> He responded that the deadline was for his entire product to be designed AND developed, and not 2 weeks but actually 11 days until his first presentation to TC.
This is why, despite all the flak that MBAs/managers/product managers take around here, you need to have people who can and will take the time communicate clearly, set expectations, and iterate on a result.
Where does it say that this client from hell is not an MBA/manager/product manager? In fact, from some of his behavior, I'm willing to bet this client is not a technical professional. Asking for NDA / repeatedly badgering contractor for delivery after just 1.5 days / weasel wording - all are big red flag banners typical of the "idea guy" in my own freelancing experience.
TechCrunch requires an application before the product is accepted to Disrupt Battlefield (cf. http://techcrunch.com/events/disrupt-ny-2014/the-battlefield...)
Given the timeframe, what the heck did the startup submit in their application?!