TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, set for October 13–15 at San Francisco's Moscone West, will feature the Startup Battlefield 200 competition, where early-stage founders pitch their companies on a prominent stage with a six-minute presentation. This high-stakes event draws attention not only for the intense competition but also for the insightful Q&A sessions that follow, where judges probe deeply into a startup’s execution capabilities, market potential, timing, and competitive advantages. These sessions provide valuable lessons for the large audience of founders, investors, and tech enthusiasts gathered at Disrupt.

The event has announced a new group of five venture capitalists who will join the judging panel, adding to the ten judges already revealed. These judges bring a rich mix of experience from top-tier VC firms and industry roles, all focused on identifying the startups with the strongest potential. The panel includes seasoned investors such as Vaibhav ‘Dr.V’ Agrawal, co-founder of ODDBIRD VC, who backs AI-driven health and automation startups, and Anu Bharadwaj of ICONIQ, who focuses on enterprise software and AI, with a background leading Atlassian’s engineering and product growth.

Other judges include Sho Sho Leigha Ho from General Catalyst, recognized for her investments in early-stage startups, Miloni Madan Presler from IVP, known for supporting technology enterprises through growth stages, and Aidan Madigan-Curtis of Eclipse Ventures, who specializes in AI, IoT, and manufacturing innovations while also directing carbon reduction efforts across investments. Collectively, these judges bring diverse expertise that spans healthcare AI, enterprise cloud platforms, robotics, and sustainability, setting the stage for a comprehensive evaluation of Disrupt’s emerging companies.

TechCrunch Disrupt continues to be a critical gathering for startups, investors, and tech leaders, with over 10,000 attendees expected. By registering before September 25, participants can secure up to $200 in ticket savings. The Startup Battlefield 200 is widely regarded as one of the most intense and influential startup pitch competitions, offering winners the opportunity to claim a $100,000 prize and gain significant exposure. The event promises to spotlight breakthrough innovations and provide unmatched networking and learning experiences for founders and investors alike.