Key information
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will host the Startup Battlefield competition from October 13-15. Out of thousands of applicants, 200 startups were selected, with only 20 chosen to pitch on the Disrupt Stage. The event culminates in a final decision by a panel of five expert judges.
The judging panel consists of five venture capital leaders: Stacy Brown-Philpot of Cherryrock Capital, Chi-Hua Chien of Goodwater Capital, Dayna Grayson of Construct Capital, Carter Reum of M13, and Alexa Von Tobel of Inspired Capital. Each judge is a founder or co-founder of their respective firm and brings extensive experience in scaling companies and identifying high-potential startups.
Following the final pitch, the judges will participate in a live AMA session on the Builders Stage. This session allows the audience to engage directly with the investors regarding their investment criteria, company building strategies, and observations from the competition.
Attendees can access the event by purchasing passes, with current discounts available for early registration and group bookings. The conference expects over 10,000 participants and features more than 250 speakers across various industry stages.
