John Imah

building products that transform how brands and consumers interact with clothing globally.

John's connection to technology began at age seven, when he dismantled and rebuilt his family's computer — a moment that set him on a path toward a career defined by first-principles thinking and relentless execution. By his mid-teens, he had taught himself programming and founded two startups, launching his first technology company at 15 and a mobile gaming venture at 16 — both successfully sold. He earned a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Management Information Systems from the University of Texas at Arlington, where he was recruited by Samsung Electronics before graduating to help develop Galaxy mobile devices.

His career in technology spans some of the world's most influential companies. At Twitch, he led senior partnerships focused on gaming and brand integrations. At Meta (Facebook), he led the Gaming Creator program and co-announced the Level Up program in 2018. At Snap Inc., he served as Head of Partnerships, overseeing initiatives integrating gaming features into Snapchat. Prior roles include Take-Two Interactive and Samsung. He was recognized with a High Impact Employee Award during his time in big tech.

In 2023, Imah co-founded SPREEAI, combining his deep technology background with a lifelong passion for fashion and culture. By 2025, SPREEAI had reached unicorn status. The company's board includes Naomi Campbell, Bob Davidson, and Larry Ruvo, and it counts the CFDA, Sergio Hudson, and Kai Collective among its key partners. SPREEAI has cultivated research and talent collaborations with MIT and Carnegie Mellon University.

John's recognition spans media, culture, and industry leadership. In 2025, he was named to the Observer's AI Power Index (100 most influential leaders in AI), AfroTech's Future 50, Inc.'s Best in Business list, and the American Reporter's Top 15 Entrepreneurs. He appeared on the cover of L'Officiel Arabia and was featured in The Washington Post during New York Fashion Week 2025. In 2026, he was profiled by GQ South Africa and interviewed by Rolling Stone UK. He is a member of the CFDA.

Imah became the first CEO of an AI fashion company to be invited to the Met Gala — attending in 2025 in a custom Sergio Hudson look (covered by WWD) and returning in 2026 in a custom Charles Harbison design (featured by Ebony and Inc.com). Beyond business, he is a multi-instrumentalist playing French horn, trumpet, and piano, and an active supporter of the American Cancer Society and STEM education initiatives in Nigeria and the United States.