Summary:
Central Eurasia's largest startup competition saw 485 applications from 27 countries, culminating in four winners advancing to TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 2025.
The event, organized by Silkroad Innovation Hub, featured 380 startups pitching online, with 35% founded by women and diverse stages from idea to pre-Series A.
Winners include Polygraf AI, QuickShipper, Surfaice, and ArtSkin, representing innovations in AI, logistics, construction, and neurotechnology.
A panel of 40 international judges, including an AI judge, evaluated pitches, highlighting cross-border collaboration and global investor interest.
The competition marks a historic milestone, boosting Central Eurasia's visibility and providing a dedicated pathway to one of tech's most prestigious events.
The startup ecosystem in Central Eurasia is having its moment. What began as 485 applications from 27 countries has culminated in the largest startup pitch competition in the region's history.
Road to Battlefield, organized by Silkroad Innovation Hub in partnership with TechCrunch and Freedom Holding, is more than just a contest—it's a historic milestone that puts Central Eurasia on the global startup map. Asset Abdualiyev, CEO of Silkroad Innovation Hub, emphasized their mission to empower founders from underrepresented geographies.
Between July 21 and August 12, 380 startups pitched online in nine national rounds, totaling 32 hours of content. The competition showcased remarkable diversity, with 35% of startups founded by women and participants ranging from idea stage to pre-Series A.
Four standout startups have secured spots at TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 2025 in San Francisco:
- Polygraf AI (Azerbaijan and USA): Delivers locally deployed AI solutions for threat detection.
- QuickShipper (Georgia): A delivery gateway for retailers to manage in-house drivers and partners.
- Surfaice (Kazakhstan and USA): An AI-driven operating system for construction workflows.
- ArtSkin (Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan): Develops neurointerface technology for touch sensation in AR/VR and robotics.
A panel of 40 judges from 10 countries, including an AI judge named AI-Gerim, evaluated the pitches. The event featured startups across AI, edtech, health tech, fintech, and more, highlighting the region's innovation.
The competition has sparked cross-border collaboration, attracted international investors, and positioned Central Eurasia as a key player in the global tech scene. Ministers from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan praised the initiative for boosting their ecosystems' global ambitions.
Supported by Freedom Holding Corp. and various innovation hubs, Road to Battlefield has created new pathways for regional startups to access international opportunities, with the winners now preparing for the global stage in October 2025.
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