Over the course of three dynamic and highly charged days this week, twenty emerging startups converged to participate in the renowned Startup Battlefield at TechCrunch Disrupt. These companies were not chosen at random; rather, each startup had been carefully selected from the distinguished group known as Startup Battlefield 200, an elite collection representing some of the most promising and disruptive young ventures in technology and innovation. Their shared ambition was clear—to compete for the coveted Startup Battlefield Cup and the substantial $100,000 prize that accompanies it. After days of rigorous pitching sessions filled with energy, persuasion, and innovation, one startup ultimately rose above the rest to claim victory.
Every participant in this year’s competition earned their place through a meticulous selection process, ensuring that only the most visionary teams and compelling ideas made it to the stage. Once there, each contender presented a live demonstration of their product or technology before an audience composed of seasoned venture capitalists, influential industry leaders, and expert judges. This panel scrutinized not only the functionality and creativity of each demo but also the scalability, market potential, and ingenuity behind every pitch. After countless hours of intensive debate and deliberation, TechCrunch’s editorial team reviewed the judges’ notes and refined the extensive list down to a final group of five exceptional contenders—Charter Space, Glīd, MacroCycle, Nephrogen, and Unlisted Homes.
These five finalists earned their spot in the climactic round, advancing to the grand finale where the stakes—and expectations—were higher than ever. In this final showcase, the startups once again took the stage to deliver their most refined presentations and live demos before a distinguished panel of renowned judges. This panel included Aileen Lee, the visionary founder and managing partner of Cowboy Ventures, and Kevin Rose, the celebrated founder of Digg, whose combined expertise lent weight and insight to the final evaluations. After witnessing these culminating presentations, TechCrunch officially announced the long-awaited result: the winner of TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 2024 is Glīd.
Glīd—pronounced “Glide”—emerged as the champion by tackling one of the most complex logistical challenges in the global supply chain. The company’s mission is to optimize and simplify the intricate, multistep procedure of transporting shipping containers from maritime vessels to freight trains. To achieve this, Glīd has engineered an array of both hardware and software products specifically designed to accelerate and reduce the cost of container transport, particularly at transfer points such as railheads. At the center of its offering is its inaugural product, GliderM—a hybrid-electric vehicle distinguished by a powerful hook mechanism that enables it to lift and transport 20-foot containers directly from dock to rail without relying on conventional tools like forklifts or hostler trucks. This innovation represents a significant leap forward in logistics efficiency, contributing to faster operations, reduced energy consumption, and a smaller environmental footprint. Those eager to explore Glīd’s groundbreaking work can find further insight in TechCrunch’s in-depth feature dedicated entirely to the company.
The competition’s atmosphere was electric, set amid the bustling energy of San Francisco during the TechCrunch event held from October 27–29, 2025. Alongside the grand prize winner, the runner-up title was awarded to Nephrogen, a biotechnology startup that impressed judges and audiences alike with its medical innovation. Nephrogen integrates artificial intelligence and advanced screening methodologies to design a sophisticated drug delivery system capable of targeting gene-editing therapies to the precise cells within the kidney. According to its founder, Demetri Maxim, the company’s three years of dedicated research have culminated in a revolutionary delivery mechanism that achieves a level of efficiency 100 times greater than those drug delivery “vehicles” currently sanctioned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Demonstrating extraordinary personal commitment to his mission, Maxim has announced his intention to personally participate in the upcoming clinical trials, motivated in part by his own experience living with polycystic kidney disease. More details on Nephrogen’s innovative advancements are available in TechCrunch’s separate coverage devoted to the company’s journey.
Both Glīd and Nephrogen now join the impressive lineage of startups that have made their mark on the TechCrunch Disrupt stage through Startup Battlefield, following in the footsteps of industry-defining alumni such as Dropbox, Discord, Cloudflare, and Mint. These predecessors exemplify how far-reaching the influence of this competition can be. With over 1,500 alumni hailing from previous cohorts, the Startup Battlefield community together has secured more than $29 billion in funding and achieved more than 200 successful exits, affirming its position as a vital launchpad for innovation, entrepreneurship, and transformative technology across the globe.
Sourse: https://techcrunch.com/2025/10/29/and-the-winner-of-startup-battlefield-at-disrupt-2025-is-glid/
