Founder & CEO, CUSTA
The retail and e-commerce industry in Malaysia is expanding rapidly, fueled by digital adoption and changing consumer behavior. As online platforms continue to grow, traditional retailers are also integrating online and offline experiences to remain competitive.
Within this evolving landscape, Joe Yudai Takagi, Founder and CEO of CUSTA, has emerged as a key figure driving innovation in Southeast Asia’s customization and printing industry. Through his leadership and technology-focused approach, he aims to transform how businesses access customized products and services.
Joe Yudai Takagi founded CUSTA in 2023 to build a digital platform for mass customization across Southeast Asia.
Before launching CUSTA, he held several leadership positions in technology and e-commerce companies. Notably, he served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Growth Officer at RAKSUL, a major print e-commerce company in Japan.
During his tenure, RAKSUL grew into Japan’s largest online printing platform and was eventually listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. His career also includes roles at global organizations such as:
This combination of corporate and startup experience has helped shape his approach to building scalable digital businesses.
Takagi’s experience in Japan’s digital printing industry showed him how technology could transform a traditionally manual sector.
After observing Southeast Asia’s rapidly growing digital economy, he recognized a similar opportunity in the region.
“I joined RAKSUL during its early startup days and helped grow it into Japan’s largest print e-commerce company,” he explains. “Southeast Asia will inevitably experience the same wave of digitalization.”
This belief led him to establish CUSTA, focusing on long-term market potential rather than short-term results.
Technology plays a central role in CUSTA’s platform strategy.
According to Takagi, one of the most critical elements is building the right system architecture, particularly the platform’s modular structure and database design. These technical decisions determine how well the platform can scale as the company grows.
CUSTA is also actively integrating artificial intelligence across its operations, including:
The company is also exploring collaboration with partners in Japan to incorporate advanced AI capabilities into the design and customization process.
Despite being a relatively small organization, CUSTA maintains a culture of open communication and experimentation.
Takagi emphasizes the importance of reducing barriers between teams so ideas can move quickly.
In many cases, internal teams begin solving challenges or launching new initiatives before leadership formally introduces them. This environment, he believes, is essential for sustaining innovation as the company grows.
The leadership team also brings experience from fast-growing startups and technology companies across several countries, providing diverse perspectives for scaling the business.
Takagi believes leadership should adapt to the stage of the business and the nature of the industry.
“Leadership must adapt to the business domain and the company’s current phase.”
His approach focuses on empowering team members and leveraging individual strengths.
At CUSTA, leadership and decision-making are guided by three core pillars:
This framework helps align teams while allowing flexibility in execution.
Takagi believes the customization and printing industry represents a major opportunity across Southeast Asia.
He notes that:
CUSTA’s immediate focus is on delivering exceptional services to customers in Malaysia and Singapore, while building strong relationships with production partners.
In the longer term, the company plans to expand its platform across multiple countries, aiming to create one of the most accessible customization ecosystems in the region.
Joe Yudai Takagi is the Founder and CEO of CUSTA, a Southeast Asia-based mass-customization platform. With a background in system development and digital platforms, he has held leadership roles in companies such as RAKSUL and continues to drive innovation in the region’s customization and printing industry.
Source : https://www.ceoinsightsasia.com/leader/joe-yudai-takagi-bringing-cuttingedge-technology-to-southeast-asia-s-customization-market-cid-7883.html
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CUSTA SDN. BHD. (Company Registration
No. 2023010003516 [1522349-U])