Next 5 VCs judging Startup Battlefield 200 contenders at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026

Two hundred startups. One stage. A panel of elite judges with decades of experience spotting the next big thing before it breaks into the mainstream. TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 isn’t just another conference — it’s a proving ground where the future of innovation is stress-tested in real time.

Startup Battlefield 200 brings together the most promising early-stage companies from around the globe, but only a fraction will earn the spotlight in the live pitch competition. With a $100,000 equity-free prize and the coveted Disrupt Cup on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher — or the audience more influential.

This year’s judging lineup reads like a who’s who of venture capital and deep tech leadership. From Caleb Appleton at Bison Ventures, backing physical AI and techbio pioneers, to Sara Deshpande at Maven Ventures, who’s been shaping consumer AI trends for over a decade, the expertise is razor-sharp. Add in Aatish Nayak from Kleiner Perkins, with deep roots in AI product development, Jason Risch of Greylock focusing on enterprise AI and security infrastructure, and Mark Xu from Index Ventures backing frontier cybersecurity and AI startups — and you’ve got a brain trust capable of identifying not just hype, but real, scalable impact.

These aren’t just investors. They’re former founders, operators, and product builders who’ve lived the journey. They know what separates a flashy demo from a durable business — and that’s exactly what founders need when stepping onto the Battlefield.

If you’re serious about understanding where tech is headed, there’s no better vantage point than the Disrupt stage. The signals are clear: AI, infrastructure, and real-world intelligence are dominating the frontier. The question is — who’s ready to watch, learn, and connect before the next wave hits?

See the future take the stage. Register for TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 before it’s too late.