Each year, the Startup Battlefield contest by TechCrunch invites a multitude of applicants, ultimately selecting the top 200 startups. Among these, 20 finalists will vie for the prestigious Startup Battlefield Cup and a cash prize of $100,000. The remaining 180 startups will also showcase their innovations in various categories during their own pitch competitions.
Highlighted in the clean tech and energy sectors are notable contenders. AraBat has introduced an innovative recycling method that extracts essential metals such as nickel and cobalt from used lithium-ion batteries, utilizing a bio-based process that incorporates plant waste instead of harmful chemicals. CarbonBridge focuses on transforming waste gases like methane and CO₂ into valuable substances using advanced bioreactor technology, claiming superior efficiency compared to traditional methods.
Other noteworthy participants include Aruna Revolution, which has created a compostable menstrual pad from agricultural by-products, and Carbon Negative, which employs AI to convert industrial waste into carbon-negative cement. Additionally, COI Energy facilitates a marketplace for enterprises to trade excess energy capacity, optimizing grid efficiency, while Coral offers an AI-driven platform for carbon accounting.