with TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 In less than 3 days, we’re loading up Moscone West 200+ sessions can’t be missed – Including breakout sessions led by top leaders from the technology and startup ecosystem. Breakout sessions are designed for practical learning and strategic takeaways. These first-come, first-served rooms allow you to rub shoulders with operators, founders and investors to help build what’s next.
Don’t miss your chance to save on tickets and join these breakouts! register now Save up to $444 on your pass, and get 60% off a second before prices go up when the event doors open on October 27th.
Total Disruption 2025 Breakout Session Agenda
Hidden untapped opportunities in business workflows
Umair JavedCEO, tkxel, marcus torrescpo, quick baseAnd Umair Bashirpartial cto, Signal
The biggest drivers of growth are often hidden in plain sight within everyday processes. Learn how to identify and produce the pain points of “boring” workflows into sticky software that drives ROI and faster payback periods. Perfect for founders exploring Waze use cases in large, legacy categories.
From Vibes to Velocity: How AI tools can help achieve your growth goals
tim rogersStaff Product Manager, GitHub Copilot
Go beyond the demo and put AI to work in your SDLC. We’ll discover real patterns of using agents and co-pilots to reduce diligence, increase review speed, and unblock teams, without compromising code quality or security.
Build First, Fund Later: The Founder’s Guide to Bootstrapping Breakout Startups
Tarun RaisoniCo-Founder and CEO, groove
techcrunch event
san francisco
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October 27-29, 2025
Capital efficiency is a superpower. Learn practical strategies for finding your first ICP, reaching lighthouse customers, and funding initial growth from revenue – so you can grow on your terms.
How to Make Acquisitions in Tech (Without Selling): M&A Tips for Founders and Builders
aqil ibsaHead of Corporate Development and M&A, coinbaseAnd yonas beshoredCo-Founder and CEO, starsling
An insider’s perspective on preparation, outreach and deal mechanics – from packaging financials to integration planning – so your company can achieve premium results without losing sight of the mission.
Fundraising Mistakes That Will Kill Your Round, and How to Avoid Them
Kamila KhasanovaFounder & CEO, on top strategy, Sam LeeCo-Founder and CEO, thoropass, ashley pastonpartner, general catalystAnd Dr. Richard MunasiManaging Director, tampa bay wave
Four vantage points – comms, founders, VCs, and accelerators – break down the deal-killers (dirty story, wrong metrics, mismatched goals) and fix-it habits that lead to “yes.”
The Fundraising Process Workshop with TC Editor Turned VC Josh Constine
josh constineventure partner, signalfire
A hands-on teardown of your fundraising: story arc, proof points, data room, and outreach sequencing – direct from a former TC editor who has seen thousands of pitches.
AI on the Brink: Strategic Playbook for National Security
Daniel HendrixExecutive Director, AI Security Center
Where frontier-model risk meets real-world stakes. A practical framework for evaluating, red-teaming, and controlling high-impact systems when failure is not an option.
Startup Lessons You Won’t Find in the Playbook
Santi Subotowskigeneral partner, emerging capitalAnd Melissa WongCo-Founder and CEO, zipline
Unexplored lessons from scaling enterprise software and consumer ops. Expect real conversations on hiring executives, overcoming slow sales cycles, and surviving if the plan is in line with reality.
Agent AI for Startups: Automate, Optimize, and Accelerate Growth
Anmol RastogiHead of Product Management, AI & ML – amazon businessAnd Anjali MaanTechnical Program Manager, Microsoft
Where agents shine (and where they fall) today. Patterns of deploying agents in operations, support, and sales while keeping humans in the loop for quality.
Leading for impact: engineering at the speed of AI
eno reyesCTO, factory, Andrew BermanCEO, runlayer, Suraj PatelVP Enterprise and Corporate Development, MongoDBAnd Dima Dzhulkovco-founder, fireworks ai
Learn how engineering founders are redefining startup leadership, shaping product-driven growth, and building the skills to lead their companies to long-term success with insights from leaders at Factory, Fireworks, and Runlayer.
Rewriting healthcare workflows with AI
Zubair AhsanCo-Founder and CEO, Max AI; kanyi makubelamanaging partner, Kind EnterpriseAnd Varun KrishnamurthyCo-Founder and CEO, assured health
This panel will explore how healthcare organizations are inventing post-scribe and AI documentation workflows, transforming intake, billing, credentialing, and patient care.
Inside the Family Office Playbook: How the Richest People Invest in Startups and Venture Funds
Marianne Bakermanaging partner, Founders Bay, amanda danielsFounder, Vice President and Investor, 5840 holdings, Brett HortonChief Investment Officer, Paris-Roubaix Group; And Daniel IdzkowskyCIO, IDIT Family Office
Decoding the mandate, diligence and momentum inside family offices – so that founders and emerging managers know how (and when) to engage this growing capital source.
CVC: What’s different? What is his superpower?
Nicolas Sauvagechairman, TDK Ventures
Nicolas Sauvage, President of TDK Ventures, uncovers the modern CVC, revealing how to identify the 20% that deliver strategic and financial value, drive momentum, and accelerate founder success.
Startups, stories and the fight for attention
jenna birchfounder, Sisu, eli cefaloPartner, Marketing, kleiner perkinsAnd Chantelle DarbyFounder, Darby PR
Reducing noise with earned, owned and partner channels. Create a narrative that connects across PR, social and community without disrupting the cycle.
Embracing AI for a better digital future
Meghna Dhartechnical advisors and investors; And matt madrigalCTO, pinterest
Practical avenues to deploy AI that users really love: measurement, security, and when AI touches every surface area – from search to commerce.
Being heard in the age of AI
Qianwen ChenCEO, echo, Fe KalelChief Product and Design Officer, headspaceAnd chenxi wanggeneral partner, Varsha Rajdhani
In a feed saturated with AI-generated content, how do brands, creators, and products still feel human? Signals, confidence, and strategies for measurable lift.
Powering AI: The race to scale gigawatts of new energy
mike schroepferFounder and Partner, Gigascale CapitalAnd Garth Sheldon-CoulsonCo-Founder and CEO, Panthalassa
This panel will explain how the world’s largest new energy platform can power AI and share lessons on moving clean technology from R&D to market.
AI and agents: shaping how we create, live and connect
patrick murphyCo-Founder and CEO, market, Alex Van Der WormFounder & CEO, clyxAnd jeremiah owyanggeneral partner, Blitzscaling Ventures, And thomas foleyrevenue leader, Composition
Real Agents use cases spanning manufacturing equipment, real estate and social – as well as infrastructure and product decisions that turn innovation into daily utility.
Exploring Disruption: Transforming Research into Venture-Backed Companies
Pratik NimbalkarCEO, plaid semiconductor, jared oCo-Founder and CEO, sirenopt, Chon TangManaging Partner, Berkeley Skydeck Fund; Asad TirmiziCEO, T-Robotics
Translational Playbook: Validating markets, securing non-disruptive capital, and sequencing milestones so that deep tech passes VC filters without losing the scientific edge.
SOSV: Where Deep Tech is Going (It’s Not Just AI)
westly dangprincipal; philip sanderinvestment analyst; poe bronsongeneral partner; And sierra brooksSenior Scientist and Analyst, SOSV
IndieBioSF investors explain how deep-tech founders can transform breakthrough science into scalable, world-changing companies in biomanufacturing, materials, energy, and health.
Get in before the room fills up and door prices go up
Enter the rooms where the startup level is up. Interrupt special breakout sessions First come, first served – and open to every passholder. Reserve your spot now, save up to $444 before prices go up on October 27th, and get 60% off a second pass while it lasts. register now.
