This year, TechCrunch Disrupt showcased the incredible talent and groundbreaking ideas of our 2025 Startup Battlefield 200 cohort.
Out of thousands of applications, we selected the 200 most promising startups, each bringing unique innovations to their respective industries. The competition culminated with a spectacular event where these startups got the opportunity to present and showcase their solutions for three days.
From among the top 20 finalists, TechCrunch editorial selected the top five companies who competed for the equity-free prize money of $100,000 and the coveted Disrupt Cup. A well-deserved win went to Glidden, with strong runner-up, Nephrogen.
Startup Battlefield 200 had many industry-defining companies exhibiting and presenting on the showcase stage. Here are the standouts:
Best Showcase Stage Pitch by Industry Group
sustainability
HomeBoost provides AI-powered home energy assessments that save money, cut carbon, and increase comfort.
constructed world
techcrunch event
san francisco
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October 13-15, 2026
InvestWise is building AI-powered compliance for commercial buildings.
consumer
Raks is democratizing luxury fashion through a two-sided marketplace.
enterprise
Cashew Research delivers expert customer insights fast and affordably with AI-powered research.
Health
AWEAR has developed an ear-worn EEG with AI Coach for brainwave tracking and stress management.
Policy + Security
JustGuide is transforming immigration from a bureaucratic nightmare into a seamless infrastructure.
Best Booth – It’s a tie!
BillLight brought one of their light-up pool gaming systems and secured it to their pop-up banner. They’re building the “Top Golf” of pool, but without providing a pool table for a demo, they did what any good founder would do: improvise! This was an innovative use of space and was a huge success in the Expo Hall.
Calificades brought energy, color, and creativity from Argentina to their booth setup. They demonstrated their AI-powered Communication Intelligence Coach in an interactive manner, encouraging attendees to use their platform live at the booth. They were the talk of their line, and rightfully so!
Spirit of Disruption Award
The Spirit of Disrupt award goes to Manu Seve, co-founder and CEO of Spawnstar, who did everything possible to create exposure, connections and opportunities for fellow founders through a treasure hunt organized for weeks before the event. Using their platform, Hunt served 33 participating companies, captured 200 leads at 15 side events, visited over 700 locations (about four locations per user), and claimed 50 prizes from eight different startups.
Startup Battlegrounds is more than a pitch competition; This is an opportunity to build relationships with investors, potential customers, and fellow founders to support each other in their entrepreneurial journey.
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 of the Startup Battlefield 200 participants, and special thanks to our judges and sponsors for their support in making TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 a resounding success.
