Five More Venture Capitalists Join Startup Battlefield 200 Judges at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026

TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is gearing up to host one of the biggest startup competitions, Startup Battlefield 200, where 200 promising early-stage companies from around the world will pitch their ideas. The event takes place from October 13 to 15 at Moscone West in San Francisco.

Recently, TechCrunch revealed five more venture capitalists who will help judge the startups. These judges bring a wide range of experience in technology, health, AI, cybersecurity, and more.

Caleb Appleton is a partner at Bison Ventures. He focuses on technologies that combine biology, robotics, and artificial intelligence to solve real-world problems. Appleton’s background in biomedical engineering and experience in frontier tech investments give him a unique perspective on cutting-edge startups.

Sara Deshpande is a partner at Maven Ventures. She specialises in consumer software, digital health, and emerging trends in family technology and marketplaces. Her decade of venture capital experience and focus on consumer behaviour trends make her well suited to spot promising startups in these areas.

Aatish Nayak joined Kleiner Perkins as a partner in May 2026. He concentrates on AI-native founders with deep knowledge in their fields. Before his venture career, Nayak worked on early AI and autonomous vehicle technology, giving him strong insight into the AI startup space.

Jason Risch is a partner at Greylock, focusing on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. His background in maths and statistics helps him evaluate startups that use AI to improve security and data infrastructure.

Mark Xu is a partner at Index Ventures who invests in cybersecurity, infrastructure, and AI companies. He looks for founders who combine technical expertise with a strong drive to serve customers. Xu has backed several AI startups shaping the future of technology.

These five join a group of 20 judges who have been announced so far. They will help decide which startups advance to the final rounds and compete for the $100,000 equity-free prize and the Disrupt Cup.

With thousands of applications and many rounds of review, Startup Battlefield 200 is a major event for early-stage startups. It offers a chance for founders to showcase their innovations and connect with investors and industry leaders.

For those interested in the future of tech and startups, TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 promises to be an exciting event.