A second-year initiative is widening the gateway for Central Eurasian startups to reach Silicon Valley's biggest stage. The Road to Battlefield competition, organized by Silkroad Innovation Hub with TechCrunch, Freedom Holding, Astana Hub, and IT Park Uzbekistan, resumes its mission of connecting regional founders to global investors. Main Developments Winners earn a direct slot in TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200 at Disrupt, scheduled for October 13–15 in San Francisco. The competition targets founders across Central Eurasia who have yet to gain international recognition. Silkroad Innovation Hub CEO Asset Abdualiyev emphasized the program's sustained purpose: providing a previously unavailable direct line to top venture capitalists and global ecosystems. He described the region as full of undiscovered talent, seeking "founders and ideas from every corner of the region who haven't had their moment." Read also: Google's Pixel 11, Watch 5, Tag Unveiled at Made by Google 2026 Background Launched last year, the competition was created to bridge a structural gap: Central Eurasian startups lacked a scaled pathway to premier global tech events. The partnership pools resources from regional tech hubs in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan alongside international backers. Why It Matters For founders in the region, the competition offers exposure that could reshape their companies' trajectories. Access to top-tier VCs and the Battlefield 200 platform historically provides significant visibility and funding opportunities. What's Next The competition process will unfold in the coming months, culminating in the Disrupt showcase this October. Interested founders across Central Eurasia now have a clear window to apply and compete for the Battlefield 200 slots.