TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200 is the flagship early-stage startup competition held at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco. It spotlights the world’s most promising young companies. Each year, thousands of applicants from around the globe compete for one of the 200 slots in the cohort. This selection provides unparalleled visibility, access to top-tier investors, and significant growth opportunities.
Startup Battlefield 200 is a highly selective launch program designed to prepare early-stage startups for visibility, investment, and scale. TechCrunch hand-selects 200 companies each year to gain unmatched exposure and credibility. The benefits include free exhibit space at TechCrunch Disrupt for all three days, exclusive access to masterclasses and curated networking, and direct exposure to top-tier press and investors. Participants also get a chance to pitch live at Disrupt and compete on the main stage for a $100,000 equity-free prize and the iconic Disrupt Cup.
The track record of Startup Battlefield is among the strongest in the industry. Its alumni represent over 1,700 companies that have collectively raised more than $32 billion. Well-known alumni include Dropbox, Discord, Cloudflare, Trello, and Mint, among many others that have gone on to significant exits and growth.
In 2026, Startup Battlefield 200 will once again bring together a global cohort of high-potential early-stage startups building across AI, climate, health, fintech, and beyond. Applications will open in the middle of this month and close in mid-June. Selected startups will be notified around September 1, when a virtual preparation program begins. This program is designed to help founders refine their story, sharpen their pitch, and get ready for the pitch of a lifetime on the TechCrunch Disrupt stage.
For founders and investors alike, Startup Battlefield 200 remains one of the most influential global early-stage startup platforms. It is a place where breakout companies get seen, funded, and scaled. To be the first to know when applications open, interested startups are encouraged to join the Startup Battlefield email list.