Disrupt Stage Agenda - September Announcement
TechCrunch Disrupt 2021: A Preview of the Event
Disrupt 2021 is poised to be the most impactful Disrupt event to date. A remarkable roster of speakers has been assembled for both the Disrupt Stage and the Extra Crunch Stage.
The renowned Startup Battlefield, which has historically served as a crucial launching point for globally recognized tech companies – such as Dropbox, Mint, and Cloudflare – will also be a central feature.
Focus on the Disrupt Stage
We are pleased to offer a detailed preview of the Disrupt Stage, where leading figures in the technology sector will share insights into their organizations, future strategies, and the evolving tech landscape.
This announcement represents only a preliminary glimpse of the extensive program planned for the three days of Disrupt.
Beyond the Main Stage
In addition to the prominent speakers featured on the Disrupt Stage, attendees can enhance their entrepreneurial expertise through sessions held on the Extra Crunch Stage.
Breakout sessions and focused roundtable discussions will provide opportunities for in-depth learning and collaboration.
Networking and Accessibility
Disrupt facilitates connections with professionals from across the globe via CrunchMatch and our innovative virtual platform.
For a limited time, access to the full Disrupt experience is available for under $100, with reduced pricing offered to nonprofit organizations, government entities, students, and emerging founders.
Explore the Agenda
The current agenda for the Disrupt Stage is now available for review.
HEALTH/BIOTECH
Revolutionizing Medicine: Insights from Ugur Sahin (BioNTech) and Ursheet Parikh (Mayfield Fund)
The COVID-19 pandemic instigated widespread disruption, impacting both personal health and global economic stability. Simultaneously, the development of COVID-19 vaccines represented a monumental achievement.
Listen to Ugur Sahin, co-founder and CEO of BioNTech, detail the accelerated process behind creating one of the world’s most crucial vaccines in collaboration with Pfizer. He will also explore the future possibilities of mRNA-based therapies.
Sahin will be joined by Ursheet Parikh from Mayfield Fund to discuss the evolving landscape for startups within this dynamic sector.
Transforming Access: Healthcare Innovation with Toyin Ajayi (Cityblock Health), Adrian Aoun (Forward), and Eren Bali (Carbon Health)
The American healthcare system currently faces significant challenges and inefficiencies. Technological advancements offer a promising path toward improvement, particularly given the regulatory flexibility spurred by the COVID-19 crisis.
Founders from Forward, Carbon Health, and Cityblock Health will share their experiences tackling the complexities of the healthcare industry. They will also outline their strategies for expanding access and implementing digital solutions.
Cannabis Evolution: Seth Rogen (Houseplant), Haneen Davies (Houseplant), and Michael Mohr (Houseplant) Discuss the Industry
A notable disparity exists in how society views alcohol versus cannabis, despite the latter often being unfairly stigmatized. However, this perception is undergoing a rapid shift.
The legal cannabis market is projected to exceed $13 billion in value by 2021, attracting interest from established companies in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Actor and comedian Seth Rogen will discuss his passion for cannabis and the origins of Houseplant.
Rogen will be accompanied by Haneen Davies, Chief Commercial Officer of Houseplant, and Michael Mohr, co-founder and CEO.
The Disrupt Desk
TechCrunch editors and industry specialists will provide analysis and commentary on the panels you may have missed, offering valuable insights and perspectives.
Startup Battlefield Competition — Session 1
TechCrunch’s renowned startup competition returns, showcasing entrepreneurs from across the globe as they present their ventures to a panel of expert judges. The competition aims to award the coveted Startup Battlefield Cup and a prize of $100,000.
IMPACT
Duolingo's Journey: From Educational Roots to Public Offering with Luis von Ahn
Established in 2011, the language-learning platform Duolingo has successfully secured over $167 million in private funding. The company has recently submitted its initial public offering (IPO) filing.
For several years, Duolingo deliberately refrained from implementing monetization strategies. However, in 2020, the company experienced revenue expansion exceeding 120%, and this upward trend continues.
Luis von Ahn, the CEO and co-founder, will be present at the Disrupt event. He will discuss the principles of gamified learning, the preparations for becoming a publicly traded company, and the development of Duolingo as a distinct alternative to Rosetta Stone, symbolized by its owl mascot.
Disrupt Desk Analysis
TechCrunch editors and industry analysts will provide post-event commentary. They will offer insights and analysis on the panels and discussions that took place.
Expect a breakdown of key takeaways, along with informed perspectives and engaging discussion.
Startup Battlefield: Round 2
The renowned TechCrunch Startup Battlefield competition is underway. Entrepreneurs from diverse global locations are presenting their ventures to a panel of expert judges.
Participants are competing for the prestigious Startup Battlefield Cup and a grand prize of $100,000.
FINTECH
Identifying Potential in Cryptocurrency with Roham Gharegozlou (Dapper Labs)
Dapper Labs propelled digital collectibles into widespread popularity earlier this year through the success of NBA Top Shot. Despite a recent decline in NFT sales volumes, CEO Roham Gharegozlou maintains significant aspirations for the future of this technology.
The company recently achieved a valuation of $7.5 billion. Their goal is to establish dominance within the NFT ecosystem utilizing their Flow blockchain platform.
Navigating Financial Markets with Brian Armstrong (Coinbase)
Coinbase’s direct listing to the public market was exceptionally well-timed, coinciding with a period of heightened cryptocurrency interest and substantial market growth. However, facing a considerable market downturn, CEO Brian Armstrong is now focused on future development.
He is also working to manage market fluctuations and defend against increasing competition from international entities.
The Disrupt Desk
TechCrunch editors and industry analysts provide commentary and insights on the panels that were presented. This includes analysis, perspectives, and engaging discussion.
ENTERPRISE/SAAS & SECURITY
Navigating Threats with Rinki Sethi (Twitter)
A significant security breach occurred at Twitter in 2020, gaining widespread attention. Twitter dedicates substantial resources to safeguarding its users and maintaining platform integrity. A core component of this effort is robust information security. CISO Rinki Sethi will be presenting at Disrupt, discussing Twitter’s strategies for proactively countering malicious activities during the pandemic and offering guidance for tech companies of all sizes.
From Humble Beginnings to Multi-Billion Dollar Success with Tope Awotona (Calendly)
Numerous attempts have been made to reimagine the calendar, with limited success. Tope Awotona’s approach with Calendly wasn't about radical reinvention, but rather about simplifying the complexities of communication and scheduling. This strategy proved remarkably effective. Initially self-funded, Calendly is now valued at over $3 billion, serving both individual users and large enterprises. The founder and CEO will share insights into the company’s launch, the decision to accept external investment, and its evolution through growth.
Startup Battlefield Competition – Round 3
The renowned TechCrunch startup competition returns, showcasing entrepreneurs from across the globe as they present their ventures to a panel of expert judges. Participants will compete for the coveted Startup Battlefield Cup and a prize of $100,000.
A Powerful Combination: Stewart Butterfield (Slack) and Bret Taylor (Salesforce)
Slack and Salesforce represent leading forces within the technology sector. The communication platform, originating from an unconventional pivot, is now integral to organizations across diverse industries. It’s a force that continues to expand. The sales CRM giant is utilized globally by sales teams of all sizes, establishing itself as a cornerstone of their operations. In December 2020, these two companies announced a merger valued at $27.7 billion. Slack founder and CEO Stewart Butterfield and Salesforce President and COO Bret Taylor will discuss the future of the merged entity, the rationale behind the deal, and the implications of such a substantial valuation.
Intentional Design Principles with Melanie Perkins (Canva)
The design landscape is undergoing rapid transformation. Improvements in collaboration between designers and other teams, enhanced designer-to-designer interaction, and the broadening accessibility of design tools are all contributing factors. Canva has been instrumental in driving this change, developing a remarkably user-friendly yet comprehensive design platform. The co-founder and CEO, Melanie Perkins, will discuss scaling the business to a valuation exceeding $15 billion, expanding from a B2C to a B2B model, and the ongoing product development process.
The Disrupt Desk
TechCrunch editors and industry analysts will provide commentary and insights on the panels you may have missed, offering analysis and perspectives.
Startup Battlefield Competition – Round 4
Entrepreneurs worldwide will once again participate in TechCrunch’s iconic startup competition, pitching their ideas to expert judges for a chance to win the Startup Battlefield Cup and $100,000.
HARDWARE
Mirror's Journey: Insights from Brynn Putnam
Brynn Putnam, the co-founder and CEO of Mirror, initially presented her innovative fitness concept on the Disrupt Stage several years prior. She returns this year to share her experiences navigating the complexities of developing a hardware product.
Her discussion will cover managing the diverse elements of the business, including the instructor network, content creation, subscription services, and sales and marketing strategies. Furthermore, she will detail the company’s recent $500 million acquisition by Lululemon.
Imagining 2041: AI and Fiction with Kai-Fu Lee and Chen Qiufan
The collaboration between a prominent AI researcher and investor, Kai-Fu Lee, and a rising voice in science fiction, Chen Qiufan, has resulted in “AI 2041.” This unique collection of stories explores a future profoundly influenced by current technological advancements.
Join Sinovation Ventures Chairman and CEO Kai-Fu Lee and author Chen Qiufan (also known as Stanley Chan) as they discuss the technologies that fueled their book and their predictions for the next twenty years.
The Future of Transportation: A Conversation with Pete Buttigieg
Pete Buttigieg began his political career as the mayor of a small Indiana town. He gained national recognition during his 2020 presidential campaign.
Currently serving as the U.S. Secretary of Transportation under the Biden administration, he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of transportation, from public transit to the regulation of autonomous vehicles. Secretary Buttigieg will share his perspectives on micromobility, urban development, drone delivery, and self-driving cars.
Rocket Lab's Lunar Ambitions with Peter Beck
Rocket Lab has expanded its goals beyond establishing a global launch network to include designing spacecraft for lunar missions and beyond.
Founder and CEO Peter Beck will address the hurdles and possibilities facing his rapidly expanding space and technology company as it pursues these ambitious objectives.
Dissecting the Discussions: The Disrupt Desk
TechCrunch editors and industry analysts will provide comprehensive breakdowns of the panels you may have missed.
Expect insightful analysis, informed perspectives, and engaging commentary on the key takeaways from the event.
VENTURE CAPITAL
Funding Web 3.0 Initiatives with Katie Haun (Andreessen Horowitz)
Andreessen Horowitz’s third fund dedicated to cryptocurrency, totaling $2.2 billion, represents the firm’s most substantial investment to date within a specific sector. This demonstrates the critical importance of blockchain technology and decentralized finance to the company’s long-term strategy.
Katie Haun, a General Partner, is a co-leader of the crypto team. Their primary objective is to identify the firm’s next highly successful investment, similar to Coinbase, which generated significant returns.
A Conversation with Chris Sacca (Lowercarbon Capital)
Chris Sacca is recognized for his appearances on television programs like “Shark Tank” and “Billions.” He is particularly well-known for his insightful commentary on Twitter, a company in which he was an early and frequent investor.
Sacca has also made numerous other successful investments in companies such as Uber, Instagram, and Twilio. Currently, at Lowercarbon Capital, his focus is directed towards identifying and funding innovative solutions to address the climate crisis. We will discuss emerging opportunities in this field.
Exploring SPACs with Chamath Palihapitiya (Social Capital)
Chamath Palihapitiya, the founder and CEO of Social Capital, is a globally respected investor. He has been a leading figure in the recent surge of Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs).
This discussion will feature Palihapitiya’s perspectives on the future of SPACs, the technology sectors poised for growth, and his most promising investment areas.
Analysis from the Disrupt Desk
TechCrunch editors and industry analysts will provide detailed breakdowns of the panels. They will offer insightful analysis and commentary on the key takeaways.
Startup Battlefield Competition – Championship Round
TechCrunch’s renowned startup competition returns. Entrepreneurs from across the globe will present their ventures to a panel of expert judges.
The competition aims to award the coveted Startup Battlefield Cup and a prize of $100,000 to the winning team.
MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT
The Expanding Realm of Esports: Insights from Nicole LaPointe Jameson (Evil Geniuses)
The recent pandemic served as a significant catalyst, not merely increasing participation in gaming, but also accelerating the expansion of the esports landscape.
Nicole LaPointe Jameson, CEO of Evil Geniuses, details the future trajectory of esports.
She explains how data and advancements in technology are fundamentally reshaping the experiences of players, teams, and leagues.
Driving Forces in Esports
Jameson highlights the pivotal role of data analytics in optimizing player performance and strategic decision-making.
Furthermore, she discusses how technological innovations are enhancing the overall viewing experience for fans.
This includes improvements in broadcasting, streaming, and interactive elements.
Opportunities Within the Esports Industry
The esports industry presents a wealth of emerging opportunities for various stakeholders.
These opportunities span across areas like:
- Player Development: Identifying and nurturing talent.
- Team Management: Building and supporting competitive rosters.
- League Operations: Organizing and executing professional tournaments.
- Technology Innovation: Developing cutting-edge tools and platforms.
Jameson emphasizes the continued growth potential of esports and its increasing relevance within the broader entertainment sector.
The industry’s dynamic nature offers substantial prospects for investment and career advancement.
