TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: Startup Battlefield Finalists

Startup Battlefield 2025: Announcing the Final Five

Following two days of dynamic demonstrations and presentations, the five finalists for this year’s Startup Battlefield have been determined.

The selection process began with thousands of applications. TechCrunch’s editorial staff initially curated this extensive list, ultimately choosing 200 companies to participate at Disrupt.

The Road to the Finals

From these 200, the Top 20 companies then competed directly on the Disrupt Stage. Expert judges provided valuable feedback throughout the competition.

Based on this assessment, we have identified our finalists. They will present one final time at 11:30 a.m. PT on Wednesday.

The Grand Prize

The ultimate winner will receive a $100,000 equity-free grant. They will also be awarded temporary possession of the coveted Startup Battlefield Cup.

The final competition will be broadcast live on the TechCrunch website. Attendees at the conference can view the event directly on the Disrupt Stage.

Meet the Finalists

Here are the TechCrunch Startup Battlefield finalists for 2025:

• [Finalist 1 Name - Placeholder]
• [Finalist 2 Name - Placeholder]
• [Finalist 3 Name - Placeholder]
• [Finalist 4 Name - Placeholder]
• [Finalist 5 Name - Placeholder]

We congratulate all the finalists on reaching this stage of the competition. Their innovative ideas and dedication are truly inspiring.

Charter Space: Pioneering Fintech for the Space Industry

Charter Space initially developed a specialized tool intended for aerospace engineers. However, the company’s core objective is to function as a financial technology firm focused on the space sector.

Data-Driven Underwriting

The software solution developed by Charter Space directly collects manufacturing and testing information from its origin. This comprehensive data set is then utilized to power an underwriting platform.

This platform establishes a direct connection with leading insurance providers within the space insurance market.

Improving Spacecraft Insurance

The primary aim is to streamline and enhance the process of risk assessment for spacecraft insurance. This translates to quicker evaluations, reduced costs, and increased reliability.

Expanding Financial Solutions

Beyond insurance, Charter Space intends to facilitate innovative financial products for space companies. These include new credit options and forms of funding that do not require equity dilution.

This will provide alternatives to traditional funding sources like venture capital and public stock offerings.

A New Era of Space Finance

Ultimately, Charter Space envisions a future where its technology empowers a more robust and accessible financial ecosystem for the burgeoning space industry. Fintech is becoming increasingly important as the sector matures.

Glīd: Revolutionizing Container Transport

Glīd, a company whose name is pronounced “Glide,” is focused on simplifying the intricate process of transferring shipping containers from ocean vessels to freight railcars. They have engineered a suite of both hardware and software solutions designed to accelerate this transfer and simultaneously lower associated costs.

The company’s initial offering is the GliderM. This is a hybrid-electric vehicle equipped with a rear-mounted hook mechanism.

GliderM Capabilities

The GliderM is specifically designed to lift and transport 20-foot containers directly to the railhead. This innovative approach eliminates the necessity for traditional equipment like forklifts and hostler trucks.

By removing these dependencies, Glīd aims to create a more efficient and cost-effective container handling system.

The system is intended to expedite the movement of containers and ultimately deliver them to their final destinations more quickly.

MacroCycle

MacroCycle has pioneered an innovative approach aiming to achieve cost parity between recycled plastic and virgin materials. The company has engineered a method for selectively extracting valuable synthetic fibers from discarded textiles, effectively isolating them from other waste components.

This process distinguishes itself from conventional chemical recycling techniques. MacroCycle’s technology doesn’t involve the decomposition of polymers into their constituent monomers.

A Novel Polymer Transformation

Instead, the process focuses on restructuring the polymer chains. These chains are reformed into circular structures known as macrocycles.

This unique transformation occurs prior to the removal of impurities. Contaminants are efficiently washed away, leaving behind the purified macrocycles.

The resulting macrocycles represent a significant advancement in textile recycling. They offer a pathway to creating high-quality recycled materials at a competitive price point.

By avoiding polymer breakdown, MacroCycle’s method potentially reduces energy consumption and environmental impact compared to traditional chemical recycling methods.

The startup’s innovation could significantly impact the textile industry. It provides a viable solution for addressing the growing problem of textile waste.

Key benefits of the MacroCycle process include:

• Cost-effective recycled plastic production.
• Selective extraction of synthetic fibers.
• Avoidance of polymer degradation.
• Efficient contaminant removal.

Ultimately, MacroCycle’s technology represents a promising step towards a more circular economy for textiles. It offers a sustainable alternative to relying solely on virgin materials.

Nephrogen: Pioneering Targeted Gene Editing for Kidney Disease

Nephrogen represents an innovative biotech company focused on the development of a highly specific delivery system for gene-editing therapeutics. Utilizing artificial intelligence and sophisticated screening processes, the company aims to ensure these medicines reach the precise cells within the kidney requiring treatment.

A Novel Delivery Mechanism

According to founder Demetri Maxim, Nephrogen has achieved a significant breakthrough after three years of dedicated research. They have engineered a delivery mechanism demonstrating 100 times greater efficiency in transporting therapeutic agents to the kidney compared to currently FDA-approved methods.

This enhanced delivery system promises to improve the efficacy and safety of gene-editing treatments for kidney-related conditions.

Founder's Personal Connection and Clinical Trials

Demetri Maxim has a deeply personal stake in Nephrogen’s success. He intends to personally participate in the upcoming clinical study.

This decision is motivated by his own experience with polycystic kidney disease, a condition presenting significant health challenges.

Implications for Kidney Disease Treatment

The development by Nephrogen could revolutionize the treatment landscape for various kidney diseases. A more targeted and efficient delivery system minimizes off-target effects and maximizes therapeutic impact.

Gene-editing medicines, when delivered effectively, hold the potential to address the root causes of kidney diseases, offering long-term solutions for patients.

The company’s advancements represent a substantial step forward in precision medicine for nephrology.

Unlisted Homes: A Preview of Off-Market Properties

Unlisted Homes functions similarly to established platforms like Zillow, but with a distinct focus: properties not yet publicly listed for sale. The service leverages publicly accessible records pertaining to 21 million homes nationwide.

These records are utilized to construct comprehensive “profiles” for each property. The information contained within these profiles mirrors that found on conventional real estate listing websites.

Business Model: Connecting Agents with Potential Clients

Unlike traditional real estate portals, Unlisted does not intend to directly manage or facilitate property transactions. Existing infrastructure already adequately supports these processes.

Instead, the company’s revenue strategy centers around offering sponsorships to real estate agents. These sponsorships are geographically targeted, focusing on individual ZIP codes.

Agents who secure these sponsorships will be designated as local experts for all properties within their sponsored ZIP code. This provides them with increased visibility to potential clients actively researching homes.

Key Features and Differentiation

• Off-Market Data: Access to information on properties not yet available on mainstream listing sites.
• Comprehensive Profiles: Detailed property information compiled from public records.
• Agent Sponsorships: A unique revenue model focused on connecting agents with targeted leads.
• Local Expertise Designation: Agents are positioned as the go-to resource for specific geographic areas.

Unlisted’s approach offers a novel way for buyers to discover potential opportunities and for agents to proactively engage with motivated sellers. The platform aims to bridge the gap between homeowners considering a sale and agents seeking new listings.