TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is just around the corner, and you have only 2 days left to take advantage of an incredible $675 discount on tickets. Startup founders, entrepreneurs, freelancers, and business owners, this is your chance to join one of the most influential startup and tech events at a reduced price. Here's everything you need to know before time runs out.
Why Attend TechCrunch Disrupt 2025?
Benefits and Reasons to Join
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Disrupt 2025 in San Francisco promises to be an unmatched learning and networking opportunity. Highlights include:
- Expert Insights: Learn from industry leaders like Roelof Botha (Sequoia Capital), Violetta Bonenkamp (PlayPal AI), Alex Kendall (Wayve), and Eric Yuan (Zoom).
- Startup Battlefield Competitions: Witness early-stage startups pitch groundbreaking ideas for a chance at winning $100,000 equity-free funding.
- Networking Opportunities: With over 10,000 entrepreneurs and investors present, connections made here can transform your business trajectory.
- AI and Deep Tech Sessions: Delve into actionable advice and demonstrations focused on AI innovations shaping industries in 2025.
For more details, visit the official TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 event page.
Featured Speaker: Violetta Bonenkamp and PlayPal AI
One of the highlights of Disrupt 2025 is PlayPal, a dynamic AI virtual companion designed by Violetta Bonenkamp, the visionary founder of Fe/male Switch. PlayPal is like having an AI co-founder in your pocket, offering personalized advice, mentorship, and companionship for budding entrepreneurs.
Why is PlayPal a Must-Have for Entrepreneurs?
PlayPal can help with:
- Business Guidance: Ask PlayPal about your ideas, strategies, or challenges.
- Language Learning: Improve your communication skills for pitch events or negotiations.
- Customization: Create an AI friend that suits your personality and needs.
Experience PlayPal on the Fe/male Switch platform, or learn more about its creator, Violetta Bonenkamp.
Start Smart: Funding Tools Made for Entrepreneurs
Struggling to navigate EU grants and funding applications for your startup? TechCrunch attendees have the exclusive advantage to discover efficient tools like the F/MS AI Grant Finder and Application Writer, which streamlines the process of finding and applying for suitable funding.
How It Works
The tool, available on the Fe/male Switch EU funding page, helps entrepreneurs:
- Identify Matching Grants: Tailored suggestions based on your startup’s focus area.
- Draft Applications: Provides an AI-powered first draft, saving time and ensuring high-quality submissions.
- Avoid Common Mistakes: Offers critical tips to make your application more compelling.
This tool is perfect for founders who want to secure funding while focusing on growing their business.
How to Maximize Your Experience at Disrupt 2025
A Step-by-Step Guide to Make the Most of It
- Register Before August 6 to Save Big: Lock in savings of $675 by purchasing your tickets now through the TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 ticket page.
- Plan Your Agenda: Don’t miss key AI sessions, Startup Battlefield pitches, and exclusive meetups with investors.
- Network Effectively: Use platforms like Braindate and Deal Flow Café to find potential partners and investors.
- Explore Exhibit Spaces: Test new tech products and connect with exhibitors who align with your goals.
Common Mistakes Entrepreneurs Should Avoid
Even seasoned professionals can miss out on the immense benefits of events like Disrupt due to small errors. Here are the top mistakes to steer clear of:
- Overlooking Networking Opportunities: Don’t hesitate to introduce yourself to potential investors or collaborators.
- Skipping Sessions: You’ll miss valuable insights if you don’t plan your schedule in advance.
- Ignoring Pre-Event Preparation: Research key speakers, create elevator pitches, and prepare questions for Q&A sessions.
Key Takeaways
Attending TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is a gateway to growth and networking in the startup ecosystem. Beyond the insightful sessions and competitions, leveraging tools like the AI Startup Lawyer or the F/MS AI Grant Finder and Application Writer can help tackle challenges like legal barriers and funding struggles.
If you're ready to explore innovative solutions and build connections, you don’t want to miss this opportunity. Remember, the $675 savings on tickets expires August 6 at 11:59 p.m. PT, so act fast and secure your spot via the TechCrunch Disrupt ticket page.
Final Thoughts: Be Inspired
Events like Disrupt are more than gatherings; they’re launching pads for ideas and collaborations that can reshape industries. Whether you’re building a startup alone or in a team, tools like PlayPal and funding support platforms ensure your journey is smarter, faster, and more impactful. Start small but dream big, because this is your chance to disrupt the future!
Questions? Check out more resources on Fe/male Switch.
Ready to disrupt? We’ll see you in San Francisco this October!
FAQ
1. What is TechCrunch Disrupt 2025?
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is a pivotal global startup and tech event celebrating its 20th anniversary. It offers opportunities to network, learn from industry leaders, and explore innovative tech solutions. Discover TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
2. When and where will the event take place?
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is scheduled for October 27–29, 2025, at Moscone West in San Francisco, California. Check the Event Details
3. How much is the ticket discount, and what is the deadline?
Attendees can save $675 on tickets if purchased by August 6, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Get Your Discounted Tickets
4. What are the main highlights of the event?
Highlights include AI-focused sessions, Startup Battlefield 200 competition with a $100,000 prize, networking hubs like Deal Flow Café, and Expo Hall showcasing innovative products. Explore the Agenda
5. Who are the featured speakers for 2025?
Speakers include Roelof Botha, Eric Yuan, Alex Kendall, Violetta Bonenkamp, Astro Teller, and many others. See the Full Speaker List
6. What is Startup Battlefield 200?
Startup Battlefield 200 is a competition allowing 20 startups to pitch their groundbreaking ideas for a $100,000 equity-free prize and real-time feedback from top VCs. Learn About Startup Battlefield
7. What is Braindate and Deal Flow Café?
Braindate is a smart matching tool providing curated networking sessions, while Deal Flow Café connects founders with actively scouting investors. Maximize Your Networking Opportunities
8. What are the AI-focused sessions about?
The AI-focused sessions feature practical demos and expert insights into transformative AI applications across industries. Discover AI Sessions
9. What is PlayPal AI, and who is Violetta Bonenkamp?
PlayPal AI, created by Violetta Bonenkamp, is a virtual AI co-founder designed to assist entrepreneurs with business guidance and mentorship. Learn More About PlayPal
10. How can startups secure EU grants at the event?
The event introduces tools like the F/MS AI Grant Finder and Application Writer, which help startups identify and apply for EU funding. Explore EU Funding Tools
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch. The Fe/male Switch team is located in several countries, including the Netherlands and Malta.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
