TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is built around one question for founders: How do you build an enduring company in the AI era' For investors, it's the opposite: How do you find that company before someone else does' At Disrupt, the volume and competition are the point for investors, not a drawback. Year after year, investors who've explored the Expo Halls, met founders, and learned from peers at panels and Side Events have proven why you need to be on the ground to get ahead of the curve. Consider that every founder pitching during the Startup Battlefield competition does so in front of a packed room of VCs. Why' Because they know their next cohort could be sitting right there. All it takes is making the trip to San Francisco this October 13-15. If you're coming to build out your portfolio of early bets and get in on rounds before they're priced, prioritize the Startup Battlefield 200 semifinalist pitches, the Builders Stage, and the Expo Hall. This stage is best suited for those coming to...
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