The regional final of the Road to Battlefield competition. Organized by Silkroad Innovation Hub in collaboration with TechCrunch and Freedom Holding, this unprecedented pitch contest drew an overwhelming 485 applications from 27 countries, spanning Armenia, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Pakistan, Qatar, Romania, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, UAE, the U.K., Ukraine, the U.S., Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. What began as national online competitions judged by a panel of 40 experts from 10 countries culminated in a high-stakes showdown, marking the largest startup pitch event in the region’s history.
This initiative wasn’t just about competition; it was a gateway to global recognition. For the first time, TechCrunch created a dedicated pathway for Central Eurasian startups to enter its prestigious Startup Battlefield 200 at Disrupt 2025 in San Francisco, scheduled for October 27-29. Amidst a diverse pool where 35% of participants were women-founded ventures and artificial intelligence dominated the innovations, four exceptional teams emerged victorious. Their stories highlight resilience, creativity, and the potential to disrupt industries on an international scale.
The Competition’s Structure and Significance
From Applications to the Grand Finale
The Road to Battlefield kicked off with applications closing on July 15, 2025, followed by national rounds from July 21 to August 10. Shortlisted teams pitched before a jury blending human expertise with an innovative AI judge named AI-Gerim, ensuring unbiased evaluations. The regional final on August 15 featured 20 finalists across sectors like biotech, AI, fintech, and sustainability.
Eligibility focused on early-stage startups (pre-Series A) with a working MVP, emphasizing disruptive potential. Winners not only secure spots in the Battlefield 200 but also receive round-trip flights, a two-week preparation program in San Francisco, startup booths at Disrupt, access to top VCs, and media exposure—all in exchange for a modest 1% equity or SAFE equivalent.
Boosting Regional Innovation
This event underscores Central Eurasia’s tech evolution, home to about 7,000 active startups and 200,000 annual STEM graduates. Venture funding has surged 5.5x in recent years, hitting $150 million in the first half of 2024. By fostering cross-border ties and attracting global investors, Road to Battlefield positions the region as an innovation hotspot, overcoming historical underrepresentation.
Meet the Four Winning Startups
These victors represent the pinnacle of ingenuity, each tackling real-world challenges with cutting-edge solutions. They’ll now prepare for the global stage, where they’ll vie for a $100,000 equity-free prize and unparalleled visibility.
Polygraf AI: Revolutionizing AI Security and Governance
Hailing from Azerbaijan and the USA, Polygraf AI is an enterprise-grade platform specializing in AI content detection, data-privacy redaction, and secure LLM governance. Founded in 2021, it uses on-premise small language models (SLMs) to identify deepfakes, fraud, and manipulated content in real-time, all while ensuring compliance with standards like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS.
What sets Polygraf AI apart is its zero-trust architecture, deployable locally without cloud dependencies, making it ideal for governments, financial institutions, and insurers. It boasts 98%+ accuracy in PII detection and deepfake spotting, outperforming major providers. By preventing data leaks and verifying content authenticity, Polygraf AI empowers organizations to harness AI safely, turning potential risks into opportunities for trust and efficiency.
QuickShipper: Streamlining Delivery for Modern Businesses
Based in Georgia, QuickShipper is a SaaS delivery management platform that optimizes logistics for businesses with or without their own fleets. It automates route planning, order grouping, and dispatching, integrating seamlessly with third-party couriers like Glovo and Wolt.
Launched to address inefficiencies in e-commerce and quick commerce, QuickShipper reduces costs by building optimal routes and providing real-time analytics. Users can manage orders via desktop or mobile, with features like API integrations for automatic syncing from platforms like WordPress or WooCommerce. Already expanding into markets like Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, and Ghana, it’s set for further growth in 2025, helping merchants delight customers with transparent tracking from store to door.
Surfaice: AI-Powered Automation for Construction
A collaboration between the USA and Kazakhstan, Surfaice develops autonomous construction software that automates repeatable projects, from prototyping to deployment. Using AI agents, it provides precise cost estimates, schedules, and playbook execution, accelerating installations for billboards, EV charging stations, and more.
Founded by Kazakh entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley, Surfaice recently raised $1.5 million to scale its platform, which optimizes processes for major operators across five U.S. states. By digitizing blueprints and managing workflows, it minimizes errors and boosts efficiency in an industry ripe for innovation. CEO Alim Uderbekov, from a small city in South Kazakhstan, embodies the dream of global impact, turning local roots into Silicon Valley success.
ArtSkin: Sensory Innovation for Prosthetics
From Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, ArtSkin is pioneering artificial skin for prosthetics, enabling users to sense touch, pressure, and temperature. This breakthrough addresses a core limitation of traditional prosthetics, restoring a sense of normalcy for amputees.
Developed through rigorous R&D, ArtSkin’s flexible prototypes incorporate 32 sensors mimicking human skin mechanics. Founder, inspired by robotic challenges, aims to collaborate with surgeons for real-world implantation. By January 2026, they plan a advanced version with temperature transmission, potentially transforming lives and expanding into bionics. As TechCrunch’s special pick, ArtSkin highlights the competition’s commitment to inclusive, life-changing tech.
The Broader Impact and Future Prospects
The Road to Battlefield has ignited enthusiasm, with quotes from participants like Surfaice’s CEO reflecting the transformative journey: “It’s unbelievable—from a small city in South Kazakhstan to the main stage in Silicon Valley.” Kazakhstan’s Minister of Digital Development praised the 168 local applications as a sign of maturing ambition.
Looking ahead, winners will undergo online prep from September 1, followed by in-person training in San Francisco. This exposure could unlock billions in funding, echoing Battlefield alumni who’ve raised $32 billion collectively. For Central Eurasia, it’s a catalyst for sustained growth, proving that regional talent can compete globally.
In a world of rapid tech evolution, events like this bridge gaps, fostering innovation amid crises. As these four startups gear up for Disrupt, they carry the hopes of an entire ecosystem ready to shine.
