TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 Features Live Coverage of Astro Teller, Vinod Khosla, Startup Battlefield, and Key Sessions

TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 concluded its final day at Moscone West in San Francisco with a high-energy, packed agenda that brought together founders, investors, and industry leaders. The event, now in its third and final day, offered a mix of keynote sessions, live pitch competitions, hands-on workshops, and extensive networking opportunities, all culminating in the announcement of the Startup Battlefield 200 winner. For those still on the fence, a final 50% discount on tickets was available, with registration open until 3:30 p.m. PT. Attendees were encouraged to join in person or tune in via the livestream on YouTube, which featured the Disrupt Stage and the highly anticipated Startup Battlefield pitches. Day three kicked off with powerful insights from visionaries across tech and entrepreneurship. Rohit Patel of Meta Superintelligence Labs discussed AI’s evolving role in real-world applications, while Kirsten Green of Forerunner explored the next frontier of innovation and funding models. Tristan Thompson, NBA champion and fintech entrepreneur, shared his journey from the court to the startup world, emphasizing resilience and reinvention. On the AI Stage, speakers tackled urgent themes shaping the future of intelligent systems. Alejandro Matamala Ortiz of Runway explored AI-driven creative workflows, while Francis Yang of Head AI questioned whether AI agents can be trusted in influencer marketing. Google Cloud’s Will Grannis unveiled plans for the Agentic Cloud, and experts from John Deere and iMerit discussed building trustworthy AI for physical environments. Hugging Face’s Thomas Wolf highlighted open-source collaboration, and a panel including Tinder’s Mark Kantor and Replika’s Eugenia Kuyda examined the emotional and ethical dimensions of AI in personal relationships. Nuro’s Dave Ferguson and Uber’s Sachin Kansal discussed AI’s role in smart transportation, and a national security panel featuring leaders from the U.S. Navy and RAND explored AI’s strategic implications. The Builders Stage focused on startup growth and funding. Gabby Cazeau and Marlon Nichols shared secrets to securing seed funding, while Louwee Shibata and Gale Wilkinson discussed alternatives to traditional venture capital. David Cramer and Zach Lloyd debated the value of “10x engineers” in early-stage startups, and Lila Preston, Andrea Thomaz, and Zeya Yang offered guidance on preparing for later-stage funding. The pros and cons of hiring AI agents as early employees were also debated by Jaspar Carmichael-Jack, Sarah Franklin, and Caleb Peffer. On the Disrupt Stage, Mayor Daniel Lurie of San Francisco discussed rebuilding the city’s startup ecosystem, while Elad Gil offered investor insights. Aaron Levie of Box reflected on scaling a cloud company, and Dr. Capella Kerst shared her journey as a Startup Battlefield alum. The day culminated in the Startup Battlefield Final, judged by luminaries including Kirsten Green, Kevin Hartz, Aileen Lee, and Kevin Rose. Anatoly Yakovenko of Solana previewed crypto’s next chapter, and Roy Lee of Cluely revealed his bold bets in AI and gaming. Kevin Rose also shared his reinvention story, from Digg to investing. The Expo Hall buzzed with 300+ startups showcasing innovations in health, policy, deep tech, and more. The Pitch Showcase Stage featured fast pitches in health and policy, while side events across San Francisco extended the conference’s reach. Networking was enhanced by Braindate, offering curated 1:1 and small-group discussions. With the Startup Battlefield 200 winner announced and final insights shared, Disrupt 2025 closed as a vibrant celebration of innovation, connection, and the relentless drive to build the future. For those who missed it, the energy and ideas will linger—making next year’s event even more essential.