Australia’s Top Startup Judges Revealed for TechCrunch Battlefield

Australia’s next breakout startup could be just weeks away from gaining international recognition. On August 19, eight promising early-stage startups will compete live at TechCrunch Startup Battlefield Australia, held during Stripe Tour Sydney. The competition offers founders a rare opportunity to pitch before experienced investors, startup leaders, and members of the tech community.

Three startups will receive prizes, while one standout winner will secure an automatic place at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco, scheduled for October 13–15, giving the company a chance to showcase its innovation on a global stage.

A Proven Launchpad for Startup Success

Startup Battlefield has earned a strong reputation for discovering high-growth startups before they become household names. Over the years, the competition has helped launch more than 1,700 companies worldwide, including well-known technology firms such as Dropbox, Cloudflare, Discord, and Trello.

Collectively, Startup Battlefield alumni have raised more than $32 billion in funding and achieved over 250 successful exits.

Australia has already seen the competition’s impact. The previous Startup Battlefield event in Sydney crowned HealthMatch as its winner. Today, the company is valued at more than $25 million and serves over one million patients globally.

Experienced Judges Ready to Evaluate Australia’s Best

A major reason behind Startup Battlefield’s success is its panel of judges, who bring expertise in investing, entrepreneurship, and scaling technology businesses.

This year’s judging panel features three respected leaders from Australia’s startup ecosystem and global fintech industry.

Jasmine Liew – Stripe

Jasmine Liew, Head of Startup & Investor Partnerships for APAC at Stripe, brings deep knowledge of startup growth and global expansion. Through her work with Stripe, she has helped numerous startups build scalable businesses using modern payment infrastructure.

Her experience allows her to evaluate not only innovative ideas but also whether founders have a realistic strategy for building sustainable revenue and expanding internationally.

Brendan Hill – Ten13

Brendan Hill serves as a venture partner at Ten13 and is also an active angel investor.

Unlike many judges who simply evaluate presentations, Hill regularly invests his own capital into promising startups. His assessment focuses on whether founders have the vision, execution, and leadership needed to attract future investment rounds.

For startups seeking funding, his perspective closely reflects what professional investors look for during fundraising.

Jarron Aizen – Hapana

Jarron Aizen, founder and CEO of Hapana, understands startup challenges firsthand.

Having built and scaled his own company, Aizen knows the realities of turning an early-stage idea into a successful business. His questions during the competition are expected to reflect practical experience gained through years of entrepreneurship within Australia’s technology sector.

More Than Just Prize Money

Winning Startup Battlefield Australia offers benefits that extend well beyond financial rewards.

The first-place startup will receive $15,000 in Stripe fee credits, helping reduce payment processing costs as the business grows. More importantly, the winner will automatically qualify for Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, providing global exposure to investors, customers, and media.

The runner-up will earn $5,000 in Stripe credits, while the third-place team will receive $2,000 in Stripe credits.

Even startups that do not take home the top prize will benefit from pitching in front of influential investors, receiving media attention, and networking with founders, operators, and venture capital professionals attending Stripe Tour Sydney.

Spotlight on Australia’s Startup Ecosystem

The live competition will take place during Stripe Tour Sydney on August 19, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and technology enthusiasts interested in discovering Australia’s next generation of innovative companies.

With a history of launching globally recognized startups, Startup Battlefield has become one of the industry’s most respected pitch competitions. As eight Australian startups prepare to present their ideas, all eyes will be on the judging panel to decide which company has the potential to become the country’s next major startup success story.

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