What we’re looking at in Startup Battlefield 2026 is how to put your best work forward

Every year I read thousands The First Battle programs. And every year, I see the same pattern: The founders on this stage are often the ones who haven’t used it yet.

They think it’s too early. They think they need more power. He thinks that the program is for companies that are more remote than they are.

So here’s what we’re looking for and how to make sure your app shows it. The deadline to be considered is May 27.

And if you don’t know much about this year’s Startup Battlefield, it’s the first part of TechCrunch hackwhich will be held in San Francisco October 13-15 and will conclude with this year’s crown.

What drives a company to be selected for the Startup Battlefield

The First Battle it is not a competition for highly polished companies. It never existed. It is a competition for the most promising.

We are looking for companies with ideas that sound very different and define groups, that can make a big impact in their industry or geography. In every project, the question we ask is simple: Does this change anything? Not too much. True.

Products and interference. What are you creating, and does it represent a real change in how something works? We are not looking for the best version of what already exists. We’re looking for what makes an existing brand feel old-fashioned.

The starting group. Why you, why now, why this problem? Your resume is part of the program. Startups that can clearly articulate their passion, not just their market size, are the ones that stand out.

Companies are different types of places. The Startup Battlefield 200 is an international group. We actively look for companies from all over the world and stand out in the technology industry. If you are building something important in a geography or an area that is not often seen, it is important to us.

Which doesn’t stop you from the Startup Battlefield

To be with the press. Local coverage is good. Industry coverage is good. Multiple launch profiles are good. We are looking for companies whose technology is not up to date. If you’ve had a notification but the item hasn’t been displayed, that’s confusing. Apply and show us what you have.

Being pre-launch. You need a working MVP, but you don’t need customers. You don’t need money. Leading companies are sincerely welcome.

I have already written. Most of the companies that started the Battle 200 used it several times before they were selected. An initial rejection does not say anything about the future of your company or your chances at this time.

Raising money. Bootstrapped, pre-seed, and seed companies are all welcome. Series A companies are scrutinized in a number of contexts, especially startups that build in industries with high capital or raise in markets where investment costs differ from Silicon Valley traditions.

Tips for using Startup Battlefield hard

Show your ad in action. This is one very important thing. Not funny. Not an estimate. Not an explanatory video with soothing background music. Your MVP is working, in real time. Even if it’s difficult, I’ll even take a screenshot from your phone. We want to see it work.

Know your competition. “We have no competitors” is not a reliable answer, and it raises questions about how well you understand your market. Name your competitors, acknowledge them honestly, and then clearly explain why you won. This is one of the most important parts of the application and one of the most underdeveloped.

Tell your story. Why did you start this company? What did you see that others did not? What makes you the right person to build? The introduction story is an important part of how we rate teams and is the part that most founders write. Don’t jump.

Do not wipe. Write clearly, show the product, tell the truth about your location. We can see the jagged edges. What we struggle to see is a program that has been so carefully managed that the company is invisible.

Repost if you want. If you send before you’re ready, don’t panic. You can resubmit until the deadline. You cannot change an application that has already been submitted, but you can submit another one.

Learn what it takes from the founders who did it

Build ModeTechCrunch’s podcast for startups is a great place to start. Hear directly from former Battlefield companies like Advance AI and smoothexplosive triggers like Craftsman and TaskRabbit, and top investors love it General Catalyst on what it takes to build a company worth investing in globally.

Listen to Build Mode →

Last day to register for Startup Battlefield

Applications are closed May 27, 2026. Selected companies are notified approximately two months in advance TechCrunch hack.

If you are in a chair, use it. The downside is that you don’t get picked around and you’ll have a stronger program next year because you’ve gone through it.

We have created this program to find you before the world gives you. This app is your first word.

Enter Battle Start 200 →