Disrupt’s prized Startup Battlefield garners immense anticipation, and we are eager to witness which innovative companies will be selected from the numerous applications to present their pitches to an elite panel of venture capitalists at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024. The event, scheduled for October 28–30 in San Francisco, promises to be remarkable, with each participant poised to significantly impact the world.
We are delighted to announce the initial set of investors who will evaluate the startups, providing insightful feedback and engaging in thought-provoking Q&A sessions post-pitch. Stay tuned for more updates on additional investors joining the panel!
The commentary from the judges will shed light on their decision-making process, offering a glimpse into what they value in a company. This is a unique opportunity to gain an understanding of what attracts investors and prompts them to consider further discussions.
Meet the first five venture capitalists who will play a crucial role in determining the victor of the Startup Battlefield 2024.
Erin Harkless Moore, Managing Director, Pivotal Ventures
At the helm of investment at Pivotal Ventures, a venture initiated by Melinda French Gates to foster social innovation, Erin Harkless Moore directs both fund and direct investment agendas. Her portfolio is a testament to her nearly two decades of experience in steering investment strategies for a variety of clients, including family offices and endowed institutions. Erin’s success is largely attributed to her proactive approach to nurturing connections with a spectrum of industry stakeholders, from entrepreneurs and investors to founders.
Eylul Kayin, Partner, Gradient Ventures
Serving as a partner at Gradient Ventures, Eylul Kayin brings her expertise from previous roles at NEA and SoftBank. She has played a pivotal role in the growth of leading companies such as Brex and Ethos, amongst others, demonstrating her keen investment insight and sector knowledge.
Victor Lazarte, General Partner, Benchmark
As a general partner at Benchmark, Victor Lazarte’s expertise spans AI, gaming, and fintech investments. The co-founder of Wildlife Studios, he has been instrumental in its rise to a premier mobile gaming enterprise, accumulating billions of engaged players worldwide. His journey from co-founder and CEO to becoming the chairman illustrates his enduring commitment to the company. Victor’s influence extends as a board member for Brex since 2018.
Ana Leyva, GTM, Pear VC
Ana Leyva leads the go-to-market strategy at Pear VC, leveraging her extensive experience in enterprise sales to aid early-stage startups in developing effective sales strategies. Ana’s entrepreneurial spirit is evident in her founding of the educational technology startup Lelu, positioning her as a valuable asset to Pear VC.
Corinne Riley, Partner, Greylock
Corinne Riley works closely with startups at the intersection of data, AI, and application infrastructure. She is involved with several innovative companies, assisting them from inception to market entry. Corinne is also the architect behind Greylock‘s programs designed to incubate and scout new ventures by collaborating with leading angel investors.
Don’t miss it!
The ultimate winner of the Startup Battlefield will be disclosed at Disrupt 2024, securing a $100,000 equity-free prize. This presents an unrivaled opportunity to witness the unfolding of the technology frontier. Ensure your presence by securing your tickets before August 23 to benefit from up to $600 in savings. Act now to confirm your spot at a discounted rate.
Compiled by Techarena.au.
Fanpage: TechArena.au
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