TheStartup Battlefieldis the crown jewel of Disrupt, and we can’t wait to see which of the thousands of applicants will be selected to pitch to panels of top-tier VCs atTechCrunch Disrupt 2024. Taking place on October 28–30 in San Francisco, this event is always epic, and every contender is on the road to making a huge impact on the world.
Meet Our First Group of Investors
We’re thrilled to reveal our first group of investors who will assess the startups and follow up each pitch with an intense, revealing Q&A. Be on the lookout for more names being announced soon! The judges’ feedback provides insight into the criteria they use to determine whether a company is viable or not. Watch and learn what investors look for, what motivates them, and what pushes them to schedule a meeting.
Erin Harkless Moore, Managing Director, Pivotal Ventures
Erin is the Managing Director of Investment forPivotal Ventures, a Melinda French Gates company created to accelerate social progress. Erin leads the organization’s fund and direct investment decisions, overseeing a diverse portfolio of investments that drive breakthrough innovations. With nearly 20 years of investment experience in building and managing customized portfolios for endowed institutions and family offices, Erin’s commitment to discovering and cultivating relationships with leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and founders has been a driving force behind her success.
Eylul Kayin, Partner, Gradient Ventures
Eylul is a partner atGradient Ventures. Prior to Gradient, Eylul was an investor with NEA and SoftBank, where she supported a number of category-defining companies, including Brex, Cato, Chime, Claroty, Digits, Eargo (NASDAQ: EAR), Ethos, Flexport, Material Bank, Neotract (acquired by Teleflex) and Revelle Aesthetics (incubation).
Victor Lazarte, General Partner, Benchmark
Victor is a general partner atBenchmark, where he focuses on a variety of investment areas, including AI, gaming, and fintech. Victor co-founded Wildlife Studios in 2010 and built it into one of the largest mobile gaming companies in the world, engaging billions of players around the globe. From 2010 to 2023, Victor served as the co-founder and CEO of the company, before transitioning to chairman of the board in June of 2023. Victor has also served as a board member of Brex since 2018.
Ana Leyva, GTM, Pear VC
Ana leads the go-to-market team atPear VC. With a rich background in enterprise sales from companies like Vanta, ServiceTitan, and Box, she is passionate about helping early-stage founders build high-performing sales motions. An entrepreneur herself, she founded and served as the CEO of the edtech startup Lelu.
Corinne Riley, Partner, Greylock
Corinne partners with early-stage founders who are creating data and AI products at the infrastructure and application layers. She has a deep understanding of the complex technology landscape and is known for her exceptional ability to identify and invest in companies that have the potential to revolutionize industries.
What to Expect from The Startup Battlefield
The Startup Battlefield is a competition like no other, where startups can showcase their innovative solutions and compete for funding, exposure, and recognition. The event provides a unique opportunity for investors, entrepreneurs, and industry experts to come together and discuss the latest trends and innovations in the tech industry.
How to Get Involved
If you’re an early-stage startup looking to make a name for yourself in the tech industry, now is the time to apply for The Startup Battlefield. Our team of experienced investors and judges will review your application and select the top startups to participate in the competition.
Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your innovative solutions, connect with top investors and entrepreneurs, and potentially secure funding for your startup. Apply now and join the ranks of the most exciting and innovative startups in the industry!
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