About

Builder, operator,and growth partner.

I help founders and executive teams apply AI with discipline, improve GTM execution, and install operating systems that make delivery more dependable.

Over the last decade I have founded technology companies, led two exits, scaled multi-region teams, and worked across strategy, product, commercial growth, and execution under pressure.

Celik Nimani

Operating Principles

Clear thinking, honest conversations, and steady execution.No theatre. Just work that compounds.

01 / Decision Velocity

Cut through noise fast and make decisions on what changes outcomes.

02 / Strategy + Execution

Keep strategy and execution connected; no dead handoff between plans and delivery.

03 / Applied AI

Use AI where it compounds leverage, not where it only creates novelty.

04 / System Thinking

Treat revenue, product quality, and team health as one operating system.

Where I Create Leverage

01Turning ideas into products
02Cutting scope without killing value
03Making AI practical, not theoretical
04Fixing struggling projects
05Improving delivery and team habits
06Helping founders close deals
07Finding revenue the team is overlooking

Story

I co-founded FRAKTON, helped scale it with an exceptional team, and led the transition through acquisitions into Melon and later Kin + Carta.

I also built Zombie Soup, a software studio later acquired by a US healthcare company. Across roles, I have worked with startups, scaleups, and enterprise operators under real delivery pressure.

As a tech CEO and operator based in Kosovo, I now partner with CEOs, founders, and leadership teams that need practical help across AI adoption, operating cadence, GTM strategy, and execution quality.

Career History

1999

NATO / KFOR

Volunteer Translator

Provided translation support during post-conflict operations.

2007

PCWorld

Editor in Chief

Led editorial strategy for the region's leading tech publication.

2011

Athene Prosjektledelse AS

Project Manager

Managed development projects.

  • ↳Innovation Centre Kosovo
  • ↳Balkanspring
  • ↳Matchyourbusiness
2013

Udacity

Project Manager

Managing early educational tech projects and localization.

2014

IPKO Foundation

Senior Consultant

Leading digital empowerment initiatives.

  • ↳AppCamp
  • ↳Wikiacademy
  • ↳Barcamps
2014

Zombie Soup

Co-Founder & COO

Bootstrapped software studio specializing in VR and digital products.

  • ↳Exit in 2016
2015

SwissEP

Senior Consultant

Strategic consultancy for entrepreneurship ecosystems.

  • ↳Albania's Ecosystem
  • ↳North Macedonia's Ecosystem
2016 — 2025

Frakton → Kin + Carta → Valtech

Founder, MD & Director

A continuous journey of scaling and acquisition:

  • ↳Co-Founded & CEO of FRAKTON (2016)
  • ↳Strategic Partnership with Melon (2022)
  • ↳Acquired by Kin + Carta (2022) — Director of Growth
  • ↳Acquired by Valtech (2024) — Director of Scaling Solutions
2026 — Present

38Shift

Founder & CEO

An AI-first engineering and technology consultancy.

  • ↳Designing AI-native GTM systems
  • ↳Building agentic workflows for growth and operations
  • ↳Turning technical exploration into commercial products

Honors & Awards

40 Under 40 - #1 Most Successful Entrepreneur

2022

Ranked #1 in 2022 and #3 in 2023 on 40 Under 40 for Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia.

Deloitte Fast 50 Europe

2021

Ranked in the Top 20 fastest growing technology companies in Europe.

Board & Community

YTILI (US State Dept)

Board Member2022 — 2025

STIKK

Board Member2018 — 2025

Startup Weekend

Global Facilitator2011 — 2019

Outside Of Work

I am a father to Harpa and Diell, married to Marigona, and based in Kosovo.

I enjoy motorcycles, long road trips, reading, and building tools that simplify life. If I am curious about something, I usually build it first.

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