Apply to Speak at
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
Seize this opportunity to showcase your expertise to 10,000+ founders, builders, VCs, and tech aficionados! Apply for our Audience Choice Program for a chance to lead a roundtable or breakout session at TechCrunch Disrupt, the ultimate startup summit, happening October 27-29 in San Francisco.
Applications close on May 16!
Audience Choice is your ONLY chance to apply to speak at Disrupt 2025
The Audience Choice program is your ONLY chance to apply to speak at Disrupt โ where your fans help decide the lineup! We review all applications and select finalists to compete in the Audience Choice round, where TechCrunch readers and your followers vote for the sessions they want to see. The sessions with the most votes earn a spot on the Disrupt stage!
About the sessions
Breakout
A 50-minute panel session, including Q&A, designed for deep dives into the most pressing challenges entrepreneurs face today.


Roundtable
A 30-minute expert-led collaborative session where ideas flow, connections form, and real-world insights are shared in an intimate setting.
FAQs
The Audience Choice program is your chance to take the stage at Disrupt 2025! We review all applications and select the finalists who advance to the Audience Choice roundโwhere TechCrunch readers and your followers vote for the sessions theyโre most excited about. The top-voted roundtable and breakout sessions earn a spot at this yearโs event.
Up to four people (including the moderator) will lead a 30-minute presentation followed by a 20-minute Q&A from an audience of up to 100 attendees. You will be able to display a presentation with limited AV capabilities. You’ll present one breakout during Disrupt.
Up to two speakers facilitate a 30-minute interactive discussion with up to 40 attendees, fostering organic, in-depth conversationsโno AV, just real engagement. You may have the opportunity to lead this same roundtable discussion twice during Disrupt.
Take a look at last yearโs Disrupt agenda for inspiration on the topics that resonate with attendees.
Before applying, we recommend reviewing the application in full. To streamline the process, have the following ready:
- Session Title (Max 100 characters, including spaces)
- Session Description (Max 650 characters, including spaces)
- High-resolution color headshot of the speaker (shoulders and above)
- For breakout sessions: Decide if youโll have co-hosts or a moderator (up to 4 people total on stage)
Preparation ensures a smooth application process.
Yes, you can apply for both using just one application.
You can choose to create two unique session abstracts or use the same abstract
- Applications Open: March 24, 2025
- Applications Close: May 16, 2025
- Applicants Notified: May 23, 2025
- Audience Choice Voting: May 26 – May 30, 2025
- Winners Announced: The week of June 2, 2025
We will pick 10 roundtable finalists and 10 breakout session finalists.
- 5 Breakout Spots
- 5 Roundtable Spots
We do not collect applications for any of our main stages.
Speakers are not compensated, and TechCrunch does not cover any expenses related to participation, including travel, hotel, meals, or visa costs.
Yes, as a speaker you will have a speaker pass to enjoy all three days of the event.
Yes, all speakers can bring up to two guests.
Yes, you will be promoted on the TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 website as a speaker and your session will be listed on the event app.