Together with entrepreneur Dmitry Dekanozishvili, we explore the technologies shaping the future of motorsports, how small companies break into global markets, and what makes Dekanozishvili’s products competitive against industry giants.
According to Grand View Research, in 2024 the global automotive aftermarket exceeded $468 billion, and by 2030 it is projected to reach $589 billion, with an average annual growth rate of about 3.8%. Furthermore, data from the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), published in June 2025, shows that American consumers alone spent $52.65 billion on vehicle modifications in 2024. This includes not only accessories and tuning but also advanced engineering upgrades designed to boost power and reliability. It demonstrates that more and more drivers are adopting racing technologies to experience the thrill and performance of motorsport in everyday driving.
From Engineer to CEO
One of those bridging the gap between engineering and the racetrack is Dmitry Dekanozishvili from Mykolaiv, Ukraine. He invested $1 million of his own savings to build a workshop from scratch in Florida. Today, his company, Deka Clutches LLC, exports clutches and transmissions to dozens of countries — including the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
“I invested everything I had into production — all my money, without attracting any investors. Today, I take responsibility for every single bolt and every component, because I design them myself,” — says the CEO.
In the automotive industry, it’s rare for an engineer to become the head of a company. Typically, roles are divided — engineers focus on design, while managers handle markets and finance. Dekanozishvili’s story is an exception. His technical background became the foundation for his management strategy and helped him build a company capable of competing with international brands.
When launching production in Florida, Dmitry personally designed the first assemblies, selected materials, and conducted performance tests. This approach minimized outsourcing costs and ensured complete control over quality. Later, this hands-on experience turned into a strategic advantage — in negotiations with racing teams and distributors, he speaks confidently about pricing, timing, and performance characteristics that directly affect race outcomes.
He represents a rare type of CEO who embodies both the engineer and the leader in one person.
The industry has noticed. Dmitry has been officially invited to serve as a jury member of the American Business Expo Award and has evaluated projects at the XM Leader Awards for two consecutive years. Since 2022, he has been a member of the international Alliance Top Association. Starting out as a self-taught mechanical engineer with no connections or seed capital, Dmitry is now among the CEOs shaping the future of this specialized global industry.
$2 Million in Auto Components
Dekanozishvili is not a conventional entrepreneur — he develops and supplies innovative solutions to one of the most demanding markets in the world. His products have already gained recognition across both the international and professional motorsport scenes. Vehicles equipped with Deka Clutches components consistently take first places in competitions worldwide.
Drawing on his deep mechanical expertise, Dmitry has designed over 70 clutch models, created 11 custom clutch systems and 9 transmission models, and now supplies his products globally — from California to Tokyo.
The results speak for themselves. Since its founding, Deka Clutches LLC has delivered over 10,000 clutch and transmission kits to customers, including prestigious racing teams and owners of BMW, Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, Mitsubishi, and Toyota vehicles.
The company continues to demonstrate steady growth — revenue reached $1 million in 2023, and by the end of 2025, it is projected to grow to $2 million.
Dekanozishvili’s leadership has been recognized both at home and internationally. In 2022, he was awarded the “Entrepreneur of the Year” title at the Ukrainian Business Award, and last year he received the “CEO of the Year” honor at the prestigious International Award Alliance Top.
From Observation to Innovation
The story of Deka Clutches LLC began with a common motorsport problem — most standard clutches couldn’t withstand extreme loads. Instead of accepting this limitation, Dmitry decided to develop his own components.
After moving to the United States, he founded a manufacturing facility in Hallandale Beach, Florida, fully equipped with precision machinery from HAAS Automation Inc., a leading American manufacturer. HAAS systems are considered the gold standard in motorsport, aviation, and other high-tech industries, used by top professional teams and manufacturers around the world.
“We’re especially proud that Dmitry utilizes our machines to their fullest capacity, creating unique engineering solutions for motorsport challenges,” — noted a representative from HAAS Automation Inc.
Technologies “Not for Everyone”
Among Dmitry’s main engineering breakthroughs is a modular multi-disc clutch system. Its key advantage lies in adaptability — it can be tuned for different purposes such as track racing, drag racing, or urban driving, without needing a full system replacement. By swapping individual modules, drivers can optimize performance while significantly reducing costs.
Material innovation is equally vital. Dmitry employs high-temperature composite materials originally used in aviation, capable of withstanding overheating, extreme RPMs, and repeated high-load starts without degradation — precisely what motorsport demands, where even a small failure can be catastrophic.
Engineering Approach and Professional Recognition
Deka Clutches LLC is not merely a workshop but also functions as a research and development center. In 2025, Dmitry published two studies in international engineering journals — on the properties of friction materials and on parameters of high-load discs. These works now form the scientific foundation for the company’s future products — and for innovations by other engineers in the field.
The company is already recognized within the professional community. Deka Clutches LLC participates in key industry events such as SEMA Show, TX2K, FL2K, and Formula Drift. Entry into these events is highly selective, with products undergoing rigorous technical evaluation before being approved for exhibition.
Today, Dmitry continues to expand his product line, test new materials, and collaborate with racing teams worldwide. His mission is to develop technologies that give drivers greater control. These solutions not only help win races but also make motorsport — and driving itself — more reliable and safe.
