Observed Signal · Aug 13, 2026 · Conference Session · Source: techcrunch · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Bluesky CEO and COO Speak at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026
Bluesky’s permanent CEO Toni Schneider and COO Rose Wang will present a session at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 about rebuilding social media around open protocols. Schneider, who moved from interim to full-time CEO earlier in 2026, joins Wang — a Bluesky employee since 2021 with prior customer-experience experience at Forethought AI — to argue that protocol-based social networks could create space for new products, business models and communities. The appearance is part of TechCrunch Disrupt (October 13–15, 2026, Moscone West), an event TechCrunch says will gather 10,000+ founders, investors and technologists.
Company leadership positioning Bluesky as a protocol-based alternative to incumbent social platforms is relevant to the social media and ad ecosystem but is an incremental conference appearance rather than an industry-wide policy or technical change.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Toni Schneider became Bluesky’s permanent CEO after serving as interim CEO since March 2026.
- Rose Wang is Bluesky’s COO and has been with the company since late 2021; she previously led customer experience at Forethought AI.
- Schneider and Wang are scheduled to appear on stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco (October 13–15, 2026) to discuss Bluesky’s role in a potential reboot of social media.
- Bluesky’s founding CEO Jay Graber shifted to the role of chief innovation officer earlier in 2026.
- TechCrunch promoted Disrupt 2026 as an event expected to host more than 10,000 founders, investors, and technologists.
Connected Companies & Entities
5 Entities mapped“Two of its leaders will make their case in person at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026....”
“The article links to a Hollywood Reporter piece quoting Rose at SXSW London earlier this year....”
“Bluesky ... reemerged or were established in the wake of Twitter’s transformation into X....”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
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