Final call for founders
Applications for Startup Battlefield Australia have been extended to July 20 after strong interest from the startup community. Organizers say this is the final deadline, with no further extension planned.
Since launching in 2017, the program has built a strong track record: 26 alumni companies have raised more than $147 million in total, while three have been acquired. The alumni network has also attracted backing from major investors and venture firms, including Y Combinator, Blackbird Ventures, Square Peg Capital, Khosla Ventures, Microsoft, AirTree Ventures, Startmate, Techstars, and SOSV.
Selected founders will pitch live to investors, media, and leading operators from Australia's startup scene, opening the door to new partnerships, customers, and hiring opportunities. The event is designed as a high-visibility platform for early-stage teams ready to scale.
On August 19, 2026, eight startups will present at Stripe Tour Sydney. The top three will receive up to $15,000 in Stripe fee credits, while the overall winner earns automatic entry into Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco this October.
The competition is open to early-stage startups across Australia and New Zealand, from pre-seed to Series B, especially teams with a working product, strong traction, and a clear story to tell. For ambitious founders, the extended window offers one more chance to step onto a global stage. This kind of platform can help shape the next generation of breakout companies and accelerate the region's startup future.