Top 7 Space & Defense Tech Startups from Disrupt Startup Battlefield

Every year, TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield competition attracts thousands of applicants. We reduce those applications down to Top 200 competitorsAmong them, the top 20 compete on the big stage to become the winners, taking home the Startup Battlefield Cup and a $100,000 cash prize. But the remaining 180 startups all also impressed us in their own categories and competed in their own competition.

Here’s the full list of space and defense technology Startup Battlefield 200 picks, along with a note on why they made it into the competition.

Air capacity

What does: Airbility is creating a two-seat electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

Why is it noteworthy?: Its aircraft use a unique fixed-wing VTOL technology combined with an electric turbofan propulsion system, making them lightweight, maneuverable and versatile.

StarDrive Aerospace

What does: Astrum has developed a space propulsion system that runs solely on electricity.

Why it’s noteworthy: The company says its patented technology eliminates the need to carry fuel on board, which could extend the life of vehicles, reduce costs and could enable deep space exploration.

Charter space

What does: offers fintech-esq Risk analysis platform for spacecraft Which enables them to obtain insurance coverage.

Why it’s noteworthy: The company’s goal is to use insurance as a springboard to power new forms of credit for the space industry.

INDOX

What does: Endox provides artificial intelligence systems that help inspect and maintain systems and equipment for the US Army.

Why it’s noteworthy: Endox combines its data capture systems with robotics technology.

Hans

What does: Hance is building an AI neural network specifically for real-time audio processing and optimization.

Why it’s noteworthy: Hance’s audio AI is designed to handle the unpredictable nature of live audio with background noise, room frequency and uncontrolled environments, such as those faced by the military.

Skylark Laboratories

What does: Skylark has created a self-learning AI specifically designed for use by machines and in safety applications.

Why it’s noteworthy: Skylark is trying to solve technical problems using physically embodied AI, such as fast information processing at the edge.

Skyline Nav AI

What does: He was created Navigation software does not rely on GPS.

Why it’s noteworthy: Skyline uses AI to quickly recognize the scene without expensive GPUs and is effective in combating GPS jamming technology.