For three days in San Francisco, 20 tech-savvy startups vied for the top spot in the Startup Battlefield at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. The winner, Intero Biosystems, is a Denver-based company developing tiny, lab-grown human intestinal “organoids” to test drugs and compounds. These mini-guts could revolutionise preclinical testing, reducing the need for animal and human trials.
The competition was fierce, with five finalists making their case to a panel of tech leaders, including Alexa von Tobel and Stacy Brown-Philpot. Intero Biosystems, founded by Charlie Childs and Madeline Eiken, emerged victorious with its GastroScreen product, a valuable tool for pharmaceutical and food companies.
Runner-up Apate, an Australian startup, develops AI agents that tricksters and fraudsters into revealing their tactics. Apate’s technology is a clever way to combat scams by acting as innocent victims and gathering intelligence.
Both winners join an illustrious list of previous Startup Battlefield alumni, including Trello and Discord. Their success stories underscore the potential of disruptive technology to change industries and protect consumers.
