Exciting times ahead for startups in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) as TechCrunch prepares to bring its flagship pitch competition Startup Battlefield to the region.

Simple, yet entertainingly challenging -- that would probably be an apt way to describe the competition. Startup Battle generally features 15 to 30 promising early-stage startups going head-on against one-another to make their way to the top.

Each participating startup is required to pitch their products and business ideas to a panel of judges. The startup with the best pitch wins a lot of rewards and advantages including a cheque for $50,000, unrestricted access to a network of mentors, potential partners, and investors.

Startup Battlefield is held multiple times a year including at all three editions of the TechCrunch Disrupt conference. Additionally, the pitch competition is also held regionally in emerging markets.

To be hosted in Beirut, Startup Battlefield’s MENA chapter will shortlist 15 companies from across the region and provide them with travel accommodation to Beirut. Among other benefits, the finalist of the event will also enjoy the backing of TechCrunch editors so they can polish their pitches before taking the stage at the main event.

The participating countries in the competition’s inaugural MENA edition include Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Algeria, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Yemen, Libya, Syria, Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey, Libya, Palestinian territories and Oman.