Cellino Wins TechCrunch Disrupt 2021 Startup Battlefield

TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 2021: Announcing the Winner

The competition began with a selection of 20 promising startups. Following three days of intense pitching within the virtual Startup Battlefield, a victor has emerged.

Each startup participating in the Startup Battlefield was carefully chosen for inclusion in this highly competitive event. Mirroring the energy of our in-person contests, this year’s event was successfully replicated on a virtual platform.

Companies presented live demonstrations before panels of venture capitalists and technology industry leaders who served as judges. The prize at stake was $100,000 and the prestigious Disrupt Cup.

Finalists Selected

Following extensive review of the judges’ feedback, the TechCrunch editorial team refined the candidate pool to five finalists. These included Adventr, Cellino, Koa, Nth Cycle, and Tatum.

These five startups then advanced to the final round, presenting their demos to a distinguished panel of judges.

The Judging Panel

The final judging panel comprised industry experts:

• Kirsten Green (Forerunner Ventures)
• Jim Lanzone (CEO of Tinder, future CEO of Yahoo)
• Luciana Lixandru (Sequoia)
• Sarah Tavel (Benchmark)
• Alexa von Tobel (Inspired Capital)
• Matthew Panzarino (TechCrunch)

TechCrunch is now pleased to reveal the winner of the 2021 Startup Battlefield.

Cellino: Pioneering Automated Stem Cell Production

Cellino is an innovative firm focused on revolutionizing the creation of stem cells through automation. Their approach integrates artificial intelligence, machine learning algorithms, specialized hardware, and sophisticated software.

Notably, laser technology plays a crucial role in their processes.

The core objective of Cellino is to broaden access to cell-based therapies by reducing manufacturing expenses and simultaneously enhancing production volumes.

This is achieved by streamlining the complex processes involved in human cell cultivation.

Further details regarding Cellino’s advancements can be found in our dedicated article.

Read our post about Cellino here.

Nth Cycle: A Promising Alternative in Battery Recycling

Nth Cycle has pioneered a novel electro-extraction technology. This system occupies a remarkably small space – less than 1,000 square feet – while maintaining a substantial processing capacity of 5 tons of material daily.

This represents a significant departure from conventional, large-scale recycling operations. Traditional methods often rely on hydro- and pyrometallurgical processes, which demand considerable capital investment and result in a larger environmental footprint.

Core Technology and Capabilities

The Nth Cycle system is designed to process “black mass,” a fine, powdery residue created during battery recycling. Through its innovative process, this waste material is transformed into commercially valuable minerals.

Specifically, the system recovers critical elements such as nickel, cobalt, and manganese. These recovered minerals can then be reintroduced into the supply chain.

Further details regarding Nth Cycle’s advancements can be found in our dedicated post here.