The Road to Silicon Valley: How Ukrainian Startups Can Conquer TechCrunch Disrupt 2026

San Francisco is preparing to host one of the biggest events for innovators, and this year special attention will be on Ukrainian startups. Diana Rakus, head of the project office for technology sector development at the Ministry of Digital Transformation, shared strategies for local companies that want to make a name for themselves in the U.S. market through participation in TechCrunch Disrupt 2026.

TechCrunch Disrupt is more than just another conference — it is a powerful launchpad for those who dream of global growth. From October 13 to 15, 2026, San Francisco will bring together more than 10,000 leading founders, investors, and members of the tech community. This event opens the door to incredible opportunities: access to more than 20,000 professional contacts, potential partners, and investment opportunities.

Maximizing Potential in Three Days: The Value of TechCrunch Disrupt

The main advantage of TechCrunch Disrupt lies in the exceptional concentration of key industry players in one place. This allows Ukrainian teams to do in a few days what would normally take months — hold dozens of meetings, present their products directly to a U.S. audience, and receive instant feedback.

The Ukrainian startup ecosystem already has experience presenting on this platform. This year, Ukraine will take part in TechCrunch for the fourth time. Previous missions have produced impressive results. For example, last year 12 Ukrainian startups presented their projects to Silicon Valley investors, visited tech giants such as Google, and had the honor of speaking on the event’s main stage.

The effects of this participation followed quickly: one startup signed six Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFE) deals with international investors, while two others secured funding for new rounds. Another Ukrainian project established a partnership with Getty Images, agreed on cooperation with Sony and Epic Games, and thus began an active entry into the U.S. market and the registration of a local company. An important part of the program also included visits to the University of California, Berkeley, and Stanford, where meetings took place with investors, representatives of educational programs, and MBA students.

Diana Rakus emphasizes that the conference is only the starting point. The main work happens “on the sidelines” — during numerous meetings, pitches, and networking opportunities. It is these informal communications that often lead to the most significant results.

When a Product Is Ready for International Recognition

However, TechCrunch Disrupt is not a universal solution for everyone. Rakus advises focusing on product development and first sales if a startup is still at the product-market fit discovery stage or is only beginning to gain traction with users.

By contrast, for teams that already have a working MVP (Minimum Viable Product), are actively growing their user base, demonstrate strong traction, and have a clear understanding of the U.S. market, San Francisco can become the next logical step. That is why the Ukrainian delegation selection is open to teams that expect concrete business results from the trip.

This year’s selection criteria for the Ukrainian delegation include:

• Registration and operations in Ukraine: The startup must be registered and carry out its operational activity in Ukraine.
• Stage of development: Companies at the Seed or Series A stage are preferred.
• Financial performance: Annual revenue of $100,000 is a mandatory requirement.
• Product and users: A working MVP and active users confirm readiness to scale.

Additional advantages for applicants include having customers, investors, or potential partners in the United States, as well as a clear readiness of the team for fundraising and international expansion.

Strategic Vision: Securing Resources Beyond Investment

It is important to understand that TechCrunch Disrupt offers much more than just the chance to find an investor. Approaching the search for potential partners with that mindset can significantly limit opportunities.

International missions like participation in TechCrunch open up a wide range of possibilities. For one startup, the main achievement may be securing its first U.S. customer. For another, it may be meeting an investment fund that becomes interested in the company a few months later. For a third, it may mean establishing a strategic partnership with another tech company or opening a new effective sales channel.

So this kind of trip should be seen as a long-term strategic investment in expanding the horizons of your business. To maximize the effectiveness of participation, thorough preparation is essential. This includes analyzing successful companies already operating in the target market, identifying investors and partners of interest, and clearly defining the expected outcomes of each planned meeting.

During the conference itself, by constantly presenting their product to different audiences, teams will have a unique opportunity to refine their pitches and strategies. Fast feedback from the U.S. audience will help them understand which aspects of the product are most attractive for this market and which need improvement.

Ukrainian startups are already showing significant potential on the global stage. The task of the state and specialized organizations is to systematically support these efforts, help find the necessary contacts, and accelerate the transition from first international introductions to real, profitable partnerships.

This year, the Ukrainian delegation will once again travel to San Francisco. For startups that feel ready to enter the U.S. market, now is the perfect time to apply. The application deadline is August 30, 2026. Applications are submitted through the “Partner Programs” section on the Ukrainian Startup Fund portal.