Angelo Coletta is a serial entrepreneur and investor in AR/VR technologies. He is the founder and CEO of Zakeke — a platform revolutionizing brand and customers interactions through visual technologies. Zakeke serves over 10,000 customers across more than 400 sectors in over 130 countries, collaborating with major brands like Valentino, HP, Etsy, Uber Eats, Zapier and Printful. Angelo began his career in marketing consultancy, founding multiple companies and leading BookingShow S.p.A. and 18months Srl to successful exits. He holds a cum laude degree in Economics and Commerce from the University of Bari and a Master in Innovation Management from the Iacocca Institute at Lehigh University, USA.
Company: Zakeke
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company
Angelo Coletta: Thank you so much for having me! I’m Angelo Coletta, Co-founder and CEO of Zakeke. At Zakeke, we lead the way in visual commerce by providing businesses worldwide with a platform that enables real-time product personalization, hyper-realistic 3D visualization, augmented reality (AR) experiences, and virtual try-on solutions, all powered by advanced AI technologies.
Our mission is to transform online shopping into an immersive and personalized experience while helping merchants optimize their operations. Today, we serve over 10,000 clients across 400 industries globally—from fashion to manufacturing. Innovation and customer-centricity are at the heart of what we do, and we continuously evolve to ensure our tools meet the dynamic needs of businesses and consumers in an ever-changing digital world.
What were the most significant challenges you faced during the scaling process, and how did you overcome them?
Angelo Coletta: The biggest challenge we faced was at the very beginning – convincing everyone to believe in this vision. We knew that the interaction between brands and customers was on the verge of a major shift, and we were determined to be at the forefront of that transformation. Building the right team from the ground up was crucial, especially as we were developing a platform from scratch. Success didn’t come overnight, but gradually, as we refined our approach and gained traction, the results started to follow.
As we scaled, maintaining the quality of our service while expanding globally was another major hurdle. Managing the integration of our technology across diverse sectors and industries required a scalable infrastructure. We made substantial investments in both technology and a strong support system to ensure our platform could handle growing demand. Most importantly, we listened closely to our clients’ feedback to continuously improve our services while staying aligned with their needs.
How did you ensure that your company culture remained intact as your business expanded?
Angelo Coletta: When I started Zakeke, I wanted to create something different in my region. We’re from Puglia, and we’re deeply connected to our roots. What I love most is that with Zakeke, local talent can stay in their hometowns without needing to relocate, while still being part of an international business with clients from around the world, at the forefront of technology and innovation. This deep connection to our origins, along with the continuous team collaboration we foster in the office, reassures me every day that our culture will remain unchanged.
At Zakeke, we’ve worked intentionally to embed our core values into every aspect of our business, from hiring practices to day-to-day interactions. We keep lines of communication open and prioritize teamwork to ensure that every team member—whether new or experienced—feels a sense of purpose and connection to our mission. As our team has grown, we’ve maintained a vibrant and cohesive culture through regular team-building activities and consistent reinforcement of our core principles. We are committed to hiring people who will help us grow, both in good times and challenging times.
What strategies did you employ to maintain quality and customer satisfaction while scaling rapidly?
Angelo Coletta: Every new feature we develop is driven by our customers’ needs and requests. We work across many industries, each with its own specific requirements, and our goal is to build and improve Zakeke as a one-stop solution for visual commerce. We aim to offer everything a merchant needs at the highest level of quality.
For example, our advanced print-ready file builder was originally developed for merchants needing to create complex, stacked, and nested files. We frequently release updates and continuously enhance the platform, ensuring that it evolves to meet the demands of our diverse customer base.
Can you share a specific turning point that was crucial for your business’s successful scaling?
Angelo Coletta: A crucial turning point for Zakeke was securing early funding. This allowed us to significantly expand our team—not only on the development side, where we continuously improved the platform, but also in marketing and sales. With a stronger team, we were able to improve our communication, refine our sales strategies, and achieve better results across the board.
Another key driver of our growth has been strategic acquisitions and partnerships. For example, acquiring companies within the 3D sector, like Future Fashion (now fully part of Zakeke Group), allowed us to broaden our technological capabilities and deliver more comprehensive solutions. Additionally, we’ve built an extensive network of partners and agencies in the e-commerce industry, which has greatly expanded our reach. These partnerships and acquisitions have enabled us to better serve our customers, providing a one-stop platform that meets the ever-evolving demands of the market.
How did you manage the financial aspects of scaling, particularly in securing funding and maintaining cash flow?
Angelo Coletta: When scaling Zakeke, one of the most crucial aspects was managing our financial strategy to maintain both growth and cash flow. We approached this with a combination of securing strategic funding and meticulous financial planning.
Maintaining cash flow during rapid expansion required a disciplined approach. We focused on efficiency, ensuring that each round of funding was directed toward growth-driving activities, such as R&D and scaling customer acquisition. At the same time, we carefully monitored operational costs, automating processes early on, and bringing in new talent across key areas to expand our reach. This allowed us to stay agile and ensure that every effort was focused on the most profitable activities, driving sustainable growth.