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TechCrunch Disrupt 2021: Expanding the Breakout Session Lineup

As the date for TechCrunch Disrupt 2021 approaches, the selection of our specialized breakout sessions continues to grow, offering increased value to attendees. These sessions, hosted in collaboration with our partners, showcase a diverse array of tech startups.

These focused, interactive events provide substantial advice, valuable insights, and ample opportunity to receive answers to critical questions. Don't miss out – secure a free Expo Pass for access to all these sessions and more for a limited time.

Below is the latest schedule of breakout sessions available from September 21-23. Consult the Disrupt 2021 agenda for precise dates and times, and allocate time in your schedule to broaden your perspectives and explore new opportunities.

Leveraging Visual Communication for Startup Branding

In the contemporary, visually-driven landscape, effective visual communication serves as a key connection point between brands and their audiences. How can startups and their clients capitalize on this to strengthen brand affinity? Join Spencer Llewellyn, Strategic Account Executive at Canva, to explore how the visual economy has reshaped the tech sector and fueled advancements in branding and customer engagement. Presented by Canva.

The $49 Billion Developer Ecosystem

The IT industry has experienced a significant shift in power over the last two decades, moving from Chief Information Officers to developers. Developers, empowered with the ability to innovate, have spurred the creation of over 1,000 companies serving the software development community. This session will analyze the 17 key segments within this landscape, the evolving role of the CIO, and the “pay for value” approach driving the growth of product-led growth (PLG) businesses. Presented by Dell for Entrepreneurs.

Uncovering the “Dark Matter” of Workflows: A Major Opportunity for Business Technology

Research from CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, indicates that only 5% of the universe is comprised of matter and energy we can directly observe; the remainder is “dark.” A similar principle applies to the nature of work itself. Organizations typically have limited visibility into the totality of work being performed, due to its increasing complexity. The resulting stress levels and lack of a unified system of record are significant challenges. Startups that prioritize understanding and harnessing this “dark matter” of work will be best positioned for success as they scale. Andrew Filev, founder of a collaborative work management platform, will share insights on how to illuminate these hidden workflows and improve operational efficiency. Presented by Wrike.

Flourishing with a Distributed Workforce

Robert Herjavec, a Shark Tank investor and cybersecurity expert, will engage in a discussion with Ben Wright, founder and CEO of Velocity Global, regarding strategies for success with a remote workforce. The convergence of employer and talent expectations now favors flexible work arrangements – anyone, anywhere, anytime. Choice is paramount, with employers utilizing a range of talent options and individuals seeking work-life balance. When these priorities align, significant opportunities emerge. Presented by Velocity Global.

TTA Taiwan Pavilion Pitch-off: Healthcare and Enterprise Solutions

Taiwan Tech Arena (TTA) is dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation within Taiwan’s startup ecosystem. This session will feature presentations from twenty of the forty promising TTA startups, showcasing their latest advancements in Healthcare and Enterprise technologies. Presented by Taiwan Tech Arena.

Navigating Fundraising from Corporate Venture Capital Firms

Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) funding reached a record high of $73 billion in 2020. Corporations are increasingly investing in startups, offering resources beyond just capital. However, CVC firms vary in their strategies and mandates. Understanding these nuances can significantly improve a startup’s fundraising success. Shveta Mujumdar (VP of corporate development at Intuit), Andrew D’Souza (co-founder and CEO at Clearco), and Michele Romanow (co-founder and president at Clearco) will discuss what corporate VCs seek in an investment and how to effectively present your company’s value proposition. Presented by Intuit.

TTA Taiwan Pavilion Pitch-off: Smart Technology Innovations

Taiwan Tech Arena (TTA) is committed to supporting entrepreneurship and innovation within Taiwan’s startup community. This session will highlight twenty of the forty most promising TTA startups, presenting their latest innovations in the field of Smart Technology. Presented by Taiwan Tech Arena.

The “Moore’s Law” of Software: Reducing Onboarding Time

For software companies, the speed of onboarding is a critical factor in scaling. For software buyers, lengthy adoption processes hinder innovation across all industries. David Boskovic, CEO and Co-Founder of Flatfile, will discuss the fundamental economics of data exchange and its impact on software growth, drawing parallels to Moore’s Law. Boskovic predicts that onboarding times will decrease by 50% annually, driving exponential innovation in the software sector. Presented by Flatfile.

Electric Mobility: The Next Growth Area for American Businesses

This session will examine the impact of smart electric mobility on businesses and outline the transition to electric fleets. Host Chuck Nice will be joined by Tim Cannis, CEO of Ford Pro, and Sam Abuelsamid, an automotive industry journalist, for a discussion encompassing technical details, sustainability, and future trends. Presented by Ford.

Boosting Growth in the Direct-to-Consumer Market

The direct-to-consumer (DTC) market has experienced rapid acceleration, becoming a vital tool for brands to cultivate customer relationships. This new era demands an understanding of evolving customer journeys to drive transformational growth. Join Google and Lenovo to explore key strategies for achieving success and enhancing customer experiences in 2022 and beyond. Presented by Google.

Live Pitch Session: Cutting-Edge Technology from Japanese Startups

Witness live pitches from leading Japanese startups showcasing their innovative technologies! Join the JETRO pitch session on September 23rd at 1 PM PST to learn about the latest advancements from Japan in areas such as Environment, Entertainment, Wellness, and Fitness. Featured companies include AC Biode, AMATELUS, everblue, hemVR, NeuralX, PJP Eye, R’s KOSO, Samaria, SpoLive Interactive, and XPAND. Presented by JETRO.

Accelerating Growth Through Agile Market Research

Conducting market research throughout the product lifecycle is essential for successful product launches and sustained growth in a competitive market. Agile market research software empowers teams to quickly gather the insights they need without requiring specialized expertise. Join Momentive.ai to learn how to conduct your own market research, identify valuable product features, analyze the competitive landscape, and track brand perception over time. Presented by Momentive.ai.

Building a Remote-First Engineering Culture

How can you cultivate a strong culture within a globally distributed engineering team? Marcelo Lebre, COO and co-founder of Remote and former VP of Engineering at Unbabel, will share his expertise on the challenges of scaling an international engineering workforce. He will discuss adopting a remote-first mindset and maintaining company culture while expanding a distributed team. Presented by Remote.

Scaling Businesses with the “Everywhere Workforce”

As startups grow and prepare for potential exits, a flexible talent strategy becomes a key differentiator. Join Hilary Gosher of Insight Partners, Melissa Puls of Ivanti, and Tim Sanders of Upwork to discuss how hybrid workforces are becoming as essential as cloud computing for accelerating revenue, creating value, and driving overall business success. Presented by Upwork.

The Netflix Model and the Future of Cybersecurity – Roundtable

The subscription model, popularized by Netflix, is transforming how we access and pay for services. However, traditional technology purchasing, particularly in cybersecurity, often relies on outdated ownership models with lengthy licensing agreements. This discussion will explore how a membership-based approach can revolutionize cybersecurity defense. Presented by Cyvatar.

CISO2CISO: Navigating the Risks and Rewards of Disruption – Roundtable

Disruption often evokes fear and resistance to change. This roundtable discussion, led by Cyvatar Co-Founder Craig Goodwin and Alteryx CISO Billy Spears, will explore whether our aversion to disruption is justified and how we can better prioritize risk management. Presented by Cyvatar.

Addressing the Ransomware Crisis – Roundtable

This open forum will facilitate a discussion among audience members and experts regarding the challenges and consequences of current ransomware defense strategies. Recent events, such as the re-emergence of REvil and attacks on educational institutions, highlight the ongoing threat. The session will explore new approaches to combat malicious actors and prevent successful ransomware attacks. Presented by Cyvatar.

TechCrunch Disrupt 2021 will be held from September 21-23. Don’t miss the valuable insights offered in our breakout sessions. Secure your free Expo Pass today and prepare to gain knowledge that will help you build a more successful business.