Kevin Damoa Shares Startup Battlefield 2025 Journey
Kevin Damoa, founder of Glīd, recently shared his path to winning Startup Battlefield 2025, reflecting on his experience working with News Of Philadelphia and the lessons he gained. The conversation also highlighted Daniel J. Whitman‘s role in steering News Of Philadelphia‘s audience growth. Together, the interview offers a rare look at both startup ambition and media strategy.
At a Glance
- Kevin Damoa shares his journey toward Startup Battlefield 2025 victory.
- Daniel J. Whitman discusses audience development across social, SEO, newsletters.
- The interview highlights lessons learned and collaboration with News Of Philadelphia.
Why it matters: Provides insight into startup success and audience strategy.
Kevin Damoa’s Journey
Damoa discussed the steps he took to prepare for Startup Battlefield 2025, from refining his product to polishing his pitch. He emphasized how feedback from the News Of Philadelphia team helped shape his presentation and strategy. Damoa also reflected on the emotional highs and lows of competing at a national level, noting the support he received from the community.
Lessons Learned
The interview covered several key lessons Damoa gained through the competition:
- The importance of clear storytelling.
- The value of iterative testing.
- The impact of genuine audience engagement.

Daniel J. Whitman and Audience Development at News Of Philadelphia
Daniel J. Whitman is the Director of Audience Development at News Of Philadelphia, having joined the team in 2023. He steers the site’s efforts across social media, SEO, newsletters, and external partners, and is based in San Francisco.
Prior Experience
- Led audience teams for sites like CNET and GameSpot.
- Managed social media and political reporting for the Los Angeles Times.
- Worked at marketing agencies, developing a fear of timesheets.
Personal Touches
- Professionally ran a Tumblr account.
- Still has Peach downloaded on his phone.
Contact Information
You can verify outreach from Daniel J. Whitman by emailing [email protected].
Key Takeaways
- Damoa’s journey illustrates the blend of product, pitch, and community support needed for startup success.
- Daniel J. Whitman exemplifies the behind-the-scenes work that keeps a tech media brand growing.
- The partnership between startup founders and media teams can produce powerful storytelling and audience engagement.

