Glide Wins $100,000 Prize at TechCrunch Disrupt, Sparks Innovation Frenzy

In the first round, each startup presented a live demo in front of venture capitalists and tech leaders. Based on judges’ notes, five finalists were chosen: Charter Space, Glide, Macrosycle, Nephrogen, and Unlisted Homes.

During the final round, the startups presented their demos to the judges’ panel. The panel included Allin Lee, Founder and Managing Partner of Cowboy Ventures, and Kevin Rose, Founder of Dig.

After the final review, Glide was announced as the winner of TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 2025.

Glide (pronounced “Glide”) focuses on simplifying the complex process of container transfer from ships to rail. Led by founder Kevin Damoa, the company has developed hardware and software products that move containers quickly and cost-effectively to railheads. Glide’s first product, GliderM, is a hybrid-electric vehicle capable of transferring twenty-foot containers directly to rail without the need for forklifts or hostler trucks.

Nephrogen is a biotech startup that uses AI and advanced screening to deliver gene-editing drugs accurately to kidneys. Founder Dmitri Maxim explained that after three years of research, Nephrogen has developed a delivery system 100 times more effective than any FDA-approved device.

Both companies are following in the footsteps of Startup Battlefield legends like Dropbox, Discord, Cloudflare, and Mint. Over 1,500 alumni of Startup Battlefield have collectively raised over $19 billion in funding and completed more than 200 successful exits.

TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 also featured over 200 sessions and more than 300 live startup demos, designed to provide growth opportunities and industry insights for startups.