Any founder who requests Starting Battlefield wants the same thing: the main stage of Disrupt. Six minutes for the presentation and live demonstration, in front of top-level Silicon Valley investors. A dedicated TechCrunch article published while presenting. A chance to win the $100,000 no-equity prize and the Disrupt Cup.
And all of that could be yours, but every path to Startup Battlefield success starts with an app. And in fact, we’ve extended the deadline for this year’s cohort to June 8, so you only have a short window to submit yours.
Head here to launch that app right now.But to get you started, we have some tips based on past competitions and some details on why the benefits for participants start long before the main stage in Disrupt begins.
What it takes to reach the Startup Battlefield Top 20
Startup Battlefield Top 20 represents the best of the best of the Startup Battlefield 200. Companies with ideas that are significantly different, category-defining, and capable of making a big impact in their industry or geography. The selection comes down to which companies are the most convincing, differentiated and prepared for a global scenario.
Videos of your products and founders are everything. They are the first impression and play the most important role in identifying which companies are ready for the disruption stage. Show your product in action. Be specific about what makes you different. Let your conviction reflect on camera, not just your metrics.
Selected companies work closely with the TechCrunch team in preparing to present before Disrupt. Each company presents live pitches and demos for six minutes on the Disrupt Stage, followed by a live Q&A session with top-tier investors including Aileen Lee (Cowboy Ventures), Kirsten Green (Forerunner), Navin Chaddha (Mayfield), Chris Farmer (SignalFire), Dayna Grayson (Construct Capital), Ann Miura-Ko (Floodgate), and Hans Tung (Notable Capital).
Of the Top 20, five are selected to pitch again on the final day of Disrupt in front of a new panel of high-profile judges. The winner receives $100,000 in zero-equity cash prizes and the Disrupt Cup.
See the Top 20 of 2024 and 2025.
Not initially selected for the Top 20? You’re still in the race
The list is not final until Disrupt is underway. Every year, things change: founders drop out, timelines change, and top 200 companies rise quickly during the program.
We keep the Top 20 confidential until the event begins and maintain a short list of companies ready to intervene. This happens every cycle.
And more importantly, being in the 200s is where the real opportunity begins. The stage is a moment. But the access, exposure and network you gain as part of the cohort extends far beyond that.
What every Startup Battlefield 200 company gets
You don’t have to be in the top 20 of Startup Battlefield to change your trajectory.
Each selected company receives a fully funded demo booth at TechCrunch Disrupt; Complimentary team event passes; access to a virtual pre-event program with world-class venture capitalists, operators and founders; dedicated field preparation; and an invitation to the private Startup Battlefield reception.
At Disrupt, all 200 companies are present. Whether you’re on the Disrupt Stage competing for the $100,000 prize or the Exhibition stage of the best in the industryBoth are real opportunities to stand out to the investors, press and partners who come to Disrupt to discover the future.
From an editorial point of view, all companies enter the TechCrunch ecosystem. Coverage is not guaranteed, but our editors actively track Startup Battlefield companies through articles, Build Mode Podcasthe Equity Podcastand future updates as you grow. Featured companies are often invited to present, speak, and return via TechCrunch platforms. It is an opportunity that worsens over time.
Beyond that, you join the Startup Battlefield alumni community, which includes more than 1,700 companies, such as Dropbox, Discord, and Cloudflare, which together have raised $32 billion and produced more than 250 exits. This is not a mailing list, it is a network of founders who have been through the same experience and continue to support each other.
Alumni receive ongoing opportunities to present and speak at TechCrunch events, free and discounted access to future events, and exclusive benefits from our partner network.
The stage is a moment. Network, visibility and access are what last.
You get value just for applying to Startup Battlefield
Even if you are not selected, applying has its advantages. Applicants receive exclusive discounts on Disrupt tickets and exhibition opportunities, along with resources from our partners, so they can stay close to the ecosystem and return stronger in the next cycle.
If you’re not sure if you’re ready, apply anyway. It’s free, it doesn’t take anything off the table, and it’s our job to let you know if it’s not the right time. Founders who wait until they feel ready often wait too long.
While you get ready, take a look Construction modeTechCrunch’s podcast for early-stage founders featuring past Startup Battlefield companies, emerging founders, and top investors. Consider it your inside track on what it takes to build a Battlefield-ready company.
Closed applications June 8, 2026. TechCrunch Disruption will take place October 13-15 in San Francisco.
Apply to Startup Battlefield 2026 if you think you have what it takes to make it to the Top 20.
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