TechCrunch Disrupt isn’t a blockchain event — it’s where the next wave of mainstream tech (AI) takes shape. That’s exactly why Distractive decided to execute this event and why Polkadot stood out.
As the only blockchain sponsor among thousands of AI, SaaS, and enterprise innovators, Polkadot’s presence made a clear statement: Web3 belongs in real-world mainstream tech conversations.
A booth built to stand out
And it worked. Polkadot’s 10’x20’ booth was impossible to miss. Over the course of the 3-day event, we saw more than 10,000 attendees, most of whom were new to blockchain. While TechCrunch attracts investors, founders, and enterprise builders—not crypto-native audiences—the booth design invited curiosity. Hundreds stopped to take photos and ask questions, many saying they were drawn in simply by how impressive and approachable the space looked.
The conversations were grounded, educational, and focused on what Polkadot can actually do — from powering verifiable data to enabling privacy and identity tools.
A collaboration done right
This activation wasn’t just about showing up — it was about showing together.
Distractive, Magenta Labs, Acurast, and Frequency joined forces to create one of the most eye-catching booths on the floor. Bright LEDs, a hanging sign, and a clean, colorful design made it a natural hub for conversation.
Each team came ready to educate and engage, using their own builder stories to connect blockchain’s potential with the tech audience’s reality.
“TechCrunch Disrupt was a great opportunity to showcase Polkadot as powerful infrastructure ready for mass adoption. The collaboration across teams made all the difference.” — John Goldschmidt, Magenta Labs
“I was surprised how curious and receptive people were — it was great exposure for Polkadot in the wider tech world.” — Shannon Wells, Frequency
Meaningful conversations, measurable impact
Polkadot’s presence proved that Web2 audiences are ready to talk about blockchain—if you meet them where they are.
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237 qualified leads were collected, including AI founders, SaaS builders, and enterprise tech executives. The Magenta team will handle follow-ups.
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Top interest areas: AI/ML (13%), Software Development (10%), and Enterprise Tech (8%).
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47.7K+ organic impressions and a 3.15% engagement rate across Polkadot’s social recap content.
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Featured in multiple tech publications, including The Block, and The Cryptonomist, highlighting Polkadot’s collaboration with Unity Nodes to decentralize telecom verification.
Every conversation reinforced that Polkadot’s story—open infrastructure, scalable systems, and multi-chain interoperability—resonates far beyond crypto-native circles.
A win for strategy and execution
Choosing TechCrunch Disrupt proved to be a smart move. It placed Polkadot directly in front of founders, developers, and investors outside the crypto bubble — the exact audience ready to explore real blockchain applications.
The coordination across ecosystem teams, unified messaging, and smart booth design turned this into one of the most effective cross-ecosystem event activations to date.
As the only blockchain in the room, Polkadot didn’t just stand out — it fit in. It showed what’s possible when the ecosystem unites to meet new audiences where they are—beyond the Web3 echo chamber. And that’s exactly where the next phase of adoption begins.
Huge thanks to the Magenta Labs, Acurast, Frequency, Parity, EB and the Web3 Foundation teams for making this presence possible.
Questions or ideas? Reply here or reach out at ivan@distractive.xyz
Ivan at Distractive