More Ways to Disrupt: 2026 Side Events from KOTRA, WayFounder, Enterprise Ireland, SafetyWing and Descope

Why Side Events Extend the Impact of Disrupt Week

Disrupt Week turns the Moscone Center into a hub of innovation, but the real networking continues long after the main stage lights dim. Founder dinners, investor meetups, happy hours, workshops and roundtables spill into the streets of San Francisco, giving startups and investors more chances to connect. These side events let participants dive deeper into specific topics, explore new markets and build relationships that often outlast the conference itself.

What to Expect from the 2026 Side Event Lineup

This year, five organizations have announced dedicated programs that cater to different segments of the tech ecosystem. Each program blends educational content with informal networking, ensuring that attendees can both learn and mingle.

KOTRA’s Global Market Access Series

The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) is rolling out a series of market‑access workshops aimed at startups eyeing Asian expansion. Sessions will cover topics such as regulatory navigation, partnership models and cultural best practices. Participants can also join a roundtable with Korean venture capitalists who specialize in early‑stage technology investments.

• Workshop: Entering the Korean Market – Legal and Financial Essentials
• Roundtable: Funding Opportunities with Korean VCs
• Networking Dinner: Connecting Korean and US founders

WayFounder’s Founder‑Focused Fireside Chats

WayFounder, a platform that supports early‑stage founders, is curating intimate fireside chats with serial entrepreneurs who have successfully navigated the San Francisco ecosystem. The format encourages candid conversation about product‑market fit, fundraising pitfalls and growth hacking tactics.

1. Chat with a founder who built a SaaS platform that reached $10 M ARR in two years.
2. Discussion on building resilient remote teams.
3. Q&A session on leveraging community‑driven growth.

Enterprise Ireland’s European Gateway Sessions

Enterprise Ireland (Enterprise Ireland) is offering a gateway to European markets. The agenda includes a workshop on EU data‑privacy compliance, a pitch clinic with Irish angel investors, and a cultural immersion dinner featuring Irish cuisine and business etiquette tips.

• Workshop: GDPR Compliance for US Startups
• Pitch Clinic: Refine Your Deck with Irish Investors
• Cultural Dinner: Irish Food and Business Practices

SafetyWing’s Remote‑Work Infrastructure Forum

SafetyWing (SafetyWing) is known for its borderless health insurance for digital nomads. At Disrupt, the company is hosting a forum that explores the future of remote‑work infrastructure, covering insurance, payroll and compliance for globally distributed teams.

• Panel: Building a Global Payroll System
• Workshop: Insurance Solutions for Remote Employees
• Happy Hour: Meet Other Remote‑First Founders

Descope’s Low‑Code Security Platform Demo Day

Descope (Descope) provides a low‑code platform that lets developers embed authentication and security features without writing extensive code. Their Demo Day will showcase live integrations, followed by a technical deep‑dive and a networking lounge for security‑focused founders.

1. Live Demo: Implementing Passwordless Login in 5 Minutes
2. Technical Deep‑Dive: Scaling Authentication for High‑Traffic Apps
3. Networking Lounge: Connect with Security Engineers and Investors

How to Fit These Events Into Your Disrupt Schedule

Disrupt Week packs a full agenda across multiple venues, so planning ahead is essential. Here are three tips to make the most of the side events:

• Prioritize by goal. If your focus is market entry, attend KOTRA and Enterprise Ireland sessions. If you need security solutions, Descope’s demo is a must.
• Reserve spots early. Many workshops have limited seating, and registration often opens weeks before the conference.
• Leverage the social calendar. Happy hours and dinners provide informal settings where introductions happen more naturally.

Beyond the Mainstage: The Value of Community‑Driven Programming

While headline speakers draw crowds, the side events create micro‑communities that persist long after the conference ends. Participants often report that a single roundtable led to a partnership or a follow‑up meeting that turned into a funding round. The diversity of formats—workshops, panels, dinners—ensures that every type of founder can find a setting that matches their preferred learning style.

For startups that are scaling, these events also serve as a testing ground for new ideas. A founder can present a prototype at a Descope demo, receive real‑time feedback, and iterate before a larger launch. Similarly, a company looking to expand into Europe can validate its compliance roadmap during an Enterprise Ireland workshop.

Where to Find the Full Schedule

The official Disrupt website (Disrupt 2026 Schedule) lists all side events, including times, venues and registration links. Bookmark the page and set reminders for the events that align with your objectives.

By weaving these side events into your Disrupt itinerary, you turn a week of talks into a catalyst for growth, partnership and market expansion. The energy in San Francisco this year is amplified by the presence of KOTRA, WayFounder, Enterprise Ireland, SafetyWing and Descope, each offering a unique gateway to success.