The List of Startup Conferences in 2026

Startup conferences are useful when they put you in the same room as the founders, investors, customers or future teammates you need to meet. The right one depends on your stage and your goal.

This list covers startup events still ahead in 2026. Their dates and locations were checked against official event websites on August 29, 2026. Programmes and ticket availability can change, so check the organiser's site before booking.

Full list

• Bits & Pretzels — September 28–30, 2026 in Munich
• TechCrunch Disrupt — October 13–15, 2026 in San Francisco
• TechCrunch Founder Summit — November 4, 2026 in Boston
• Web Summit — November 9–12, 2026 in Lisbon
• Slush — November 18–19, 2026 in Helsinki

September

Bits & Pretzels — September 28–30, 2026

Location: Munich, Germany

Bits & Pretzels brings founders, investors and industry leaders together during Munich's Oktoberfest. The first two days centre on conference sessions, masterclasses and networking. The third moves the networking to Oktoberfest. Its official site also highlights founder-investor meetings, a startup exhibition and opportunities to pitch.

October

TechCrunch Disrupt — October 13–15, 2026

Location: San Francisco, California

Disrupt is built for founders at different stages, from an early idea to a company ready to scale. The 2026 event covers fundraising, company building, AI, finance and infrastructure. Founders can also follow Startup Battlefield, where early-stage companies compete for attention from investors and media.

November

TechCrunch Founder Summit — November 4, 2026

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

TechCrunch lists this as a separate founder event in Boston. At the time of writing, its event listing confirms the date and city but does not publish enough programme detail to compare it fairly with the larger conferences here. Check the official listing for updates.

Web Summit — November 9–12, 2026

Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Web Summit brings startups together with technology companies, investors and media. It is the broadest event on this list. Go in with a short meeting list and a clear set of topics, or the scale can become a distraction.

Slush — November 18–19, 2026

Location: Helsinki, Finland

Slush is focused on early-stage technology founders and venture investors. The event's official site emphasises one-to-one meetings, founder advice, investor access and side events across Helsinki. It is a strong option when fundraising and company-building conversations matter more than a large expo floor.

Choose with a goal in mind

Before buying a ticket, decide what a successful trip would produce: five investor conversations, three customer interviews or one potential hire. Contact those people before the event and leave room in your schedule for follow-ups.

Afterwards, share the useful lessons without booking another meeting. A quick presentation recording gives the rest of your team the context on their own time.