News Summary

Central Eurasia is set to elevate its presence on the global innovation map with the launch of ‘Road to Battlefield,’ a regional competition providing direct access to TechCrunch Startup Battlefield. Organized by the Silkroad Innovation Hub in partnership with TechCrunch and Freedom Holding, the competition will span nine countries, including Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The top three startups from national competitions will earn spots in TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 2025 in San Francisco. This initiative highlights the burgeoning startup ecosystem in Central Eurasia, which sees approximately 200,000 STEM graduates annually and is home to around 7,000 active startups. Significant growth in venture funding, notable successes like AI company Higgsfield and Uzbekistan’s unicorn Uzum, and regional offices of global players underscore the region’s potential. The competition aims to provide unprecedented visibility and access to Silicon Valley’s influential networks, fostering recognition for Central Eurasian startups on the global stage.