Apply to Startup Battlefield at Disrupt Berlin 2019

Audacious. Bold. Innovative. If those adjectives describe your early-stage startup, if you’re champing at the bit to launch your company to the world — we want you! Apply to compete in Startup Battlefield at Disrupt Berlin 2019.

Our premier pitch competition takes place on 11-12 December, and a select cohort of startups will compete for bragging rights, the Disrupt Cup and a $50,000 equity-free prize. And they’ll all bask in a bright spotlight of attention from influential global investors and worldwide media outlets. Apply to Startup Battlefield today.

You have nothing to lose — applying and participating in Startup Battlefield is free, and TechCrunch does not charge any fees or take any equity. Since 2007, more than 857 companies have launched at Startup Battlefield to great success. Collectively they’ve raised more than $8.9 billion in funding, with 112 successful exits (IPOs or acquisitions). If you’re selected, you’ll join the ranks of this alumni community that includes Dropbox, GetAround, SirenCare, Fitbit, Mint.com, Vurb and more.

Here’s how it all works. Early-stage startups from any country — and any tech category — can apply as long as they have a minimally viable product to demo. TechCrunch editors with years of Battlefield experience and a keen eye for potential success will vet the applications and choose 15-20 startups.

Now the work begins. TechCrunch provides free pitch coaching to the participants. It’s rigorous and thorough, so you’ll be ready to present your best possible pitch and demo. Each team has six minutes to pitch to a world-class panel of judges — followed by a six-minute Q&A session.

If you make it through to the final round, it’s lather, rinse and repeat that experience in front of a fresh set of judges. The judges confer and declare one outstanding startup the Battlefield champion — winner of a $50,000 bottom-line boost.

It’s a wild ride that takes place in front of thousands of eager investors, journalists and startup fans. TechCrunch also live-streams the entire Battlefield to a global audience of millions. Win or lose, that kind of exposure benefits all the participants, and it can change a startup’s trajectory in the best way possible.

Participating in the Battlefield carries a lot of perks beyond the actual competition. We’re talking free exhibition space in Startup Alley for both days of Disrupt, invitations to private events, backstage access, CrunchMatch — our free business-matching platform — free subscriptions to Extra Crunch and a ticket to all future TechCrunch events. That’s some major value right there.

With nothing to lose and so much to gain, it’s the perfect time for every audacious, bold and innovative early-stage startup founder to take their shot. Stop champing at the bit and apply to Startup Battlefield today. We want to see you in Berlin!

If you’re not ready to compete in the Battlefield, why not apply for our TC Top Picks program? If you make the cut, you’ll receive a free Startup Alley Exhibitor Package along with VIP treatment and plenty of media and investor exposure.

Is your company interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at Disrupt Berlin 2019? Contact our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form.