TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is set to be a pivotal event for startups, featuring the intense Startup Battlefield 200 competition where early-stage founders will pitch their ventures to a panel of experienced venture capitalists. Taking place from October 13 to 15 at San Francisco’s Moscone West, this competition is known for its rigorous format, giving each founder just six minutes to present, followed by a challenging Q&A session. These interactions provide valuable insights not only for investors but also for the large audience of over 10,000 tech leaders attending the event, showcasing how successful startups are assessed in today’s competitive landscape.

The latest group of judges added to the competition brings a wealth of expertise from top venture capital firms and backgrounds spanning healthcare, enterprise software, AI, and manufacturing. Vaibhav “Dr.V” Agrawal, co-founder of ODDBIRD VC, focuses on AI startups transforming critical supply chains and healthcare. Anu Bharadwaj, a partner at ICONIQ Growth, brings deep knowledge of AI and enterprise software, having previously led Atlassian’s expansive product and engineering efforts. Sho Sho Leigha Ho of General Catalyst, Miloni Madan Presler from IVP, and Aidan Madigan-Curtis of Eclipse Ventures complete the panel, each bringing unique perspectives in early-stage investing, growth equity, and operational scaling.

This diverse judging panel will be responsible for selecting the startups with the greatest potential for impact and growth, culminating in a $100,000 prize for the winner. Their questions will probe teams’ ability to execute, market opportunity, timing, and defensibility, aspects critical to a startup’s success. Founders and attendees alike benefit from witnessing these probing inquiries and responses, which shed light on what investors prioritize when deciding to support emerging companies. The panel’s expertise covers numerous critical sectors, reflecting the broad range of innovative startups competing at Disrupt.

For those interested in witnessing the future of tech innovation and learning firsthand how investment decisions are made, now is the time to register for TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Attendees can save up to $200 on tickets if they register before September 25. The event promises not only a front-row seat to intense startup battles but also opportunities to connect with influential investors and network with thousands of industry leaders in one of the most vibrant startup ecosystems in the world.