TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Announces Judging Panel for Startup Battlefield 200

Following multiple rounds of review and thousands of applications from around the world, TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is preparing for the launch of Startup Battlefield 200. Two hundred carefully selected startups will gather to exhibit, meet investors, and compete for one of the most coveted opportunities in the startup ecosystem. A select group will advance to the live competition, pitching before thousands of founders, investors, media, and customers while facing questions from leading technology experts. The judging panel, which brings decades of experience in building companies and backing founders, is nearly complete. Twenty judges have been revealed so far, with a final announcement pending for the remaining five judges who will evaluate the finalists to determine the winner of the Disrupt Cup and a $100,000 equity-free prize. Among the judges is Caleb Appleton, a partner at Bison Ventures, who invests in physical AI across techbio, robotics, and real-world intelligence. A biomedical engineer by training, Appleton's portfolio includes Cobot, Vivodyne, Passkey, Sleuth, Inner Logic, Cosmon, and Grid Aero, and he previously invested in frontier tech.