Here are the best and most daring looks from TechCrunch Disrupt 2023

Each year, droves of tech founders, funders, and dreamers descend on TechCrunch Disrupt. And for years the event was regarded as a kind of fashion wasteland. Hoodies and ill-fitting jeans passed as the uniform onstage and at after parties. Back in 2015, GQ felt compelled to write an entire tribute to the "one well-dressed man" at the conference.

But as the curtains rose on the startup world's big tent at the Moscone Center in San Francisco last week, the fashion transformation was undeniable. Well-heeled venture capitalists shed their puffy vests for tailored suits and cashmere, and stilettos were almost as commonplace as sneakers. Granted, the tech superstars onstage were the first ones kicking boring attire to the curb, flaunting elegant ensembles that might seem misplaced amidst the sea of understated logo tees in the audience.

See who brought the glitz and glamour, and who maybe should have stayed off the green carpet.

NBA superstar, philanthropist, and entrepreneur Shaquille O'Neal

Shaquille O'Neal speaks onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 at Moscone Center on September 19, 2023 in San Francisco, California.      Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunch

NFX general partner Morgan Beller and General Catalyst managing director Marc Bhargava

NFX general partner Morgan Beller and General Catalyst managing director Marc Bhargava speak onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 at Moscone Center on September 19, 2023 in San Francisco, California.      Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunch

Signal president Meredith Whittaker

Signal president Meredith Whittaker speaks onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 at Moscone Center on September 21, 2023 in San Francisco, California.      Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunch

Phenomenal Ventures cofounder and managing partner Helen Min and Cake Ventures founder and managing director Monique Woodard

Helen Min, cofounder and managing partner at Phenomenal Ventures, and Monique Woodard, founder and managing director of Cake Ventures speak onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 at Moscone Center on September 19, 2023 in San Francisco, California.      E. Slomonson/The Photo Group for TechCrunch

Kleiner Perkins partner Mamoon Hamid

Kleiner Perkins partner Mamoon Hamid speaks onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 at Moscone Center on September 21, 2023 in San Francisco, California.      Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunch

Matthew Panzarino, TechCrunch editor-in-chief

TechCrunch editor-in-chief Matthew Panzarino speaks onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 at Moscone Center on September 19, 2023 in San Francisco, California.      Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunch

Apple vice president of environment, policy, and social initiatives Lisa Jackson

Apple vice president of environment, policy, and social initiatives Lisa Jackson speaks onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 at Moscone Center on September 19, 2023 in San Francisco, California.      Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunch

Rebecca Liu-Doyle

Insight Partners managing director Rebecca Liu-Doyle speaks onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 at Moscone Center on September 20, 2023 in San Francisco, California.      Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunch

Instagram cofounder Kevin Systrom

Instagram cofounder Kevin Systrom speaks onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 at Moscone Center on September 21, 2023 in San Francisco, California.      Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunch

Accel partner Sara Ittelson, Kindred Ventures founder and managing partner Steve Jang, and Breakthrough Energy Ventures partner Libby Wayman

Accel partner Sara Ittelson, Kindred Ventures founder and managing partner Steve Jang, and Breakthrough Energy Ventures partner Libby Wayman speak onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 at Moscone Center on September 19, 2023 in San Francisco, California.      Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunch

Cruise founder and CEO Kyle Vogt

Cruise founder and CEO Kyle Vogt speaks onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 at Moscone Center on September 20, 2023 in San Francisco, California.      Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunch

TechCrunch senior reporter Dominic-Madori Davis and founder and CEO of Thistle Technologies Window Snyder

TechCrunch senior reporter Dominic-Madori Davis and Window Snyder, founder and CEO of Thistle Technologies speak onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 at Moscone Center on September 20, 2023 in San Francisco, California.      Mark Reinertson/The Photo Group for TechCrunch

Pear VC founding managing partner Mar Hershenson and Precursor Ventures founder and managing partner Charles Hudson

Pear VC founding managing partner Mar Hershenson and Precursor Ventures founder and managing partner Charles Hudson speak onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 at Moscone Center on September 21, 2023 in San Francisco, California.      Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunch

Haun Ventures founder and CEO Katie Haun

Haun Ventures founder and CEO Katie Haun speaks onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 at Moscone Center on September 21, 2023 in San Francisco, California.      Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunch

Parallel Health CEO and cofounder Natalise Kalea Robinson

Parallel Health CEO and cofounder Natalise Kalea Robinson speaks onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 at Moscone Center on September 20, 2023 in San Francisco, California.      Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunch

GV general partner Frederique Dame and NEA partner Danielle Lay

GV general partner Frederique Dame and NEA partner Danielle Lay speak onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 at Moscone Center on September 20, 2023 in San Francisco, California.      Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunch

RareBreed Ventures founder and managing partner Mac Conwell

RareBreed Ventures founder and managing partner Mac Conwell attends TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 at Moscone Center on September 21, 2023 in San Francisco, California.      Ian Tuttle/Getty Images for TechCrunch

TechCrunch general manager and editor-in-chief Connie Loizos

TechCrunch general manager and editor-in-chief Connie Loizos and Haun Ventures founder and CEO Katie Haun speak onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 at Moscone Center on September 21, 2023 in San Francisco, California.      Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunch

Sunshine cofounder and CEO Marissa Mayer

Sunshine cofounder and CEO Marissa Mayer and TechCrunch editor-in-chief Matthew Panzarino speak onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 at Moscone Center on September 21, 2023 in San Francisco, California.      Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunch

Atomic COO Healey Cypher

Atomic COO Healey Cypher speaks onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 at Moscone Center on September 19, 2023 in San Francisco, California.      Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunch

AppMap founder and CEO Elizabeth Lawler

AppMap founder and CEO Elizabeth Lawler speaks onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 at Moscone Center on September 21, 2023 in San Francisco, California.      Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunch

Forethought AI cofounder and CEO Deon Nicholas

Forethought AI cofounder and CEO Deon Nicholas speaks onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 at Moscone Center on September 21, 2023 in San Francisco, California.      Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunch