Central Eurasia's AI Startup Titans: Cerberus, WeGlobal AI, and LOOQ Shine at Road to Battlefield 2026

Central Eurasia's AI Innovation Takes Center Stage

When I first heard about the Road to TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 2026 regional final, I was struck by not just the scale of participation, but by the quality and focus of the applications. The competition drew a record 726 startups from 39 countries, with a staggering 84% building AI products. That's more than a simple trend—it's a signal of where technology is heading, and it's clear that Central Eurasia is positioning itself to be at the forefront.

Winners of the Regional Final

After intense competition and live judging by 47 jurors from eight countries—including an AI judge for the second year running—Cerberus, WeGlobal AI, and LOOQ took the top three spots. Each company brings something unique to the table, but all are powered by artificial intelligence and demonstrate a real understanding of both local and global markets.

Cerberus: Cybersecurity Meets AI

First-place winner Cerberus is tackling one of the most critical problems in today's digital landscape—cybersecurity. Unlike many current AI security tools that rely on general-purpose language models prone to hallucinations, Cerberus focuses on identifying real vulnerabilities in corporate systems. It's a bold approach, and one that has already garnered attention, with the company being accepted into the Alchemist Silkroad — Silicon Valley Residency program.

"We were simply glad to be part of Road to Battlefield. Competing against 726 applications from 39 countries is valuable in itself, whatever the outcome," said Aziz Akhmedkhodjaev, CEO and founder of Cerberus. "What made our pitch unique is that we're solving a problem the market is already feeling."

The significance of Cerberus's win extends beyond the competition itself—it represents Uzbekistan's first victory in this global platform. For a country looking to build a stronger international tech presence, this achievement is more than just a trophy; it's validation of an emerging talent pool.

WeGlobal AI: Bridging Mental Health and Technology

WeGlobal AI took the second spot with its solution aimed at addressing a real gap in education—student mental health and career guidance. The platform leverages AI to provide support at scale, something that schools in Kazakhstan simply couldn't do before. This is not just a business idea; it's a social innovation.

"Going through the National and Regional rounds gave us the opportunity to challenge our thinking, sharpen our story, and meet some amazing founders along the way," said Bolat Ashim, co-founder and CEO of WeGlobal AI. "Finishing second and earning the opportunity to join TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200 in San Francisco is a huge milestone for us."

WeGlobal AI's journey reflects Kazakhstan's growing emphasis on AI as part of its national digital strategy. As Deputy Prime Minister Zhaslan Madiyev noted, "AI is creating an opportunity for countries like Kazakhstan to compete globally in ways that were not possible a decade ago." This win reinforces that vision.

LOOQ: Bringing Real-World Data to Advertising

Third-place winner LOOQ brings an innovative approach to the advertising industry. Their attention API uses camera-based hardware to measure real-world billboard engagement, offering advertisers a clearer picture of how many people actually see their ads.

"If we can measure every click online, why can't we measure what happens in the physical world? Since then, we've taken that idea from a prototype to real-world deployments, customers, and now third place at Road to Battlefield," said Ayan Sakenov, founder and CEO of LOOQ.

LOOQ's presence at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is especially exciting as it represents the convergence of physical and digital experiences—something that's becoming increasingly important in a world where online and offline interactions are more intertwined than ever.

A Global Platform for Regional Talent

The Road to TechCrunch Startup Battlefield isn't just about individual winners—it's about creating pathways for regional talent to compete on the global stage. With investments totaling $100,000 from Astana Hub Ventures, IT Park Ventures, and Silkroad Innovation Hub, these three companies now have both financial backing and international exposure.

OpenAI also played a role, awarding $280,000 in API credits across the 22 finalists. This support is crucial for early-stage startups trying to scale their AI products, especially those that are still developing or need computational resources to validate their ideas.

The Future of Central Eurasian Tech

As these three companies prepare for the Startup Battlefield 200 in San Francisco, they carry with them a powerful message: talent and innovation from Central Eurasia are not just matching up against global competitors—they're leading them. The success stories of Cerberus, WeGlobal AI, and LOOQ show how regional ecosystems can nurture homegrown tech that's both locally relevant and globally scalable.

What's particularly encouraging is the growing sophistication of these startups. From cybersecurity to education to advertising, they're addressing complex real-world problems with clean, innovative solutions. This isn't just about building apps or products—it's about transforming industries through technology.

Looking Ahead

As we approach TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco, I'm excited to see how these startups perform on the world stage. Their stories are more than just tech tales—they're reflections of broader shifts in how we think about innovation, collaboration, and global competition.

For the region, this moment is a turning point. It proves that with the right support, infrastructure, and mindset, Central Eurasian startups can—and will—make their mark on the world stage.