TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 concluded with the Startup Battlefield 200 competition, featuring 200 selected startups. The event spanned three days, allowing participants to pitch and demonstrate their solutions live.
Intero Biosystems won the competition, securing the Disrupt Cup and a $100 000 equity-free prize. Apate was recognized as the runner-up among the top five finalists selected by the editorial team.
The event showcased various companies, including Lola Vision Systems, Krokos Bio, Rein Security, Lumai, Uhura Bionics, Maka, and Legali AI. These firms presented innovations ranging from AI platforms to bionic technology.
Shogher Atanesyan, founder and CEO of Ardook Data, received the Spirit of Disrupt award. Her company focuses on collecting household training data from a paid caregiver network for robotics and physical AI firms.
Atanesyan was noted for her support of other founders during the event, including organizing student volunteers and assisting with logistics. The competition serves as a platform for networking with investors and customers.
