TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Adds Five Startup Battlefield Judges
TechCrunch announced five new judges for Startup Battlefield 200 at Disrupt 2026, bringing the total to twenty. The finals winner receives $100,000 and the Disrupt Cup.
TechCrunch has revealed five additional judges for the Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. The announcement brings the total number of revealed judges to twenty, with a final group of five judges for the finalists still to be announced.
The 200 selected startups will gather at Disrupt 2026 to exhibit, meet investors, and compete. The Startup Battlefield finals winner will receive a $100,000 equity-free prize and the Disrupt Cup.
The new judges are Caleb Appleton, Sara Deshpande, Aatish Nayak, Jason Risch, and Mark Xu. Appleton is a partner at Bison Ventures, investing in physical AI across techbio, robotics, and real-world intelligence. Deshpande is a general partner at Maven Ventures, investing in seed-stage consumer software, digital health, and consumer AI.
Nayak joined Kleiner Perkins as a partner in May 2026, focusing on AI native founders. Risch is a partner at Greylock, investing in enterprise security, AI and ML infrastructure, data platforms, and developer tools. Xu is a partner at Index Ventures, investing across stages in cybersecurity, infrastructure, and AI.
Disrupt passes are currently offered at 50% off for a co-founder, partner, or peer, and up to 30% off for groups of four or more.
Quick answers
Who are the new judges for Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026?
Caleb Appleton (Bison Ventures), Sara Deshpande (Maven Ventures), Aatish Nayak (Kleiner Perkins), Jason Risch (Greylock), and Mark Xu (Index Ventures).
What does the Startup Battlefield winner receive?
The finals winner receives a $100,000 equity-free prize and the Disrupt Cup.
How many judges have been revealed so far?
Twenty judges have been revealed, with a final announcement of five judges for the finalists still to come.