Startup Battlefield returns to Sydney in August 2026 after 2017 event
9 reported
TechCrunch is bringing Startup Battlefield back to Sydney on August 19, 2026, in partnership with Stripe. The event will feature ten selected companies pitching live before investors, press, and the Australian tech community. The top three will receive up to $10,000 in Stripe fee credits, and the grand winner will earn automatic entry into Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco this October. The last time TechCrunch held Startup Battlefield in Australia was November 2017, when 15 startups from Australia and New Zealand competed. The 2017 winner, HealthMatch, has since raised over $25 million and expanded to the U.S., while runner-up FluroSat merged to form Regrow Agriculture, which has raised over $60 million. Collectively, 26 Australian Battlefield alumni have raised over $147 million and seen three acquisitions. Applications for the 2026 event are open through July 6.
What’s reported
Startup Battlefield returns to Sydney on August 19, 2026, in partnership with Stripe.
Ten selected companies will pitch live; top three win up to $10,000 in Stripe fee credits.
Grand winner gets automatic entry into Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco this October.
The previous Australian event was in November 2017, with 15 startups from Australia and New Zealand.
2017 winner HealthMatch raised over $25 million and expanded to the U.S., backed by Square Peg Capital and Paul Bassat.
2017 runner-up FluroSat merged to form Regrow Agriculture, raising over $60 million with backing from Microsoft, Airtree, and Cargill.
Combined funding for 2017 winner and runner-up exceeds $85 million.
Across 26 Australian Battlefield alumni, total funding exceeds $147 million with three acquisitions.
Applications are open through July 6, 2026.
Key figures
Manuri Gunawardena (founder of HealthMatch, winner of 2017 event)
Paul Bassat (co-founder of SEEK, backer of HealthMatch)
Square Peg Capital (investor)
Microsoft (backer of Regrow Agriculture)
Airtree (backer of Regrow Agriculture)
Cargill (backer of Regrow Agriculture)
Sources: TechCrunch
