Hustler Words – The annual Startup Battlefield 200 competition, the crown jewel of hustlerwords.com Disrupt, is set to ignite San Francisco from October 27-29, 2025. Twenty exceptional startups, chosen from thousands of applicants, will vie for the coveted $100,000 equity-free prize and the global spotlight. This year’s competition promises unparalleled drama, groundbreaking innovation, and potentially, the birth of the next tech giant. Following in the footsteps of Dropbox, Mint, Vurb, and Cloudflare – all Startup Battlefield alumni – these ambitious founders will pitch their visions to a panel of discerning venture capitalists.
We’re excited to unveil the first wave of judges who will rigorously evaluate these startups. Their insightful feedback offers a unique perspective into the minds of top-tier investors, revealing what sparks their interest, raises their concerns, and ultimately, compels them to invest. These judges represent a wealth of experience and expertise across various sectors of the tech industry.
Meet the Judges:
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Philip Clark (Thrive Capital): A seasoned investor at Thrive Capital, Clark has backed groundbreaking companies in AI and robotics, including Anduril, Cursor, Neuralink, Physical Intelligence, and Wiz. His background in computer science and management science and engineering, coupled with his advisory role at the Hoover Institution, provides a unique perspective on emerging technologies.
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Madison Faulkner (NEA): Partner at NEA, Faulkner focuses on early-stage investments in data, infrastructure, developer tools, data science, and AI. Her extensive experience in data science, from Facebook to Thrasio, gives her a keen understanding of the data-driven landscape.
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Leslie Feinzaig (Graham & Walker VC): Founder and General Partner at Graham & Walker VC, Feinzaig brings a wealth of entrepreneurial experience, having achieved two eight- and ten-figure exits. Her background, shaped by the teachings of Clayton Christensen, positions her to identify truly disruptive innovations.
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Ilya Kirnos (SignalFire): Co-founder, Managing Partner, and CTO of SignalFire, Kirnos leads the development of the firm’s sophisticated Beacon AI data platform. This platform, tracking millions of employees and companies, provides unparalleled insights into the startup ecosystem. His focus on enterprise infrastructure and developer tools makes him an ideal judge for this year’s competition.
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Doug Pepper (ICONIQ Growth): A general partner at ICONIQ Growth, Pepper brings a long and impressive track record, including early investments in companies like Airtable and Guild Education. His previous roles at Shasta Ventures and InterWest Partners, along with his experience at Goldman Sachs and Amazon, provide a broad perspective on the tech industry.
The hustlerwords.com Disrupt 2025 event is more than just a pitch competition; it’s a pivotal moment in the tech calendar. Register now to witness the action firsthand and gain invaluable insights into the future of innovation. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the best and brightest minds in the industry.
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