The Startup Battlefield at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 has announced its five finalists after two days of live demonstrations and pitches. These companies were chosen from a competitive pool of thousands, which TechCrunch’s editorial team narrowed down to 200 participants. The selected finalists will showcase their innovations one more time at 11:30 a.m. PT on Wednesday, vying for the grand prize of $100,000 in equity-free funding and temporary custody of the Startup Battlefield Cup.
Among the finalists, **Charter Space** stands out for its innovative approach to aerospace engineering. The company has developed a software tool designed to capture manufacturing and testing data directly from the source. This data feeds into an underwriting interface that connects with major insurance carriers, aiming to facilitate faster, more cost-effective risk evaluations for spacecraft insurance. Eventually, Charter Space plans to offer new avenues for credit and non-dilutive funding for businesses in the space sector.
**Glīd**, pronounced “Glide,” is another noteworthy finalist, focusing on the logistics of container transportation. The company has created a range of hardware and software products intended to streamline the movement of shipping containers from ships to freight trains. Its flagship product, GliderM, is a hybrid-electric vehicle equipped to transport 20-foot containers directly to railheads, eliminating the need for forklifts or hostler trucks.
**MacroCycle** is tackling the pressing issue of plastic waste with a revolutionary recycling method. The startup has developed a process that extracts desirable synthetic fibers from waste textiles, leaving contaminants behind. Unlike traditional chemical recycling methods, MacroCycle loops polymer chains back onto themselves, forming rings called macrocycles. This innovative approach promises to make recycled plastic as affordable as virgin material.
**Nephrogen** represents a significant advancement in biotechnology. The startup is leveraging artificial intelligence to create a specialized delivery system for gene-editing medicines targeted specifically at kidney cells. According to founder Demetri Maxim, Nephrogen’s delivery mechanism is 100 times more efficient than currently FDA-approved methods. Maxim, who lives with polycystic kidney disease, plans to personally participate in the clinical study of this groundbreaking technology.
Finally, **Unlisted Homes** is redefining the real estate market by providing data on homes that are not yet on the market. The company has utilized public records of 21 million properties to create profiles, offering the same data found on traditional real estate platforms. Instead of facilitating transactions, Unlisted Homes aims to monetize sponsorships to local real estate agents, enhancing their visibility in specific ZIP codes.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is taking place in San Francisco from October 27 to 29, 2025. The event showcases over 300 startups and features more than 250 industry leaders conducting sessions aimed at fostering startup growth and innovation. The final presentations from the Startup Battlefield finalists will be available for livestream viewing on the TechCrunch website, providing a platform for these emerging companies to shine on a global stage.
