Central Eurasia’s Top Startups Compete at TechCrunch Battlefield
▼ Summary
– The Road to the Battlefield competition is the largest startup pitch event in Central Eurasia’s history, organized by Silkroad Innovation Hub with TechCrunch and Freedom Holding.
– It received 485 applications from 27 countries and featured 380 startups pitching across nine national online rounds, with 35% founded by women.
– Four startups—Polygraf AI, QuickShipper, Surfaice, and ArtSkin—were selected to compete at TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 2025 in San Francisco.
– This marks the first time TechCrunch has provided a dedicated regional pathway for Central Eurasian startups, boosting cross-border collaboration and global investor interest.
– The competition showcased diverse industries, with AI leading, and included an AI judge named AI-Gerim as part of the evaluation panel.
Central Eurasia’s startup scene is making waves on the global stage, with a record-breaking pitch competition propelling its most promising ventures into the international spotlight. The Road to the Battlefield initiative, organized by Silkroad Innovation Hub in partnership with TechCrunch and Freedom Holding Corp, has become the largest event of its kind in the region’s history. What began as 485 applications from 27 countries has now narrowed down to four standout startups set to compete at TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 2025 in San Francisco.
This competition represents far more than just another pitch event, it marks a turning point for Central Eurasia’s tech ecosystem. For the first time, startups from this region have a dedicated pathway to one of the world’s most prestigious startup stages. Asset Abdualiyev, CEO and Founder of Silkroad Innovation Hub, emphasized that the goal has always been to put Central Eurasia firmly on the global startup and venture capital map. The overwhelming response from founders demonstrates a powerful desire to build innovative companies and showcase them to the world.
Between July and August, 380 startups participated in nine national online rounds, contributing to an impressive 32 hours of pitching content. The competition highlighted remarkable diversity, with 35% of participating startups founded by women and the youngest entrepreneur being just 14 years old. Startups ranged across various development stages, from early ideas to more mature ventures approaching Series A funding.
After a rigorous selection process, four companies emerged victorious: Polygraf AI (Azerbaijan, USA), QuickShipper (Georgia), Surfaice (USA, Kazakhstan), and ArtSkin (Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan). These startups will now represent Central Eurasia in San Francisco, competing for investment, partnerships, and global recognition.
The regional final took place on August 15, where 20 finalists presented to a distinguished international jury. The panel included 40 judges from 10 countries, representing top investors, academics, and ecosystem leaders. In a historic first, an AI judge named AI-Gerim joined the evaluation process, introducing an innovative layer to the assessment criteria.
Startups covered a wide range of sectors, with artificial intelligence leading the way. Founders tackled real-world challenges across AI & Automation, EdTech, HealthTech, FinTech, Green & Climate Tech, AgriTech, HRTech, MarTech, SaaS, and E-commerce.
Polygraf AI focuses on locally deployed AI solutions that detect threats and protect policies against AI-based risks. Their small language model solutions have already garnered significant recognition, including wins at South by Southwest and Summerfest Tech AI Summit. Founder Yagub Rahimo expressed pride in the growing strength of Central Asian and Caucasus-based founders, emphasizing that talent is no longer confined to the Western world.
QuickShipper offers a delivery gateway that enables retailers to manage efficient deliveries through a single platform. Co-founder Mariam Akhvlediani described the competition as inspiring, noting the diversity of ideas and talent from across the region.
Surfaice provides an AI-driven operating system for construction workflows, significantly improving productivity for commercial projects. CEO Alim Uderbekov shared his excitement about representing a region often overlooked in global tech conversations, reflecting on his journey from a small city in South Kazakhstan to the main stage in Silicon Valley.
ArtSkin, selected as a special TechCrunch pick, develops neurointerface technology that transmits the sensation of touch across AR/VR, bionic prosthetics, telerobotics, and other cutting-edge fields. The co-founders expressed both pride and motivation, stating their ambition to win TechCrunch Disrupt 2025.
The competition’s impact extends far beyond the four winners. It has sparked cross-border collaboration, attracted international investor interest, and provided a platform for regional talent to gain global visibility. Government officials from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan highlighted the importance of such initiatives in shaping the future of tech talent in their countries.
Freedom Holding Corp, the main partner and a Nasdaq-listed financial services company, played a crucial role in supporting the event. With a valuation of approximately $10 billion as of May 2025, the company has established itself as a key supporter of innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.
The Road to the Battlefield competition was supported by numerous innovation hubs and accelerators across Central Eurasia, including agencies from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, and international organizations like the EBRD and the Organization of Turkic States.
As the four winning startups prepare for their appearance in San Francisco, they carry with them the aspirations of an entire region eager to prove its place on the global innovation stage. This initiative has not only opened doors for individual companies but has also rewritten the narrative around Central Eurasia’s technological capabilities and potential.
(Source: TechCrunch)