The TechCrunch editorial team has handpicked the five finalists of the Startup Battlefield from a pool of 200 companies that applied earlier this year. These finalists have pitched their innovative ideas to investor judges and enthusiastic crowds at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024. Following in the footsteps of successful Startup Battlefield alumni like Dropbox and Discord, these finalists are gearing up to make their mark on the tech world.
Gecko Materials, founded by Capella Kerst, has developed a super-strong dry-adhesive inspired by geckos’ feet that can detach and reattach over 120,000 times without leaving any residue. This innovative adhesive has the potential to revolutionize various industries with its unique properties.
Luna, a health and well-being app for teen girls, aims to support and educate young girls as they navigate through their teenage years. Developed by Jas Schembri-Stothart and Jo Goodall, Luna allows teens to ask questions about their health, track their periods, moods, and skin, and receive expert responses, providing a safe space for them to seek guidance.
MabLab addresses the issue of drug adulteration by offering testing strips that can detect harmful additives quickly and easily. Co-founders Vienna Sparks and Skye Lam’s personal experience with losing a friend to overdose motivated them to create a solution that has since become widely used in venues and health centers.
Salva, conceptualized by Valentina Agudelo and her friends, aims to bridge the gap in breast cancer survival rates between Latin America and developed countries. Their portable device for early breast cancer detection could potentially save lives by providing access to diagnostic tools in rural areas where mammograms are scarce.
Stitch3D, founded in response to a naval ship fire in San Diego, utilizes lidar scans for damage assessment and fire investigation. The startup’s innovative approach to sending lidar scans efficiently could streamline future disaster response efforts and improve overall safety measures.
These five finalists will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas once again to a panel of esteemed judges at the upcoming TechCrunch Disrupt event. With their groundbreaking innovations and passion for making a difference, these startups are poised to make a significant impact on the tech industry.
