Every year, TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield pitch competition attracts thousands of applicants. We narrow those applications down to the top 200 contenders, and of those, the top 20 compete on the big stage to become the winner, taking home the Startup Battlefield Cup and a $100,000 cash prize. But the remaining 180 startups also blew us away in their respective categories and are competing in their own pitch competition.
Here’s the full list of Space and Defense Technology Startup Battlefield 200 shortlists, along with a note on why they landed in the competition.
Airability
What are you doing: Airbility is creating two-seat electric manned vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
Why it is worth mentioning: Their aircraft uses a unique fixed-wing VTOL technology combined with a fan jet distributed electric propulsion system making them lightweight, maneuverable and versatile.
Astrum Drive Aerospace
What are you doing: Astrum has developed a propellant-free, electric-only space propulsion system.
Why it is noteworthy: The company says its patented technology eliminates the need to carry fuel on board, which can extend the life of ships and reduce costs and could enable deep space exploration.
Charter space
What are you doing: It offers a fintech-esq risk analysis platform for spacecraft that allows them to obtain insurance coverage.
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Why it is noteworthy: The company’s goal is to use insurability as a springboard to drive new forms of credit for the space industry.
endoxo
What are you doing: Endox provides artificial intelligence systems that help inspect and maintain systems and equipment for the US military.
Why it is noteworthy: Endox is combining its own proprietary data capture systems with robotic technology.
hance
What are you doing: Hance is building an AI neural network specifically to process and enhance audio in real time.
Why it is noteworthy: Hance Audio AI is designed to handle the unpredictable nature of live audio with its background noises, room reverb, and uncontrolled environments, like those encountered by the military.
Skylark Labs
What are you doing: Skylark has created a self-learning AI designed specifically for use by machines and in security applications.
Why it is noteworthy: Skylark is trying to solve technical problems with physically embedded AI, such as rapid information processing at the edge.
Skyline AI navigation
What are you doing: You have created navigation software that does not depend on GPS.
Why it is noteworthy: Skyline uses AI to quickly recognize a scene without expensive GPUs and is effective in combating GPS jamming technology.
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