Announcing the top judges for the final round of Startup Battlefield 200, only at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

Spotlight on the Judges: Who Decides the Fate at TechCrunch Disrupt's Startup Battlefield?

I've always said that pitching to the right investors can make or break a startup's trajectory, and nowhere is that more evident than at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. This piece dives into the heart of the Startup Battlefield 200, where 200 promising companies vie for a $100,000 equity-free prize in one of the year's most electrifying competitions. What sets it apart is the lineup of judges—true titans of venture capital whose decisions carry massive weight.

Take Kirsten Green of Forerunner Ventures; her knack for spotting consumer trends has fueled investments in game-changers like Warby Parker and Chime, blending deep market insight with a founder's empathy. Then there's Kevin Hartz from A*, a serial entrepreneur behind Eventbrite and Xoom, who's backed unicorns from Airbnb to SpaceX at their earliest stages. Aileen Lee, founder of Cowboy Ventures, coined the term 'unicorn' and champions women in tech through All Raise, with hits like Dollar Shave Club in her portfolio. And Kevin Rose, the Digg visionary now at True Ventures, brings a media and tech savvy that's propelled Slack and Uber forward.

These aren't just names on a list; they're the voices that shape industries, offering entrepreneurs a masterclass in what savvy investors seek—innovation, scalability, and real-world impact. The article captures the buzz around this event, urging early registration to witness the pitches live in San Francisco. If you're prepping your own pitch or just inspired by startup grit, this is a must-read to understand the stakes.

Head over to the original post to meet these judges and snag your Disrupt pass before prices climb—your next big idea might just thrive here.