This year, TechCrunch Disrupt showcased the incredible talent and breakthrough ideas of the 2025 Startup Battlefield 200 cohort.
From thousands of applications, we selected 200 of the most promising startups, each bringing unique innovations to their respective industries. The competition culminated in an electrifying event where these startups had the opportunity to present and demonstrate their solutions live for three days.
From the top 20 finalists, TechCrunch editorial selected the top five companies who then battled for the $100,000 equity-free cash prize and the coveted Disrupt Cup. A well-deserved win for Glīd, with a strong runner-up, Nephrogen.
Among the Startup Battlefield 200 were many industry-defining companies exhibiting and showcasing on the Showcase Stage. Here are the standouts:
Best of Stage Presentation by Industry Group
Viability
HomeBoost provides AI-powered home energy assessments that save money, reduce carbon and boost comfort.
Built world
Techcrunch event
San Francisco
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13-15 October 2026
Investwise creates AI-driven compliance for commercial buildings.
Consumer
Rax democratizes luxury fashion through a two-sided market.
Business
Cashew Research delivers expert customer insights quickly and affordably with AI-powered research.
Health
AWEAR has developed an AI-coached in-ear EEG for brainwave monitoring and stress management.
Policy + Protection
JustiGuide turns immigration from a bureaucratic nightmare into a seamless infrastructure.
Best booth — it’s a tie!
Billight brought one of their light up pool game systems and secured it to their pop up banner. They’re building the pool’s “Top Golf,” but without a pool table available to show off, they did what any good founder would do: improvise! This was an innovative use of space and a great success in the Expo Hall.
Calificadas brought the energy, colors and creativity all the way from Argentina to the creation of their stand. They demonstrated their AI-powered communication intelligence coach in an interactive way, encouraging attendees to use their platform live at the booth. They were the talk of the row, and rightly so!
Spirit of Disruption Award
The Spirit of Disrupt award goes to Manu Seve, co-founder and CEO of Sponstar, who went above and beyond to create exposure, connections and opportunities for other founders through a scavenger hunt he organized for weeks leading up to the event. Using its platform, the hunt served 33 participating companies, 15 side events featured 200 leads recorded, more than 700 locations visited (approximately four locations per user), and 50 prizes claimed by eight different startups.
Startup Battlefield is more than just a competition on the playing field. it’s an opportunity to build relationships with investors, potential clients and fellow founders to support each other on 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 all Startup Battlefield 200 participants and a special thanks to our judges and sponsors for their support in making TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 an incredible success.
