Over the last three days, 20 startups participated in the incredibly competitive Startup Battlefield at TechCrunch Disrupt. These 20 companies were selected as the best of the Startup Battlefield 200 and competed for a chance to take home the Startup Battlefield Cup and $100,000. After three days of intense pitching, we have a winner.
The startups taking part in the Startup Battlefield had all been hand-picked to participate in our startup competition. All the companies presented a live demo in front of multiple groups of VCs and tech leaders serving as judges for a chance to win $100,000 and the coveted Disrupt Cup.
After hours of deliberations, TechCrunch editors pored over the judges’ notes and narrowed the list down to five finalists: Gecko Materials, Luna, MabLab, Salva Health, and Stitch3D.
These startups made their way to the finale to demo in front of our final panel of judges, which included Navin Chaddha (Mayfield), Chris Farmer (SignalFire), Dayna Grayson (Construct Capital), Ann Miura-Ko (Floodgate), and Hans Tung (Notable Capital).
Winner: Salva Health
Six years ago, while researching for a college entrepreneurship competition, Valentina Agudelo identified a troubling gap in breast cancer survival rates between Latin America and the developed world, with women in her native Colombia and the rest of the continent dying at higher rates due to late detection. She realized that breast cancer is highly treatable when diagnosed early, yet many Latin American countries have large rural populations lacking access to mammograms and other diagnostic tools. So Agudelo and her two best friends decided to create Salva Health, a theoretical portable device that would detect breast cancer early.
Runner-up: Gecko Materials
It looks fake, or at least like a good illusion: There’s Gecko Materials founder Capella Kerst dangling a full wine bottle from her pinky finger, the only thing keeping it from smashing to pieces being the super-strong dry-adhesive her startup has brought to market. But it’s no trick. It’s the result of years of academic research that Kerst built on by inventing a method to mass-manufacture the adhesive. Inspired by the way real-life geckos’ feet grip surfaces, the adhesive is like a new Velcro — except it only needs one side, leaves no residue, and can detach as quickly as it attaches. It can do this at least 120,000 times and, as Kerst noted in a recent interview with TechCrunch, can stay attached for seconds, minutes, or even years.
These two companies follow in the footsteps of Startup Battlefield legends like Dropbox, Discord, Cloudflare and Mint on the Disrupt stage. With over 1,500 alumni having participated in the program, Startup Battlefield Alumni have collectively raised over $29 billion in funding with more than 200 successful exits.
Interview between Time.news Editor, Sarah Thompson, and Breast Cancer Expert, Dr. Luis Hernández
Sarah Thompson (Editor): Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Hernández. We’ve just witnessed an incredible competition at TechCrunch Disrupt, where startups competed for the much-coveted Startup Battlefield Cup and $100,000. Among the finalists, a standout was Salva Health. What are your thoughts on their mission?
Dr. Luis Hernández (Expert): Thank you for having me, Sarah. I believe Salva Health’s mission is critical, especially considering the alarming statistics surrounding breast cancer in Latin America. The gap in survival rates compared to developed countries is heartbreaking and highlights the urgent need for accessible healthcare solutions.
Sarah: Absolutely. Valentina Agudelo, the founder of Salva Health, identified this issue while researching for a college entrepreneurship competition. It’s impressive how she transformed her insights into a solution that could save lives. Can you shed some light on why early detection is so crucial in breast cancer treatment?
Dr. Hernández: Certainly. Early detection of breast cancer dramatically increases survival rates. When diagnosed at an early stage, treatment options become more effective, and the chances of recovery improve significantly. Unfortunately, in many rural areas, access to diagnostic tools like mammograms is extremely limited. Salva Health’s approach aims to bridge this gap.
Sarah: It’s definitely a game-changer for communities that have been underserved. What innovative strategies do you think Salva Health might implement to enhance access to early detection in these rural areas?
Dr. Hernández: I envision that Salva Health could utilize mobile health technologies. For instance, mobile units equipped with telehealth capabilities could travel to remote areas to provide screenings and consultations. They might also consider partnerships with local healthcare providers to establish awareness campaigns and educational initiatives focusing on the importance of regular screening.
Sarah: That would be a powerful approach! It’s encouraging to see startups like Salva Health dedicated to tackling pressing health disparities. What kind of impact do you think winning the Startup Battlefield Cup will have on their journey?
Dr. Hernández: Winning the Cup not only provides them with financial support but also grants them visibility in the tech and healthcare communities. This recognition could open doors for partnerships, funding opportunities, and broader outreach efforts, all of which are essential for scaling their impact across Latin America.
Sarah: That recognition can truly accelerate their mission. As someone who has worked in cancer research, how do you see the role of technology evolving in improving healthcare access in developing regions?
Dr. Hernández: Technology has the potential to revolutionize healthcare access. With advancements in telemedicine, AI diagnostics, and mobile health applications, we can bring essential services to people who need them the most. The challenge remains in ensuring that the technology is tailored to the local context and available resources.
Sarah: Well said. It’s a complex but necessary evolution. To wrap up, what message would you like to share with other entrepreneurs looking to make a difference in healthcare through technology?
Dr. Hernández: I would encourage them to focus on understanding the specific needs of the populations they aim to serve. Listening to the community and co-designing solutions with them is vital for creating effective healthcare innovations. Change is possible, but it requires collaboration and a deep commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by underserved communities.
Sarah: Thank you, Dr. Hernández, for your insights. It’s clear that Salva Health and similar startups have a tremendous opportunity to create change in the healthcare landscape. We look forward to following their journey!
Dr. Hernández: Thank you, Sarah. I’m excited to see how these innovations unfold in the coming years!