Motley Fool Money Interview with Karooooo CEO Zak Calisto
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Aug 17, 2025 Zak Calisto, CEO and founder of Karooooo, shares his journey from dealing with vehicle theft to creating a telematics powerhouse. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of developing integrated fleet management systems. Zak highlights the balance between growth and sustainability, particularly in the tech industry, and how his leadership style fosters innovation. They also touch on the future of autonomous vehicles and the quirky origin of Karooooo's name, adding a fun twist to their serious business discussions.
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Founder Story From Vehicle Theft To Tech
- Zak Calisto started after his own vehicle was stolen and became an early adopter of track-and-trace technology in the 1990s.
- He built regional operations, tried a Brazil JV, then developed his own technology and launched the business in markets he knew.
Platform Shift From Consumers To Fleets
- Karooooo evolved from consumer track-and-trace to a platform serving fleets across many industries with rich data and APIs.
- Today roughly one third of revenue is consumer and two thirds is commercial, with South Africa still dominant.
Prioritize Team, Product, And Capital Discipline
- Build teams with culture fit and complementary skills rather than relying on a single founder to do everything.
- Focus on products, vertical integration, and controlled spending to create a durable business.