**Founders, the battlefield is calling!** The **Startup Battlefield 200** at **TechCrunch Disrupt 2025** is your golden ticket to stand out in the tech world. With the application deadline looming on **June 9**, it's time to step up and seize this unparalleled opportunity.

### Why You Can't Miss This

- **$100,000 equity-free prize**: A game-changer for any startup.
- **Global spotlight**: Pitch in front of over 10,000 tech leaders.
- **Legacy of giants**: Past winners include Trello, Mint, and Dropbox.

### Perks of Being a Battlefield Competitor

- **Free 3-day exhibit space** at Disrupt 2025.
- **4 complimentary tickets** to the event.
- **Exclusive access** to press and investors.
- **Masterclasses** led by top investors.

### Who Should Apply?

- **Pre-Series A startups** with an MVP and big ambitions.
- **Bold innovators** ready to make their mark.

**This is your moment to rise above the rest.** [Apply now](#) before it's too late!

![TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200 2025](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/TC25_Disrupt_SB200_General_Article_Headers_1920x1080.png?w=680)

Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is accepting applications until June 9. Apply for a chance at a $100,000 equity-free prize.

Last Chance to Shine: Apply for Startup Battlefield 200 Before Time Runs Out!

**Pavel Gurvich**, co-founder of **Guardicore**, has successfully raised **$32 million** for a new **stealth cyber-AI startup**. This venture, backed by prominent U.S. venture capital firms **Greylock Partners** and **Battery Ventures**, marks Gurvich's latest foray into the cybersecurity and artificial intelligence sectors. Joining him are **Ariel Zeitlin**, another Guardicore co-founder, and a team of seasoned professionals including **Ofri Ziv**, **Itamar Tal**, and **Aner Mazursky**.

![Pavel Gurvich](https://pic1.calcalist.co.il/picserver3/crop_images/2024/03/17/Skh8czEAT/Skh8czEAT_0_0_3000_2000_0_large.jpg)
*Photo: Akamai*

Guardicore, acquired by **Akamai** in **2021** for approximately **$600 million**, was a significant milestone in Gurvich's career. Post-acquisition, Akamai's Israel-based cyber division, under Gurvich's leadership, became the company's global cybersecurity hub. The acquisition spree didn't stop there; Akamai further expanded its security portfolio by acquiring Israeli startups **Neosec** and **Noname Security**, each for hundreds of millions of dollars.

This new startup, while still in **stealth mode**, has already garnered significant attention and funding, signaling strong confidence in Gurvich and his team's vision to innovate at the intersection of **cybersecurity** and **AI**.

After three years at Akamai, which acquired Guardicore for approximately $600 million in 2021, Pavel Gurvich and Ariel Zeitlin have launched a new venture that has already received significant backing from VC firms Greylock and Battery. 

Stealth Cyber-AI Startup by Guardicore Founders Secures $32M in Funding

**Humain**, the state-owned AI powerhouse from Saudi Arabia, is setting the stage to launch a colossal **$10 billion venture fund**, dubbed **Humain Ventures**. This ambitious fund aims to inject capital into startups across the **U.S., Europe, and Asia**, marking a significant leap in global tech investment.

![Image Credits: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / Getty Images](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/GettyImages-2214718580.jpg?w=1024)

According to **The Financial Times**, Humain's CEO, **Tareq Amin**, revealed that the company is in discussions with heavyweight U.S. firms like **Andreessen Horowitz, OpenAI, and Elon Musk’s xAI** about its venture plans. Additionally, Humain is exploring opportunities to sell an equity stake in its data center business to U.S. companies, with Amin hinting at negotiations with "massive names in the data center segment."

Launched earlier this month, Humain's initiative aligns with a **new Trump administration policy** that permits U.S. tech suppliers, including **Nvidia and AMD**, to engage in deals with Saudi Arabian entities. This policy shift has already enabled Humain to secure partnerships with tech giants such as **Qualcomm, Nvidia, AMD, and Amazon**.

Humain's vision extends beyond venture funding. The company plans to establish **1.9 gigawatts of data center capacity by 2030**, aiming to handle **7% of global AI training and inferencing**. This monumental project is estimated to require an investment of approximately **$77 billion**.

Humain, the state-owned AI company from Saudi Arabia, is reportedly on track to launch a $10 billion venture fund, Humain Ventures.

Saudi Arabia's AI Giant Humain Ventures into $10B Global Startup Fund

**Exploring the Resilience of AI Startups Amid Global Chip Shortages**

In a world where the **chip shortage** has become a global concern, one **Temasek-backed AI startup** stands unfazed, navigating through the **U.S.-China tensions** with remarkable agility. This startup's journey offers a fresh perspective on **artificial intelligence** within the Chinese business landscape, challenging the commonly held narratives.

**The Unshaken AI Startup**

Despite the prevailing challenges, this startup has managed to thrive, thanks to its innovative approach and strategic backing. Its success story is a testament to the **resilience and adaptability** of AI technologies in the face of geopolitical and supply chain disruptions.

**A Different Picture of AI in China**

The narrative around AI in China often revolves around competition and tension. However, insights from within the Chinese business ecosystem reveal a **more nuanced and collaborative** picture, highlighting the potential for **global partnerships and innovation** beyond geopolitical divides.

**Key Takeaways**

- The startup's ability to remain unaffected by the chip shortage underscores the **importance of strategic planning and innovation**.
- Its success amidst U.S.-China tensions illustrates the **potential for technology to transcend political barriers**.
- The story challenges stereotypes about AI development in China, showcasing a **diverse and dynamic ecosystem**.

Hearing about artificial intelligence from inside Chinese business paints a very different picture of the tech than popularly understood.

Unveiling the AI Startup Defying U.S.-China Tensions: A Temasek-Backed Vision

A groundbreaking healthtech startup, **Ambience Healthcare**, has leveraged **OpenAI’s technology** to create a customized AI model that **surpasses physicians** in generating accurate medical codes and notes. This innovation is set to transform the administrative workload of healthcare professionals.

### **The AI That Understands Doctors and Billing**
Ambience Healthcare's platform is designed to **identify ICD-10 codes** by simply recording doctor-patient conversations. This not only speeds up the note-taking process but also ensures **higher accuracy** in medical billing and record-keeping.

### **The Growing Need for AI in Healthcare Administration**
With clinicians spending nearly **28 hours per week** on administrative tasks, the demand for AI solutions like Ambience's is skyrocketing. Companies from **Amazon** to startups like **Suki AI** are jumping into the fray, but Ambience's integration with **Epic and Oracle** sets it apart.

### **A Partnership with OpenAI**
In a significant collaboration, Ambience fine-tuned an OpenAI model with a **proprietary dataset** of clinical cases, achieving a **27% improvement** in coding performance over board-certified physicians. This could mean fewer billing errors and more time for patient care.

### **The Future of Healthcare Admin**
As Ambience continues to innovate, the potential for AI to **reduce administrative burdens** and **enhance accuracy** in healthcare is becoming undeniable. This is just the beginning of a **new era** in medical technology.

Doing the work of a scribe is one way that AI could help busy physicians get through all their paperwork accurately.

Revolutionizing Healthcare: How This AI Startup Outperforms Doctors in Medical Coding

Abdul Al-Asaad, a former Goldman Sachs credit trader, was inspired by Thomas Piketty's *Capital in the Twenty-First Century* to tackle economic inequality through his startup, **Basic Capital**. The book's insight that invested money grows faster than the economy itself led Al-Asaad to identify three pillars for wealth building: **financial education, access, and capital**. 

While access has been democratized by low-cost index funds, **capital remains the missing piece** for many. Basic Capital's innovative solution? Offering **leverage** in retirement savings. For every $1 a customer contributes to their retirement account, Basic Capital lends them $4. This approach transforms retirement accounts from stock-heavy portfolios to ones primarily holding loans, with interest payments potentially covering borrowing costs. 

Al-Asaad challenges the status quo: *"I am allowed to finance a Coachella ticket… why can't I finance Berkshire Hathaway?"* Unlike traditional margin loans that require daily collateral revaluation, Basic Capital's model resembles a **mortgage**, providing stability even in volatile markets. 

This bold idea could redefine retirement savings, making wealth accumulation more accessible to the average saver.

“I am allowed to finance a Coachella ticket,” Basic Capital’s founder tells Semafor. “Why can’t I finance Berkshire Hathaway?” He sees a role for government guarantees.

Unlocking Wealth: How Basic Capital's 401(k) Mortgages Could Revolutionize Retirement Savings

There’s no shortage of APIs, models, or hype in the current AI ecosystem. But for early-stage founders, the real question is: **How do I turn this firepower into a product that actually works…and sells?**

That’s where **Hao Sang**, from OpenAI’s Startups Go-to-Market team, comes in. At **[TechCrunch Sessions: AI](https://techcrunch.com/events/tc-sessions-ai/?utm_source=tc&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=tcsessionsai2025&utm_content=speaker&promo=post_haosang_05272025&display=)** next week — **June 5 at Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley, CA** — he’ll unpack what it takes to build a durable AI engine inside a startup, from early integrations to responsibly scaling on frontier models.

![TechCrunch Sessions: AI Hao Sang](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Hao-Sang-SpeakerArticleImageHeader_TCSessionsAI.png?w=680)

Hao works directly with founders who are in the trenches, helping them translate foundational tech into practical value. At OpenAI, his focus is on more than just technical lift—he’s helping companies think through architecture, monetization, and product-market fit in a landscape where those things shift quickly. Before joining OpenAI, Hao helped fintech founders grow at Stripe and held early GTM roles at OpenPhone and Slack. That mix of deep tech and go-to-market fluency gives him a rare lens into what separates noise from traction.

**[In his session](https://techcrunch.com/events/tc-sessions-ai/agenda/?promo=post_haosang_05272025&utm_campaign=tcsessionsai2025&utm_content=speaker&utm_medium=post&utm_source=tc)**, Hao will walk through patterns he’s seeing across top AI startups: where they’re finding leverage, how they’re thinking about cost vs. performance, and what mistakes tend to surface when teams move too fast without a strong technical or distribution base. Expect insights not just on how to use OpenAI’s platform, but on how to think critically about where AI belongs in your product stack in the first place.

For founders, this is a chance to hear from someone who has visibility across the landscape—and the scars from advising real builders. His talk is especially timely as startups race to move beyond simple wrappers and into differentiated, agent-powered systems.

This session is part of a packed day featuring leaders from Google Cloud, Anthropic, Cohere, OpenAI, **[and many more](https://techcrunch.com/events/tc-sessions-ai/speakers/?promo=post_haosang_05272025&utm_campaign=tcsessionsai2025&utm_content=speaker&utm_medium=post&utm_source=tc)**. We’ll dive deep into startup strategy, infrastructure, and next-gen tools that are actively reshaping how products are built and funded.

## Register now, save big, and dive into AI’s core

Ticket savings of $300+ are available now — and for a limited time, you can get 50% off a second ticket to bring your cofounder or technical lead. If you’re serious about building with AI, this is the room you want to be in.

**[Lock in your spot at TechCrunch Sessions: AI](https://techcrunch.com/events/tc-sessions-ai/tickets/?promo=post_haosang_05272025&utm_campaign=tcsessionsai2025&utm_content=speaker&utm_medium=post&utm_source=tc)**—before everyone else starts building what you’re still thinking about.

OpenAI's Hao Sang takes the stage at TechCrunch Sessions: AI ton June 5 to share what startups need to get right with their AI. Register here to save $300+.

Unlocking AI Startup Success: OpenAI's Hao Sang Reveals Key Strategies at TechCrunch Sessions

**New Zealand’s deep tech ambitions just got a $25 million boost.** 

[Outset Ventures](https://outset.ventures/), the Auckland-based venture firm and incubator behind unicorns like Rocket Lab and LanzaTech, has successfully closed its second fund at an oversubscribed $41.5 million NZD. This fund is dedicated to backing startups that are pushing the boundaries of hard science and engineering, areas where New Zealand has the potential to lead globally.

### **Focus on Energy and Infrastructure**

The fund is particularly focused on **energy generation and storage**, recognizing the critical role these sectors will play in supporting the exponential growth of AI and other technologies. "We know that the biggest constraint for AI growth all comes down to who can get the most installed energy the fastest," says Angus Blair, partner at Outset.

### **Spotlight on Portfolio Startups**

- **OpenStar**: A nuclear fusion startup working on levitated dipole reactors, which recently achieved a significant milestone by creating superheated plasma at temperatures of around 540,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
- **EnergyBank**: Developing long-duration energy storage solutions for floated offshore wind, enhancing the profitability and efficiency of renewable energy assets.

### **A Unique Ecosystem**

Outset’s 60,000-square-foot facility in Auckland provides portfolio companies with access to lab and engineering gear, a rare resource in New Zealand’s startup ecosystem. This vertical integration is key to de-risking deep tech ventures in a country where early-stage capital and technical facilities are limited.

### **Record Investment in 2024**

Despite global economic challenges, 2024 saw a **53% jump** in venture and early-stage investment in New Zealand, reaching a record high of $350 million. Outset’s Fund II reflects this trend, with two-thirds of its capital coming from local sources and the rest from international high-net-worth individuals.

### **Global Ambitions**

While New Zealand’s startup ecosystem is small, it’s **capital efficient** and high quality. Outset is positioning itself as a launchpad for deep tech companies with global ambitions, leveraging the country’s track record in technical innovation.

Outset Ventures, the Auckland-based venture firm and incubator that spun out deep tech unicorns like Rocket Lab and LanzaTech, has closed its second fund at an oversubscribed $41.5 million NZD. 

Last Chance to Shine: Apply for Startup Battlefield 200 Before Time Runs Out!

Summary:

Why You Can't Miss This

Perks of Being a Battlefield Competitor

Who Should Apply?

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Other Latest News

Stealth Cyber-AI Startup by Guardicore Founders Secures $32M in Funding

Saudi Arabia's AI Giant Humain Ventures into $10B Global Startup Fund

Unveiling the AI Startup Defying U.S.-China Tensions: A Temasek-Backed Vision

Revolutionizing Healthcare: How This AI Startup Outperforms Doctors in Medical Coding

Unlocking Wealth: How Basic Capital's 401(k) Mortgages Could Revolutionize Retirement Savings

Unlocking AI Startup Success: OpenAI's Hao Sang Reveals Key Strategies at TechCrunch Sessions

New Zealand's Deep Tech Revolution: Outset Ventures Fuels $25M Moonshots

Other Latest News

Stealth Cyber-AI Startup by Guardicore Founders Secures $32M in Funding

Saudi Arabia's AI Giant Humain Ventures into $10B Global Startup Fund

Unveiling the AI Startup Defying U.S.-China Tensions: A Temasek-Backed Vision

Revolutionizing Healthcare: How This AI Startup Outperforms Doctors in Medical Coding

Unlocking Wealth: How Basic Capital's 401(k) Mortgages Could Revolutionize Retirement Savings

Unlocking AI Startup Success: OpenAI's Hao Sang Reveals Key Strategies at TechCrunch Sessions

New Zealand's Deep Tech Revolution: Outset Ventures Fuels $25M Moonshots