The 2026 Startup Battlefield 200 is here — see who made the cut

We’re thrilled to unveil the 2026 Startup Battlefield 200 — TechCrunch’s annual, handpicked list of the 200 most promising early-stage startups from around the world.

These founders rose to the top from thousands of applications spanning every industry and geography. Their reward? A coveted spot to exhibit at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, taking place October 13–15 in San Francisco’s Moscone West. This is the cohort to watch — and this fall, you’ll get to meet them in person.

From AI to climate, health to fintech, robotics to consumer — these are the companies shaping the future across every major category.

A special thank-you to Google for Startups and SAP, our premier sponsors, for helping early-stage startups build, scale, and succeed.

• Watch live demos of never-before-seen tech.
• See Battlefield companies pitch in front of top global VCs.
• Cheer them on as they compete for $100,000, equity-free, and the iconic Disrupt Cup.

Are you a VC scouting the next breakout investment? A tech enthusiast looking to stay ahead of the curve? An early-stage founder who missed the Startup Battlefield 200 application deadline because you were too busy building a robot in your garage?

Step onto the battlefield. Join us at Disrupt 2026. Register for your ticket before prices go up in September.

Now, the moment you’ve been waiting for…

Every year, Startup Battlefield alumni go on to build category-defining companies — including Dropbox, Cloudflare, and Discord. With over $32 billion raised and 250 exits, the Startup Battlefield track record speaks for itself.

The top 20 finalists from this list will be revealed live on Day 1 of Disrupt on October 13, so be sure to follow along.

If your startup made the list, keep an eye on your inbox — we’ll be in touch shortly with time-sensitive next steps. If you applied but don’t see your company here, you’ll also receive an official update from us soon. Due to the high volume of submissions, we’re unable to respond to individual application inquiries.

Get out of your inbox and get ahead of the game at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 on October 13-15 at Moscone West in San Francisco.

Secure your spot at TechCrunch Disrupt. Prices will go up in September.

Startup Battlefield is proudly presented by Google for Startups and SAP, our premier sponsors.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

    Head of the Startup Battlefield Program

Isabelle leads Startup Battlefield, TechCrunch’s iconic launchpad and competition for the world’s most promising early-stage startups.

You can contact or verify outreach from Isabelle by emailing isabelle.johannessen@techcrunch.com.

She scouts top founders across 99+ countries and prepares them to pitch on the Disrupt stage in front of tier-one investors and global media. Before TechCrunch, she designed and led international startup acceleration programs across Japan, Korea, Italy, and Spain—connecting global founders with VCs and helping them successfully enter the U.S. market. With a Master’s in Entrepreneurship & Disruptive Innovation—and a past life as a professional singer—she brings a blend of strategic rigor and stage presence to help founders craft compelling stories and stand out in crowded markets.

    Startup Battlefield Operations Manager and Senior Event Coordinator

You can contact or verify outreach from Michael by emailing michael.schick@techcrunch.com.