In 2025, Glīd positioned itself as not just a winner at TechCrunch’s prestigious Startup Battlefield, but as a symbol for what the future of logistics can look like: smarter, safer, more efficient, and deeply innovative. As a serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience, I, Violetta Bonenkamp, see this as a breakthrough moment not just for Glīd but for how startups should approach pressing global challenges with a combination of pragmatism and innovation. This article takes a closer look into the ingredients of their success, the lessons founders can take from Glīd's journey, and the potential pitfalls to avoid during growth and scaling.
Lessons From Glīd’s Success
1. Problem-Solving With Precision
At its core, Glīd addressed a universal logistical problem: the chaotic and resource-intensive handoff between multiple modes of transportation, namely, road and rail. According to industry estimates, inefficiencies in freight logistics cost companies billions annually. By focusing on this bottleneck, Glīd launched its hybrid-electric vehicle, GlīderM, which simplifies container movements between ports and rail hubs, eliminating the need for traditional forklifts or hostler trucks.
Startups often make the mistake of trying to solve "everything." Glīd’s triumph reminds entrepreneurs to home in on a singular, impactful problem grounded in market need. A focused value proposition speaks volumes to investors and customers alike.
2. Leveraging the Founder’s Expertise
Glīd’s founder, Kevin Damoa, leveraged his hands-on experience in logistics during his time in the U.S. Army, where he managed large-scale freight movements. Tackling container logistics bottlenecks wasn’t just an abstract idea but a challenge he had lived through. Founders should always mine their personal or professional backgrounds for unique insights. Authenticity and subject-matter expertise are hard to replicate and act as significant differentiators.
3. Incremental Innovation Through Existing Systems
One of Glīd’s greatest assets is its ability to work seamlessly within existing logistics networks without the need for partners to overhaul their infrastructures. For example, traditional transport systems like railways and container yards were integral to its solution.
Entrepreneurs often get caught up in disruptive innovation and overlook incremental innovation, which is equally powerful when it simplifies adoption for customers. Startups that integrate with legacy systems lower the barrier for implementation while accelerating their path to market.
The How-To Guide for Crafting Startup Battlefield-Level Solutions
Step 1: Understand the Ecosystem
Whether you’re addressing shipping delays or designing an educational app, you must deeply understand your ecosystem. As Kevin Damoa understood rail transit intricacies, entrepreneurs must understand market dynamics, key stakeholders, and industry pain points for their sectors.
Step 2: Build MVPs Around Tangible Outputs
Glīd demonstrated its pilot and early tech in partnership with industrial operators. A proof-of-concept backed by tangible data, whether reduced container dwell times or fewer worker incidents, speaks volumes to potential investors.
Tip: Think ROI for your clients, not just functionality.
Step 3: Embrace Cross-Disciplinary Innovation
Kevin drew upon his experience not only in logistics but aerospace and defense manufacturing. As a serial entrepreneur juggling linguistics, neuroscience, and AI-driven solutions, I can vouch for the power of combining disciplines to create something fundamentally new.
For your startup, don’t just think siloed expertise. Find overlaps, e.g., marrying AI with traditional manual sectors such as construction or logistics boosts scalability.
Common Barriers Startups Need to Sidestep
Overcomplicating the Solution
One pitfall many startups face is the pursuit of idealistic perfection in product designs. Glīd’s GlīderM sidesteps heavy robotics or entirely autonomous infrastructure and instead provides a practical, reliable hybrid solution. Your first iteration doesn’t need to be groundbreaking; it needs to work and solve problems.
Ignoring the Human Element
Glīd’s founders didn’t just pitch a mechanical solution; they pitched improved working conditions, reduced accidents, and less downtime, all human-centered benefits. These considerations likely impressed the judges at TechCrunch Startup Battlefield. Founders who overlook the human side of innovation risk creating sterile, undesirable products.
Lack of Adaptation During Scaling
Winning a major competition like Startup Battlefield shouldn’t invite complacency. Now comes Glīd’s true test: maintaining its technological edge while scaling operations. It’s important that startups anticipate scalability challenges, from regulatory hurdles to staffing and infrastructure.
Industry Trends in Logistics and Why They're Worth Watching
- The Rise of Autonomous and Hybrid Vehicles: Solutions like Glīd’s GlīderM highlight how hybrid-electric vehicles paired with adaptable, modular systems are becoming popular.
- AI-Driven Operational Efficiency: Automation and data insights are no longer optional in logistics. Companies integrating AI to reduce inefficiencies and emissions will capture both market acceptance and regulatory goodwill.
- Sustainability Incentives & Investments: Reducing carbon footprint remains a pressing theme, with governments offering grants for startups aligned with green regulations.
Note: Similar trends resonate in my industry, where blockchain and AI-powered solutions are being incentivized to ensure ethical and eco-friendly innovation.
Key Takeaways for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
- Solve Big, Specific Problems: Whether tackling a micro-issue in global supply chains or fixing a consumer pain point, specificity is your advantage.
- Go Beyond the Product: Glīd’s narrative wasn’t just about the tech, it was about cost savings, safety, and simplicity.
- Nail Your Storytelling: Winning Startup Battlefield requires more than innovation. You need a story, a vision, and psychology-backed persuasion techniques.
Conclusion
From streamlining global logistics to redefining what a startup team should embody, Glīd's journey reaffirms valuable lessons about innovation and focus. As a founder and educator, I see Glīd’s success as a microcosm of where industries are heading: a blend of human and machine intelligence solving old problems in new ways. Whether your startup operates in logistics or any other field, let Glīd's example inspire you to build solutions that are simple, scalable, and aligned with real-world needs.
Startups poised for longevity are those that combine these principles with the ability to adapt as markets change, and that’s exactly the mindset Glīd is championing. Will your venture be next?
FAQ
1. What is Glīd, and what does it do?
Glīd is a logistics technology startup that won TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield 2025. It uses hybrid-electric vehicles like its innovative GlīderM to streamline the transport of containers between ships and trains, making logistics simpler, safer, and more efficient. Explore Glīd’s solutions
2. Who is the founder of Glīd?
Kevin Damoa is the founder and CEO of Glīd. His experience in the U.S. Army managing freight movements inspired him to solve major logistical challenges in the industry. Learn about Kevin Damoa’s background
3. What problem did Glīd address to win Startup Battlefield 2025?
Glīd tackled the logistical bottleneck of transferring cargo containers between road and rail. Its solution reduces manual handling, improves efficiency, and enhances safety without overhauling existing infrastructure. Learn why Glīd won Startup Battlefield
4. How does Glīd’s GlīderM work?
The GlīderM is a hybrid-electric vehicle designed to transport cargo containers directly to railheads without the need for forklifts or hostler trucks. It simplifies logistics and reduces operational costs. Discover how the GlīderM works
5. What recognition did Glīd receive at Startup Battlefield 2025?
Glīd won the $100,000 prize, defeating more than 200 competitors, and was praised for its innovative logistical solutions and its ability to streamline the transport process. Read the recognition highlights
6. How did Glīd prepare for Startup Battlefield?
Glīd developed three products at once to demonstrate their working solution in a live setting. This pressured environment helped accelerate their development timelines and solidified their solution. Learn about Glīd’s journey to the competition
7. What was the founder's inspiration for creating Glīd?
Kevin Damoa drew inspiration from his Army experience, where he handled large-scale container logistics. He wanted to solve inefficiency and safety issues associated with moving cargo between roads and rails. Understand Kevin Damoa’s inspiration
8. What are Glīd’s immediate next steps post-competition?
Glīd plans to launch a pilot program at Great Plains Industrial Park and further expand its operations. The team is also scaling up hiring across all business areas.
9. How does Glīd’s culture contribute to its success?
The company emphasizes mindfulness, mission-driven work, and a human-centered approach to scaling its team. These principles help maintain focus and build a cohesive team. Explore Glīd’s company culture
10. Why is Glīd’s innovation significant for the logistics industry?
Glīd is revolutionizing logistics by addressing long-standing inefficiencies in container transport, reducing emissions, and creating safer systems, all while integrating seamlessly with existing infrastructures. Learn how Glīd is impacting logistics
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.