Cerberus, WeGlobal AI, and LOOQ earned the top honors at the Central Eurasia Road to TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 2026 regional final, securing their place in the global Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco this October.
- 726 startups applied from 39 countries, a 50% increase from last year
- 84% of applicants focused on AI-powered products
- Winners will compete on the global stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco
What happened
The Central Eurasia Road to TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 2026 regional final concluded with Cerberus, WeGlobal AI, and LOOQ taking the top three positions. These startups triumphed over 22 finalists selected from a record-breaking 726 applications gathered from 39 countries, reflecting a nearly 50% increase from the previous year’s competition.
The competition focuses on early-stage startups with innovative technology, particularly in AI, which comprised 84% of this year’s applicant pool. The finalists pitched their companies before a jury of 47 industry experts from eight countries, joined by an AI judge, emphasizing the event’s high standards and technological orientation.
Why it matters
The rise in participation and predominance of AI startups signals significant growth in Central Eurasia’s technology ecosystem, highlighting its capacity to nurture globally competitive companies. The event provides critical visibility, networking opportunities, and feedback from international venture capitalists and tech leaders.
Cerberus, the first-place winner from Uzbekistan, offers an AI-powered cybersecurity solution designed to safely identify vulnerabilities in IT infrastructures, addressing a pressing market need. This victory marks a milestone for Uzbekistan, showcasing its emerging role in the global tech community and underscoring the region’s potential for innovation and scale.
What to watch next
The three winning startups will advance to compete at the Startup Battlefield 200 during TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, taking place in San Francisco in October. This event will draw over 10,000 tech professionals, offering these companies a platform to present to prominent investors, media, and industry leaders from around the world.
Observers, investors, and innovators will be keen to track how these startups leverage this exposure to accelerate growth, secure partnerships, and access funding. Additionally, the continued expansion of the Road to Battlefield program and its increasing applicant quality could drive further investment and interest in Central Eurasia’s tech markets.