Today is the last day to apply or nominate a startup Start Battlefield 200. When the clock strikes 11:59 PM PT, the window closes for your chance to compete for $100,000 in equity-free funding, gain global visibility, connect directly with investors, and start on the TechCrunch Disrupt stage.
If you’re building a breakout startup—or know a founder who is—this is the time to make the move.
Apply now for the opportunity to join 200 of the world’s most promising early-stage startups at TechCrunch Disrupt.
Last call for ambitious founders
Founders, this is it. 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 nominated 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, nominate them now while there is still time to apply before the deadline.
Breakout startups started with small moments
Some of the most influential companies in tech history didn’t start with perfect pitches or massive rounds of funding. They started by taking a chance.
Dropbox demonstrated to skeptics before cloud storage was mainstream. Cloudflare broke up before most people understood edge infrastructure. Discord came in as a scrappy gaming startup called Hammer & Chisel.
All came through the Startup Battlefield.
That’s because the Startup Battlefield 200 has never been about rewarding the most polished companies. It is about identifying the most promising. Pre-launch is fine. Early traction is fine. No income is fine. What matters is whether you build something that really changes an industry.
The application itself is your first pitch. And today is your last chance to make it.
More than a pitch competition
Startup Battlefield 200 is where breakout startups are discovered.
Selected companies will showcase 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 opportunity to prove they belong among the next generation of category-defining companies.
Each selected startup receives:
- A fully funded three-day exhibition booth at Disrupt
- Free team pass
- Founder masterclasses with top VCs and operators
- A featured startup profile in the events app
- Press list access and lead generation options
- Opportunities for TechCrunch editorial coverage, podcasts and speaking engagements as the company grows
Each selected company pitches live, whether 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 trajectory of your business. The exposure you get from this alone could be what pushes the needle.
The track record speaks for itself
More than 1,700 startups have participated in Startup Battlefield over the years. Together, they have raised over $32 billion and produced more than 250 exits, including the acquisitions of Microsoft, Google, Salesforce, Uber and Amazon.
Alumni include companies like Dropbox, Cloudflare, Discord, Fitbit, Mint and Trello.
Behind each and every one of these success stories was a founder who was willing to put their business forward before the rest of the world caught up.
Who should apply?
We’re looking for ambitious early-stage startups building innovative, potentially category-defining products.
Applications are open globally across industries. Most selected startups are pre-Series A, although selected Series A companies may qualify.
To apply, startups must have:
- Founders with vision, execution and traction
Thousands apply every year. Only 200 are selected. Only 20 finalists pitch on the main Disrupt Stage. One startup wins $100,000 in equity-free funding.
The deadline is tonight at 11:59 PM PT
The founders who change industries rarely wait until they feel completely ready. They apply before there is security.
If you’ve been thinking about submitting, this is your last chance. The deadline ends tonight at 11:59 PM PT.
If you’re building something category-defining – or know a startup that deserves the spotlight – submit your nomination and complete your application before time runs out.
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