Glīd secured victory at Startup Battlefield 2025 by creating innovations that streamline, enhance safety, and add intelligence to logistics.

Build Mode Returns with a Special Holiday Episode

This week, Startup Battlefield editor Isabelle Johannessen sits down with Kevin Damoa, the CEO and founder of Glīd, who recently claimed victory at this year’s Startup Battlefield. Glīd is a logistics infrastructure startup focused on simplifying the often complicated process of container shipping.

From Military Experience to Startup Success

Damoa’s journey into logistics began during his early days in the U.S. Army, where he was part of a team responsible for loading tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles onto trains. While rail transport avoids the traffic jams common on highways, Damoa quickly realized that it comes with its own unique set of hurdles—chief among them, the intricate process required to transfer cargo between trucks and trains.

Startup Battlefield Triumph

Fast forward to 2025: Damoa stands on stage at TechCrunch Disrupt, holding a giant check after outshining 200 other startups to win the competition. In this episode of Build Mode, TechCrunch’s podcast for innovators and founders, Damoa shares how he and his team developed both hardware and software solutions to address the logistics challenges he once faced. He also offers an inside look at how the team coordinated the near-simultaneous launch of three products, ensuring everything was ready for a live demonstration at Disrupt.

“It was wild making sure the software functioned as planned,” Damoa recalls. “Anyone familiar with software knows it usually takes a large team,” something Glīd didn’t have at the time. The looming deadline and public spotlight pushed the team to work with unprecedented focus and urgency.

Looking Ahead: Growth and New Opportunities

Fresh off their big win, Damoa is eager to leverage both the momentum and prize funds to propel Glīd into its next chapter. The company is already rolling out a pilot program with Great Plains Industrial Park, and their latest product, Glīder, is set to launch soon. Glīd is also expanding its team. Their hiring process is intentionally relaxed, with Damoa describing it as “organic”—a simple vibe check and résumé review can quickly lead to a new hire.

A Mindful, Mission-Driven Team

This approach has attracted individuals who are deeply committed to Glīd’s mission, highly focused, and mindful in their work. It’s a reflection of Damoa’s leadership style—when he learned Glīd had made the Startup Battlefield top five, his first response was: “I’m going to meditate.”

Listen and Learn More

To hear the full conversation and get more of Damoa’s insights on how startups can position themselves for success at Startup Battlefield, watch the video below or tune in to Build Mode on your favorite podcast platform.