Author: Neesha A. Tambe

Posted on

European startups: Apply to Startup Battlefield 200

Genius doesn’t recognize borders, and neither do we when it comes to the Startup Battlefield 200 (SB 200). The global search continues for the top early-stage founders building the next generation of startups with world-changing impact.

Europe: The Startup Battlefield 200 wants your startups

Today, we’re urging early-stage startups across Europe to apply for the Startup Battlefield 200 at Disrupt 2023. The application window closes on May 15 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.

SB 200 is the startup world’s preeminent competition, and it has a global reach. The inaugural cohort, which debuted last year at Disrupt 2022, included 35 startups from 13 European nations, including Bulgaria, France and The Netherlands to name just a few.

The continent continued its impressive showing with three startups chosen as SB 200 finalists. The founders of Hormona (UK), InCooling (UK) and Reverion Gmbh (Germany) pitched to the entire Disrupt audience, including top-tier investors from around the world, for a shot at $100,000 in the Startup Battlefield competition.

Apply to the Startup Battlefield 200 at TC Disrupt 2023

Europe, TechCrunch is calling — and the application deadline is coming up fast! Don’t delay. Apply to the Startup Battlefield 200 by May 15 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.

SB 200 membership has its privileges, the first of which is the highly coveted TechCrunch seal of approval. Then there’s intense (and invaluable) investor and media interest. The SB 200 founders also receive a plethora of free perks, benefits and opportunities.

Access to Disrupt — including four additional passes and VIP access to all the presentations, breakouts and roundtables.

Exclusive workshops and masterclasses — SB 200 founders will enjoy workshops in the weeks leading up to Disrupt. They also receive special pitch training from TechCrunch staff and one free year of TechCrunch+ membership.

Flash pitch at Disrupt — That special training will come in handy when you step onto the Showcase Stage and pitch in front of investors and TechCrunch editors. Receive invaluable feedback and — who knows? — you might even catch an investor’s interest.

Exhibition space on the show floor — The SB 200 will be the only early-stage startups allowed to exhibit at Disrupt.

Saving the best for last — All SB 200 founders have a shot at competing for $100,000 in the Startup Battlefield pitch competition. TechCrunch editors will select 20 startups from the SB 200 to be Startup Battlefield Finalists. Founders from those 20 companies will be featured on TechCrunch, receive private pitch coaching and then pitch live onstage in front of the entire Disrupt audience. The ultimate winner takes home the $100,000 equity-free prize and all the glory.

Europe, show us your best, game-changing startups! If you want to launch to the world on a global stage, apply to the Startup Battlefield 200 by May 15 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. We want to see you this September in San Francisco!

Is your company interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at TechCrunch Disrupt 2023? Contact our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form.

European startups: Apply to Startup Battlefield 200 by Neesha A. Tambe originally published on TechCrunch

Posted on

African startups: Apply to Startup Battlefield 200

Our global search continues, and today, we’re urging early-stage startups across Africa to apply for the Startup Battlefield 200 at Disrupt 2023. The application window closes on May 15 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.

Africa: The Startup Battlefield 200 wants your startups

SB 200 is the startup world’s preeminent competition, and it has a global reach. The inaugural cohort, which debuted last year at Disrupt 2022, included three impressive early-stage startups from two African nations.

Apply to the Startup Battlefield 200 at TC Disrupt 2023

Startups from all African nations, TechCrunch wants you — and the application deadline is coming up fast! Don’t delay. Apply to the Startup Battlefield 200 by May 15 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.

SB 200 membership has its privileges, the first of which is the highly coveted TechCrunch seal of approval. Then there’s intense (and invaluable) investor and media interest. The SB 200 founders also receive a plethora of free perks, benefits and opportunities.

Access to Disrupt — including four additional passes and VIP access to all the presentations, breakouts and roundtables.

Exclusive workshops and masterclasses — SB 200 founders will enjoy workshops in the weeks leading up to Disrupt. They also receive special pitch training from TechCrunch staff and one free year of TechCrunch+ membership.

Flash pitch at Disrupt — That special training will come in handy when you step onto the Showcase Stage and pitch in front of investors and TechCrunch editors. Receive invaluable feedback and — who knows? You might even catch an investor’s interest.

Exhibition space on the show floor — The SB 200 will be the only early-stage startups allowed to exhibit at Disrupt.

Saving the best for last — All SB 200 founders have a shot at competing for $100,000 in the Startup Battlefield pitch competition. TechCrunch editors will select 20 startups from the SB 200 to be Startup Battlefield Finalists. Founders from those 20 companies will be featured on TechCrunch, receive private pitch coaching and then pitch live onstage in front of the entire Disrupt audience. The ultimate winner takes home the $100,000 equity-free, no-strings-attached prize money and all the glory.

If you’re on the fence about applying, listen to Inside Startup Battlefield, our four-part podcast that explains why the Startup Battlefield competition remains the best place for you to launch your product. You’ll get an insider view of the benefits you could reap if you’re selected.

Africa, show us your best, game-changing startups! If you want to launch to the world on a global stage, apply to the Startup Battlefield 200 by May 15 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. We want to see you this September in San Francisco!

Is your company interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at TechCrunch Disrupt 2023? Contact our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form.

African startups: Apply to Startup Battlefield 200 by Neesha A. Tambe originally published on TechCrunch

Posted on

Only two weeks left to apply to Startup Battlefield 200 at Disrupt 2023

You blinked, and suddenly there are only two weeks left to apply to the Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt 2023. Maybe you meant to submit — or finish — your application, but life is full of distractions. So consider this a timely reminder about the magnitude of this high-visibility opportunity.

Don’t let it slip away. Apply to the Startup Battlefield 200 by May 15 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. (If you started an application, check your email for a link to complete the second portion).

Join the elite Startup Battlefield 200 at TC Disrupt 2023!

TechCrunch editors review thousands of applications and then hand-pick 200 stand-out, early-stage startups deemed most likely to make a major, positive impact. All founders of the SB 200 companies receive not only the cachet that comes with the elusive TechCrunch seal of approval, but also a host of other benefits, perks and opportunities, including:

Full access to Disrupt: SB 200 founders attend Disrupt for free, receive four additional passes and VIP access to all the presentations, breakouts and roundtables.

Free exhibition space for the entire show: The SB 200 will be the only early-stage startups allowed to exhibit at Disrupt. No one can buy their way onto the exhibition floor.

Investor interest and media exposure: You can bet investors hunting for future unicorns and journalists looking for the next big story will beeline it for the exhibition floor to meet and greet the SB 200 founders.

Workshops and pitch training: SB 200 founders will be invited to exclusive workshops and masterclasses in the weeks running up to Disrupt. They’ll receive special pitch training from TechCrunch staff and one free year of TechCrunch+ membership.

Flash-pitch to an audience of investors and TC editors: That training will come in handy when you step onto the Showcase Stage. You’ll receive invaluable feedback, and you might find your way into an investor’s portfolio.

A shot at $100,000: TechCrunch editors will select 20 startups from the SB 200 to be Startup Battlefield finalists. Founders from those 20 companies will receive private pitch coaching, be featured in an article on TechCrunch and pitch live onstage in front of the entire Disrupt audience. The ultimate winner takes home the $100,000 equity-free prize and all the glory.

The Inside Startup Battlefield Podcast

If you really want to know what it’s like to be part of the SB 200, check out our four-episode podcast, Inside Startup Battlefield. It takes you behind the scenes of one of tech’s most anticipated startup competitions. Episode one provides a great overview of what we look for — and why Startup Battlefield is different from any other startup competition out there.

What more can we say other than don’t let this opportunity slip away! Apply to the Startup Battlefield 200 by May 15 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.

Is your company interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at TechCrunch Disrupt 2023? Contact our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form.

Only two weeks left to apply to Startup Battlefield 200 at Disrupt 2023 by Neesha A. Tambe originally published on TechCrunch

Posted on

Stealth-mode startups: Apply to Startup Battlefield 200

Calling all founders with a startup in stealth mode! Unless you’ve been buried under a rock in an undisclosed remote location, you already know that the Startup Battlefield 200 (SB 200) is the world’s preeminent competition — and launching pad — for early-stage startups.

Apply to the Startup Battlefield 200

Don’t miss your chance to join the next elite, hand-picked cohort that will take TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 by storm on September 19-21. Apply to the Startup Battlefield 200 by May 15 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.

The cachet associated with the TechCrunch seal of approval is real, and it carries weight in the startup world. Not only will earning SB 200 status attract intense investor, journalist and customer attention at Disrupt, it will continue to open doors and start conversations long after the conference ends.

More Startup Battlefield 200 perks and benefits

In addition to invaluable investor and media interest, all SB 200 founders receive the following free perks:

Access to Disrupt — including four additional passes and VIP access to all the presentations, breakouts and roundtables.

Exclusive workshops and masterclasses — SBF 200 founders will enjoy workshops in the weeks leading up to Disrupt. They also receive special pitch training from TechCrunch staff and one free year of TechCrunch+ membership.

Flash pitch at Disrupt — That special training will come in handy when you step onto the Showcase Stage and pitch in front of investors and TechCrunch editors. Receive invaluable feedback and — who knows? You might even catch an investor’s interest.

Exhibition space on the show floor — The SBF 200 will be the only early-stage startups allowed to exhibit at Disrupt.

Saving the best for last — All SB 200 founders have a shot at competing for $100,000 in the Startup Battlefield pitch competition. TechCrunch editors will select 20 startups from the SB 200 to be Startup Battlefield Finalists. Founders from those 20 companies will be featured on TechCrunch, receive private pitch coaching and then pitch live onstage in front of the entire Disrupt audience. The ultimate winner takes home the $100,000 equity-free prize and all the glory.

We can’t think of a better way to exit stealth mode and launch your startup to the world. It takes time to craft a compelling application, so climb out from under that rock and get moving. Apply to the Startup Battlefield 200 by May 15 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. We can’t wait to see what you’re building!

Is your company interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at TechCrunch Disrupt 2023? Contact our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form.

Stealth-mode startups: Apply to Startup Battlefield 200 by Neesha A. Tambe originally published on TechCrunch

Posted on

Refer a founder to Startup Battlefield 200 at Disrupt 2023

Want to make a founder’s day, week, month, and possibly career? Then you’ll want to refer the top early-stage startups in your portfolio/pipeline Rolodex to Startup Battlefield 200 at Disrupt 2023!

TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield 200 is the world’s preeminent competition for early-stage startups. It’s also the absolute best way for an entrepreneur to get the most out of Disrupt 2023 — with a guaranteed free demo space on the show floor and the chance to win $100,000 in equity-free funding. Applications close May 15.

When we say “early-stage,” we mean a few things. Companies must have an MVP, but they can be totally bootstrapped, pre-seed, seed, or even Series A. The ideal fit for Startup Battlefield at Disrupt 2023 is an entrepreneur who will showcase something truly disruptive at the event. Know anyone good?

Your referral could open some major doors for the applicants selected. Some perks for this elite class of startups include full access to:

  • TechCrunch Disrupt 2023
  • Exclusive workshops
  • Mentorship
  • Training
  • Free exhibition space on the show floor for all three days

For investors, joining the network of Startup Battlefield will have its perks too. You’ll increase your ROI in your portfolio startups, connect with some of the most ambitious founders in the game today, and meet other precocious investors for deal-flow magic. Startup Battlefield alumni represent 1,000+ companies with over 120 successful exits (IPOs or acquisitions) and almost $10 billion in funding raised.

You could be responsible for helping one of the selected founders get the opportunity to flash-pitch in front of an audience of investors and TechCrunch editors. That’s huge.

Refer a founder today.

Refer a founder to Startup Battlefield 200 at Disrupt 2023 by Neesha A. Tambe originally published on TechCrunch

Posted on

1 month left to submit nominations for Startup Battlefield 200

Here’s your shot across the bow — there’s a little over one more month left to nominate your startup for Startup Battlefield 200 at Disrupt. Take the opportunity to join this elite group for a new and awesome opportunity at TechCrunch Disrupt. It’s positively packed with perks and possibilities to get your company to the next level.

Don’t delay: Apply to the Startup Battlefield 200 by May 15 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.

TechCrunch editors will vet every application, and the companies they choose for this curated cohort will be the only startups allowed to exhibit at Disrupt. From that cohort, TechCrunch will select 20 companies to be the Startup Battlefield pitch competition finalists.

We mentioned perks. Check out what SBF 200 startups will enjoy at Disrupt, taking place September 19–21 in San Francisco.

Full, free access to Disrupt: SBF 200 founders attend Disrupt for free and receive VIP access to all the presentations, breakouts and roundtables.

Free exhibition space for all three days of the show: The SBF 200 will be the only early-stage startups allowed to exhibit at Disrupt. Pay-to-play is gone, and no one can buy their way onto the exhibition floor.

Investor interest and media exposure: The TechCrunch seal of approval is not easy to earn, and it carries weight in the startup world. You can bet investors hunting for future unicorns and journalists looking for the next big story will gravitate to the SBF 200.

Workshops and pitch training: SBF 200 founders will be invited to exclusive workshops and masterclasses. They’ll receive special pitch training from TechCrunch staff and one free year of TechCrunch+ membership.

Flash-pitch in front of investors and TechCrunch editors: That special training will come in handy when it comes time to make your pitch count. You’ll receive invaluable feedback, and who knows? You might even catch an investor’s interest.

A shot at competing for $100,000 in Startup Battlefield: We saved the best for last. TechCrunch editors will select 20 startups from the SBF 200 to be Startup Battlefield Finalists. Founders from those 20 companies will receive private pitch coaching, be featured on TechCrunch and pitch live onstage in front of the entire Disrupt audience. The ultimate winner takes home the $100,000 equity-free prize and all the glory.

TechCrunch Disrupt takes place in San Francisco on September 19–21.

Is your company interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at TechCrunch Disrupt 2022? Contact our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form.

1 month left to submit nominations for Startup Battlefield 200 by Neesha A. Tambe originally published on TechCrunch

Posted on

Founders — Pitch to VCs at TC Early Stage

On April 20th, TechCrunch will host TechCrunch Early Stage in Boston — an event designed to equip entrepreneurs will all the tools needed to build their unicorn startups. No founder event would be complete without pitches! TechCrunch editorial is looking for six-seven founders to take part in a Pitch Deck Teardown. Onstage. In Boston. Live. Founders can apply here.

Mastering the pitch deck

Pitches are critical in the quest for funding and first customers. It’s rare, however, for innovators to get truly candid insight on their pitches before stepping in front of VCs. At TC Early Stage, founders will get to pitch in front of an expert panel of judges and secure essential insight before you step up to bat. The investors will offer live feedback on your pitch structure, content, solution and presentation. Three founders will be selected to give a two-minute elevator pitch while three founders will be selected to give a four-minute pitch with a deck. Founders who apply for the TC Early Stage Pitch Deck Teardown will automatically be considered for the Startup Battlefield competition at TechCrunch Disrupt, this September, in San Francisco.

Without further ado, here are your judges for the TC Early Stage Pitch Deck Teardown.

Ginny Miller, 1Sharpe Ventures

Ginny oversees venture investing and platform strategies for 1Sharpe Ventures (1SV). Prior to 1SV, Ginny led Ventures at Jamestown, a $12 billion real estate private equity firm. She has also worked on real estate technology initiatives at Apple, Fifth Wall Ventures and Harvard University after starting her career in product design. Ginny received her MBA from Harvard Business School and studied Engineering at Dartmouth.

 

Heather Widman, Building Ventures

As a partner at Building Ventures, Heather Widman spearheads the firm’s investment activities within the real estate and real estate tech community. She utilizes 15+ years of operating experience to advise portfolio companies in go-to-market and product strategy. She is active throughout the ecosystem at organizations, including CREtech, MITdesignX and AllRaise, and she serves on the advisory committee of Women In PropTech.

Neesha A. Tambe, TechCrunch

Akin to an in-house VC, Neesha A. Tambe recruits, sources, vets and trains startup founders from across the globe as Editor of Startup Battlefield — TechCrunch’s global startup competition. She is passionate about scaling products and programs to new markets domestically and internationally, having run TC startup programs in Berlin, San Francisco, Latin America, Middle East North Africa and Sub Saharan Africa. Neesha studied international security and sustainability from Georgetown University and De Anza College. Neesha is a World Economic Forum Global Shaper.

Don’t miss your chance to accelerate your startup dream. Make Boston the hub of your startup’s universe on April 20 and buy your founder pass today and join us at TechCrunch Early Stage in Boston.

Is your company interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at TechCrunch Early Stage? Contact our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form.

Founders — Pitch to VCs at TC Early Stage by Neesha A. Tambe originally published on TechCrunch

Posted on

Hear Oma Fertility and Root Ventures talk male IVF challenges on TechCrunch Live

Building a company during the pandemic is hard; raising $71.5 million in the fertility sector, an impressive feat at any time. Today, Oma Fertility co-founder Kiran Joshi and Root Ventures Partner Chrissy Meyer join TechCrunch Live at 12 p.m. PDT to talk us through: building in healthcare during a global pandemic and how they stood out in the virtual world.

Unlike many other fertility providers, Oma focuses on the male infertility side of the equation. The founders’ created a novel sperm identification and insemination tool that support embryologists in the their process. Building a company with this level of regulatory oversight during a pandemic is difficult. Co-founder and serial entrepreneur Kiran Joshi will be sharing how he and the team navigated turbulent waters with their investor, Chrissy Meyer.

Chrissy Meyer is a veteran investor and hardware expert. Hailing from the likes of Apple, Pearl Automation, Meyer brings a wise eye to the board of Oma Fertility. She will highlight the investor perspective: how they made the jump to virtual first investments, healthcare investment in a crowded market and how founders should best communicate with their investors.

TechCrunch Live is free. Come join us virtually at 12:00pm today and add your questions right in the chat! Register here. Got a startup? Pitch your startup to Chrissy Meyer from Root Ventures and Kiran Joshi of Oma Fertility.

Hear Oma Fertility and Root Ventures talk male IVF challenges on TechCrunch Live by Neesha A. Tambe originally published on TechCrunch

Posted on

Applications are open for the TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200

Founders. Are you ready? TechCrunch Editorial is on the hunt for 200 early-stage founders to feature in Startup Battlefield at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco this September. To highlight global innovation across multiple sectors, we expanded the Startup Battlefield program and it was a wild success, last year. With entrepreneurs from over 20 countries, across 25 industries and diverse backgrounds, our inaugural 200 class was showcased the best and brightest!

This year stands to be even more competitive. If selected out of the thousands of applications, this elite class of startups will receive full access to the show, exclusive workshops, investor office hours, mentorship, training, perks and free exhibition space on the show floor for all three days. All selected founders will get the opportunity to flash-pitch in front of investors and TechCrunch Editors.

Showcasing global founders

Out of the Startup Battlefield 200, 20 companies will be selected as Startup Battlefield Finalists. The finalists will pitch on the Disrupt main stage in front of the entire TC audience, receive private pitch coaching and be featured on TechCrunch. Not to mention, founders will pitch in front of global tier 1 venture firms such as Sequoia, Mayfield, SOSV and more. The winner snags the $100,000 prize and the coveted Disrupt Cup. 

It’s 100% free to apply and to participate.

TechCrunch does not require any equity from any contestants or the winner. 

The only way individual companies can exhibit on the show floor at Disrupt is through Startup Battlefield. The only way to be a Startup Battlefield Finalist is to be selected for Startup Battlefield 200! 

You need to apply here before the May 15th deadline and we’ll start notifying people this summer. 

Inside Startup Battlefield Podcast

We’re pulling back the curtain for a backstage look at the Startup Battlefield competition with the Inside Startup Battlefield podcast — a four-episode miniseries that takes you behind the scenes of one of tech’s most anticipated startup competitions. Each episode is a deep dive into a different part of the competition, from the company selection process to crafting a standout pitch to getting to know the winner. Check out the first episode below for a great overview of what we’re looking for and why Startup Battlefield is different from any other startup competition out there!

The final two episodes of Inside Startup Battlefield will drop over the next two Mondays. Be sure to subscribe to any of the other podcasts in the TechCrunch Podcast Network to get these episodes direct in your podcast feed: Found, Equity, The TechCrunch Podcast, Chain Reaction and The TechCrunch Live Podcast.

How to become a part of TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200

The process is simple. Just apply here. Note: Applications are also considered for other pitchoffs throughout the year so apply ASAP to be considered for all TC pitch opportunities. Apply for all of TechCrunch’s events with one application. Apply once and select the events that best suit your startup. Companies that fit our cohort profile should:

  • Be an early-stage startup.
  • Have a minimally viable product.
  • Represent any vertical.
  • Represent any geography.
  • Be a game changer in your vertical.
  • Be bootstrapped or have pre-scale funding (variable by industry)

Apply Now

Applications are open for the TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200 by Neesha A. Tambe originally published on TechCrunch

Posted on

Pitch on stage at TC Sessions: Space 2022

Founders – pitch on stage with TechCrunch. Next month we’re back with the star-studded TC Sessions: Space – an event dedicated exploring all things innovation, investment and industry in the final frontier.  We’re on the hunt for early stage founders creating innovative companies in space or space-related industries.

The TC Sessions: Space stage will host fireside chats and panels from luminaries in the space. Hear from experts from NASA, Space Force, Aerospace Corp., Blue Origin and more on December 6th, in person in Los Angeles California.

Pitch your space tech startup

Now founders – apply to pitch on the same stage as these space tech luminaries. Space tech spans numerous verticals — satellite-data based applications, rockets, fueling, data analytics, geospatial information systems, hardware, satellites, national security, commercial launch, climate, tracking software and more. Startups applying to pitch should have some connection to space – intergalactic or from the ground.

Founders will have four minutes to pitch followed by a five-minute Q&A with our in-person panel of judges. Selected companies will be announced on TechCrunch. The pitches themselves will be streamed to TC Sessions: Space attendees and on TechCrunch.com. Apply here.

What are the qualifications to participate in Space Startup Pitch-Off? It’s simple:

  • Be an early-stage startup.
  • Have at least a minimally viable product.
  • Focus on tech connected to various aspect of space: data visualization, rockets, fueling, data analytics, geospatial information systems, hardware, satellites, national security, commercial launch, climate, tracking software, space maintenance, and more
  • Incorporated anywhere (pitch will take place in person)

In addition to the opportunity to pitch, you’ll get training with TC’s Startup Battlefield Editor, two complimentary passes to the entire TC Sessions: Space event. The winner of the event will get an invitation to showcase on the Disrupt San Francisco 2023 show floor. The deadline to apply is November 27. Applicants are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis so apply ASAP!

Pitch on stage at TC Sessions: Space 2022 by Neesha A. Tambe originally published on TechCrunch