Summary:
Second wave of elite VC judges announced for Startup Battlefield 2025 at TechCrunch Disrupt, adding to the panel's firepower.
Judges include Crissy Behrens of Insight Partners, Charles Hudson of Precursor Ventures, Nicolas Sauvage of TDK Ventures, Katie Stanton of Moxxie Ventures, and Santi Subotovsky of Emergence Capital.
Event takes place October 27-29, 2025, in San Francisco with a $100,000 prize for the winning startup.
Opportunity to save over $650 on tickets and witness live pitches from innovative startups.
Disrupt 2025 expects 10,000+ attendees, featuring sessions, deals, and a focus on launching future tech innovations.
The judging panel for Startup Battlefield 2025 is now even more formidable with the addition of a second wave of top-tier venture capitalists. These investors bring unparalleled expertise to grill founders, tackle critical questions, and ultimately crown the $100,000 champion at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, happening from October 27 to 29 at Moscone West in San Francisco.
Following in the footsteps of legendary past judges, this new group offers insights and experiences that can pivot a founder's journey in a single Q&A session. Don't miss out—secure your tickets now to save over $650 and witness the live pitch competition.
Meet the Next Wave of Our SB 200 Judges
Introducing five more VCs set to judge this year's competition, with additional investors to be announced. For full details, check out the Disrupt speaker page.
Crissy Behrens, Principal, Insight Partners
Crissy Behrens joined Insight Partners in 2021, focusing on investments in high-growth software businesses across SaaS, DevOps, and infrastructure. With a background in seed and growth investing at firms like Primary Venture Partners and B Capital Group, she has supported companies from pre-seed to IPO. Her prior roles in go-to-market at B2B startups have honed her problem-solving skills, making her a valuable partner for entrepreneurs.
Charles Hudson, Managing Partner, Precursor Ventures
Charles Hudson is the founder and managing partner of Precursor Ventures, an early-stage VC firm with over $250 million under management. He has invested in more than 400 companies, including successes like Bobbie Baby and The Athletic (sold for $525 million). Hudson emphasizes investing in people over products at the earliest stages.
Image Credits: Haje Kamps/TechCrunch
Nicolas Sauvage, President, TDK Ventures
Nicolas Sauvage leads TDK Ventures, the corporate venture arm of TDK Corporation, with a $350 million mandate for early-stage startups in digital and energy innovation. Under his leadership, the firm has backed 45 startups, including unicorns like Ascend Elements and Groq. Sauvage is a six-time honoree on the GCV Powerlist and a Kauffman Fellow.
Katie Stanton, Founder and General Partner, Moxxie Ventures
Katie Stanton founded Moxxie Ventures, an early-stage fund, after executive roles at Twitter, Google, and the Obama administration. She has invested in over 100 companies, such as Airtable and Coinbase, and serves on boards including Vivendi.
Santi Subotovsky, General Partner, Emergence
Santi Subotovsky is a general partner at Emergence Capital, known for leading investments in Zoom (now a $24 billion company) and serving on boards like Crunchbase. He has been instrumental since 2010, driving success in firms like Chorus and Openpath.
Disrupt: Where Tech Innovation Launches — and Lasts
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 will gather over 10,000 startups and VC leaders in San Francisco, making it the epicenter of tech innovation. This event is where groundbreaking ideas are born and scaled. Join for sessions, networking, and the live Startup Battlefield—get your tickets before prices increase.
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