TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will host the Startup Battlefield 200 pitch competition where 200 selected startups compete for the top prize, with only 20 making it to the final stage. The event takes place from October 13 to 15 in San Francisco at Moscone West, gathering over 10,000 tech leaders, founders, and investors. The culmination of the Battlefield contest hinges on a panel of five expert judges who have direct experience founding and leading venture firms. These judges will select the winner who will receive $100,000 in equity-free funding.

The five judges chosen for this year's Startup Battlefield are 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 of these investors has a strong track record in backing startups and scaling successful companies across various sectors such as software, consumer tech, industrial tech, and fintech. Their extensive experience ensures they are well-equipped to identify startups with the potential to create big impacts in the tech industry.

Beyond the competition, the judges will engage with the audience in a live Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on the Builders Stage, providing insights on what they value in pitches, fundraising strategies, and future investment opportunities. Disrupt will also feature over 200 sessions with 250+ tech leaders across multiple stages, discussing trending topics in AI, biotech, social media, and more. This makes the conference a key event for networking, learning, and discovering emerging technologies and innovations.

Tickets for TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 offer various options including a full pass with discounts for early registrants, a 50% discount on second passes, group savings, and a $75 Expo+ pass for those impacted by layoffs. The event promises to be a pivotal moment for startups aiming to gain visibility and funding, and for attendees eager to stay at the forefront of the evolving tech landscape. With the Startup Battlefield spotlight and influential investor presence, Disrupt 2026 is set to highlight the future of innovation.