Cerberus leads Central Eurasia cohort for TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 2026
Three startups from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Japan secure spots at TechCrunch Disrupt following a record-breaking regional competition.
Cerberus, WeGlobal AI, and LOOQ have been named the top three winners of the Road to TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 2026 regional final. The trio will represent Central Eurasia in the Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco from October 13-15, 2026.
Uzbekistan-based Cerberus claimed first place, followed by Kazakhstan's WeGlobal AI in second and Japan's LOOQ in third. The victory includes a share of a $100,000 investment pool, with Cerberus receiving $50,000, WeGlobal AI taking $30,000, and LOOQ receiving $20,000. Additionally, OpenAI provided $280,000 in total API credits for the competition; $100,000 of that sum was split among the top three winners, while the remaining 19 finalists each received $10,000.
A Surge in Regional Innovation
The competition, managed by Silkroad Innovation Hub in partnership with TechCrunch, Freedom Holding, Astana Hub, and IT Park Uzbekistan, saw a record 726 applications from 39 countries. This represents a nearly 50% increase over the 485 applications received in 2025. The pool of applicants was notably young, with the youngest founder among the 726 entries being just 14 years old.
The program is designed to create a direct pathway for underrepresented founders from South Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, the Caucasus, and Central Asia to gain global visibility. According to Isabelle Johannessen, head of the Startup Battlefield program at TechCrunch, the initiative proves that the regional ecosystem is thriving and that founders can build locally while scaling globally.
The AI Dominance
The 2026 cycle highlighted a massive shift toward artificial intelligence, with 84% of the 726 applicants building AI-driven products. This trend is reflected in the winners' focus on high-tech solutions in cybersecurity and mental health AI. Aziz Akhmedkhodjaev, founder and CEO of Cerberus, noted that as AI is increasingly used to write code, vulnerabilities are appearing faster than teams can detect them, creating a critical need for AI agents that can safely test real infrastructure.
This dominance of AI startups signals a rapidly maturing tech ecosystem in Central Eurasia. By bridging the gap between regional hubs and Silicon Valley, the program validates the region's ability to produce competitive, high-tech solutions that can compete on a world stage.
Next Steps in San Francisco
With the regional finals concluded, the three winners now prepare for the Startup Battlefield 200. The focus shifts to the global stage in San Francisco, where they will pitch alongside the world's most promising early-stage companies. Observers will be watching to see how these regional winners translate their local success into international venture interest during the October event.