What if a stadium changed everything?
The last time TechCrunch brought the Startup Battlefield to Sydney, two little-known startups took the stage. What happened next led to more than $85 million being raised.
If you want your shot, applications close in just a few days July 6.
In 2017, Manuri Gunawardena was a senior medical student when she launched HealthMatch, a machine learning platform that matches patients with clinical trials. Won Startup Battlefield Australia.
This unique moment helped propel it HealthMatch more than $25 million raised, expansion into the United States, and over 1 million patients served worldwide.
The runner-up, FluroSat, used exposure from the same stage to secure a seed round from Microsoft before eventually becoming part of Grow Georgiawhich has now raised more than $60 million and counts Microsoft, Airtree and Cargill among its backers.
From one day in Sydney: Raised $85 million. Millions of lives were affected. Global companies were born out of a unique opportunity.
Now Startup Battlefield is back in Australia — and the application window is almost closed.
On August 19, 2026, TechCrunch Startup Battlefield Australia returns in partnership with Stripe.
This time, the stakes are even higher
Eight selected startups will pitch live at Stripe Tour Sydney in front of leading investors, global press and the best of Australia’s tech community. The top three win up to $15,000 in Stripe billing credits. The big winner gets something bigger: automatic entry into the Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco this October. No application. No competition. Guaranteed place in the world’s most iconic startup scene.
This is not just an event for startups. It’s a moment for every founder, investor and operator quietly doing world-class work from the other side of the world.
This is your scene
The next company no one has heard of yet is building something that matters. It could be yours.
Six more days to apply. July 6 it’s the deadline.
Free Application · No Equity Received · In-person Event, Sydney, Australia, August 19, 2026
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