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

The Disruption Phase is where many of the biggest conversations in technology happen, with a legacy that stretches back more than a decade. The names that reached the stage are very big, like the previous era of the start and the new era of AI and the main stakeholders: Zuckerberg, Benioff, Musk, Kalanick, Mayer, Dorsey.

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

From October 13–15 in San Francisco at the Moscone Center, innovators, investors, and experts will hear directly from the people who are 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 for a whole series of conversations designed to answer the questions innovators are busy with right now. There is no prediction. Just solutions.

And we’re nearing the end of our current pricing window, so your chance to save up to $300 on a variety of tickets ends in just a few weeks — the time to act is now!

Here’s what’s on deck for Disruption Stage, with more announcements to come:

What Comes After the Smartphone?

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

By Panos Panay, SVP, Devices and Services, Amazon

What We Believe Now

For the first time at the Disruption Stage in San Francisco, all five of Benchmark’s partners came together to discuss where the next generation of startups will come from, what innovators are messing up, and what opportunities are still clearly lurking.

It’s a Benchmark partner

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 transformation. A discussion about the future of programming, commerce, and what happens if anyone can turn an idea into a product.

With Amjad Masad, Founder and CEO, Replit

The Company Behind the World’s Most Controversial Money

Tether processes hundreds of billions of dollars in transactions and remains one of the most controversial companies in finance. An honest discussion about stablecoins, principles, global payments, and whether crypto will eventually go mainstream.

With Paolo Ardoino, CEO, Tether

AI, Surveillance, and the Future of Public Safety

As AI moves from the cloud to the real world, few companies are at the center of the debate like herd safety. A conversation about privacy, security, and trade-offs arises as AI becomes part of everyday infrastructure.

I’m with Garrett Langley, Founder and CEO, Herd Safety

Building an AI Workforce

From law firms to Fortune 500 companies, AI is rapidly changing the way information work is done. Harvey has emerged as one of the emerging AI companies in the past two years – a conversation about what businesses really want from AI, and what happens when software starts to do the work if it’s reserved for highly trained professionals.

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

Can AI continue to scale?

The AI ​​boom has created unprecedented demand for computing, power, and infrastructure. Cerebras challenges conventional assumptions about how AI systems should be built – and what happens when today’s hardware reaches its limits.

I’m with Andrew Feldman, Founder and CEO, Cerebras

Beyond the Screens

People have been using computers for decades. Max Hodak believes that the next era of technology will be ours – from brain-computer interaction to new ways of communicating with machines.

With Max Hodak, Founder and CEO, Science Corp

Building the Impossible

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

I’m with RJ Scaringe, CEO of Rivian

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

• AI Platform: Digs into Security Gaps and Business Model Shifts AI is compelling for all SaaS companies.

• Smart Money Stage: Covers stablecoins, instant payments, and the role of AI in financial integrity.

• Smart Systems Stage: Addresses the success of fusion and grid strain powering AI for the next decade.

• Builder Stage: Where founders and investors get ideas about growing, hiring, and scaling.
• And more to be revealed!

Plus, your pass unlocks access to our largest battleground yet, opportunities to connect with many of the movers and shakers in attendance, and the show floor – alongside more than 10,000 startup, tech, and VC leaders.

A three-day run in the heart of the startup community that will leave you ready for the next year of innovation – so sign up today!