TL;DR
TechCrunch published a list of 33 health and wellness startups included among its Startup Battlefield 200 selectees. The cohort spans AI-enabled diagnostics, noninvasive monitoring, wearables, prosthetics, and caregiver-tech, with brief notes explaining why each was chosen.
What happened
TechCrunch’s annual Startup Battlefield process filtered thousands of applicants down to 200 contenders; the top 20 from that pool will face off on the main Disrupt stage for the Battlefield Cup and a $100,000 prize. Separately, TechCrunch highlighted 33 health and wellness companies among the Battlefield 200 and provided short notes on the qualities that earned them selection. The group includes firms working on autonomous UV disinfection robots, 3D-printed prosthetics, electronic artificial skin, ear-worn EEG for stress, tiny brain implants, noninvasive diagnostics (including breath and saliva tests), AI tools to harmonize medical records, microbiome-driven nutrition recommendations, and bioacoustics vital-sign capture from voice. The article summarizes each startup’s product or approach and a concise rationale for why the editors found it noteworthy within the health and wellness category.
Why it matters
- The list highlights the diversity of early-stage innovation tackling clinical workflows, diagnostics, rehabilitation, and consumer wellness.
- Several entries focus on noninvasive or lower-cost alternatives to existing medical technologies, which could expand access if validated.
- AI and data harmonization appear repeatedly, underscoring an industry push to make fragmented health data more actionable for care and research.
- Startups addressing workforce shortages (caregivers, speech therapists) suggest a trend toward tech-enabled scaling of health services.
Key facts
- TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield selects a top 200 from thousands of applicants; the top 20 compete publicly for the Battlefield Cup and a $100,000 prize.
- The published list profiles 33 health and wellness startups that made the Battlefield 200 and summarizes why each was chosen.
- Notable product areas among the cohort include noninvasive monitoring (e.g., Near Wave, Monere), AI-enhanced imaging and data tools (e.g., RADiCAIT, Eos.ai), and novel diagnostics (e.g., SpotitEarly breath test, MariTest bloodless malaria diagnostic).
- Several companies target accessibility and affordability: Arm Bionics focuses on lower-cost 3D-printed arms, and Che Innovations Uganda develops affordable neonatal transport warmers for rural settings.
- Some startups aim to replace or reduce reliance on bulky or invasive solutions — examples include a minimally invasive snoring/ sleep-apnea procedure (Serene Sleep) and noninvasive brain–computer interfaces (Neural Drive).
- Other entries emphasize health maintenance and prevention through consumer-facing tools, such as personalized nutrition platforms (NUSEUM, Food for Health) and chronic-stress EEG wearables (AWEAR).
- Mental health and support services are represented (Some Other Place/Hug connecting users with trained listeners), as are maternal and postpartum care marketplaces (Yuzi Care).
- Several firms combine unconventional sensing methods with AI: Vital Audio extracts vitals from short voice samples and SpotitEarly pairs AI with canine scent detection for early cancer signals.
What to watch next
- Which of these Battlefield 200 selectees, if any, advance into the top 20 stage of the Startup Battlefield competition — not confirmed in the source.
- Progress on clinical validation and any subsequent regulatory approvals for device and diagnostic companies (e.g., breath tests, implants, imaging transforms) — not confirmed in the source.
- Commercial partnerships or pilot programs with health systems and payers that could scale solutions — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Startup Battlefield: TechCrunch’s startup pitch competition that selects a group of companies from many applicants to compete for editorial attention and prizes.
- Noninvasive monitoring: Techniques for measuring physiological signals or biomarkers without breaching the skin or entering the body.
- Brain-computer interface (BCI): A system that enables direct communication between the brain and external devices, which can be invasive or noninvasive.
- Precision nutrition: Personalized dietary recommendations based on an individual’s biology, lifestyle, or other personal data such as microbiome profiles.
Reader FAQ
How were these 33 startups chosen?
They were named among TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield 200 selectees; the article provides short notes on why each was selected.
Do these startups compete for prize money on the Disrupt stage?
Only the top 20 from the Battlefield 200 compete on the main stage for the Battlefield Cup and a $100,000 prize; whether any of these 33 are in that top 20 is not confirmed in the source.
Are these companies clinically validated or commercially available?
Some startups in the list mention clinical proof or specific claims in the article, but broad commercial status and regulatory clearances are not confirmed in the source.
Where can I find the full profiles of these startups?
TechCrunch published the list and individual notes in the referenced Startup Battlefield coverage.
Every year, TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield pitch contest draws thousands of applicants. We whittle those applications down to the top 200 contenders, and of them, the top 20 compete on the big…
Sources
- The 33 top health and wellness startups from Disrupt Startup Battlefield
- TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 Startup Battlefield 200
- TechCrunch | Startup and Technology News
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