Fashion tech trailblazer Imah hits $400m fortune as SpreeAI becomes a $1.5bn unicorn
Omeiza Bilal
Nigerian-American tech executive John Imah has joined the ranks of fashion-tech’s elite, hitting a personal fortune estimated at $400 million. In comparison, his startup SpreeAI soared to a $1.5 billion valuation in 2025.
The milestone cements Imah’s reputation as one of the most influential figures at the intersection of technology and fashion.
From teen prodigy to power player
Born in Dallas to Nigerian immigrants, Imah sold two startups before turning 16, a feat that propelled him into Silicon Valley’s inner circles while still in high school. Over the next decade, he built a résumé at Samsung, Twitch, Meta, and Snap Inc., where he served as Global Head of Partnerships under CEO Evan Spiegel.
That experience and the credibility it brought laid the foundation for his own venture. In 2023, Imah co-founded SpreeAI, an artificial intelligence platform designed to revolutionize online shopping by allowing customers to virtually “try on” clothes with near-perfect sizing accuracy.
“I was always looking for a way to merge tech and fashion,” Imah told Observer.
SpreeAI’s breakthrough
SpreeAI’s technology, boasting 99% accuracy in fit predictions, has quickly become a retail game-changer. Retailers report conversion rates climbing by as much as 25%, while return rates, a $100 billion headache for e-commerce, have plummeted.
By late 2024, the company had raised $80 million in financing. In May 2025, a fresh round led by The Davidson Group pushed SpreeAI’s valuation past the billion-dollar mark, officially crowning it a unicorn.
Boardroom star power
The company’s rise has attracted heavyweight allies. Supermodel Naomi Campbell joined SpreeAI’s board in 2024, alongside co-founder Bob Davidson and Las Vegas business magnate Larry Ruvo. The firm also boasts five granted patents and collaborations with MIT and Carnegie Mellon University, underscoring its technical edge.
Influence beyond wealth
Imah’s ascent has not gone unnoticed in fashion circles. In 2025, he became the first fashion-tech CEO invited to the Met Gala, signaling the arrival of tech entrepreneurs as cultural tastemakers. He has since been named to Observer’s AI Power Index and AfroTech’s Future 50, with Innovation & Tech Today comparing his impact to that of Elon Musk.
Despite his fortune, Imah emphasizes mentorship and philanthropy, funding scholarships and speaking on the importance of inclusive innovation.
“Success is a platform for greater impact,” he said, reflecting on his journey from Texas to the helm of a billion-dollar startup.
For Imah, the mission remains simple: solve real problems and inspire others.
