VC access, global visibility, TechCrunch coverage, and the chance to raise $100,000 in equity-free funding can all be gone in a week.
Startup Battlefield 200 applications close on May 27th. If you're building a breakthrough startup or know the founder of one, now is the time to take action.
Apply now for a chance to join 200 of the world's most promising early-stage startups at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, October 13-15.
The clock is ticking for early-stage founders.
Pre-Series A Founders, consider this your final countdown reminder. The strongest startups have already entered the field, and the application window is rapidly closing.
If your startup has already been nominated, please complete the application immediately. This final week moves quickly, and applications rush in before the deadline, so there is a risk that last-minute applications will be buried.
Know a startup that deserves our attention? Nominate us now to apply by May 27th.
Companies that define categories rarely start refining
Some of the most influential companies in the history of technology didn't launch with splashy funding announcements. They started on the pitch.
Dropbox was demoed to a room full of skeptics. Cloudflare came out before most people understood what edge networking meant. Discord was still a crappy gaming startup called Hammer & Chisel.
They all went through the same melting pot: Startup Battlefield 200. It's not a coincidence, it's a pattern. And it starts with the application.
The Startup Battlefield 200 was not a competition for the most sophisticated companies. This is a competition for the most promising players. It's okay even before the launch. It's okay if you don't have any income. What matters is whether what you're building really changes anything. Make it meaningful, not incremental.
If you or a founder you know is building something impactful, the application itself will be your first pitch. Please apply by May 27th.
More than a pitch contest
Startup Battlefield 200 is where breakthrough companies are discovered.
Selected startups will perform live shows on the Disrupt Stage in front of over 10,000 attendees, leading VCs, global media, and the broader TechCrunch audience. This is your opportunity to expose yourself to investors, receive direct feedback from VCs, and prove that your company belongs among the next generation of category-defining startups.
All 200 selected companies will receive:
A fully-funded 3-day exhibition booth at Disrupt. Free pass for teams. Pitch-specific training. Masterclasses for founders led by world-class VCs and operators. Featured startup profiles for event apps. Access to press lists and lead generation opportunities. As your company grows, you'll receive editorial coverage, podcasts, and speaking appearances on TechCrunch.
All selected companies will then pitch on both the Disrupt and Pitch Showcase stages. Both put founders in front of investors, media, and especially partners who come to Disrupt to find what's next.
You don't need to be in the top 20 for this experience to change your trajectory. First, please nominate and apply here.
Startup Battlefield 200 achievements speak for themselves
More than 1,700 companies are participating in the Startup Battlefield 200. Together, these companies have raised more than $32 billion and generated more than 250 exits, including acquisitions by Microsoft, Google, Salesforce, Uber, and Amazon.
This network is so deep that alumni even buy each other out. Dropbox acquired “Battlefield 200” alumnus DocSend in 2021.
This is also the same launching pad that helped accelerate companies like Fitbit, Trello, and Mint.
Behind these achievements were founders willing to bet on themselves publicly in front of high-profile people. Click here for application and details.
Who should apply?
We're looking for ambitious early-stage startups building innovative, potentially category-defining products.
Applications are globally open across all industries. Most of the selected companies are pre-Series A, but selected Series A startups may qualify on a case-by-case basis.
To apply, startups must have:
Founders with vision, execution and real drive.
Thousands of people apply each year. Only 200 people will be selected. Just 20 finalists will pitch live on the Disrupt Stage. One startup won the crown and received $100,000 in non-equity funding.
One week left until migration
Founders who wait until they feel ready often wait too long. No need to polish. You have to make a promise.
If you were sitting on this, this is the reality. The worst outcome is that you don't get selected this cycle – and come back next year with a stronger application now that you've gone through the process.
The stage is important. Community lasts. Milestones are real. However, there is only one week left until the deadline.
If you're building something category-defining or know a startup that deserves attention, submit your nomination and complete your application by May 27th.
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