A great pitch doesn’t win the Startup Battlefield 200; a great company does. This principle underscores the importance of the venture capitalists (VCs) judging the competition at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, scheduled for October 13-15 at Moscone West in San Francisco. The judges are not merely assessing polished presentations; they are focused on founders who are solving real problems with sustainable business models.
For over 15 years, Startup Battlefield has been a launchpad for companies that have gone on to define entire markets. Each year, a new cohort of founders earns the opportunity to join this legacy. The upcoming event will feature a new wave of judges who will evaluate ambitious startups across various industries, asking the tough questions that reveal the conviction, clarity, and execution potential of each company.
Meet the Judges of Startup Battlefield 200
Here are five judges who will be evaluating the startups at this year’s competition:
Aditi Maliwal, General Partner, Upfront Ventures
Aditi Maliwal invests at the pre-seed and seed stages in fintech, enterprise SaaS, AI applications, and developer tools. Her portfolio includes companies like Clair and Writer. Previously, she held roles at Google and Deutsche Bank and led the Series A investment in Chime.
Michael Palank, General Partner, MaC Ventures
Michael Palank focuses on seed-stage consumer and enterprise companies through a culturally driven investment thesis. His background includes work in Hollywood talent representation at William Morris and Overbrook Entertainment.
Nell Daly, Co-founder and Managing Partner, Revenge Capital
Nell Daly leads an evergreen sector-agnostic fund that supports overlooked founders, including women and BIPOC entrepreneurs. Her previous experience as a psychotherapist informs her founder-first investment approach.
Grace Ge, Partner, Amplify Partners
Grace Ge invests in AI, developer tooling, and modern SaaS, focusing on the intersection of foundation models and enterprise applications. She has been recognized in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Venture Capital.
Crystal Huang, General Partner, Google Ventures
Crystal Huang specializes in enterprise SaaS, AI infrastructure, and fintech. Her portfolio includes companies like Typeface and Pecan AI. Before joining Google Ventures, she worked in technology mergers and acquisitions at Blackstone.
Don’t Miss Disrupt and Startup Battlefield 200
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will bring together over 10,000 tech leaders, VCs, and founders to explore the next generation of startups. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with industry leaders and gain insights into the future of technology. Early registration is encouraged, with savings of up to $200 available until September 25.
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