From Dropbox to Cloudflare, Startup Battlefield alumni have redefined industries. Who will win $100,000 and the spotlight this year? Startup Battlefield 200 is the crown jewel of TechCrunch Disrupt, and this year’s competition promises to be unforgettable.
From thousands of applicants, only the top 20 will take the stage at Disrupt 2025 in San Francisco from October 27–29 to pitch their vision to panels of top-tier VCs in front of a live audience. Every contender is chasing game-changing impact—and we’re here for the drama, the breakthroughs, and the big reveals.
We’re thrilled to announce our first wave of judges who will put these startups to the test with rigorous, no-holds-barred Q&A. Their candid feedback offers a rare window into how world-class investors evaluate a company—what excites them, what concerns them, and what makes them want to take the next meeting.
Winning Startup Battlefield has launched companies like Dropbox, Mint, Vurb, and Cloudflare into the spotlight. With a $100,000 equity-free prize on the line, the next big name could be born on the Disrupt Stage this October.
Don’t miss this high-stakes startup pitch-off on a global stage. Learn from emerging founders what it takes to deliver a winning pitch, and hear directly from the investors judging the contenders.
**FIRST LOOK: MEET THE VCS TAKING THE JUDGES’ SEATS**
Here are the first five VCs ready to help crown the Startup Battlefield 2025 champion—with more top investors to come soon.
**Philip Clark, Investor, Thrive Capital**
Philip Clark is an investor at Thrive Capital, where he has partnered with leading software and hardware companies advancing AI and robotics, including Anduril, Cursor, Neuralink, Physical Intelligence, and Wiz. He previously invested at Bridgewater and graduated from Stanford with degrees in Computer Science and Management Science and Engineering. He also advises the Hoover Institution on emerging technologies.
**Madison Faulkner, Partner, NEA**
Madison Faulkner is a partner at NEA, investing in early-stage data, infrastructure, developer tools, and AI. She has worked with startups like World Labs, Factory, Ceramic, and Metabase. Before investing, she led data science teams at Thrasio, Greycroft, and Facebook. Madison holds a BS in Engineering from Stanford.
**Leslie Feinzaig, Founder & General Partner, Graham & Walker VC**
Leslie Feinzaig is the founder and general partner at Graham & Walker, an early-stage venture fund backing unconventional founders. A two-time startup executive with successful exits, she began her career under Clayton Christensen, the author of disruptive innovation theory.
**Ilya Kirnos, Founding Partner & CTO, SignalFire**
Ilya Kirnos is the co-founder, managing partner, and CTO of SignalFire, where he leads the Beacon AI data platform. He focuses on enterprise infrastructure and developer tools, supporting startups like Horizon3, OneSignal, and PlanetScale.
**Doug Pepper, Partner, ICONIQ**
Doug Pepper is a general partner at ICONIQ Growth, where he has led investments in Airtable, Guild Education, and Reify. Previously, he was a managing director at Shasta Ventures and a general partner at InterWest Partners. He began his career at Goldman Sachs and Amazon.
**TECH AND VC HEAVYWEIGHTS JOIN THE DISRUPT 2025 AGENDA**
Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, and Elad Gil are just a few of the industry leaders joining Disrupt 2025. They’ll share insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt—secure your ticket now and save before prices rise.
San Francisco | October 27–29, 2025
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 marks 20 years as the launchpad for tech innovation. The startup landscape has evolved, but Disrupt remains where industry leaders shape the future. From invaluable sessions to Startup Battlefield, it all happens this October. Lock in your ticket at low rates now.