TechCrunch Disrupt is here and is shaping up to be one of tech’s most exciting events this year.
The annual event first started in 2010, and has been growing ever since. It is where new technology startups will pitch their products in hopes of winning prizes and getting investors. In the past, participants have included Mint, Dropbox and Beam.
Last year, more than 5,000 people attended TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco, and hundreds of thousands of viewers watched the events unfold online. Twenty-five companies pitched to the panel of judges in the Disrupt Cup contest, which came with a $50,000 prize. In the end, visual e-sports analytics platform Mobalytics took the grand prize.
This year, there are numerous events and sure to be even more attendees going to them.
The full schedule is online, and you can still buy a three-day admission pass for $2,995. Here are some of the reasons it’s worth the money for you.
1.) You can network with the best and brightest entrepreneurs
If you’re an entrepreneur of a startup, TechCrunch Disrupt is the place to go for the top networking opportunities around. Entrepreneurs from companies large and small will be there to meet new people and discover business opportunities, and you can make invaluable connections at all the fun after-parties. Just remember to take your business cards and information sheets about your business, and have a great, succinct pitch about what you do ready to go.
2.) You’ll learn tips to grow your business
TechCrunch Disrupt features workshops for attendees, including a pitch ready interactive workshop from ELEVACAO on Tuesday, Sept. 19 from 3:30 to 5:30 pm and a global platform developer program from WeChat on Monday, Sept. 18 from 2 to 5 pm. You’ll hear how to do it right from the biggest names in the business world at the moment.
3.) You’ll find out the latest trends in tech and business
Want to stay ahead of the competition? Do you want to know the latest news and trends happening in your industry? Then TechCrunch Disrupt is the place to go. For instance, there is a session on Monday, Sept. 18 about how augmented reality is at a turning point and how there is potential for it to be the “next big platform.” On Tuesday, Sept. 19 from 9:25 am to 9:45 am, they are holding a fireside chat with GGV Capital’s Jenny Lee about trends and innovations in China. You won’t hear this information elsewhere.
4.) You can meet new investors
Investors at TechCrunch Disrupt are on the hunt for new products and services to invest in. If you meet the right person, you could be on your way to getting the money you need to push your business forward. To help speed this process up, TechCrunch invites all attendees to put their startup information into their platform CrunchMatch. Then CrunchMatch will pair up investors with startups so they can schedule a time and place to meet.
At the last Disrupt New York, nearly 450 meetings occurred. Michael Kocan, a managing partner of Trend Discovery Capital Management, said, “I get the most value from Disrupt at CrunchMatch. At Disrupt NY, I had over 35 meetings with startups that I pre-vetted using CrunchMatch and made a significant investment in one.”
5.) You have a chance to interact with the media
The media are there to cover TechCrunch, and you have the chance to shake hands with journalists and pitch them story ideas about your company. Considering the fact that many journalists between 50 and 100 emails per day and cannot respond to all of the e-mail pitches, you are going to have a unique and rare opportunity by meeting one in person. You can research which journalists are going, look at past stories they have done and come ready with some new ideas for them.
6.) You can prepare yourself for next year’s Disrupt Cup
Maybe you weren’t ready to compete this year, but if you attend TechCrunch Disrupt, you’ll be able to see what the most successful pitches looked like. You will learn what you need to do to prepare yourself for the next go around and get that coveted $50,000 prize.
7.) You’ll be inspired
TechCrunch Disrupt is three days of non-stop action. You’ll hear from emerging startups and huge global enterprises like Google and Apple. You will likely meet hundreds of people, make new connections and hear tons of great information that is useful for your business. When you go home, you’ll be pumped and more ready than ever to take your business to soaring new heights.
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