Startup Battlefield isn’t just another pitch competition, it’s TechCrunch’s official entry point for the next generation of breakout startups.

Being selected as one of the Startup Battlefield 200 is a milestone in itself. It’s an editorial-style honor and a clear stamp of approval that signals to investors, customers, and media that your company stands out, before you ever step onstage. Unlike most recognition lists, there are no age limits or insider nominations — you can apply directly.

If selected, you’ll receive a free exhibit booth and complimentary tickets to TechCrunch Disrupt, putting you in front of thousands of investors, customers, and press.

From there, the program is designed to prepare you, not just showcase you. Leading up to Disrupt, founders participate in weekly masterclasses with top VCs, operators, and successful founders, along with dedicated pitch training to help you deliver the pitch of a lifetime.

At Disrupt, all 200 companies pitch and compete for Best in Industry recognition. From that group, 20 companies are selected to pitch live onstage, and 5 advance to the final round to compete for the $100,000 equity-free prize and the Disrupt Cup.

And it doesn’t end there. Startup Battlefield is a long-term platform. Companies join the TechCrunch alumni network, with ongoing access to media opportunities, speaking and pitching invitations, discounted and complimentary event access, and continued visibility across TechCrunch.

Most opportunities offer a moment. Startup Battlefield is a funnel into the TechCrunch ecosystem and a platform that continues to create opportunities long after Disrupt.

We’re looking for early-stage startups building something ambitious, innovative, and potentially category-defining.

We accept applications from companies around the world, across all industries and tackling any problem space.

Most companies selected are pre-Series A, but we do consider Series A startups on a case-by-case basis — particularly those in capital-intensive industries or those who have raised outside of the U.S.

Companies should have a functional minimum viable product (MVP) at the time of application. As part of the process, you’ll be asked to submit a product demo video that clearly shows your product in action (no animated or AI-generated demos).

Above all, we’re looking for strong founders, compelling ideas, and products that have the potential to make a real impact.

Applications are reviewed by both the TechCrunch Startup Battlefield and editorial teams.

Our journalists, who are deeply embedded in their respective industries, evaluate companies through the lens of what’s truly new, important, and worth paying attention to. They’re looking for standout ideas, exceptional founders, and companies with the potential to shape their category.

Each application goes through a rigorous, multistep process of up to four rounds of review, ensuring every company is thoughtfully evaluated from multiple perspectives.

Applications are open through May 27, 2026, after which the review process begins. Selected companies will be notified in late August.

In the month leading up to TechCrunch Disrupt, Startup Battlefield companies are invited to participate in a curated virtual prep program designed to help you make the most of the opportunity.

This includes weekly masterclasses led by world-class investors, operators, and successful founders — focused on company building, storytelling, fundraising, and what it takes to stand out on a global stage. Founders also have access to pitch-focused sessions and personalized feedback to refine their narrative and delivery.

The time commitment is intentionally lightweight — typically around 2 hours per week — and sessions are optional but highly recommended.

For companies selected as finalists, the program becomes more hands-on, with dedicated pitch rehearsals and coaching to ensure you’re fully prepared to pitch and demo live and handle the Q&A onstage.

It’s designed to be high impact, not high burden, giving you the tools, insight, and confidence to deliver the pitch of a lifetime.

It’s important to note that TechCrunch takes no fees or equity from startups for applying and participating in the Startup Battlefield.

We select the most ambitious, disruptive, and potentially category-defining companies and the teams that have the ability to execute on that vision.

We look for a strong, differentiated product, a meaningful problem, and a clear opportunity to reshape an industry or create a new category. But ambition alone isn’t enough. The companies that stand out also show early traction, thoughtful execution, and a deep understanding of their market.

We evaluate the founding team closely, your experience, insight into the problem space, and why you’re uniquely positioned to build this company. We also consider external signals, including support from advisers, investors, and others who believe in what you’re building.

We select companies from around the world and across all industries. There’s no single formula, but the startups that rise to the top combine bold vision with real substance.

Start with your product video and make sure it clearly shows your product actually working. This is not the place for concepts or mock-ups. We want to see real functionality.

Be clear and honest about your competitive landscape. Understanding your competition is a critical part of building a successful company. Outline who else exists in the space and why you will win regardless. Saying you have no competitors is a red flag.

Include any strong signals around your company — advisers, investors, mentors, or early supporters who believe in what you’re building. These help demonstrate credibility and momentum.

Finally, don’t overlook your founder story. Your experience, insight, and personal connection to the problem matter. Help us understand why you started this company and why you’re the right person to build it.

And remember — we’re a news organization. Think about what makes your company and your journey newsworthy. What’s unique, surprising, or meaningful about what you’re building and how you got here?

If you want to go deeper, we highly recommend listening to the Build Mode podcast. You’ll hear directly from past Startup Battlefield founders, top VCs, and operators on what it takes to build — and pitch — a standout company.

The Top 20 represent the best of the best from the Startup Battlefield 200. Companies with ideas that feel meaningfully different, category-defining, and capable of making a major impact in their industry or geography. Selection comes down to which companies are the most compelling, differentiated, and ready for a global stage, across a range of industries.

Strong product and founder videos in your application are critical. They’re often the first impression and play a key role in identifying the companies ready for the Main Stage.

Selected Top 20 companies work closely with the TechCrunch team on pitch preparation ahead of Disrupt. Each pitches and live demos for six minutes on the Disrupt Stage, followed by a live Q&A, with a dedicated TechCrunch article published as they present.

Not selected for the Top 20 initially? The list isn’t final until you’re onstage. Every year, spots open up, founders move on, schedules conflict, or a company from the 200 rises to the top during the program. We keep a running list of companies ready to step in, and it happens every cycle.

All 200 companies pitch at Disrupt. Whether you’re on the Main Stage competing for the grand prize or on the Showcase Stage competing for Best in Industry, both are genuine opportunities to stand out in front of the investors and press in the building. Every Startup Battlefield 200 company also enters our editorial pipeline for future TechCrunch coverage.

TechCrunch does not invest in or take equity from Startup Battlefield companies. We help you get in front of the people who might.

One of the biggest advantages of Startup Battlefield is visibility. Companies are put in front of top-tier VCs, angels, and operators — both leading up to and during TechCrunch Disrupt.

As a result, many companies go on to raise funding in the months following Disrupt, often building relationships that start through the program.

Applicants are notified of their acceptance into the Startup Battlefield 200 approximately two months prior to TechCrunch Disrupt.

If you’re not selected, we encourage you to apply again. Many founders apply multiple times before being chosen. It often just means we’re looking for more traction, stronger signals, or further product development.

While we’re not able to provide individual feedback due to the volume of applications, we do offer exclusive discounts for applicants on Disrupt tickets and exhibit opportunities so you can still be part of the event.

For those looking to improve and come back stronger, we highly recommend listening to the Build Mode podcast, where you’ll hear directly from past Startup Battlefield founders, top VCs, and experienced operators on what it takes to build a standout, Battlefield-ready company.

We ask for two short videos as part of the application, one focused on the product and one on the founder.

Product video:
We want to see your product in action. Show us that it actually works. A simple screen recording or phone video is completely fine — production quality does not matter.

We are not looking for polished, animated explainer videos with voice-overs or background music. Skip the marketing. This is about product functionality.

Founder video:
We also want to meet the person behind the company. This should be the founder who would pitch onstage at TechCrunch Disrupt if selected.

Introduce yourself, share your background, why you started this company, and why you care deeply about the problem you’re solving. Help us understand your perspective, your conviction, and why you’re the right person to build this.

We’re not looking for a perfect performance — we’re looking for authenticity, clarity, and conviction.

No, you aren’t. Don’t worry: you can resubmit until the deadline. You cannot go back to an already submitted application.

Due to the volume of applications, we cannot interview everyone. Occasionally we will interview an applicant but there is no “interview round.” Most of our participants are selected without an interview.

Founders can submit one application for each individual company.

Many Startup Battlefield companies apply multiple times before being selected. Not being chosen often just means we need to see more traction, stronger signals, or further product development.

We receive a high volume of strong applications from around the world. In building the final cohort, we’re not only looking for the most disruptive companies, but we’re also shaping a group that represents a range of industries, stages, and geographies. As a result, we have to pass on many outstanding startups each year.

Our decision is not a verdict on your company’s future. Many successful companies were not selected and went on to achieve significant outcomes.

If you’re planning to apply again, we highly recommend listening to the Build Mode podcast. It’s a great way to learn from past Startup Battlefield founders, top VCs, and operators on how to build a stronger, more competitive company — and come back even better next year.