Key facts
- The Road to Battlefield competition, in its second year, aims to connect Central Eurasian startups with global tech ecosystems.
- Applications increased by 50% to 726 from 39 countries, spanning Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and South Asia.
- AI products dominate the applicant pool, with 84% of startups building AI solutions.
- Twenty-two startups advanced to the regional final on August 12, with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan having the most finalists.
- The competition offers an $100,000 investment prize pool and OpenAI API credits for the top three winners.
- The top three finalists will also receive a fully paid trip to TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200 in San Francisco.
The second annual Road to Battlefield competition, a collaboration between Silkroad Innovation Hub and TechCrunch, along with partners Freedom Holding, Astana Hub, and IT Park Uzbekistan, is advancing startups from Central Eurasia toward the global TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200 event in San Francisco.
This year's competition saw a significant surge in participation, with 726 applications submitted from 39 countries, representing a nearly 50% increase in submissions and a dozen more countries compared to its inaugural year. The program spans Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and South Asia, with founders pitching online to a panel of 47 judges from eight countries, including venture capitalists, tech leaders, and an AI judge named AI-Dana.
The competition highlights the rapid growth of the startup ecosystem in Central Eurasia, with AI products dominating the applicant pool at 84%. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have emerged as the region's largest startup hubs, each contributing six finalists to the 22 startups that will compete in the regional final on August 12.
"There’s a lot of talent here the world hasn’t found yet, and that’s exactly who we’re looking for, founders and ideas from every corner of the region who haven’t had their moment," said Asset Abdualiyev, founder and CEO of Silkroad Innovation Hub. Magzhan Madiyev, CEO of Astana Hub, noted the steady growth in AI products from the region, reflecting a strengthening innovation ecosystem.
Azamat Karamatov, CEO of IT Park Uzbekistan, emphasized the strategic shift towards international market entry for regional startups, with the competition providing crucial global exposure. The program also includes young talent, with 89 applicants under 18.
New stakes for this year include an $100,000 investment prize pool, funded by Astana Hub Ventures, IT Park Ventures, and Silkroad Innovation Hub, split among the top three finalists. Additionally, the top three winners will receive up to $100,000 in OpenAI API credits, with the remaining 22 finalists each receiving $10,000 in credits. The top three winners will also receive a fully paid trip to TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200 in San Francisco.