Meet the judges who will crown Australia’s next emerging startup

The TechCrunch Startup Battlefield is coming to Australia – and we’re partnering with Stripe to find the country’s most exciting early-stage startups. On August 19, eight Australian startups will take the stage at Stripe Tour Sydney to pitch live to investors, press and the tech community. Three will win prizes. One will receive an automatic ticket to attend TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, which will be held in San Francisco from October 13-15.

The secret to finding the next breakthrough founder? Judges.

Startup Battlefield has a proven track record that speaks for itself. More than 1,700 companies have launched the competition globally, including Dropbox, Cloudflare, Discord and Trello. Alumni have collectively raised $32 billion and produced more than 250 exits. The last time Startup Battlefield came to Sydney, the winner was HealthMatch – now worth over $25 million with 1 million patients globally.

This success does not come by chance. It comes from having the right people in the room, those who can spot potential, ask tough questions, and open doors for founders. This year we’ve brought together three judges who represent the best of Australia’s startup ecosystem and global fintech innovation.

Know your judges

Yasmine Liu, Head of Startups and Investor Partnerships, Asia Pacific, Stripe

Not only does Stripe sponsor Startup Battlefield, the company is also an integral part of the startup ecosystem. Jasmine Liu brings institutional knowledge on what it takes to scale globally and the payment infrastructure that supports modern commerce. When a founder pitches to them, they’re pitching to someone who not only understands the vision, but also understands the mechanics of turning that vision into a revenue-generating machine.

Brendan Hill, angel investor and Ten13 venture partner

Brendan Hill represents the type of investor who actually writes the checks. As a venture partner and active angel investor, he not only evaluates ideas, but also whether to bet his own money on a team. This is an important lens when founders try to raise their next round.

Jaron Eisen, Founder and CEO of Habana

Jaron Eisen is the founder himself, which means he knows what it means to stand where these eight shooters will stand. He’s walked the path from idea to company, and that perspective is invaluable. When he asks a question from the judge’s table, he is aware of the gains and scars of construction in the Australian market.

What’s on the line

The grand prize winner gets $15,000 in Stripe fee credits — real money that can fuel growth — plus automatic entry into the Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. That’s not just a prize. This is the launch pad. Second place gets $5,000 in Stripe credits. Third place gets $2,000 in Stripe credits. But most importantly, all of the finalists get into the room with these judges, get press attention, and gain access to the Stripe Tour Sydney audience of founders, operators, and investors.

The real scene happens on August 19th

If you’re an investor, a founder who’s not ready to pitch, or just someone who wants to see the future of Australian startups unfold, the Stripe Tour in Sydney on August 19 is the event. Register to attend.

The stage is set. The judges are ready. The question is: What is the next startup?

Hosted and presented by Isabel Johansen, Director of Startup Battlefield.