Glid, an innovative startup on a mission to bridge the opportunity gap in employment, has successfully raised $3.1 million in pre-seed funding. The round was led by Outlander VC and included participation from Draper U Ventures, Outlander VC, The Veteran Fund, M1C, and a group of angel investors. This major funding milestone marks a bold step forward in Glid’s mission to reshape how non-traditional and underserved talent prepare for - and access - high-growth careers.

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A Bold New Vision for Workforce Equity

At its core, Glid is not just another upskilling platform. Co-founded by Kevin A. Damoa and his team, Glid sets out to close the employment equity gap by providing a structured, tech-enabled job readiness solution for veterans, formerly incarcerated individuals, and others who’ve historically been shut out of traditional employment pipelines.

Instead of focusing solely on technical training or resume polishing, Glid builds a holistic path to employability, helping users develop the soft skills, mindset, and real-world readiness employers actually value. The platform’s unique structure mirrors the rigor and discipline found in elite military or leadership training programs - fitting, considering its strong ties to veteran communities.

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Why This Matters Now

The talent gap in tech and other high-growth industries continues to widen, with companies struggling to find qualified, job-ready candidates - even as millions remain unemployed or underemployed due to systemic barriers.

Glid is uniquely positioned at the intersection of workforce development, equity, and scalable technology. The startup isn't just skilling people up; it’s transforming them into ready-to-hire professionals who can thrive in mission-critical roles.

The future of work isn’t just about skills - it’s about confidence, readiness, and belonging. Glid understands this. They’re betting that job readiness is more than a credential - it’s a transformation. And they’re right.

Most startups chase “better hiring” by optimizing the funnel: more applicants, better sorting, faster filtering. But Glid flips the model by engineering the output - creating talent pipelines where none existed, particularly among underestimated communities. For founders, this is the kind of insight that reshapes entire markets: you don’t have to compete for top talent - you can cultivate it.

This approach resonates with employers increasingly focused on skills-based hiring, DEI initiatives, and reducing turnover by investing in people who are truly prepared for the demands of the role - not just those who check traditional boxes.

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What Sets Glid Apart

1. Structured Job Readiness Program
Unlike typical online courses, Glid’s platform delivers a guided, step-by-step path that mimics the intensity and accountability of real-world job preparation. Users are not only taught what to expect in the workplace - but are trained to embody the habits, mindset, and confidence required to excel.

2. Strong Veteran and Underserved Talent Focus
By focusing on veterans, formerly incarcerated individuals, and others who often fall through the cracks, Glid taps into an overlooked and undervalued pool of talent. These individuals often bring resilience, adaptability, and leadership experience that traditional hiring systems ignore.

3. Employer-Ready Outcomes
Glid isn’t just preparing people for jobs - it’s getting them hired. The company collaborates with forward-thinking employers to ensure its graduates are truly work-ready from day one, helping companies fill roles faster with committed, capable candidates. 

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The Market Opportunity: Future of Work + DEI

The Future of Work tech sector is expected to reach $397 billion globally by 2030, according to Grand View Research. Meanwhile, the corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) software market alone is forecast to exceed $15 billion by 2026, driven by pressure from stakeholders and a growing body of research linking inclusive hiring to higher performance.

Glid operates at the convergence of both trends, offering not just tech, but transformation: helping companies access high-potential talent pools they’ve historically ignored, while equipping those workers with the readiness and resilience to thrive.

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Meet the Team Behind Glid

The founding team, pictured in their recent announcement, includes Kevin A. Damoa and a strong group of co-founders and advisors with experience in workforce development, veteran leadership, and tech. With a shared vision to build something that transforms lives - not just careers - they’re setting a new standard for what inclusive hiring looks like in the 21st century.

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Backed by a Coalition of Bold Investors

Glid’s vision has attracted an impressive roster of investors aligned with its mission. The pre-seed round was led by Outlander VC, known for backing exceptional founders, and joined by names like Draper U Ventures, Antler, The Veteran Fund, and M1C. Their collective backing underscores a growing interest in purpose-driven, impact-first startups that are tackling structural inequities in hiring and opportunity access.

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What’s Next for Glid?

With this new infusion of capital, Glid is set to expand its platform, onboard more learners, and build strategic partnerships with employers across high-growth sectors. The company plans to enhance its data-driven readiness metrics and launch new programs tailored to the evolving needs of the workforce.

Expect to see Glid scale rapidly in the coming months, especially as more companies commit to inclusive hiring and the demand for real-world readiness solutions increases.

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