Startup Battlefield Alumni on Build Mode, June 8
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- TechCrunch Startup Battlefield has hosted over 1,700 companies, which together have raised $32 billion and generated more than 250 exits, including acquisitions by Microsoft, Google, Yahoo, Salesforce, Twitter, Uber, and Amazon.
- Startup Battlefield 2026 pushed its application deadline to June 8 due to intense demand.
- Build Mode podcast is in Season 2 on building your team, with Season 3 slated for June to cover fundraising.
- Kevin Damoa won the 2025 Startup Battlefield competition with his company Glīd, drawing on a military logistics background.
- Capella Kerst was the 2024 runner‑up with geCKo Materials, a gecko‑inspired adhesive used in extreme environments including the International Space Station.
- Deon Nicholas co‑founded Forethought AI, the 2018 Battlefield winner, which was later acquired by Zendesk.
- David Park warned that raising capital before achieving product‑market fit can accelerate mistakes, and fellow alum Sarah Lucena is using AI to prioritize hiring compatibility over skill.
Why it matters: The June 8 deadline widens access to a network that has already raised $32 billion and produced more than 250 exits, while the Build Mode podcast amplifies alumni stories, giving investors, operators and prospective founders a clear view of proven, high‑growth ventures.
