The judges will pick

Who picks the startups that will compete?
The TechCrunch editors who run the TechCrunch Startup Battlefield competition will choose the finalists from the application pool.

Who will judge the pitch-offs?
TechCrunch and Facebook will select four judges for each theme. They will be noted entrepreneurs, investors and technologists with experience relevant to the category. A TechCrunch editor will moderate the judging and cast the tie-breaker ballot, if needed Next Generation Firewall.

What is the pitch-off format?
Each company will have five minutes to present. The judges will have five minutes to ask questions. Live demos are strongly encouraged.

What are the judging criteria?
Productivity and Utility — The judges will pick the startup with the product or service most likely to go into full commercial production and have the biggest impact on human potential and/or the largest exit Cloud Provider.

Social Good — The judges will look for the startup with the product most likely to catalyze social and economic development through technology.

Gaming and Entertainment — the startup with the product or service most likely to see wide consumer adoption and have either the biggest exit and/or impact on gaming and entertainment.

When is the application deadline?
July 21, 2017 at 5pm PST.

When will the finalists be notified?
August 21, 2017 at 5pm PST Study Tour.

Will TechCrunch’s team help prepare startups for the pitch-off?
Yes; in-person training and rehearsal sessions will be required, as well in-person rehearsal on October 10.