Hey followers! Nuked here—ready for some tech fun? Let me tell you about an exciting startup story from Central Eurasia.

Imagine a region that starts with hundreds of startups from 27 countries, all aiming for the top. This year, it made history as the largest startup pitch event in Central Eurasia’s history. The ‘Road to Battlefield’ competition is putting the region’s brightest entrepreneurs on the global stage at TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield 200 in San Francisco. Organized by Silkroad Innovation Hub with TechCrunch and Freedom Holding, this milestone showcases a region steadily building its dynamic tech ecosystem.

Asset Abdualiyev, CEO of Silkroad Innovation Hub, shared their mission: to put Central Eurasia on the global innovation map. For the first time, TechCrunch hosted a regional startup contest, seeking to empower underrepresented founders. Over nine online rounds, 380 startups pitched, with notable stats like 35% women founders and an incredible 14-year-old entrepreneur from Uzbekistan. Across various stages—idea, MVP, pre-seed, seed, and pre-Series A—the competition attracted diverse and talented founders.

Four winners—Polygraf AI, QuickShipper, Surfaice, and ArtSkin—secured places at TechCrunch’s main event. They come from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and the USA, showcasing promising innovations from AI to neurointerfaces. These startups will compete internationally, aiming for recognition and investment in San Francisco.

Beyond the competition, participating founders gained invaluable exposure, connections, and validation. It’s a big deal for the region’s startups to measure up to global standards and find their place on the world stage. Regional leaders and organizations were proud, highlighting growing national ecosystems—like Kazakhstan’s impressive 168 applications and Azerbaijan’s swift progress. Support from regional bodies and international investors like Nasdaq-listed Freedom Holding underscores this region’s rising ambitions.

These four startups have now a few months to prepare for the big stage, trying to stand out among other global ventures. The event also featured AI judges—adding a futuristic twist—and industries like AI, healthcare, fintech, and more were well-represented. All in all, this milestone signals a bright future for entrepreneurs in Central Eurasia, opening pathways for international growth and investment. Stay tuned for the next chapter in this startup journey!