Interview with Karooooo CEO Zak Calisto

Motley Fool Money

The Motley Fool

Business, Investing

4.4 • 3K Ratings

🗓️ 17 August 2025

⏱️ 21 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Heard the one about the CEO who wanted to buy the url for his company, found out it was taken, and added a few o’s to save a few million? Karooooo CEO and founder Zak Calisto talks with Motley Fool CEO Tom Gardner and analyst Emily Flippen about the business of connected vehicles and about his company’s quirky name. Founder story Future growth Leadership style Autonomous vehicles Karooooo name Host: Tom Gardner, Emily FlippenProducer: Mac GreerEngineer: Adam LandfairDisclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no representations regarding the suitability, or risks associated with any investment opportunity presented. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult with legal, tax, and financial advisors before making any investment decisions. TMF assumes no responsibility for any losses or damages arising from this advertisement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	When I try to get curu.com, there's someone in America that owns a warehouse and it's
0:11.0	Karoo.com.
0:12.0	So you want the $10 million for the name and I said, okay, that's fine.
0:17.2	You know, I'll keep the money, you keep the name, and I'll just do it from three to nine
0:22.1	aos.
0:22.5	We own all those curu.com.
0:28.4	That was Zach Callisto, CEO and founder of Carew.
0:32.9	And yes, that's Carew with five O's.
0:36.4	I'm Motley Full Producer Mac Career. Now, Carrou provides a software
0:40.0	platform for connected vehicles. It's a platform that helps with fleet management, logistics, and safety.
0:46.6	Motley Fool co-founder and CEO Tom Gardner and Motley Fool analyst Emily Flippen recently had a chance
0:51.8	to talk with Zach Callisto about the business of Kourou.
0:56.3	Well, hello, Motley Fool investors. We're so excited to spend the next hour or so with Zach
1:00.8	Calisto, the founder and CEO of Karu. U-U-U-U, which is probably how it's often introduced.
1:08.1	And people are always, I'm sure, wondering about the name, which we'll get to in a
1:12.9	second. It's a fun story. But I'd really love to just start an Emily flip in here as well, Tom Gardner.
1:18.9	Both of us have recommended the stock. It's been recommended a number of times now in the Motley Fool
1:24.1	to our members. And we're so excited to get a chance to spend time with the CEO and hear your thoughts.
1:29.4	Zach, and I'd love to just hear the origin story,
1:31.5	if you would.
1:32.5	What was the moment you realized
1:34.6	you wanted to start this business
	...

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