At a Glance
- News Of Los Angeles’s Startup Battlefield 200 announced 28 standout consumer and edtech startups.
- The competition features a $100,000 prize for the winner and a Startup Battlefield Cup.
- The event will take place in San Francisco on October 13-15, 2026.
- Why it matters: It spotlights emerging tech that could reshape everyday life and learning.
Every year, News Of Los Angeles narrows thousands of applications to a select group of 200 startups, from which the top 20 compete for the coveted cup and a $100,000 prize. This year’s list includes 28 innovative companies across consumer and edtech sectors, each bringing unique solutions to the table. Below we highlight the startups and why they captured News Of Los Angeles‘s attention.
Event Overview
The News Of Los Angeles event, scheduled for October 13-15, 2026 in San Francisco, will showcase the 200 finalists and provide networking, mentorship, and investor exposure. Participants will pitch to a panel of seasoned investors and industry experts, with the top 20 advancing to the final showdown.
Startup Highlights
Here’s a snapshot of the 28 startups selected for the consumer and edtech tracks, along with their core offerings and the distinctive features that earned them a spot in the competition.
| Startup | What it does | Why noteworthy |
|---|---|---|
| Ahoi | Helps people find places that are accessible to those with limited mobility. | Inclusive tech makes locations more reachable for users who might otherwise struggle to find suitable venues. |
| AllFocal Optics Limited | Uses nanophotonic technology to create lenses that enhance visual clarity. | Breakthrough tech aids those with headaches and dizziness to endure extended reality experiences. |
| Billight | Light-up pool table. | Calls itself the first light-up pool table and gaming system. |
| Cerca Dating | Gen Z dating app that brings back meeting via mutual friends. | Latest spin on dating amid romance app fatigue, proving digital love can still thrive. |
| FounderWay.ai | Platform that helps startups scale by providing business advice on building decks and finding markets. | Uses AI to give founders insights into scaling, simplifying information sourcing. |
| Hotel Treats | Platform where luxury hotels can give customers vouchers for services like spas and dining. | Lets hotels monetize day passes and offers consumers luxury experiences without full stays. |
| Jotto | Creates QR codes for events and establishments so people can leave feedback and reviews. | Allows feedback via video or voice, adding an interactive layer. |
| Nim | Platform that lets users create AI videos. | Part of AI video wave, offers all-in-one service with prompts and reusable clips. |
| Perfingo | Financial planning tool. | Claims to be the first of its kind in Singapore. |
| Pintours | Tour-booking platform. | AI tour guide lets consumers personalize experiences on the go. |
| Prickly Pear Health | Voice AI companion for women monitoring brain health. | AI deciphers language changes indicating cognitive issues linked to hormonal shifts. |
| rax | Peer-to-peer clothing rental platform. | Winner of top consumer pitch; first Canadian launch, now expanding to the U.S. |
| Rent a Cyber Friend | Helps people find friends within their professions online. | Differentiates from social networks by identifying potential friends and offering video calls and chats. |
| Renude | AI-powered skin-care recommendation engine for beauty brands. | Uses computer vision AI and LLMs to provide personalized product suggestions. |
| Snap Discovery AG | Brain-computer interface for hands-free interaction. | Works with Unity, intended for games to stress management. |
| Tasteit | App that helps people meet to dine together. | Anti-dating app using food and dining as a match-making platform. |
| Tattd | AI-powered app that helps people find and book tattoo artists. | Generates mock-ups via generative AI and matches to artists with similar style. |
| Vista InnoTech Limited | Invented tech that eliminates shaking effects for better photos. | Micro Gimbal Stabilizer small enough for most mobile devices, works well in low light. |
| Young Minds App | Parental control app that watches over and prevents kids from unsafe online behavior. | Rewards smart choices and blocks distractions during study time. |
| ZoraSafe | Identifies and protects consumers against scams. | Scans links and messages to prevent scams, including deepfakes, and offers AI coaching. |
| Calificadas | AI-powered training to improve workplace communications. | Designed with diversity, equity, and inclusion in mind, helps users level up language skills. |
| CampusAI | Flexible platform to train people on AI. | Helps everyday users apply AI to sales, HR, legal, and other areas. |
| General Neuro | NeuroLingo headset helps people learn a foreign language. | Headset creates conditions that assist learning with a synchronized app. |
| Readmio | Story-time app for parents and kids. | Adds sounds and music automatically as text is read aloud, making stories interactive. |
| Super Teacher | AI-powered tutor for elementary schools. | Offers individualized instruction and assessments, 24/7 access for home learning. |
| ZEZEDU Corp. | AI-powered platform for personalized math learning. | Tracks assignments, grading, and feedback with personalized curriculum. |
These startups span a wide range of industries, from accessibility and wellness to AI-driven education and immersive entertainment. Each has demonstrated a clear value proposition that resonates with investors and users alike.
Key Takeaways
- News Of Los Angeles’s Startup Battlefield 200 showcases 28 standout consumer and edtech companies.
- The competition offers a $100,000 prize and the Startup Battlefield Cup to the winner.
- The finalists will compete at the News Of Los Angeles event in San Francisco on October 13-15, 2026.
With a diverse roster of innovators, the 200 finalists are set to redefine how we interact with technology, learn, and shop. Watch as these startups compete for the top spot and potentially shape the future of their respective fields.
