Top 16 Logistics, Manufacturing, and Materials Startups from Disrupt Startup Battlefield

Every year, TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield pitch competition attracts thousands of applicants. We reduce these applications to the top 200 contendersand among them, 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 participating in their own pitch competition.

Here’s the full list of startups selected for Battlefield 200 logistics, manufacturing, and materials, along with a note explaining why they landed in the competition.

Logistics

GigU

What it does: This app helps rideshare and delivery drivers analyze which trips will make them the most money.

Why it’s notable: This addresses the sore point of many drivers that trips are often not worth the money, despite all the hassle. The company hopes this app will help these drivers increase their earnings and personalize their rideshare experience.

smooth

What it does: It’s smooth build autonomous and self-driving vehicles that manage moving goods around rail yards.

Why it’s notable: Glid won the TechCrunch Startup Battleground 2025 for its system that elegantly solves a problem that the autonomous vehicle industry has largely neglected.

Kinisi 

What it does: A robotics company with sensory technology that processes at a rapid speed.

Why it’s notable: Its simple robot design, using the latest LLM technology, allows it to adapt to warehouse problems intelligently and safely.

Manufacturing, materials and industry

CloEE

What it does: CloEE offers a platform for manufacturing sites that uses AI to analyze millions of data points on machine performance.

Why it’s notable: CloEE’s use of AI helps refine manufacturing processes for greater efficiency, not only for production but also for machine maintenance.

CosmicBrain AI

What it does: CosmicBrain offers a no-code/low-code platform for training robots.

Why it’s notable: Before robots can truly become everyday objects, we need methods to train them for tasks that don’t require extensive specialist knowledge.

Delft Tours

What it does: Delft Circuits has created new network cable technology suitable for quantum computing.

Why it’s notable: Delft Circuits recognizes that quantum is such a radically different method of computing that even its wiring systems require specialized materials and specially designed microwave and thermal performance.

Evolinq

What it does: Evolinq offers AI agents that manage companies’ procurement processes.

Why it’s notable: Evolinq promises to mimic buyer workflows and automate areas such as supplier communication, but does not require complex integration for deployment.

ExoMaterial

What it does: ExoMatter is an AI platform that helps materials science R&D teams evaluate materials.

Why it’s notable: Rather than costly trial and error when researching new materials, ExoMatter is a platform that uses AI to help scientists examine inorganic crystalline materials based on metrics such as performance, durability, and cost.

Act on AI

What it does: Kamet offers an AI analytics system for manufacturing and warehouses.

Why it’s remarkable: The company’s tool uses predictive AI to detect process and equipment inefficiencies for complex industrial use cases that reduce costs or improve yield.

A dog

What it does: Koidra offers an AI-powered automation control platform for indoor agriculture.

Why it’s notable: Koidra says its platform offers physics-aware AI technology ideal for highly automated industrial facilities such as indoor farms.

Body

What it does: Mbodi offers a platform which can easily teach new skills to any industrial robot.

Why it’s notable: Mbodi built a cloud-to-edge system that integrates with existing robotic technology stacks and can help a robot learn tasks faster.

MycoFutures

What it does: MycoFutures makes a material similar to leather but made from mushroom roots.

Why it’s notable: Unlike synthetic leather, this mycelium leather is biodegradable, contains no harmful chemicals, and is designed to match traditional leather in beauty and versatility.

OKOSix

What it does: OKOsix has created a biodegradable material intended to replace plastics.

Why it’s notable: Unlike other biodegradable plastic alternatives, the company’s material is designed to be durable.

Fraying

What it does: Ravel invented a process for untangling mixed textile materials into mono-materials.

Why it’s notable: Ravel is tackling one of the biggest pollution challenges by making mixed textiles recyclable, their plastics ready to be converted back into yarn or other garments.

Strong in shape

What it does: Strong by Form has developed engineered wood strong enough to replace concrete and steel in structural floors.

Why it’s notable: The company has created a material that allows architects and engineers to replace concretewith a high carbon impact, with a lighter and more ecological model.

Chronos

What it does: Xronos offers a platform that accelerates the development and deployment of robotic or automation solutions.

Why it’s notable: Xronos is open source and relies on deterministic development, promising that planned and simulated robotic action will have repeatable and reliable behavior every time.