Uzbek startup Cerberus wins the regional final of TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 2026
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Uzbek startup Cerberus has secured first place in the regional final of Road to TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 2026, marking a significant international achievement for Uzbekistan's startup ecosystem.
This victory grants Cerberus the opportunity to represent Central Eurasia at the TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200 finals, scheduled to take place in San Francisco from October 13–15, 2026.
The program received 726 applications from 39 countries this year. Following national selection rounds, 22 promising startups advanced to the regional final. Uzbekistan was represented by six projects: Cerberus, MoliyAI, Sino AI, Deepen, Fermopolis, and Oqim App.
The regional final was held on August 12. WeGlobal AI from Kazakhstan and LOOQ from Japan also placed in the top three, and will join Cerberus on the global stage of the competition.
Cerberus is a cybersecurity solution that utilizes artificial intelligence to automatically detect vulnerabilities in corporate IT systems. The project focuses on developing technologies for automating security testing with AI and managing AI actions within predefined limits.
In 2026, the startup also successfully raised investment from the international venture capital fund 500 Global.
The winning teams will share a total investment prize fund of $100,000, distributed as follows: $50,000 for first place, $30,000 for second place, and $20,000 for third place. This funding will be provided by Astana Hub Ventures, IT Park Ventures, and Silkroad Innovation Hub.
Additionally, OpenAI will provide API credits totaling the same amount and distributed proportionally. The top three teams will also have the chance to present on the TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200 stage, exhibit their projects at the TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 exhibition area for all three days of the event, and receive a fully funded trip for two team members, covering airfare and accommodation for up to one week.
At the global stage, the Cerberus team will showcase its technology to international investors, venture capital funds, and the global tech community. Startup Battlefield connects promising early-stage startups worldwide, enabling them to attract international investor attention and gain visibility in the global market.