The Startup Battlefield pitch competition is the crown jewel of Disrupt, and we can’t wait to see which of the 200 selected startups will be chosen to pitch to panels of top-tier venture capitalists at TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 on September 19-21 in San Francisco. It’s always an epic event, with every contender vying for a spot that could make a huge impact on the world.
Meet the First Round of Judges
We’re excited to introduce our first round of judges, comprising some of the most experienced and respected venture capitalists in the industry. They’ll be evaluating pitches, asking tough questions, and providing valuable feedback to help shape the future of these innovative startups.
1. Neesha Tambe – Startup Battlefield Editor
Neesha A. Tambe is a seasoned expert in startup recruitment, sourcing, vetting, and training. As the Startup Battlefield Editor at TechCrunch, she’s recruited founders from across the globe for our global startup competition. Her passion lies in scaling products and programs to new markets domestically and internationally.
About Neesha:
- Recruited, sourced, and trained startup founders from across the globe.
- Ran startup programs in Berlin, San Francisco, Latin America, Middle East North Africa, and Sub Saharan Africa.
- Managed the Startup Battlefield Alumni Community.
- Founded CrunchMatch, TechCrunch’s investor-startup matching program.
2. Lauren Simonds
Lauren is an experienced journalist with a strong background in covering startup news and trends. She brings a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the startup ecosystem to our team.
About Lauren:
- Expertise in startup news, trends, and analysis.
- Strong research and writing skills.
- Ability to connect with founders, investors, and industry experts.
3. Brian Heater – TechCrunch Writer
Brian is an award-winning journalist and writer with over two decades of experience covering the tech industry. He’s a respected voice in startup news and trends, known for his insightful analysis and engaging writing style.
About Brian:
- Award-winning journalist and writer.
- Strong background in covering startup news, trends, and analysis.
- Ability to connect with founders, investors, and industry experts.
4. Anthony Ha – TechCrunch Writer
Anthony is a seasoned journalist and writer with a strong focus on startup news and trends. He brings a deep understanding of the startup ecosystem and a keen eye for detail to our team.
About Anthony:
- Expertise in startup news, trends, and analysis.
- Strong research and writing skills.
- Ability to connect with founders, investors, and industry experts.
5. Rebecca Bellan – TechCrunch Writer
Rebecca is an experienced journalist and writer with a strong focus on startup news and trends. She brings a unique perspective to our team, with a deep understanding of the startup ecosystem and a keen eye for detail.
About Rebecca:
- Expertise in startup news, trends, and analysis.
- Strong research and writing skills.
- Ability to connect with founders, investors, and industry experts.
6. Mary Ann Azevedo – TechCrunch Writer
Mary Ann is an experienced journalist and writer with a strong focus on startup news and trends. She brings a deep understanding of the startup ecosystem and a keen eye for detail to our team.
About Mary Ann:
- Expertise in startup news, trends, and analysis.
- Strong research and writing skills.
- Ability to connect with founders, investors, and industry experts.
7. Julie Bort – TechCrunch Writer
Julie is an experienced journalist and writer with a strong focus on startup news and trends. She brings a unique perspective to our team, with a deep understanding of the startup ecosystem and a keen eye for detail.
About Julie:
- Expertise in startup news, trends, and analysis.
- Strong research and writing skills.
- Ability to connect with founders, investors, and industry experts.
8. Kyle Wiggers – TechCrunch Writer
Kyle is an experienced journalist and writer with a strong focus on AI news and trends. He brings a deep understanding of the AI ecosystem and a keen eye for detail to our team.
About Kyle:
- Expertise in AI news, trends, and analysis.
- Strong research and writing skills.
- Ability to connect with founders, investors, and industry experts.
9. Charles Rollet – TechCrunch Writer
Charles is an experienced journalist and writer with a strong focus on startup news and trends. He brings a unique perspective to our team, with a deep understanding of the startup ecosystem and a keen eye for detail.
About Charles:
- Expertise in startup news, trends, and analysis.
- Strong research and writing skills.
- Ability to connect with founders, investors, and industry experts.
10. Neesha Tambe – Startup Battlefield Editor
Neesha is back! As the Startup Battlefield Editor at TechCrunch, she’s responsible for recruiting, sourcing, vetting, and training startup founders from across the globe.
About Neesha:
- Recruited, sourced, and trained startup founders from across the globe.
- Ran startup programs in Berlin, San Francisco, Latin America, Middle East North Africa, and Sub Saharan Africa.
- Managed the Startup Battlefield Alumni Community.
- Founded CrunchMatch, TechCrunch’s investor-startup matching program.
Buy Tickets Now!
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with our experienced judges, learn from their expertise, and gain valuable insights into the startup ecosystem. Buy your tickets now for the Startup Battlefield!
We’re excited to introduce our first round of judges, comprising some of the most experienced and respected venture capitalists in the industry. They’ll be evaluating pitches, asking tough questions, and providing valuable feedback to help shape the future of these innovative startups.
Buy Tickets Now!
