glīd Wins Startup Battlefield 2025

Glīd: Revolutionizing Container Logistics – A Build Mode Interview

A special holiday edition of Build Mode is now available. This week, Isabelle Johannessen, editor of Startup Battlefield, welcomes Kevin Damoa, founder and CEO of Glīd. Glīd is a logistics infrastructure company dedicated to simplifying the often-complicated process of container shipping.

From Military Logistics to Startup Success

Damoa’s initial exposure to the difficulties of large cargo transport came during his service in the U.S. Army. He was part of a team responsible for loading tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles onto railcars. He quickly observed that while railroads avoid the congestion seen on roadways, they present unique logistical challenges. Specifically, the transfer of cargo between road and rail proved to be a particularly intricate undertaking.

Fast forward to 2025, and Damoa was celebrating a victory on the TechCrunch Disrupt stage. Having triumphed over 200 competing companies, he secured the Startup Battlefield championship. This week’s Build Mode episode, TechCrunch’s podcast for builders and entrepreneurs, features Damoa detailing the hardware and software solutions he developed to address the logistical problems he encountered firsthand.

The Pressure of a Live Demo

Damoa discusses the intense preparation required to launch three products concurrently and ensure they were fully functional for a live demonstration at Disrupt. He acknowledged the significant effort involved in software development, stating, “Making sure the software works was crazy.”

Despite Glīd’s relatively small team size, the public deadline of the competition served as a powerful catalyst. It fostered a heightened sense of focus and accelerated the team’s progress in streamlining their operations.

Expansion and Hiring at Glīd

Following their recent win, Damoa and his team are eager to leverage the prize money and momentum to propel Glīd into its next growth phase. They have already initiated a pilot program with Great Plains Industrial Park. Furthermore, their latest product, Glīder, is poised for market release.

Currently, Glīd is actively recruiting across various departments. Their hiring process is described as “organic,” beginning with an initial assessment of cultural fit and a review of candidates’ résumés, potentially leading to an offer of employment.

A Mindfulness-Driven Culture

Damoa emphasizes that this approach attracts individuals who are deeply committed to the company’s mission, highly focused, and dedicated to practicing mindfulness. This is exemplified by Damoa’s own reaction to learning that Glīd had reached the top five in Startup Battlefield: “I’m going to meditate.”

The company’s commitment to a human-centric approach has resulted in a team comprised of mission-driven, laser-focused individuals who prioritize mindfulness. This reflects the leadership style of a CEO who chooses meditation as a response to significant achievements.

Listen to the Full Episode

To gain a comprehensive understanding of Damoa’s insights and learn how other companies can increase their chances of success in Startup Battlefield, view the full episode video or subscribe to Build Mode on your preferred podcast platform. We welcome your feedback – please contact us at podcasts@techcrunch.com.