The Road to Battlefield competition has marked a historic milestone for Central Eurasia’s startup ecosystem, attracting 485 applications from 27 countries and culminating in the region’s largest startup pitch event to date. Organized by Silkroad Innovation Hub in partnership with TechCrunch and Freedom Holding, the initiative created a direct pathway for Central Eurasian founders to showcase their innovations at TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200 in San Francisco. With over 380 startups pitching during nine national rounds, the competition highlighted both the diversity and dynamism of the region — from a 14-year-old founder in Uzbekistan to the fact that 35% of participants were women-led startups.
From this highly competitive process, four standout startups emerged to represent Central Eurasia on the global stage: Polygraf AI (Azerbaijan/USA), QuickShipper (Georgia), Surfaice (Kazakhstan/USA), and ArtSkin (Kyrgyzstan/Kazakhstan). These companies bring innovations spanning AI security, logistics, construction software, and neurointerface technology, underscoring the breadth of talent emerging from the region. Their selection reflects not only technical excellence but also the resilience and ambition of founders eager to compete with the world’s best.
Beyond producing winners, the competition has had a transformative effect on the regional ecosystem. It has attracted international investor attention, fostered cross-border collaboration, and validated Central Eurasia as an emerging hub of innovation. Supported by Freedom Holding Corp. and regional partners like Astana Hub, IDDA, and IT Park Uzbekistan, the initiative has introduced a new generation of founders to Silicon Valley and elevated Central Eurasia on the global startup map. As the four teams prepare to pitch at Disrupt 2025’s 20th anniversary event, they carry with them not only their individual visions but also the collective ambitions of a region now firmly in the global innovation spotlight.
