TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 Startup Battlefield 200: Celebrating Outstanding Achievements

This year, TechCrunch Disrupt showcased the amazing talent and groundbreaking ideas of the 2025 Startup Battlefield 200 cohort.

From thousands of submissions, we selected 200 promising startups, each bringing unique innovations to their respective industries. The competition culminated in an exciting event where these startups had the opportunity to showcase and demonstrate their solutions live over three days.

From the top 20 finalists, a TechCrunch editorial selected the top five companies that then competed for a $100,000 equity-free prize and the coveted Disrupt Cup. The deserved win went to Glīd with strong runner-up Nephrogen.

Among the Startup Battlefield 200, there were several industry-leading companies displaying and pitching on the showcase. Here are the most notable ones:

Best Theatrical Presentation by Industry Group

Sustainability

HomeBoost provides AI-powered home energy assessments that save money, reduce carbon and enhance comfort.

The built world

Investwise builds AI-based compliance for commercial buildings.

consumer

Rax is democratizing luxury fashion through a two-sided marketplace.

project

Cashew Research delivers expert insights to clients quickly and affordably through AI-powered research.

health

AWEAR has developed an ear-worn electroencephalogram (EEG) with an AI trainer to track brainwaves and manage stress.

Policy + Protection

JustiGuide transforms immigration from a bureaucratic nightmare into seamless infrastructure.

Best booth – it’s a tie!

Billight brought one of their own illuminated pool game systems and installed it on their pop-up sign. They’re building “Top Golf” for billiards, but without a pool table available to demo, they did what any good founder would do: improvise! This was an innovative use of space and was a huge hit in the exhibition hall.

Calificadas brought energy, color and creativity all the way from Argentina to its pavilion. They showcased their AI-powered communications intelligence trainer in an interactive way, and encouraged attendees to use their platform live at the booth. They have been the talking point, and rightly so!

Spirit of Disruption Award

The Spirit of Disrupt Award goes to Manu Seve, Co-Founder and CEO of Sponstar, who went out of her way to create opportunities, connections and opportunities for her fellow founders through the treasure hunt she organized weeks before the event. Using its platform, the research served 33 participating companies, held 15 side events that included 200 potential customers, visited more than 700 sites (about four sites per user), and received 50 awards from eight different startups.

Startup Battlefield is more than just a pitch competition; It’s an opportunity to build relationships with investors, potential clients, and fellow founders to support each other in their entrepreneurial journeys.

As we celebrate the achievements of this year’s winners, we’re excited to see how they will shape their industries and drive innovation in the months and years to come. Congratulations to everyone participating in Startup Battlefield 200, and special thanks to our judges and sponsors for their support in making TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 a huge success.