▼ Summary
– TechCrunch Startup Battlefield, in partnership with Stripe, will host eight Australian startups at Stripe Tour Sydney on August 19, with one winner earning a spot at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026.
– The competition has launched over 1,700 companies globally, including Dropbox and Cloudflare, with alumni raising $32 billion and producing over 250 exits.
– The three judges are Jasmine Liew (Stripe), Brendan Hill (Ten13), and Jarron Aizen (Hapana), each bringing expertise in scaling, investing, and founding.
– Prizes include $15,000 in Stripe fee credits for the winner, plus automatic entry into Startup Battlefield 200, with $5,000 and $2,000 credits for second and third place.
– All finalists gain exposure to judges, press, and the Stripe Tour Sydney audience of founders, operators, and investors on August 19.
TechCrunch Startup Battlefield is making its return to Australia, and this time we’ve teamed up with Stripe to uncover the country’s most promising early-stage companies. On August 19, eight Australian startups will go head-to-head on stage at Stripe Tour Sydney, pitching live to a room full of investors, journalists, and tech leaders. Three will walk away with prizes. One will secure an automatic spot at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, set for October 13-15 in San Francisco.
The real key to unearthing the next breakout founder? The judges.
Startup Battlefield has a proven legacy. Since its inception, the competition has launched more than 1,700 companies worldwide, including household names like Dropbox, Cloudflare, Discord, and Trello. Alumni have collectively raised over $32 billion and generated more than 250 exits. When Startup Battlefield last hit Sydney, the winner was HealthMatch, now valued at over $25 million with a global patient base of one million.
That kind of success isn’t accidental. It hinges on having the right people making the calls, those who can recognize potential, challenge founders with tough questions, and open doors. This year, we’ve brought together three judges who embody the best of Australia’s startup ecosystem and global fintech innovation.
Meet your judges
Jasmine Liew, Head of Startup & Investor Partnerships for APAC, Stripe
Stripe isn’t just a sponsor. The company is woven into the fabric of the startup world. Jasmine Liew brings deep institutional knowledge about scaling globally and the payment infrastructure that powers modern commerce. When a founder pitches to her, they’re speaking to someone who gets not only the big vision but also the nuts and bolts of turning that vision into a revenue engine.
Brendan Hill, angel investor and venture partner, Ten13
Brendan Hill represents the investor class that actually writes checks. As a venture partner and active angel investor, he evaluates more than just ideas; he weighs whether he’d commit his own capital to a team. That’s the lens that matters most when founders are chasing their next funding round.
Jarron Aizen, founder and CEO, Hapana
Jarron Aizen has been in the founder’s shoes. He knows exactly what it feels like to stand on that stage, pitching a vision. Having walked the path from concept to company, his perspective is invaluable. Every question he asks from the judge’s table is shaped by both the victories and the scars of building in the Australian market.
What’s on the line
The grand prize winner receives $15,000 in Stripe fee credits , real fuel for growth , plus automatic entry into Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. That’s more than a prize. It’s a launchpad. Second place gets $5,000 in Stripe credits, and third place takes $2,000. But beyond the money, every finalist gains face time with these judges, media exposure, and access to the Stripe Tour Sydney audience of founders, operators, and investors.
The real spectacle happens on August 19
Whether you’re an investor, a founder not yet ready to pitch, or just curious to see the future of Australian startups unfold, Stripe Tour Sydney on August 19 is the place to be. Register to attend.
The stage is set. The judges are ready. The only question left: Which startup will be next?
Hosted and MC’d by Isabelle Johannessen, director of Startup Battlefield.
(Source: TechCrunch)
