This year, TechCrunch Disrupt highlighted the amazing talent and innovative ideas from our 2025 Startup Battlefield 200 cohort.
From thousands of applications, we handpicked 200 of the most promising startups, each contributing unique innovations to their fields. The competition reached its peak during an exciting three-day event, where these startups pitched and showcased their solutions live.
Out of the top 20 finalists, TechCrunch’s editorial team selected five companies to compete for the $100,000 equity-free prize and the prestigious Disrupt Cup. The winner was Glīd, with Nephrogen securing a strong runner-up position.
The Startup Battlefield 200 featured numerous industry-leading companies displaying their work on the Showcase Stage. Here are the highlights:
Best Showcase Stage pitch by industry group
Sustainability
HomeBoost offers AI-powered home energy assessments to save money, reduce carbon footprints, and enhance comfort.
Built World
Investwise is developing AI-driven compliance solutions for commercial buildings.
Consumer
Rax is democratizing luxury fashion through a two-sided marketplace.
Enterprise
Cashew Research provides expert customer insights quickly and affordably with AI-powered research.
Health
AWEAR has created an ear-worn EEG paired with an AI coach for tracking brainwaves and managing stress.
Policy + Protection
JustiGuide is transforming immigration from a bureaucratic headache into a smooth, efficient process.
Best booth — it’s a tie!
Billight showcased their innovative light-up pool gaming system attached to their pop-up banner. They’re aiming to create the "Top Golf" of pool. With no pool table available for a demo, they did what any resourceful founder would do: they improvised! This creative use of space was a hit in the Expo Hall.
Calificadas brought vibrant energy, colors, and creativity from Argentina to their booth. They demonstrated their AI-powered communication intelligence coach interactively, encouraging attendees to engage with their platform on-site. They definitely stole the spotlight!
Spirit of Disrupt award
The Spirit of Disrupt award was given to Manu Seve, co-founder and CEO of Sponstar, who made significant efforts to foster exposure and connections for fellow founders. She organized a treasure hunt for weeks leading up to the event, benefiting 33 participating companies. The hunt included 15 side events that captured 200 leads, visited over 700 locations (about four per participant), and handed out 50 prizes from eight different startups.
The Startup Battlefield is more than just a pitch competition; it’s a chance to build lasting relationships with investors, potential customers, and fellow entrepreneurs to support one another on their journeys.
As we celebrate this year’s winners, we look forward to seeing how they will impact their industries and drive innovation in the future. Congratulations to everyone in the Startup Battlefield 200, and a huge thank you to our judges and sponsors for making TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 a success.
