Each year, TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield pitch contest attracts a multitude of applicants. We narrow these submissions down to the top 200 candidates, with the finest 20 vying for the championship on the main stage, claiming the Startup Battlefield Cup along with a cash prize of $100,000. However, the remaining 180 startups also impressed us with their innovations in their categories and engage in their own pitch competition.
Below is the complete list of the government and legal Startup Battlefield 200 selectees, including a brief explanation of their participation in the competition.
Aparti
What it does: Employs AI to streamline legal intake forms and other documentation for family law practices.
Why it’s noteworthy: Currently focused on divorce cases, tackling an area often overlooked by the latest AI legal technologies.
Ascender
What it does: Ascender has developed a robot capable of ascending utility poles and flagpoles to assist with humanitarian efforts and disaster management.
Why it’s noteworthy: A part of the emerging robotic technology intended to enhance response to disaster situations.
Bot Mediation
What it does: Bot Mediation utilizes AI to facilitate the resolution of legal conflicts.
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Why it’s noteworthy: An intriguing application in legal AI aimed at enhancing efficiency in mediation and dispute resolution.
Depth AI
What it does: Depth AI specializes in AI for spatial computing, developing modeling techniques like holographic imaging, which can be utilized in healthcare to generate 3D images of the body for disease diagnosis.
Why it’s noteworthy: It aims to innovate within the healthcare sector, which is always beneficial.
ILias AI
What it does: ILias is developing “scent tech” — leveraging AI to generate olfactory technologies that can assist, for instance, dogs in identifying the scent of drugs.
Why it’s noteworthy: It employs olfactory capabilities to craft a product, a rarity particularly concerning technological advancements.
JustiGuide
What it does: JustiGuide links immigrants with legal advisors and resources to streamline the immigration process.
Why it’s noteworthy: Championed the policy and protection pitch segment at Disrupt this year, addressing the often tedious and complicated process of immigration in a timely manner.
Orchestra
What it does: Orchestra developed a camera network to monitor public safety and identify criminal activities.
Why it’s noteworthy: A contemporary interpretation of the traditional security network systems that have existed for years.
Ponderosa AI
What it does: Ponderosa employs drones to assist in the detection and management of small fires.
Why it’s noteworthy: Fires can rapidly escalate and lead to serious damage, thus any technology aiding in risk mitigation is highly relevant.
Pytho AI
What it does: Pytho aims to enhance the planning stages for soldiers on the battlefield.
Why it’s noteworthy: Innovations on the battlefield always present a compelling area of interest.
Shothawk AI
What it does: Developed a device designed to track, identify, and neutralize active shooters using pepper gel. Founded in 2023 by Brandon Johnson, Ohm Vyas, and Ved Vyas.
Why it’s noteworthy: Invention addressing the increasing gun violence occurring in public areas, such as schools and grocery stores, with the intention of creating a solution.
Torch Systems
What it does: Torch supervises high-value assets, evaluating air quality, fire hazards, and security to aid in early wildfire prevention.
Why it’s noteworthy: As climate change results in increasingly severe wildfires, any advancements aimed at diminishing the impact of such devastating events are always welcome.