Motley Fool Exclusive: Karooooo CEO Zak Calisto Reveals How Data Drives Billions in Value

Data-as-a-service powerhouse Karooooo continues disrupting traditional telematics—proving raw information might be worth more than oil.

Zak Calisto's empire processes over 350 billion data points annually from nearly 2 million connected vehicles worldwide. The platform turns fleet movements into actionable intelligence—slashing fuel costs, optimizing routes, and preventing mechanical failures before they happen.

While legacy automakers struggle with software integration, Karooooo's asset-light model bypasses hardware manufacturing entirely. Their secret? Aggressive AI implementation and relentless focus on subscription revenue.

Calisto remains bullish on global expansion despite macroeconomic headwinds. "Enterprises will always pay for certainty," he noted during the interview—a subtle dig at crypto bros who still think volatility equals innovation.

The company's vertically integrated approach lets them capture value across the entire data chain. From collection to analysis, they control the pipeline—and investors are taking notice.

As traditional automotive players play catch-up, Karooooo keeps accelerating. Because in the race for connected car dominance, data isn't just king—it's the entire damn kingdom.