Your opportunity for venture capital access, global visibility, coverage by TechCrunch, and $100,000 in equity-free funding expires in one week.
Startup Battlefield 200 applications close on May 27. If you’re building a standout startup— or know a founder who is — now is the time to act.
Apply today for the chance to present at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, happening October 13-15, alongside 200 of the world’s top early-stage startups.
The countdown is on for early-stage founders
Pre-Series A founders, consider this your final reminder: The strongest startups are already entering, and the application window is closing quickly.
If your startup has been nominated, don’t wait to complete your application. This final week moves fast, and last-minute submissions risk being overshadowed as applications rise before the deadline.
Know a startup worthy of attention? Nominate them now so they have time to apply before May 27.
Influential companies rarely start out perfect
Some of the most impactful companies in tech history didn’t start with major fundraising announcements. They began with a pitch.
Dropbox demonstrated to skeptics. Cloudflare took the stage before most knew what edge networking was. Discord was a startup called Hammer & Chisel.
They all passed through the same trial: Startup Battlefield 200. That’s not a coincidence — it’s a trend. And it starts with an application.
Startup Battlefield 200 isn’t a competition for the most refined companies. It’s for the most promising ones. Pre-launch is fine. No revenue is fine. What matters is if what you’re building brings significant change.
If you or a founder you know is creating something impactful, then the application itself becomes the first pitch. Apply before May 27.
More than just a pitch contest
Startup Battlefield 200 is where standout companies get discovered.
Selected startups will showcase live on the Disrupt Stage in front of 10,000+ attendees, leading VCs, global media, and the broader TechCrunch audience. Gain investor exposure, receive direct feedback, and prove your company’s worth among the next generation of industry-defining startups.
Each of the 200 selected companies receives:
– A fully funded three-day exhibition booth at Disrupt.
– Free team passes.
– Dedicated pitch training.
– Founder masterclasses with top VCs and operators.
– A featured startup profile in the event app.
– Press list access and lead-generation opportunities.
– Opportunities for TechCrunch editorial coverage, podcasts, and speaking appearances as the company grows.
Every selected company pitches, whether on the Disrupt Stage or the Pitch Showcase Stage. Both put founders in front of investors, media, and partners attending Disrupt to find what’s next.
You don’t need to be in the top 20 for this experience to change your path. Get started by nominating and applying here.
The Startup Battlefield 200 track record is impressive
Over 1,700 companies have competed in Startup Battlefield 200. Together, they’ve raised over $32 billion and generated more than 250 exits, including acquisitions by Microsoft, Google, Salesforce, Uber, and Amazon.
The network is deep, with alumni acquiring each other: Dropbox acquired fellow Battlefield 200 alum DocSend in 2021.
This launchpad helped accelerate companies like Fitbit, Trello, and Mint.
Behind each of those successes was a founder betting on themselves, publicly and in front of an attentive audience. Apply and learn more here.
Who should apply?
We’re looking for ambitious early-stage startups creating innovative, potentially industry-defining products.
Applications are open globally across all industries. Most selected companies are pre-Series A, though some Series A startups may qualify on a case-by-case basis.
To apply, startups should have:
– A functional MVP.
– A clear product demo.
– Strong market potential.
– Founders with vision, execution, and real traction.
Thousands apply yearly. Only 200 are chosen. Just 20 finalists pitch live on the Disrupt Stage. One startup wins $100,000 in equity-free funding.
One week left to act
Founders who wait until they feel ready often wait too long. You don’t need to be polished. You need to be promising.
If you’ve been hesitating, know this: The worst outcome is you don’t get selected this cycle — and come back next year with a stronger application because you went through the process.
The stage matters. The community lasts. The milestone is real. But the deadline is now one week away.
If you’re building something category-defining — or know a startup deserving the spotlight — submit your nomination and complete your application before May 27.
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