As TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 approaches, the anticipation surrounding the Startup Battlefield 200 competition intensifies. Scheduled for October 27-29 at San Francisco’s Moscone West, this premier event will showcase 20 early-stage startups vying for a $100,000 equity-free prize and the esteemed Disrupt Cup. The competition’s success hinges not only on the participating startups but also on the expertise of its judges. TechCrunch has unveiled the fourth wave of venture capitalists set to evaluate this year’s contenders.
Meet the Newest Judges:
1. Allison Baum Gates, General Partner at SemperVirens Venture Capital
Allison Baum Gates brings a wealth of experience to the judging panel. As a general partner at SemperVirens Venture Capital, she focuses on investments in healthcare, fintech, and enterprise SaaS sectors. Throughout her career, Gates has raised hundreds of millions of dollars from limited partners across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. She has invested in over 70 companies, including nine unicorns and 24 successful exits, and holds ten board positions. Her insights have been featured in prominent publications such as the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and TechCrunch. Additionally, Gates serves as a lecturer in management at Stanford Graduate School of Business and authored “Breaking into Venture” (McGraw-Hill, 2023), a comprehensive guide to navigating the venture capital industry. Her upcoming book, “Beyond the Pitch: The Psychology of Raising VC Funding,” is slated for release next year. Gates holds a B.A. in Economics with Honors from Harvard University and is proficient in three languages.
2. Katelin Holloway, Founding Partner at SevenSevenSix
Katelin Holloway is a founding partner at SevenSevenSix, an early-stage venture capital firm established by Alexis Ohanian. With over two decades of operational experience at companies like Pixar and Reddit, Holloway invests in transformative startups across various sectors. Her investment focus includes solutions that enhance human potential and resilience, advance health, explore new frontiers, drive sustainability, foster creativity, and enrich the human experience.
The Significance of Startup Battlefield 200:
The Startup Battlefield 200 competition is a cornerstone of TechCrunch Disrupt, offering a platform for early-stage startups to gain visibility, receive expert feedback, and compete for substantial prizes. The event attracts a global audience of investors, media, and industry leaders, providing unparalleled exposure for participating companies. The rigorous selection process ensures that only the most promising startups make it to the Disrupt Stage, where they present their innovations to a panel of esteemed judges.
What to Expect at Disrupt 2025:
Attendees can look forward to a dynamic showcase of innovation, with startups presenting cutting-edge solutions across various industries. The judging panel, comprising seasoned venture capitalists and industry experts, will evaluate each startup’s potential, business model, and scalability. Beyond the competition, Disrupt 2025 offers a plethora of networking opportunities, panel discussions, and workshops designed to foster collaboration and growth within the tech ecosystem.
