TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Side Events schedule: NMI, Backblaze, PeakXV Partners, Augment, and more to host

TechCrunch has published the Side Event schedule for Disrupt 2026, a series of panels, mixers, workshops and demo nights taking place across San Francisco during Disrupt Week. The main Disrupt conference runs at Moscone West from October 13–15, with Side Events beginning as early as October 11 and continuing through the conference.

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TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Side Events schedule: NMI, Backblaze, PeakXV Partners, Augment, and more to host

Why It Matters

Side Events extend networking, fundraising and technical conversations beyond the main conference halls and are hosted by a mix of sponsors, investors and industry groups — offering founders, investors and operators additional opportunities to connect. The program highlights the growing role of offsite gatherings in conference weeks for dealmaking, recruiting and community building.

Key Facts

Main event dates: October 13–15, 2026 at Moscone West
Side Event span: Events scheduled October 11–14 (and growing)
Serve, Swipe, & Settle: October 12 | 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Hosted by NMI
The Afterburn: TechCrunch Disrupt Edition: October 14 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Hosted by Backblaze and Flamethrower
Ecosystem Mixer: October 14 | 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Hosted by PeakXV Partners

TechCrunch’s Side Event program for Disrupt 2026 collects offsite panels, mixers, demo nights and networking gatherings across San Francisco timed around the main conference at Moscone West, which runs October 13–15. Organizers say the schedule is expanding, with new events added in the weeks leading up to Disrupt, and encourage attendees to check the chronological listing regularly.

Featured Side Events include sponsor-hosted mixers and parties designed for specific communities. Highlights named in the schedule are Serve, Swipe, & Settle — a mixer for SaaS leaders focused on embedded payments hosted by NMI on October 12 from 5:00–7:00 p.m.; The Afterburn, an evening mixer for founders and investors hosted by Backblaze and Flamethrower on October 14 from 6:00–8:00 p.m.; Peak XV’s Ecosystem Mixer on October 14 from 5:30–8:30 p.m.; and Liquid Assets, a private markets cocktail party hosted by Augment and Mintz on October 14 from 5:30–8:30 p.m.

Beyond those headliners, the Side Event schedule lists a range of community and sector-focused gatherings starting Sunday, October 11, including an AI Barmen happy hour and EPIC SF Demo Night. Other events across the week include meetups for AI founders and accredited investors, alumni mixers, industry-focused happy hours (security, content creation, worktech/robotics), and regional networking receptions. Many of the events emphasize informal conversation and networking rather than formal programming or pitches.

TechCrunch positioned the Side Events as complementary to the conference itself, offering additional spaces for founders, investors, operators, researchers and creators to network, share product demos and explore topical technology issues. Attendees are advised to consult the chronological schedule for updates and RSVP details as organizers add events in the lead-up to Disrupt Week.