Startup Battlefield 200 – the flagship early-stage startup competition that takes place annually during TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco. Each year thousands of applicants from around the world compete for 200 spots in the cohort, offering unique visibility, access to leading investors, and opportunities for growth.
In 2026, Startup Battlefield 200 will once again bring together a global cohort of startups developing projects in the fields of artificial intelligence, climate, health, fintech, and other areas.
What is Startup Battlefield 200?
Startup Battlefield 200 is a highly selective early-stage startup launch program designed to provide visibility, investment, and scale at an early stage. Each year TechCrunch selects 200 companies to give them unparalleled exposure, credibility, and the ability to scale faster than they could have imagined:
Free exhibition space at TechCrunch Disrupt for three days.
Exclusive access to master classes and targeted networking.
Direct visibility to the press and investors.
Opportunity to pitch live during Disrupt.
The chance to compete on the main Disrupt stage with a $100,000 prize, no equity, and ownership of the Disrupt Cup.
The Startup Battlefield alumni list showcases the strongest results in the industry – over 1,700 companies that have raised more than $32 billion in investments, including Dropbox, Discord, Cloudflare, Trello, Mint, and others, which later achieved notable exits and growth.
In 2026, Battlefield 200 continues to be one of the most influential global platforms for early-stage startups – where success stories are born, funding is secured, and global-scale growth happens.
Applications open in mid-year and close in late June. The selected startups will be notified around September 1, when the virtual prep program begins – targeted to help founders refine their story, polish their pitch, and prepare for a performance on the TechCrunch Disrupt stage.
Isabelle leads Startup Battlefield – TechCrunch’s flagship platform and competition for the world’s most promising early-stage startups. She attracts top founders from more than 99 countries and prepares them to pitch at Disrupt before a slate of investors and global media. Before TechCrunch, she developed and led international startup accelerator programs in Japan, South Korea, Italy, and Spain, connecting global founders with venture funds and helping them successfully enter the U.S. market. She holds a master’s degree in entrepreneurship and disruptive innovation and was previously a professional singer – she blends strategic precision and stage presence to help founders tell compelling stories and stand out in competitive markets.
For contact or confirmation of details from Isabelle, please write to [email protected].
