Deadline extended one week: apply to Hardware Battlefield @ TC Shenzhen

Published August 21, 2019

Whether you’re a time-crunched procrastinator or a last-minute decision-maker, we have great news for early-stage hardware startup founders! You get one more week to apply to compete in Hardware Battlefield at TC Shenzhen on November 11-12 in China.

Did we just hear a collective sigh of relief? Take advantage of the reprieve and grab this opportunity for all it’s worth — $25,000 in prize money for starters. What are you waiting for? Submit your application by the new deadline: August 28 at 11:59 p.m. (PT).

This Battlefield takes place as part of the larger TechCrunch Shenzhen show, produced in collaboration with our China partner TechNode, that runs November 9-12. Shenzhen, the heartland of hardware, earned its stellar reputation for supporting hardware startups through a combination of accelerators, rapid prototyping and world-class manufacturing.

We accept applications from early-stage hardware startups from any country. Participating in this pitch competition will place your startup in front of some of the most influential technologists, investors and media. Win or lose, that kind of world-class exposure can change the course of your business.

You’re qualified to apply if you can meet these minimum requirements:

Submit the TC Hardware Battlefield 2019 application before August 28 at 11:59 p.m. (PT)
You must have a minimally viable product to demo onstage
Your product has received little, if any, press coverage to date
Your product must be a hardware device or component

Here’s how the Hardware Battlefield works. Applying and participating is free. TechCrunch editors will pore over all qualified applications and then select 10-15 of the best hardware startups to compete. If you make the cut, get ready for six weeks of intense prep as our Battlefield team coaches you (for free) on crafting the perfect pitch.

Each startup has just six minutes to pitch and demo their creation to the judges — all expert VCs, founders and technologists. After you pitch, you’ll face a tough Q&A with the judges. That free coaching will sure come in handy. If you make it through the first round, you’ll pitch all over again to a fresh set of judges.

Only one startup will be declared the winner, earn serious bragging rights and that $25,000 equity-free prize. But every team receives invaluable media and investor interest. That exposure goes way beyond the live audience. We record the Battlefield on video and publish it on TechCrunch to a global audience.

Hardware Battlefield at TC Shenzhen takes place on November 11-12. This is your chance to launch your hardware startup on a global stage. Take advantage of the extra week and apply to Hardware Battlefield at TC Shenzhen before August 28 at 11:59 p.m. (PT). Come and show us your hardware!

Is your company interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at Hardware Battlefield at TC Shenzhen? Contact our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form.

Calling all hardware startups! Apply to Hardware Battlefield @ TC Shenzhen

Published August 1, 2019

Got hardware? Well then, listen up, because our search continues for boundary-pushing, early-stage hardware startups to join us in Shenzhen, China for an epic opportunity; launch your startup on a global stage and compete in Hardware Battlefield at TC Shenzhen on November 11-12.

Apply here to compete in TC Hardware Battlefield 2019. Why? It’s your chance to demo your product to the top investors and technologists in the world. Hardware Battlefield, cousin to Startup Battlefield, focuses exclusively on innovative hardware because, let’s face it, it’s the backbone of technology. From enterprise solutions to agtech advancements, medical devices to consumer product goods — hardware startups are in the international spotlight.

If you make the cut, you’ll compete against 15 of the world’s most innovative hardware makers for bragging rights, plenty of investor love, media exposure and $25,000 in equity-free cash. Just participating in a Battlefield can change the whole trajectory of your business in the best way possible.

We chose to bring our fifth Hardware Battlefield to Shenzhen because of its outstanding track record of supporting hardware startups. The city achieves this through a combination of accelerators, rapid prototyping and world-class manufacturing. What’s more, TC Hardware Battlefield 2019 takes place as part of the larger TechCrunch Shenzhen that runs November 9-12.

Creativity and innovation no know boundaries, and that’s why we’re opening this competition to any early-stage hardware startup from any country. While we’ve seen amazing hardware in previous Battlefields — like robotic arms, food testing devices, malaria diagnostic tools, smart socks for diabetics and e-motorcycles, we can’t wait to see the next generation of hardware, so bring it on!

Meet the minimum requirements listed below, and we’ll consider your startup:

Submit your application to TC Hardware Battlefield 2019 by August 14th
You must have a minimally viable product to demo onstage
Your product has received little if any, press coverage to date
Your product must have a hardware device or component

Here’s how Hardware Battlefield works. TechCrunch editors vet every qualified application and pick 15 startups to compete. Those startups receive six rigorous weeks of free coaching. Forget stage fright. You’ll be prepped and ready to step into the spotlight.

Teams have six minutes to pitch and demo their products, which is immediately followed by an in-depth Q&A with the judges. If you make it to the final round, you’ll repeat the process in front of a new set of judges.

The judges will name one outstanding startup the Hardware Battlefield champion. Hoist the Battlefield Cup, claim those bragging rights and the $25,000. This nerve-wracking thrill-ride takes place in front of a live audience, and we capture the entire event on video and post it to our global audience on TechCrunch.

Hardware Battlefield at TC Shenzhen takes place on November 11-12. Don’t hide your hardware or miss your chance to show us — and the entire tech world — your startup magic. Apply to compete in TC Hardware Battlefield 2019, and join us in Shenzhen!

Is your company interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at Hardware Battlefield at TC Shenzhen? Contact our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form.

Hardware startups take center stage for Hardware Battlefield at TC Shenzhen

Published July 18, 2019

Software grabs so much attention that it even has its own catchphrase — there’s an app for that. It’s not a bad thing, but we know nothing happens without hardware. That’s why we’re hunting for the best early-stage hardware startups to take center stage at Hardware Battlefield at TC Shenzhen on November 11-12 in China.

Apply here to compete in TC Hardware Battlefield 2019, our hardware-focused pitch competition. If selected, you’ll go head-to-head against some of the world’s most innovative hardware makers for a shot at $25,000. What’s more, you’ll pitch your creations to the world’s top investors. Imagine what that kind of exposure could do for your bottom line.

This is our fifth Hardware Battlefield and our first in China. Shenzhen has a global reputation for the support it offers hardware startups through a combination of accelerators, rapid prototyping and world-class manufacturing. We’re thrilled to collaborate with our partner TechNode to host TC Hardware Battlefield 2019 as part of the larger TechCrunch Shenzhen that runs November 9-12.

Any early-stage hardware startup — from any country — can apply to this competition. We’ve seen an impressive range of hardware in previous Battlefields, including robotic arms, food testing devices, malaria diagnostic tools, smart socks for diabetics and e-motorcycles. Show us what you’ve got!

Meet the minimum requirements listed below, and you’re qualified for consideration:

Fill out the TC Hardware Battlefield 2019 application before the August 14 deadline.
You must have a minimally viable product to demo onstage
Your product has received little if any, press coverage to date
Your product must be a hardware device or component

If you’ve never experienced one of our Battlefield pitch competitions, you’re in for the ride of a lifetime. Here’s how this Hardware Battlefield works.

The vetting process is very selective, and TechCrunch editors thoroughly review every qualified application. They’ll pick 10-15 outstanding hardware startups to compete. Every participating team receives extensive coaching from TechCrunch editors wise in the ways of Battlefield competitions. How extensive? Try six weeks of training that leaves you ready to step on the main stage in front of a panel of judges comprised of expert VCs, founders and technologists.

Each team has just six minutes to pitch and demo their products and then respond to an in-depth Q&A from the judges. One team will rise above the rest to become the Hardware Battlefield champion and take home a check for $25,000.

Even if you don’t win the whole shooting match, you’ll walk away with invaluable — some might say life-changing — media and investor exposure. Of course, we’ll capture the entire event on video and publish it on TechCrunch to a global audience.

Hardware Battlefield at TC Shenzhen takes place on November 11-12. Don’t miss your chance to launch your hardware startup on the world’s most famous tech stage. Apply today!

Is your company interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at Hardware Battlefield at TC Shenzhen? Contact our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form.