Kevin Damoa, the CEO and founder of Glīd, has risen to prominence as the winner of Startup Battlefield 2025, showcasing how a veteran’s deep-rooted experience in logistics can evolve into groundbreaking innovation. Drawing from years of military service, Damoa developed a keen understanding of the challenges within conventional transport systems — from gridlocked highways to the neglect of vast rail networks.
This perspective laid the foundation for Glīd’s autonomous infrastructure solution, designed to bridge the gaps between congested roadways and underutilized rail corridors. In the wake of his victory, Damoa revealed how the company’s technology aims to redefine freight movement by merging operational efficiency with forward-thinking engineering.
Beyond innovation, Damoa credits Glīd’s success to the culture that shapes the company. He emphasized the role of mindfulness, mission-driven leadership, and a unified team vision in navigating the complexities of building a transformative startup.
Glīd’s rapid rise has also been bolstered by strong market confidence, with the company securing more than $70 million in early customer commitments. According to Damoa, this level of support validates the startup’s mission and positions it for accelerated growth as it continues tackling real-world infrastructure challenges.
New episodes of Build Mode, hosted by Isabelle Johannessen, air every Thursday. The program is produced and edited by Maggie Nye, with audience development led by Morgan Little. Special appreciation was extended to the Foundry and Cheddar video teams for their contributions.
Source: Techcrunch