Today is the last day to apply or nominate a startup Startup Battlefield 200. Once the clock strikes 11:59 p.m. PT, the window closes on your chance to compete for $100,000 in non-equity funding, gain global exposure, connect directly with investors, and launch on the TechCrunch Disrupt stage.
If you’re building a startup — or know a founder who is — now is the time to get going.
Apply now for the chance to join 200 of the world’s most promising early-stage startups at TechCrunch Disrupt.
Last call for ambitious founders
Founders, that is. The application window closes tonight.
The strongest startups are already in the arena and applications always increase in the last hours. If your company has been recommended but you haven’t completed your application yet, don’t risk missing your shot by waiting until the last minute.
And if you know a startup that deserves investor attention, media exposure, and a global stage, here they are now while there is still time to submit applications before the deadline.
They started with small moments
Some of the most influential companies in tech history didn’t start with perfect pitches or huge rounds of funding. They started with an opportunity.
Dropbox was introduced to skeptics before cloud storage was mainstream. Cloudflare was introduced before most people understood edge infrastructure. Discord was introduced as a scrappy gaming startup called Hammer & Chisel.
It all came through Startup Battlefield.
That’s because the Startup Battlefield 200 was never about rewarding the most polished companies. It’s about identifying the most promising. Preboot is fine. Early traction is fine. No income is good. What matters is whether you’re building something that truly changes an industry.
The application itself is your first step. And today is your last chance to succeed.
More than a pitch competition
Startup Battlefield 200 is where startups are discovered.
Selected companies will pitch at TechCrunch Disrupt in front of 10,000+ attendees, leading venture capital firms, global media and the wider TechCrunch audience. Founders get direct investor access, live exposure, and the chance to prove they’re part of the next generation of category-defining companies.
Each selected launch receives:
- A fully funded three-day trade show booth at Disrupt
- Free group cards
- Founding masterclasses with top VCs and operators
- A selected launch profile in the event app
- Press list access and lead generation opportunities
- Opportunities for editorial coverage, podcasts, and speaking engagements at TechCrunch as the company grows
Each featured company performs live, either on the Disrupt Stage or the Pitch Showcase Stage. Both put founders directly in front of investors, media, customers and partners looking for what’s next.
You don’t have to win the competition for this experience to change the course of your company. The exposure you get from this alone can be what pushes the needle.
The course speaks for itself
More than 1,700 startups have participated in Startup Battlefield over the years. Together, they have raised over $32 billion and created more than 250 exits, including acquisitions by Microsoft, Google, Salesforce, Uber and Amazon.
Alumni include companies like Dropbox, Cloudflare, Discord, Fitbit, Mint and Trello.
Behind each of these success stories was a founder eager to take his company forward before the rest of the world caught on.
Who should apply?
We are looking for ambitious early-stage startups creating innovative products that are potentially category-defining.
Applications are open worldwide in all industries. Most selected startups are pre-Series A, although select Series A companies may qualify.
To apply, startups should have:
- Founders with vision, execution and traction
Thousands of applications every year. Only 200 are selected. Only 20 finalists enter the main Disrupt Stage. A startup wins $100,000 in non-equity funding.
The deadline is tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT
Founders switching industries rarely wait until they feel completely ready. They apply before there is certainty.
If you’ve been debating whether to submit, this is your last chance. The deadline is tonight, 11:59 p.m. PT.
If you’re building something class-defining — or know a startup that deserves the spotlight — submit your nomination and complete your application before time runs out.
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