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In this week’s installment of *Build Mode*, the Startup Battlefield editor, Isabelle Johannessen, welcomes a particularly noteworthy guest — Kevin Damoa, the visionary CEO and founder of **Glīd**, this year’s distinguished winner of the Startup Battlefield competition. Glīd stands at the forefront of logistics infrastructure innovation, dedicated to simplifying and optimizing the intricate, often fragmented ecosystem of global container shipping. Through technology-driven processes and a focus on efficiency, the company aspires to revolutionize how goods are transported, ensuring smoother operations across ports, fleets, and global supply chains.
The episode delves into a wide array of themes central to innovation and entrepreneurship: from the technical and organizational excellence underpinning *Build Mode*, to the tangible lessons drawn from the **Startup Battlefield 2025** experience, and finally to the broader environment of **TechCrunch Disrupt 2025**, where the competition serves as a global stage for high-potential startups. Each of these elements together forms a narrative about ambition, creativity, and the discipline required to turn groundbreaking ideas into fully operational businesses.
Isabelle Johannessen, who leads the Startup Battlefield Program at TechCrunch, acts as both curator and guide for the innovators who step into this demanding spotlight. As the Head of the program, she oversees what has become TechCrunch’s most iconic global platform for early-stage founders — an arena where promising new ventures unveil their products and strategies before an audience of elite investors, journalists, and industry visionaries. For inquiries or verification regarding her outreach, she may be contacted at **isabelle.johannessen@techcrunch.com**.
Her role encompasses scouting exceptional founders from an extensive network across more than ninety-nine nations, carefully selecting those whose innovations demonstrate outstanding potential to disrupt existing markets. Under Isabelle’s leadership, these selected entrepreneurs receive tailored preparation designed to refine their business narratives and sharpen their presentations for the high-pressure environment of the Disrupt stage. Each founder is coached to deliver a compelling pitch that not only captures investor interest but also differentiates their company in a crowded startup ecosystem.
Prior to joining TechCrunch, Isabelle had already built a remarkable international portfolio of experience. She conceptualized, implemented, and managed startup acceleration programs spanning Japan, Korea, Italy, and Spain — regions known for their diverse entrepreneurial landscapes. Through these initiatives, she successfully bridged the gap between global founders and venture capital investors, facilitating sustainable entry into the U.S. market while encouraging cross-cultural collaboration and innovation. This background gives her a uniquely global perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing modern entrepreneurs.
Armed with a Master’s degree in **Entrepreneurship and Disruptive Innovation**, Isabelle combines a strategic mindset with creative flair. Interestingly, her earlier professional life as a **singer** contributes a layer of stage confidence and narrative artistry to her current work; she applies performance technique and storytelling nuance to help founders craft pitches that feel as authentic as they are persuasive. The synergy between analytical precision and artistic expression empowers her to mentor with a rare blend of business insight and human connection — ensuring that each founder not only knows their metrics but also understands how to move an audience.
*View Bio*
*View Bio*
Looking ahead, on **December 3, 2025**, Palo Alto, California will host the grand conclusion of **StrictlyVC’s 2025 series**, a prestigious event gathering a curated assembly of visionary venture capitalists, startup builders, and innovation leaders. Distinguished speakers will include well-known figures such as **Pat Gelsinger**, **Mina Fahmi**, and other notable guests. Beyond thought-provoking discussions and insights shared from the frontier of technology and investment, this event offers attendees a rare opportunity to form genuine, valuable connections with peers shaping the next generation of entrepreneurial ventures.
**Register Now** to reserve access to this exclusive culmination of ideas, strategies, and partnerships destined to influence the forthcoming wave of global innovation.
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This extended narrative not only highlights the convergence of entrepreneurial spirit and operational rigor but also underscores the importance of mentorship, global connectivity, and purpose-driven innovation at every stage of startup growth. Together, these elements form a comprehensive portrait of a community where technology, ambition, and human creativity intersect — a space that Build Mode, Startup Battlefield, and TechCrunch continue to shape with enduring impact.
Sourse: https://techcrunch.com/video/how-glid-won-startup-battlefield-2025-mentorship-mission-focus-and-meditation/
