Build Mode Returns with Special Holiday Episode Featuring Startup Battlefield Champion
In an exciting development, Build Mode makes its return with a festive bonus episode. This week, Isabelle Johannessen, the Startup Battlefield editor, engages in a conversation with Kevin Damoa, the triumphant CEO and founder of Glīd, a groundbreaking logistics infrastructure enterprise dedicated to making container shipments more efficient.
Damoa’s journey into the realm of logistics commenced during his tenure as a new recruit in the U.S. Army. There, he faced the daunting challenges associated with transporting bulky cargo, specifically when coordinating the loading of tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles onto trains.
He quickly realized that, although railways generally experience less congestion than roads, they are marred by intricate hurdles. Foremost among these was the convoluted, step-laden process necessary to transfer cargo from roadways to railways.
Fast forward to 2025, and Damoa finds himself at the center of attention on the TechCrunch Disrupt stage, clutching the immense ceremonial check after outshining 200 other contenders in the Startup Battlefield competition.
In this week’s episode of Build Mode, TechCrunch’s latest podcast dedicated to innovators and entrepreneurs, Damoa elucidates how he crafted both hardware and software solutions to address the logistical conundrums he had previously encountered.
Furthermore, he offers an in-depth exploration of how his team successfully synchronized the launch of three products, each prepared for a live demonstration at Disrupt.
“It was an absolutely hectic experience ensuring the software functioned seamlessly,” Damoa remarked. “Anyone familiar with software development understands that it requires a myriad of dedicated contributors,” a resource that Glīd currently lacks.
Yet, this very pressure, combined with an impending public deadline, galvanized the team to expedite their organizational efforts more efficiently than ever before.
Fresh from his illustrious victory, Damoa is eager to leverage the momentum and prize money to propel Glīd into its next chapter. The company has commenced a pilot program with Great Plains Industrial Park, and its next innovation, Glīder, is poised to launch imminently.
Currently, the team is actively recruiting across various functions, adopting a relaxed, organic approach that Damoa describes as an “organic process,” where an initial vibe assessment and résumé evaluation can seamlessly transition into welcoming a new member.
Damoa asserts that this method has drawn individuals who are not only mission-driven but also exceptionally focused, all while embracing mindfulness in their work.
This aligns seamlessly with his own leadership style; upon learning that Glīd had secured a position in the top five of Startup Battlefield, he simply stated: “I’m going to meditate.”
Utilizing this human-centric strategy, the Glīd team has captivated professionals who are both purpose-driven and concentrated, fostering an environment where mindfulness flourishes.
It is evident that such a conducive atmosphere is cultivated by a CEO who prioritizes well-being alongside productivity, reacting to significant milestones with a commitment to meditation and mental clarity.
Source link: Finance.yahoo.com.
