TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, a major tech conference in San Francisco, will include a variety of Side Events throughout the week. These events provide opportunities for founders, investors, researchers, and tech enthusiasts to engage in panels, workshops, networking sessions, and more. The schedule is continuously expanding, with new events added each week. Many of these Side Events are hosted by TechCrunch partners, bringing in diverse companies and communities to enrich the Disrupt Week experience. One notable event is "Serve, Swipe, & Settle: Mixer for SaaS leaders scaling into embedded payments," scheduled for October 12 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. PT at SPIN San Francisco. This mixer is designed for SaaS founders, developers, and technical leaders interested in embedded payments, and will be hosted by NMI. On October 14, "Afterburn: TechCrunch Disrupt Edition" will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. PT, hosted by Backblaze and Flamethrower. This event will allow attendees to relax and network after a day of conference activities. Other events include an "Ecosystem Mixer" on October 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. PT, hosted by PeakXV Partners, bringing together founders, investors, and operators for drinks and conversations. A "Liquid Assets: A Private Markets Cocktail Party" will also be held on October 14, hosted by Augment and Mintz, offering a chance to network within the private markets, technology, and venture capital sectors. Additional events include a "Happy Hour with AI-Created Drinks by AI Barmen" and an "EPIC SF Demo Night" on October 11, showcasing emerging technologies and startup innovations. Other notable events include "The Future of Work Social Mixer + Open Demos" on October 12, focusing on worktech, robotics, and AI, and "Open to Work: The Game Show" on the same day, combining networking with a live job-focused game show. On October 13, an exclusive VIP drinks event for AI founders and accredited investors will be held, along with networking mixers for Harvard alumni and South Asian investors. The week will conclude with events on October 15, including a rooftop party for AI and SaaS founders, a Korea Emerging Tech Showcase, and a networking session for venture capital professionals and founders.