TL;DR
- Road to Battlefield launched as Central Eurasia’s official path to TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 2025
- Regional competition spans 9 countries, including Türkiye, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan
- Top 3 startups will win a place at Startup Battlefield 200 in San Francisco
- Central Eurasia boasts 7,000+ active startups and $150M in H1 2024 venture funding
- Partners include Silkroad Innovation Hub, Freedom Holding, and regional accelerators
- Winners receive flights, hotel, booths, media exposure, and direct VC access
- Application deadline: July 15, 2025
Central Eurasia Secures Its Place on the Global Startup Stage
TechCrunch, in partnership with Silkroad Innovation Hub and Freedom Holding, has launched a transformative initiative — Road to Battlefield — to offer startups from Central Eurasia a direct route to the global stage of TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 2025.
The competition will span nine countries: Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Through national pitch rounds, a regional final, and intensive prep, three finalists will be selected to present in San Francisco.
“We’re proud to offer Central Eurasia’s most promising startups direct access to Silicon Valley,” said Asset Abdualiyev, CEO of Silkroad Innovation Hub.
Regional Momentum Backed by Impressive Data
| Metric | Value | Source |
| Annual STEM Graduates | 200,000+ | Silkroad Innovation Hub |
| Active Startups | 7,000+ | Astana Hub |
| 2023 VC Funding | $110M | TechCrunch |
| H1 2024 VC Funding | $150M | TechCrunch |
| Startup Successes | Higgsfield ($100M+), Uzum ($1.16B) | Forbes Central Asia |
A Competition That Reflects Regional Strength
Central Eurasia, home to 100 million people and one of the youngest tech populations globally, is seeing rapid growth in sectors like AI, fintech, edtech, medtech, and e-commerce. The Road to Battlefield aims to amplify that momentum by spotlighting high-potential early-stage startups on a global scale.
Abdualiyev emphasized the regional shift:
“This competition showcases that Central Eurasia is not only growing — it’s ready for the world stage.”
Strategic Partnerships Across the Region
The initiative is backed by leading tech accelerators and innovation hubs:
- Astana Hub (Kazakhstan)
- IT Park Uzbekistan (Uzbekistan)
- Future Laboratory (Georgia)
- Sabah Hub & IDDA (Azerbaijan)
- IT Park Mongolia
- Accelerate Prosperity (Kyrgyzstan)
- IT Park Dushanbe (Tajikistan)
- Startup Centrum (Türkiye)
“We want Uzbek startups to scale globally,” said Abdulakhad Kuchkarov, CEO of IT Park Uzbekistan.
“This initiative aligns perfectly with our goals.”
Freedom Holding Corp, the main private sector partner, continues its legacy of supporting Eurasian startups at TechCrunch events.
“This isn’t just support — it’s a statement that our region is ready,” added Marlen Sikhayev, adviser at Freedom Finance Global.
Competition Timeline and Structure
| Stage | Description | Dates |
| National Rounds | Country-specific pitch contests (online) | July 21 – August 10, 2025 |
| Regional Final | Top 20 compete online for 3 global slots | August 15, 2025 |
| Battlefield Prep | Weekly mentorship, branding, and VC sessions | Sept 1 – Oct 24, 2025 |
| Startup Battlefield 200 | Present live at TechCrunch Disrupt | Oct 27 – 29, 2025 |
Benefits for Winning Startups
The top three finalists will receive a comprehensive Silicon Valley support package:
- Guaranteed entry into Startup Battlefield 200
- Round-trip flights for two team members to San Francisco
- Up to 2 weeks of accommodations
- Dedicated exhibit booth for all 3 days of TechCrunch Disrupt
- VIP access to private VC networking events
- Brand exposure through media, pitch decks, and investor guides
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, startups must meet the following:
- Pre-Series A funding stage
- Functional MVP (minimum viable product)
- Minimal global press coverage
- Must be based in one of the nine eligible Central Eurasian countries
Transforming Regional Talent into Global Unicorns
TechCrunch Disrupt has helped launch some of the most iconic names in tech — Dropbox, Trello, Mint, N26, and Forethought AI — with over $32 billion raised by Battlefield alumni.
“We’ve seen how access changes trajectories,” said TechCrunch Battlefield team lead, “and we’re excited to welcome Central Eurasia’s brightest.”
Apply Before July 15
The application window is open now, closing on July 15, 2025. For early-stage founders across Central Eurasia, this competition is a once-in-a-generation chance to stand on the world’s most influential startup stage.
