From Soldier to SpaceX to Solving a 100-Year-Old Problem w/ Kevin Damoa

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Kevin Damoa, a true force of entrepreneurial energy and innovation. Drawing from over two decades in high-stakes logistics—from combat tours in Iraq to managing flight modules at SpaceX—Kevin is now tackling one of the biggest challenges in modern freight. He founded Glīd Technologies to solve the century-old, broken handoff between road and rail, building an entire ecosystem of autonomous vehicles and AI software from the ground up. This episode is a masterclass in founder mentality, showing you how to identify and solve massive societal problems, integrate complex systems, and maintain unwavering focus on your mission. Tune in to learn how to think like an innovator, embrace failure as fuel, and build a business that truly moves humanity forward. 💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business How to identify and tackle a century-old problem with a first-principles approach, even when others say, "that's how it's always been done." The power of integrating hardware, software, AND people to create a complete ecosystem solution that competitors can't touch. Real-world lessons from bootstrapping for three years and how to navigate the "drought" before finding the right funding and partners. How to adopt a military and SpaceX mindset to fail fast, learn from your losses, and continuously readjust your strategy to keep moving forward. The critical importance of building for your community and why making them the first and last thing on your mind is key to long-term success. Why waiting for perfection is the enemy of progress and how to find the courage to take action on your vision NOW. How to stay focused on your core mission and see opportunity (tailwinds) even amidst macroeconomic turmoil and geopolitical tensions. 📝 About Kevin Damoa Kevin Damoa is the founder and CEO of Glīd Technologies, a visionary company connecting the nation's roads and rails into a single, seamless logistics network. His journey began at age 17 when he enlisted in the US Army, completing two combat tours in Iraq specializing in railhead logistics. After 12 years in the military, he brought his expertise to the private sector, managing logistics for SpaceX's interplanetary ambitions and the F-35 program at Northrop Grumman. As the founder of a certified service-disabled veteran-owned small business and winner of the 2025 TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield, Kevin brings a unique, battle-tested perspective on solving massive problems with strategy, grit, and an unwavering commitment to moving the world forward. 🎯 Kevin’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs “Stop waiting for perfection to come and smack you in the head and say, 'hey, I'm here.' It'll never come... Trust that the vision and the mission that you've set out to do, now is the time to actually do it.” 📢 Memorable Quotes “I remember at SpaceX, we used to celebrate every launch and every blowup because there's victories and losses that are embedded in the lessons that are taught.” – Kevin Damoa “Pay rent for your work here on Earth to support your community by the works of your hands. And that's exactly what I do. I do it by the work of my hands in order to move humanity forward.” – Kevin Damoa 💡 Actionable Takeaways Stop waiting for the "perfect time." Identify one small, immediate step you can take on your business idea today and execute it. Re-evaluate your business model. Are you solving just one piece of the puzzle (hardware OR software) when you should be building an integrated ecosystem? Embrace failure as a learning opportunity. The next time something goes wrong, document the lesson learned instead of just focusing on the loss. Schedule daily "executive time" to assess your financial health, track your plan's relevance, and maintain a clear mind through reflection or meditation. Define your business's core mission and how it serves a specific community. Make that the central focus of your strategy and decision-making. 🔗 Links & Resources Visit Glīd Technologies’ website [https://glidtech.us/] Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn [  / kevin-a-damoa-9b514770  ] Follow Glīd on LinkedIn [  / glīd  ] Follow Glīd Technologies on X [https://x.com/GlidTech]