TechCrunch is offering 100 discounted Expo+ passes priced at $75 for individuals affected by layoffs ahead of the Disrupt 2026 conference running October 13–15 at San Francisco’s Moscone West. The initiative aims to connect job seekers directly with over 10,000 founders, investors, and tech leaders in the exhibition hall.
Bypassing Standard Application Channels in San Francisco
TechCrunch is attempting to short-circuit that loop for a limited group of professionals. The organization launched a targeted initiative ahead of its annual flagship event, carving out cheap access specifically for workers who have recently experienced a layoff.
The offer reduces the cost of an Expo+ pass down to $75. That discount is strictly capped. Only the first 100 qualifying individuals can claim the rate, and the window closes permanently the moment the doors open on October 13 at 8 a.m. PT.
Over 300 exhibiting startups will populate the floor, giving attendees a chance to meet founders and engineering leads face-to-face.
What the $75 Expo+ Pass Includes and Excludes
Navigating a massive tech conference requires knowing exact boundaries. The $75 pass is designed strictly for bottom-up networking rather than high-level stage programming.
- Expo Hall Access: Entry to the central floor where 10,000+ tech leaders converge alongside 300+ exhibiting startups.
- Breakout Sessions: Access to practical panel discussions and associated Q&A sessions led by industry experts.
- TechCrunch Events App: Software featuring AI-powered matchmaking to surface relevant contacts and schedule 1:1 meetings.
Pass holders should note structural limitations. The Expo+ credential strictly excludes access to the primary industry stages and closed roundtable sessions. Even with those bounds, the broader “Disrupt Week” running from October 10 through October 16 packs plenty of offline side events designed to bypass standard recruitment funnels.
Using AI Matchmaking to Force Serendipity
Networking without a strategy in a hall filled with thousands of operators is an inefficient use of time. Ticket holders gain immediate access to the TechCrunch Events app the moment they complete their registration.
The application utilizes automated matchmaking algorithms to parse attendee profiles and surface relevant connections based on explicit professional interests and career goals. Users can set up ad hoc, one-on-one meetings well before stepping foot inside Moscone West. By moving networking efforts offline into structured conversations, organizers hope to surface the hidden job market that rarely appears on corporate careers pages.
Applicants must act fast. Once all 100 passes find a home, or when the conference officially kicks off on October 13, the discounted registration path disappears entirely.
