and strut your stuff at Disrupt San Francisco 2019.

Pro Tip: You have until July 19 to apply for our TC Top Picks program. If you make the cut, you’ll receive a free Startup Alley Exhibitor Package and sweet VIP perks.

Is your company interested in sponsoring at Disrupt SF 2019? Contact our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form.

Only 100 seats left: Apply to hack at the TC Hackathon at Disrupt SF

Published June 25, 2019

Hustle up, hackathon fans. The TechCrunch Hackathon at Disrupt San Francisco 2019 on October 2-4 may be more than three months away, but it’s filling up fast. There’s no application deadline. Instead, we’re capping the number of participants at 800 — and we have approximately 100 spots left. Don’t get shunted to the waiting list. Apply to the Hackathon today.

It doesn’t cost anything to compete in the hackathon. You’ll get free Expo Only passes for days one and two, and then we’ll upgrade you to an Innovator pass for day three of Disrupt SF.

Here’s how it all works. The TC hackathon sponsors offer a variety of contests — real-world challenges that require working solutions. Each sponsored challenge comes with its own prizes, including cash money.

You can bring a team of 4-6 people, or you can come solo and we’ll help you find a team when you arrive. Teams will use a variety of APIs, data sets and other tools to design, create and submit a working product in approximately 24 hours.

You’ll need talent, focus and stamina to build something out of nothing under this kind of intense pressure. We’ll do our part to keep your blood sugar levels up with free food and drink — including plenty of Red Bull and coffee. Plus, one of our hackathon sponsors, Kinship, will be hosting a custom contest at the Hackathon to explore how data could enrich the lives of pets to help them live healthier and happier. With access to unique pet data, and a puppy lounge (!!!) with animal shelters for much needed puppy love, they are looking to engage with founders, developers, designers and anyone passionate about pet space to create a brighter future for pets around the world. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be announcing more sponsors, contests and prizes.

When the time runs out, all teams submit their work. The judges will review all completed projects — science-fair style — on day two. They’ll pick 10 finalists to step onto the Extra Crunch Stage and deliver a two-minute product pitch.

After the judges consult, the sponsors announce their winning teams and award their prizes. And then — drum roll please — TechCrunch announces its grand prize winner for the best overall hack. The grand prize? A cool, $10,000. You’ll find more details and the event agenda on the Hackathon website.

We have just about 100 hackathon seats left at Disrupt San Francisco 2019 on October 2-4. Don’t miss your chance to dazzle us with your mad coding skills, compete against some of the world’s best devs, solve a real-world problem and maybe even win some cool prizes. Fill out the Hackathon application now.

Is your company interested in sponsoring the Hackathon at Disrupt San Francisco 2019? Contact our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form.

Apply to Startup Battlefield for a shot at TC fame and fortune

Published June 21, 2019

What would a $100,000 cash infusion do for your early-stage startup? Don’t just imagine it. Apply to compete in Startup Battlefield at Disrupt San Francisco 2019 on October 2-4.

Our premier pitch competition has launched hundreds of startups on an exponential success trajectory, attracts massive media and investor attention and, yeah, it offers a fat $100K prize — equity free. But listen up founders, the application deadline expires on June 25th at 11:59 p.m. (PT). Don’t miss your shot at TC fame and fortune. Fill out an application to Startup Battlefield today.

You literally have nothing to lose. Any early-stage startup — from any country, in any vertical — is eligible, and it doesn’t cost anything to apply or to compete. TechCrunch doesn’t charge any fees or take any equity, either. We’re nice that way.

You’ll have plenty of time to prepare and plenty of sage advice from expert TechCrunch editors. Yup, all competing teams receive extensive, free pitch coaching. You’ll be rarin’ to go when you step on the Disrupt Main stage to deliver your six-minute pitch and live demo to a panel of top VC and tech judges.

We expect more than 10,000 attendees at our flagship Disrupt SF event, and the wildly popular Startup Battlefield always draws a huge audience. We’re talking thousands of spectators, including hundreds of media outlets, investors and tech influencers. These are the very people who could potentially take your company — whether you win the Battle or not — to the next level and beyond. Not to mention the international live stream to get the entire world’s attention.

Want more perks? We’ve got ’em. Battlefield startups get up to four free conference passes, access to TC’s investor-startup matching program and can exhibit for free in Startup Alley for all three days of Disrupt. Plus, you receive backstage access, invitations to VIP events and free passes to all future TechCrunch events.

Then there’s the Startup Battlefield alumni community — 857 companies strong and counting. Your startup will join an awesome group that includes Fitbit, Vurb, Dropbox, Get Around, Cloudflare, Mint and more. Alumni companies have collectively raised $8.9 billion and produced 110 successful IPOs or acquisitions.

Startup Battlefield takes place at Disrupt San Francisco 2019 on October 2-4, and your shot at $100,000 ends when the application deadline expires on June 25th at 11:59 p.m. (PT). Don’t miss all the opportunity. Apply right here, and we’ll see you in San Francisco!

Launch your startup onstage at TechCrunch Disrupt SF 2019

Published June 19, 2019

Early-stage startup founders, we’re looking at you. Are you ready to launch your company and show the world what you’ve got? There’s no better launching pad than Startup Battlefield, and the next battle goes down at Disrupt San Francisco 2019 — in the city that gave birth to startup dreams.

There’s no time to waste. The application deadline expires on June 25th at 11:59 p.m. (PT). Apply to compete in the Startup Battlefield today.

Because Disrupt San Francisco 2019 is our flagship event, it’s appropriate that Startup Battlefield comes with a flagship prize. We’re talking a $100,000 equity-free cash infusion to the winner’s bottom line. But there’s more on the line than a wad of cash. Here’s how Startup Battlefield works and the benefits all participants receive.

First off, applying to and participating in Startup Battlefield is free. However, the selection process is extremely competitive. Discerning TechCrunch editors vet every application and choose approximately 15-20 startups to compete. All participating teams receive free, extensive pitch coaching from our Battlefield-tested editorial team.

When you step onto the Disrupt Main Stage, you’ll have six minutes to pitch and present a live demo to a panel of expert VCs and tech leaders — and then respond to their questions.

Teams that make it through to the final round repeat the process to a second set of judges, and it’s from that elite cohort that one standout startup will earn the title, hoist the Disrupt Cup and claim the $100,000 prize.

It all goes down live in front of an audience of thousands, and we live-stream the entire event to the world on TechCrunch.com, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter — and make it available later on-demand.

Whether you win the whole shebang or not, you still win. All competing teams receive intense media and investor attention and exhibit for free in Startup Alley for all three days of the show. You also receive invitations to VIP events, free passes to future TechCrunch events and complimentary subscriptions to our new editorial offering, Extra Crunch.

It’s time. You’re ready to launch. Apply to the Startup Battlefield, and join us at Disrupt San Francisco 2019 on October 2-4. And remember, the application deadline expires on June 25th at 11:59 p.m. (PT).

Not quite ready to battle it out on the Main Stage? Why not apply for our TC Top Picks program? It’s a select group, and if we pick your startup, you’ll receive a free Startup Alley Exhibitor Package, VIP treatment and plenty of media and investor exposure.

Only 72 hours left to save big on passes to Disrupt SF 2019

Published June 19, 2019

Seventy-two hours to save. That’s how much time remains on super-early-bird pricing for passes to Disrupt San Francisco 2019, which takes place October 2-4. If you plan to attend TechCrunch’s flagship event dedicated to bold, early-stage startuppers — and why wouldn’t you — you have until June 21 at 11:59 p.m. (PT) to score the best price. Depending on the type of pass you buy, you can save serious cheddar — up to $1,800. Choose the budget-friendly payment plan option during checkout and you can pay for your pass over time. It’s all geared to be as easy on the purse strings as possible, so buy your pass now and save.

Moscone North Convention Center will be home to more than 10,000 attendees from around the world — including startups, exhibitors and media outlets — for three jam-packed days of programming across 14 categories. It’s where you’ll find both the present and future of technology under one roof.

Every Disrupt event features an amazing lineup of speakers. We’re talking interviews and panel discussions with some of the world’s most influential names in tech and investing — and that tradition continues at Disrupt SF 2019. Here’s just one example of the presentations you’ll experience.

Cybersecurity ranks as a major concern that affects everyone — consumers, businesses and governments. We’re thrilled that Jeanette Manfra, homeland security assistant director and a senior executive at the department’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), will grace the stage. One of the government’s most experienced cybersecurity civil servants, Manfra currently leads the effort to protect and strengthen our nation’s vital infrastructure, including the power grid and water supplies. We can’t wait to hear what she has to say about the government’s cybersecurity efforts.

Experience Startup Alley’s ocean of opportunity. You’ll find hundreds of outstanding early-stage startups pushing tech boundaries and creating the future today. You’ll also find the TC Top Picks — a hand-picked cadre of companies representing these categories: AI/Machine Learning, Biotech/Healthtech, Blockchain, Fintech, Mobility, Privacy/Security, Retail/E-commerce, Robotics/IoT/Hardware, SaaS and Social Impact & Education. If that describes your early-stage startup, apply to be a TC Top Pick. If you make the cut, you get to exhibit in Startup Alley for free. You also get three complimentary passes and VIP treatment with plenty of VC and media exposure — including a live interview with a TechCrunch editor on the Showcase Stage.

Disrupt SF 2019 takes place October 2-4, and your chance to snag the best price on passes disappears in just three short days. Be bold. Buy your pass now — before the June 21 11:59 p.m. (PT) deadline — and save big.

Is your company interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at Disrupt SF 2019? Contact our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form.

Apply to the TechCrunch Hackathon at Disrupt SF 2019

Published June 14, 2019

The TechCrunch Hackathon is shaping up to be a huge battle royale, but we still have room for a few more creative coders, hackers and outright webmonsters to join us at Disrupt San Francisco 2019 on October 2-4 for a chance to win $10,000.

It won’t cost you a thing to come and play in the hackathon sandbox. If you have the vision, the chops and the stamina to face off against some of the world’s best devs, then stop what you’re doing and apply to compete right here.

Here’s what you need to know about the Disrupt SF 2019 Hackathon. Teams can consist of a maximum of 6 people. Don’t have a team? No problem, you can find a team member on our Devpost host site prior to the event.

Besides the $10,000 grand prize, sponsors will also offer prizes (including cold, hard cash, people) to the teams that build a great product using their platform. It won’t be easy. You’ll have roughly 24 high-pressure hours to deliver the goods using their APIs, data sets and other tools.

We’ll announce this year’s sponsors and challenges over the next few weeks, but the sponsored contests, prizes and winners from last year’s hackathon can give you an idea of what to expect.

When the dev clock runs out, it’s pencils down and time to submit your work. On the afternoon of day two, judges review all completed projects — kind of like a flashback to your science fair days. They’ll pick 10 finalists to deliver a two-minute project pitch on the Extra Crunch Stage.

The sponsors will announce their winners, and then TechCrunch will announce one grand prize winner for the best overall hack — and that team will take home a cool, $10,000 cash prize. Check out all the details and the agenda on the Hackathon website.

We’ll keep you fed, watered and highly caffeinated throughout the event — at no cost to you. Plus, you receive free Expo Only passes for the first two days of Disrupt. And if you have any energy left, you can enjoy your free Innovator pass to catch all of the content during day three of Disrupt SF. Sweet!

The entire experience is exhausting and exhilarating, grueling and gratifying. You’ll flex your mighty skills in front of influential people and build something awesome that can make a difference in this world.

The TC Hackathon takes place at Disrupt San Francisco 2019 on October 2-4. Join the battle royale and show us what you can do. Apply to the Hackathon right here.

Is your company interested in sponsoring the Hackathon at Disrupt San Francisco 2019? Contact our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form.