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LOCAL STORIES
Sunday, March 2, 2025
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Paying the Bills with Skills
How TechStart.ai Turns Tech Skills into Sustainable Income for Everyday Heroes
Published on:
Sunday, March 2, 2025
Ignite Business Insider shares the stories of businesses that are making an impact in their local markets. We highlight their stories in order to inspire entrepreneurial growth and to let readers learn more about businesses across the world that are growing and scaling.
Featuring
Elias Benjellou
Chief Digitalist
TechStart
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Thanks for taking the time to sit with us. For our readers, can you share a little bit about yourself and your company?
Absolutely! I'm Elias Benjelloun, founder of TechStart.ai, a platform dedicated to empowering everyday people—single parents, young professionals, and emerging entrepreneurs—with essential technology and digital skills. We bridge the gap between ambition and reality by providing accessible tech training and a supportive marketplace where our community members turn their skills into sustainable income, creating real opportunities for economic mobility.
A question so many people are interested in, is how you got started. Can you share a little bit about what you were doing before this, and what that moment was like for you when you decided to start this new journey?
Before launching TechStart.ai, I worked with innovative tech companies like Uber and Instawork, gaining insight into the transformative power technology holds for individuals and businesses. The pivotal moment came when I saw how many talented people—especially those facing unique life challenges—struggled to access economic opportunities due to a lack of tech skills. That realization sparked a passion to create a platform where technology could empower everyday heroes to thrive economically.
Lets rewind the clock a bit. What about this industry first cought your attention, and how did you get started?
From an early age, I was captivated by how technology could dramatically improve people's lives. At 15, I experienced this firsthand by selling my first $1,000 website, an empowering moment that opened my eyes to technology's earning potential. Since then, I've been driven by the desire to replicate this empowerment for others, leading directly to the founding of TechStart.ai, dedicated to making tech careers attainable for everyone.
What about this latest news are you personally excited about the most?
I'm deeply honored by the recent series of awards and recognition I received on behalf of techstart and other projects in 2024-2025. Including Top Startup Educator of the Year 2025 and the official recognition of appreciation that recently came from City of Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley's office, the Nevada Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony and his office of Small Business Advocacy, my friend Commissioner William McCurdy II for the opening of the Westside Community Incubator, and from various other community groups and civil leaders including Promise Startups. These acknowledgments deeply resonate with me because they validate our collective efforts at TechStart. Most importantly, they underscore our community's strength and the impactful results of our mission to democratize technology education.
Where do you see this taking you or your clients in the future?
Our goal is ambitious yet clear: we envision TechStart.ai significantly expanding its reach from thousands to empowering millions of emerging entrepreneurs around the country and across the globe. We're dedicated to continually enhancing our platform, providing entrepreneurs with the advanced tools, comprehensive training, and essential insights required to scale their businesses and elevate their technology skills. Our ultimate aspiration is to create widespread economic empowerment and amplify earning potential, fostering lasting social impact and transforming communities worldwide.
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What are some insights or advise you might have for your clients and customers?
The primary advice I'd share is deeply rooted in our core values at TechStart.ai. Firstly, Always Be Learning—embrace continuous growth because the technology landscape evolves rapidly, and ongoing learning ensures you stay ahead. Secondly, Keep Moving Forward—adaptability and perseverance are critical, particularly when facing inevitable challenges. Progress Over Perfection reminds us that action and iterative improvement are far more impactful than perfectionism. Heart in Hustle encourages passion and authenticity in every entrepreneurial pursuit, ensuring that your efforts resonate genuinely with others. Lastly, We're Better Together emphasizes the power of collaboration and community support. Cultivating resilience and maintaining a strong connection to these core values and your deeper purpose can significantly enhance your entrepreneurial journey and the positive impact you create.
As business owners, we can tend to forget our "Why". What is your "Why"? What drives and motivates you and your team?
My "Why" is deeply rooted in family, community, and the advancement of humanity. Practicing gratitude daily and connecting with a sense of purpose continually motivates me and the team at TechStart.ai. Our mission revolves around empowering individuals to leverage technology as a means to create happiness, financial independence, and community well-being. It’s about transforming lives and creating measurable, positive change.
Let's unpack your "Why" a bit more. Can you provide some context and and how you and your team live your "why" each day?
At TechStart.ai, we actively embody our "Why" through core values such as Always Be Learning, Keep Moving Forward, Progress Over Perfection, Heart in Hustle, and We're Better Together. These values guide every decision, interaction, and initiative within our organization. Whether it's through our daily operations, community engagement, or client interactions, we consistently prioritize growth, innovation, and mutual support.
Let's unpack that even further. Let's pick one aspect of your business. What makes it so unique? And how does it change you or your customer's experience?
One unique aspect is our Academy and Marketplace model. Unlike typical educational platforms, we directly connect skills development with income opportunities. Our users don't just learn—they immediately apply their skills to generate sustainable income, dramatically enhancing their professional and personal lives. This direct and practical approach is a game-changer, fostering confidence, immediate financial returns, and long-term loyalty within our community.
What is your brands biggest driver of growth?
Our biggest growth driver is undoubtedly our passionate and engaged community of ambassadors. Word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied clients who have achieved real, tangible success through TechStart.ai fuel our growth. These genuine testimonials and stories of transformation inspire trust, credibility, and excitement, attracting more entrepreneurs eager to join our thriving tech community.
Let's rave about your customers for a minute. Can you share a story about one of your clients or customers, that either touched your heart, or made an impact with you and your team?
A particularly inspiring story is that of a single mother who joined TechStart.ai last summer. With no prior extensive tech experience, she quickly acquired essential digital skills and started earning consistently, significantly improving her family's financial situation. Witnessing her growing confidence, ambition, and success not only touched our hearts but reinforced our commitment to the mission. Her journey exemplifies the potential technology has to change lives, and it motivates us every day to continue our work.
How has that inspired you or your team?
Stories like hers serve as powerful reminders of why we created TechStart.ai. They deeply inspire our team, fueling our passion and commitment to continually improve our platform, expand our offerings, and reach more people. Every success story reaffirms our belief in the transformative power of technology education, driving us to innovate and positively impact as many lives as possible.
Let's get your insights. What are three tips, or words of advise you would give our readers?
1) Commit to lifelong learning and adaptability. aka Always Bea Learning.
2) Leverage the power of community and collaboration. aka We're Better Together.
3) Maintain a clear and meaningful daily connection to your purpose. aka Heart in Hustle
Well, this has been wonderful. How can people learn more about you or your company?
Visit our website, TechStart.ai, or connect with Elias Benjelloun on LinkedIn and social media. We actively share resources, inspiring success stories, and valuable insights to welcome more members into our growing tech-empowered community.
Thank you so much for sitting with us and sharing your story.
Thank you so much for allowing me to share our story and vision! I hope this brought some value to your audience and I want to congratulate Joseph Haecker and the team for creating so many incredible platforms including this one!
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