The 2026 Road to TechCrunch Startup Battlefield competition concluded with three winners: Cerberus, WeGlobal AI, and LOOQ. The event, organized by Silkroad Innovation Hub, saw 726 applications from 39 countries, with 84% of participants focusing on AI-driven products. A total of 22 finalists were selected to pitch before 47 jurors.
Cerberus, a cybersecurity startup from Uzbekistan, took first place and secured $50 000. The company develops an AI agent designed to identify vulnerabilities in corporate IT systems. WeGlobal AI from Kazakhstan finished second, receiving $30 000 for its platform that provides mental health support and career guidance to students.
LOOQ earned third place and $20 000. The company creates AI-powered hardware that tracks physical billboard engagement. The total investment pool of $100 000 was provided by Astana Hub Ventures, IT Park Ventures, and Silkroad Innovation Hub. Additionally, OpenAI distributed $280 000 in API credits among the 22 finalists.
The three winning startups will advance to the TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200 event in San Francisco. This competition serves as a platform for founders from Central Eurasia to gain global visibility and connect with international investors. The initiative is supported by partners including Freedom Holding, Astana Hub, and IT Park Uzbekistan.
