Central Eurasia Announces Top Three Startups for TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 2026
Cerberus, WeGlobal AI, and LOOQ were named the top three winners at the Central Eurasia regional final of Road to TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 2026. These startups will represent the region in San Francisco during TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 on October 13-15. The competition received a record number of applications—726 from 39 countries—with finalists selected through national rounds and judged by an international panel, including AI-Dana as an independent juror. The event is organized in partnership with Silkroad Innovation Hub, TechCrunch, Freedom Holding, Astana Hub, and IT Park Uzbekistan. This year’s competition saw a nearly 50% increase in applications compared to its debut in 2025. The startups are all AI-focused, addressing areas such as cybersecurity, mental health for students, and digital advertising analytics. Isabelle Johannessen of TechCrunch highlighted the global visibility these founders receive at Disrupt, emphasizing that it serves as a catalyst for local innovation ecosystems to scale globally.
Topics: AI innovation startups TechCrunch Disrupt