Final extension: Startup Battlefield Australia applications now close July 20
One last chance to apply
Due to overwhelming interest, we’ve extended applications for Startup Battlefield Australia to July 20.
If you’ve been thinking about applying, do it now. There won’t be another extension.
One application could change everything
Since the first Startup Battlefield Australia in 2017, there have been 26 alumni companies that have collectively raised over $147 million, with three successful acquisitions. They’ve been backed by some of the world’s most respected investors — including Y Combinator, Blackbird Ventures, Square Peg Capital, Khosla Ventures, Microsoft, AirTree Ventures, Startmate, Techstars, and SOSV.
It all started with one decision: They applied.
Why apply now?
If you’re building something ambitious, this is a fast track to the people who can move your startup forward.
Selected founders will pitch live to:
- Top-tier investors.
- Global media.
- Australia’s leading founders and operators.
- Potential partners, customers, and hires.
This is more than a pitch competition. It’s a chance to earn visibility, credibility, and connections that can take years to build.
What’s at stake?
On August 19, 2026, eight startups will pitch live at Stripe Tour Sydney.
The top three will receive up to $15,000 in Stripe fee credits.
The grand prize is even bigger:
Automatic entry into Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco this October.
No second application. No extra round. Just a direct path to one of the world’s biggest startup stages.
Who should apply?
We’re looking for early-stage startups across Australia and New Zealand that are:
- Pre-seed to Series B.
- Building a real product or showing strong traction.
- Ready to scale.
- Ready to tell their story.
You don’t need to be a household name.
We’re looking for the next one.
The deadline has moved — the opportunity hasn’t
This extension gives you more time, but not much.
Applications now close July 20.
If you’ve been waiting, this is the moment.
Submit your application before July 20.
Free to apply. No equity taken. One opportunity that could change everything.
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Isabelle leads Startup Battlefield, TechCrunch’s iconic launchpad and competition for the world’s most promising early-stage startups.
You can contact or verify outreach from Isabelle by emailing isabelle.johannessen@techcrunch.com.
She scouts top founders across 99+ countries and prepares them to pitch on the Disrupt stage in front of tier-one investors and global media. Before TechCrunch, she designed and led international startup acceleration programs across Japan, Korea, Italy, and Spain—connecting global founders with VCs and helping them successfully enter the U.S. market. With a Master’s in Entrepreneurship & Disruptive Innovation—and a past life as a professional singer—she brings a blend of strategic rigor and stage presence to help founders craft compelling stories and stand out in crowded markets.
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