Glīd has clinched the top prize at Startup Battlefield 2025 after presenting a pioneering solution designed to make global logistics simpler, safer, and more intelligent. The company’s founder and CEO, Kevin Damoa, took the stage at TechCrunch Disrupt to receive the award, triumphing over more than 200 competing startups.

Damoa’s journey into solving logistics challenges began during his early days in the U.S. Army, where he worked on teams responsible for loading tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles onto rail transport. Although the railway offered an alternative to road congestion, he quickly discovered that the transfer of large cargo from road to rail involved a complicated, multi-layered process that often slowed operations and increased risk.

Fast-forward to 2025, Damoa stood on the Disrupt stage with a giant check in hand—evidence of Glīd’s rise as a transformative force in the logistics industry. On Build Mode, TechCrunch’s podcast for founders and innovators, he detailed how his personal experience led to the creation of integrated hardware and software systems designed to streamline container movement. He also recounted the intense preparation needed to ensure that all three of Glīd’s newly launched products were ready for a live demonstration.

“Making sure the software works—oh, that was crazy,” Damoa said. “Anyone who knows software knows that it takes an army.” Despite having a small team, the pressure and public deadline of Startup Battlefield became the catalyst that drove Glīd to accelerate development and achieve near-flawless execution.

Fresh from the competition win, Damoa shared Glīd’s plans for rapid expansion. The company has already begun a pilot with Great Plains Industrial Park, while its next major product, Glīder, is scheduled for release. Glīd is also hiring across almost every department, using what Damoa describes as “an organic process” that begins with a vibe check and résumé review before moving forward.

This approach, he said, has attracted mission-driven, highly focused individuals who also embrace mindfulness—something that aligns naturally with Damoa’s leadership style. When informed that Glīd had reached the final five of Startup Battlefield, his immediate response was: “I’m going to meditate.”

For founders hoping to follow in Glīd’s footsteps, Damoa shares more insights about building competitive teams and preparing effectively for Startup Battlefield in the full Build Mode episode. The podcast is available across major listening platforms, and listeners are encouraged to leave reviews or send feedback to podcasts@techcrunch.com.

Source: Techcrunch