Historic Central Eurasia Startup Competition Launches to Showcase Region’s Rising Ecosystem
Central Eurasia is set to make history with the launch of the “Road to Battlefield” competition, offering startups from nine countries in the region a direct pathway to JS Startup Battlefield. Organized by Silkroad Innovation Hub in collaboration with JS and Freedom Holding, this groundbreaking competition aims to put Central Eurasia on the global innovation map like never before.
The competition will cover countries including Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. National competitions will lead to a regional final where the top three startups will secure spots in JS Startup Battlefield 2025 in San Francisco.
“We’ve showcased startups at JS Disrupt in the past and have seen their competitiveness,” said Asset Abdualiyev, CEO of Silkroad Innovation Hub. “We are thrilled to elevate our partnership with JS by providing direct access to JS Startup Battlefield to the most promising startups from Central Eurasia.”
Central Eurasia’s Rising Startup Ecosystem
Central Eurasia boasts a burgeoning startup ecosystem, with a young population of 100 million people and approximately 7,000 active startups across various sectors such as AI, fintech, edtech, medtech, and e-commerce. The region produces around 200,000 STEM graduates annually and has seen a significant increase in venture funding, reaching $150 million in the first half of 2024.
Notable success stories include AI company Higgsfield and Uzbekistan’s Uzum, the country’s first unicorn valued at $1.16 billion. Global players like Telegram and inDrive have also set up regional offices in Kazakhstan, signaling the region’s potential for growth.
Despite this progress, Central Eurasia remains largely untapped by global investors. The Road to Battlefield competition aims to change this narrative by providing visibility and access to Silicon Valley’s influential networks.
Strong Regional Partnership
The competition benefits from a strong partnership network across the region, with leading innovation hubs and accelerators like Astana Hub, IT Park Uzbekistan, and Future Laboratory supporting the initiative. Freedom Holding serves as the main partner, demonstrating significant private sector commitment to regional innovation.
“We believe in the potential of regional entrepreneurs and want to give them access to best practices, mentorship, and investments,” said Marlen Sikhayev, Adviser to the President of Freedom Finance Global PLC.
Competition Structure and Timeline
The competition will progress through national competitions, a regional final, battlefield preparation, and the final JS Startup Battlefield event in Silicon Valley. Winners will receive a comprehensive package including guaranteed spots in the competition, round-trip flights, accommodation, startup booth, investor access, and media exposure.
Exclusive Benefits for Winners
The three winning startups will receive exclusive benefits designed to enhance their Silicon Valley experience, including networking opportunities, media exposure, and access to top-tier investors.
Startup Criteria
The competition targets early-stage startups that have not exceeded the pre-series A funding stage, have a functional MVP, limited global media exposure, and are based in one of the nine Central Eurasian countries.
Building on Success
JS Disrupt is known for launching global tech giants, with alumni companies collectively raising over $32 billion. The competition offers startups unparalleled exposure to investors and media, with finalists competing for funding and the Disrupt Cup.
A Historic Moment for Central Eurasia
The launch of Road to Battlefield signifies a historic moment for Central Eurasia’s startup ecosystem, offering a direct pathway to one of the world’s most prestigious startup stages. Entrepreneurs in the region now have the opportunity to showcase their innovations to Silicon Valley investors and partners, potentially transforming Central Eurasia into a recognized hub of global innovation.
Applications for Road to Battlefield are now open, with a deadline of July 15, 2025.
