When we put out the call for early-stage startups to apply to be a TC Top Pick at Disrupt San Francisco 2018, which takes place September 5-7, we knew we were in for something good.
But crikey! The competition was fierce, and narrowing the field to a cohort of 60 startups was no easy task.
Fortunately, we love a challenge, and our work here is done.
Read on to find the list of winners and what they receive.TC Top Picks is our latest way to shine a spotlight on amazing pre-Series A startup founders.
We carefully reviewed and vetted each application and chose only five startups from each of these categories: AI, AR/VR, Blockchain, Biotech/Healthtech, Fintech, Gaming, Privacy/Security, Space, Mobility, Retail or Robotics/IoT/Hardware.These TC Top Pick founders have won a free Startup Alley Exhibitor Package, which includes a one-day exhibit space in Startup Alley, three Founder passes (good for all three days of the show), use ofCrunchMatch— our investor-to-startup matching platform — and access to the Disrupt SF 2018 press list.
They also will receive a three-minute interview on the Showcase Stage with a TechCrunch editor — and we&ll promote that video across our social media platforms.Without further ado, here are our TC Top Picks for Disrupt SF 2018.AIJack Automation Technologies: A conversational platform for automated messaging and voice experiences with tenants/residents for all property types and portfolio sizes.ConserWater Technologies: AI to grow more plants or crops with fewer resources.Rosey: A web platform that automatically grades freely written text for teachers and provides meaningful feedback to students.Vence: Reinventing livestock management.
An invisible fence/Fitbit for livestock, which eliminates costs and increases profits for customers.3DLOOK: Develops the most advanced mobile body scanning tech for apparel brands and e-commerce and retail.AR/VR COZYO: An interior design technology for e-commerce optimization.KeepEyeOnBall: Virtual reality and virtual 360º tours software development.ORBI Inc.: Specializes in developing innovative 360° imaging technology that captures life best moments.Skrite Labs: A sky-based augmented reality platform.BlockchainAirfox: Offers a free Android app to extend critical financial services to billions of unbanked and underbanked people in emerging markets around the globe.Zeehaus: Real estate marketplace with equity sharing fractional ownership.Omega Grid: A peer-to-peer blockchain energy platform for utilities.Humaniq: A London-based fintech firm that provides next-generation financial services using its blockchain-based mobile application.LifeBank Technology and Logistics Services: A platform that makes blood available when and where it is needed in Nigeria to save lives.Biotech HealthSlighter: A smart device with cutting-edge smart technology that helps you master your smoking habit and reduce cigarette consumption.Listen Longer: Track personal sound exposure in your ear for safe, lifelong enjoyment of your music.Actijoy: A sophisticated system for monitoring doggy activity, health, rest and water and food intake.Circadia Technologies: Wireless sleep sensor and personalized sleep coach to improve your sleep, mood and energy.Virtue: An award-winning startup that applies the research-proven benefits of virtual reality to improve mental wellness.FintechID RD: Developer of biometric authentication for conversational interface (voice, behavioral).Oxygen: Banking and lending for the massive gig economy.Mount Wish: Fully automated mutual insurance for FICC risks (Fixed Income, Currencies, Commodities) and digital CIB front office.SimbaPay: A mobile application that offers money transfer services to its users.GamingSportsMe: Turn sports fandom into a mobile video game.Storyball: A screenless gaming console that keeps children active, playful and engaged.Sonder Design: Infinite possibilities at your fingertips, with the world first E Ink keyboard.Privacy/SecurityCarbn: A developer of data and privacy management software for business customers.Openpath: An access control system that grants entry to locations.UATAG: Unique authentication tag for product originality verification and counterfeit protection.SpaceAudacy: A space communications service provider.Infostellar: A satellite antenna sharing platform.MobilityCargofy: Virtual AI-assistant for owner-operators.Einride: A cargo and freight company that designs and builds technologies for transportation systems.Toposens: Builds robust, ultra-low power and low-cost 3D ultrasound and radar sensors for smart buildings and autonomous vehicles.Caaresys: An Israeli startup that develops a vehicle passenger monitoring system based on contactless low-emission radio frequency radar.Rideshare Sellers: In-vehicle headrest advertisement delivery system for rideshare.RetailGreenSTOP: An ancillary cannabis technology company that utilizes hardware and software to automate the retail cannabis industry.Garbi: A smart trash can that can recognize anything you throw away and reorder it with the tap of a button.Eazyloop Express: A platform that delivers packages from the USA to Ghana.Resonado: Introduces patented audio hardware that enables essential solutions to the sound experience.SmartBins: Promotes shopper traffic to the bulk aisle boosting high-margin bulk sales.Robotics, Hardware and IoTCedar Robotics: Revolutionizing the restaurant industry with menu digitization, cloud infrastructure and robotics.Robotic Materials: Materials that make robots smart.Orby: Flying robots for your business.Livin: Creating products and services that improve people lives where they use water.Mitte: The world first smart water system that unites water purification with enhancement.If you missed out on applying to be a TC Top Pick and exhibiting for free, it not too late to buy a Startup Alley Exhibitor Package and showcase your startup alongside 1,200+ companies and sponsors in Startup Alley.
Exhibiting makes sense for early-stage founders, but don&t just take our word for it.
Luke Heron, the CEO ofTestCard.com, had this to say following his Startup Alley experience:If you&re a startup or an entrepreneur, exhibiting at Disrupt is a no-brainer.Disrupt San Francisco 2018takes place September 5-7 at Moscone Center West.
Come join us and discover new opportunities.
We can&t wait to see you there!