Today marks the final day for startup founders to enter their companies in one of the tech industry’s most esteemed competitions: the Startup Battlefield 200. Entrepreneurs seeking to make a lasting mark have until tonight at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time to submit their applications and contend for a pivotal opportunity at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025.
Startup Battlefield 200 provides early-stage companies a significant stage—one that places them front and center before an influential audience of over 10,000 entrepreneurs, investors, media members, and tech industry leaders. For the startup that emerges victorious, the prize includes the coveted Disrupt Cup along with $100,000 in equity-free funding.
The competition is known as a launchpad for industry-defining names. Alumni such as Trello, Mint, Dropbox, Getaround, Discord, and countless others have leveraged their Battlefield experience to accelerate their growth, secure substantial funding, and elevate their brands on the global stage.
Two hundred startups will initially be selected to participate. Of those, twenty finalists will earn the rare and valuable chance to pitch live to thousands of industry leaders on the main stage. Beyond the competition, all participating companies benefit from three days of complimentary exhibition space at Disrupt 2025, additional free all-access attendee tickets, inclusion in the official Disrupt app, exclusive access to lists of top-tier media professionals, warm introductions to prominent investors, unique masterclasses led by investors, and significant exposure to potential customers and partners.
Eligibility is clearly defined: startups applying to the competition should be at the pre-Series A stage, equipped with a minimum viable product (MVP) and ambitious plans to scale significantly. While companies in this stage are especially encouraged to apply, select Series A startups with outstanding potential may also be considered.
The clock is ticking. Those who seek to participate have only hours remaining—applications close tonight precisely at 11:59 p.m. PT. This is an urgent call for visionary founders who believe their startups have what it takes to succeed on one of the industry’s most prominent platforms.
