Glīd won Startup Battlefield 2025 by building solutions to make logistis simpler, safer, and smarter

In a thrilling conclusion to Startup Battlefield 2025, Kevin Damoa, the CEO and founder of Glīd, emerged victorious, showcasing his company's innovative approach to logistics. Glīd is dedicated to simplifying the intricate process of container shipping, a mission rooted in Damoa's personal experiences during his time in the U.S. Army. While serving, he encountered the difficulties of transporting large cargo, including tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles, and recognized the unique challenges that rail transportation presents. Fast forward to 2025, and Damoa stood proudly on the TechCrunch Disrupt stage, holding the coveted winner’s check after outperforming 200 competitors. In the latest episode of TechCrunch's podcast, Build Mode, Damoa elaborated on how he and his team developed their hardware and software solutions to address the logistics challenges he witnessed firsthand. He explained the intense preparation required to ensure their products were ready for a live demonstration at the event. "The pressure was intense, especially to ensure the software functioned correctly," Damoa reflected, acknowledging that building effective software often requires a substantial team, something Glīd was still in the process of developing. Despite these challenges, the urgency of the competition galvanized his team, pushing them to expedite their preparations more efficiently than ever before. Now, fresh from this significant victory, Damoa is eager to channel the momentum and financial prize into Glīd's growth. The company is already kicking off a pilot project with Great Plains Industrial Park, with their promising new product, Glīder, poised to enter the market soon. Additionally, Glīd is actively expanding its workforce, seeking talent in various areas of the business. Damoa described their hiring approach as informal and organic, often starting with a simple vibe check before progressing to a formal résumé review. This human-centric method has attracted a dedicated team that shares Damoa's mission-driven mindset, all while maintaining a focus on mindfulness. Damoa himself exemplifies this approach, responding to their achievement of making it to the top five in Startup Battlefield with a calm, "I’m going to meditate." For those interested in Damoa's insights on positioning for success in competitions like Startup Battlefield, the full episode is available for viewing and listening on Build Mode, which can be found on all major podcast platforms. Feedback and reviews are welcome at podcasts@techcrunch.com.