GoKawiilTechCrunch names five founder-investors to judge Disrupt 2026 Startup Battlefield
TechCrunch announced the five judges who will select the winner of Startup Battlefield at Disrupt 2026, running October 13-15. The panel includes Stacy Brown-Philpot of Cherryrock Capital and Chi-Hua Chien of Goodwater Capital, among others, chosen from thousands of applicants narrowed to 200 startups and 20 finalist pitches. After judging concludes, the five will take part in a live audience Q&A on the Builders Stage.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
TechCrunch says each judge founded or co-founded the firm they now lead, which it frames as ensuring judges bring direct experience evaluating and backing early-stage founders rather than just institutional investing experience. The format also gives attending founders and investors a rare chance to hear judges' criteria and investment priorities directly, which could shape how future applicants prepare pitches.
- Five founder-investors will judge the Startup Battlefield finale at Disrupt 2026, Oct 13-15.
- Only 20 of 200 selected startups will pitch on the Disrupt Stage before a winner is chosen.
- Judges will host a live audience AMA on the Builders Stage after the competition concludes.
Source: techcrunch.com — Techcrunch Events, 2026-10-05
Published there as: “Meet the Startup Battlefield 200 judges who’ll decide the winner at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026”
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