Summary:
Glīd won Startup Battlefield 2025 by competing against 200 companies and presenting innovative logistics solutions.
Founder Kevin Damoa identified key logistics challenges while serving in the U.S. Army, leading to the development of hardware and software solutions.
The startup is accelerating growth with a pilot program at Great Plains Industrial Park and the upcoming launch of their Glīder product.
Glīd employs a human-centric hiring process that attracts mission-driven, mindful team members, with the CEO emphasizing meditation for focus.
The company has secured $70M in commitments and is expanding its team across various business roles to support rapid scaling.
From Army Tanks to Tech Triumph: The Glīd Story
Glīd, a logistics infrastructure startup, recently made headlines by winning Startup Battlefield 2025 after competing against 200 other companies. In an exclusive interview on TechCrunch's Build Mode podcast, CEO and founder Kevin Damoa shared the incredible journey behind this victory.
Discovering the Problem in Unlikely Places
Damoa first encountered the complex challenges of shipping large cargo during his time as a new enlistee in the U.S. Army. While working on a team responsible for loading tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles onto railroads, he realized that railways, though less congested than roads, presented their own unique set of problems. The most significant issue was the multistep process of moving cargo from roads to rails, which was inefficient and time-consuming.
Building the Solution
Fast forward to 2025, and Damoa stood on the TechCrunch Disrupt stage holding the giant check as the winner of Startup Battlefield. During the interview, he detailed how he developed a hardware and software solution to address the logistics problems he had witnessed firsthand. The team at Glīd worked tirelessly to launch three products nearly simultaneously, ensuring they were ready for a live demo on the Disrupt stage.
"Oh that was crazy, making sure the software works," Damoa remarked. "And anybody that knows software knows that it takes an army of people," something Glīd, as an early-stage startup, didn't have. However, the pressure of a public deadline provided the focus and drive needed to streamline their operations swiftly.
Accelerating Growth and Future Plans
Fresh off their big win, Glīd is leveraging the momentum and prize money to accelerate into their next phase. They have already launched a pilot program with Great Plains Industrial Park and are preparing to release their next product, Glīder, to the market. Additionally, the company is hiring for roles across nearly every aspect of the business.
A Human-Centric Approach to Team Building
Glīd's hiring process is described as "an organic process," where an initial vibe check and rƩsumƩ review can lead to adding new team members. This approach has attracted mission-driven, laser-focused individuals who practice mindfulness. Damoa himself exemplifies this mindset, responding to news of making the top five in Startup Battlefield by saying, "I'm going to meditate."
Watch the Full Interview
For more insights from Kevin Damoa on how companies can position themselves to win Startup Battlefield, check out the video below or listen to the Build Mode podcast.
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