Meet the next wave of VCs judging Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026

New judges with specialized AI and enterprise software focuses are evaluating startups, potentially shifting how those sectors are valued.

TechCrunch announced the next wave of Venture Capitalists (VCs) who will judge the Startup Battlefield 200 competition at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. The event, scheduled from October 13-15 in San Francisco, features hand-picked founders pitching their companies in a six-minute format, followed by investor Q&A. The judges will evaluate teams on execution potential, market size, timing, and defensibility. The newly announced judges include Vaibhav ‘Dr.V’ Agrawal of ODDBIRD VC, focusing on AI and reindustrialization; Anu Bharadwaj of ICONIQ Growth, with expertise in enterprise software and AI; Sho Sho Leigha Ho of General Catalyst, who invests in early-stage founders; Miloni Madan Presler of IVP, specializing in enterprise software, healthcare, and security; and Aidan Madigan-Curtis of Eclipse Ventures, focused on AI, IoT, and supply chain solutions. These investors join a previously announced panel, aiming to identify promising startups for a $100,000 prize.

The inclusion of VCs with specific focuses on AI, enterprise software, and industrial re-automation signals a continued emphasis on these sectors within the venture capital landscape. Investors like Vaibhav Agrawal, Anu Bharadwaj, and Aidan Madigan-Curtis bring direct experience from successful AI companies, enterprise software giants, and hardware scaling, indicating a keen interest in both deep tech and practical application. This suggests that startups in these arenas, particularly those demonstrating strong technical execution and scalable business models, may find it easier to attract early-stage funding and gain critical investor attention. The caliber of these judges also underscores the increasing importance of operational experience and strategic scaling knowledge for investors evaluating founders.

For founders, the selection of judges for Startup Battlefield provides a direct view into the current investment thesis of prominent VCs and their areas of expertise. The emphasis on AI, supply chain, and enterprise solutions suggests that pitches aligning with these themes will likely resonate most strongly. Attendees observing the Q&A sessions will gain insights into the critical questions investors are asking, helping them refine their own narratives and prepare for future fundraising rounds. The competition’s format, prioritizing post-pitch discussion, highlights the value VCs place on a founder's ability to articulate long-term vision and competitive advantages under pressure.