The excitement around TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 has reached its peak as the event’s much-anticipated Startup Battlefield narrowed its field to five standout finalists. Initially, 200 promising startups were selected from thousands of applicants, with 20 eventually making it to the main stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024. These startups presented their innovative ideas to a packed audience and a panel of esteemed investor judges. Now, only five finalists remain to compete for the coveted title on October 30.
Following in the footsteps of industry giants like Dropbox, Discord, Cloudflare, and Mint, the finalists bring fresh ideas to the table, hoping to join the ranks of past Startup Battlefield alumni who have collectively raised over $29 billion and achieved more than 200 successful exits. Here’s a look at the final five startups vying for victory at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024:
1. Gecko Materials
Imagine hanging a wine bottle from your pinky with just an adhesive keeping it intact. Gecko Materials founder Capella Kerst has done just that, introducing a dry adhesive inspired by the unique grip of gecko feet. This remarkable adhesive is versatile, residue-free, and highly durable, withstanding up to 120,000 applications. It can adhere for seconds or years, depending on the need, and marks a significant step forward in material science.
2. Luna
Luna is a health and wellness app designed to support teenage girls navigating adolescence. From health-related Q&As with experts to tracking periods, moods, and skin conditions, Luna aims to provide a safe, educational space. Founders Jas Schembri-Stothart and Jo Goodall came up with the concept during their Oxford MBA program, hoping to empower young women with the tools and knowledge they need for a healthier life.
3. MabLab
Addressing the urgent need for safer recreational drug use, MabLab has developed a testing strip that detects harmful additives in drugs within minutes. The idea was inspired by a personal tragedy that co-founders Vienna Sparks and Skye Lam experienced in college, losing a friend to an overdose. Their strips are now widely used at health centers and venues, highlighting the increasing demand for accessible drug safety tools.
4. Salva
Valentina Agudelo and her co-founders identified a life-saving opportunity in early breast cancer detection in Latin America, where late diagnoses are common due to limited access to mammograms in rural areas. Salva is working on a portable device that promises early detection for underserved communities, potentially improving breast cancer survival rates throughout the continent.
5. Stitch3D
Stitch3D leverages lidar technology to create detailed 3D scans in complex environments. When the USS Bonhomme Richard caught fire in 2020, Stitch3D’s lidar scans helped assess the extensive damage. The startup aims to streamline the process, especially in post-disaster scenarios where swift, accurate assessments are crucial for investigation and recovery.
These five startups will present again on the TechCrunch Disrupt Stage, with hopes of securing investment and recognition from judges Navin Chaddha, Chris Farmer, Dayna Grayson, Ann Miura-Ko, and Hans Tung. With such strong contenders, this year’s Startup Battlefield promises to be a memorable one.
