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Every year, TechCrunch\u2019s Startup Battlefield pitch contest draws thousands of applicants. We whittle those applications down to the top 200 contenders<\/a>, and of them, the top 20 compete on the big stage to become the winner, taking home the Startup Battlefield Cup and a cash prize of $100,000. But the remaining 180 startups all blew us away as well in their respective categories and compete in their own pitch competition.<\/p>\n Here is the full list of the space and defense tech Startup Battlefield 200 selectees, along with a note on why they landed in the competition.\u00a0<\/p>\n What it does:<\/strong> Airbility is creating two-seat manned electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.\u00a0<\/p>\n Why it\u2019s noteworthy<\/strong>: Its aircraft uses a unique fixed-wing-based VTOL technology combined with a distributed electric fan-jet propulsion system that makes them light, maneuverable, and versatile.\u00a0<\/p>\n What it does:<\/strong> Astrum has developed a propellantless, electricity-only space propulsion system.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Why it\u2019s noteworthy:<\/strong> The company says its patented tech eliminates the need to carry fuel onboard, which can extend the lifespans of crafts and lower costs and could enable deep space exploration.\u00a0<\/p>\n What it does:<\/strong> Offers a fintech-esq risk analysis platform for spacecraft<\/a> that enables them to obtain insurance coverage.\u00a0<\/p>\n Techcrunch event<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSan Francisco<\/span> Why it\u2019s noteworthy:<\/strong> The company\u2019s goal is to use insurability as a springboard to power new forms of credit for the space industry.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n What it does:<\/strong> Endox offers AI systems that help inspect and maintain systems and equipment for the U.S. military.\u00a0<\/p>\n Why it\u2019s noteworthy:<\/strong> Endox is combining its own proprietary data capture systems with robotics tech.\u00a0<\/p>\n What it does:<\/strong> Hance is building an AI neural network specifically to process and enhance real-time audio.\u00a0<\/p>\n Why it\u2019s noteworthy:<\/strong> Hance\u2019s audio AI is designed to handle the unpredictable nature of live audio with its background noises, room reverb, and uncontrolled environments, such as those encountered by the military.\u00a0<\/p>\n What it does: <\/strong>Skylark has created a self-learning AI specifically designed to be used by machines and in safety applications.\u00a0<\/p>\n Why it\u2019s noteworthy: <\/strong>Skylark is attempting to solve the technical issues with physically embodied AI, such as speedily processing information at the edge.\u00a0<\/p>\n What it does:<\/strong> Has created navigation software not dependent on GPS<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\nAirbility<\/a>\u00a0<\/h5>\n
Astrum Drive Aerospace<\/a>\u00a0<\/h5>\n
Charter Space<\/a>\u00a0<\/h5>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOctober 13-15, 2026<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\nEndox<\/a>\u00a0<\/h5>\n
Hance<\/a><\/h5>\n
Skylark Labs<\/a><\/h5>\n
Skyline Nav AI<\/a><\/h5>\n