Elijah LubalaFounder

United States - New York, New York,

Born amidst the turmoil of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, my personal journey has been both extraordinary and transformative. At the age of five, war necessitated my family's escape to South Africa, a painful chapter that became the catalyst for the entrepreneur I am today.

In my South African youth, I dreamt of challenging rap legends like Jay-Z. However, a burgeoning entrepreneurial spirit soon eclipsed my musical ambitions. Throughout university, I diligently saved every cent from small jobs and parental support, nurturing my entrepreneurial vision.

At 21, I made my foray into TV production, launching the show 'Running with the Reps' which ran for two seasons on the Vuzu TV channel found on Mnet. In 2013, I founded Elie Technologies, a firm committed to creating solar-powered routers that function as mobile WiFi hotspots. The journey was riddled with challenges, with a demanding five-year period of perfecting our product. But the patience paid off, culminating in accreditation and subsequent patent acquisition.

Parallel to my tech entrepreneurship, I ventured into the Real Estate industry in 2014, establishing Attila Real Estate. Specializing in construction and rental management, Attila now commands an impressive portfolio of over 25 properties spanning Johannesburg to Kinshasa, solidifying our stronghold in the student accommodation market.

With a unique mix of languages, I communicate fluently in five tongues, a testament to my Congolese-South African heritage and commitment to personal development.

At 25, I secured US and Chinese patents for the innovative SOLAR-FI™ technology, catapulting me into the spotlight as one of Africa's top entrepreneurs, as recognized by Forbes Africa's esteemed 30 Under 30 list in 2017.

In 2021, my SOLAR-FI™ technology clinched the second spot at the Innovating Education in Africa (IEA) competition, organized by the African Union Commission and its partners. This success propelled me into 2023, when I joined the inaugural BK-XL Cohort, leading to the relocation of Tuma Inc. and the Attila Group to New York to spearhead our global expansion.

Educationally, I hold a Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences degree from Monash University, a globally recognized institution. My degree encompasses a triple major in Business Systems, Applications Development, and Networking, bolstering my extensive expertise in the technology industry.

As we forge ahead, I'm excited to continue pushing the envelope in technology and real estate entrepreneurship.
Join me as we embark on this exhilarating journey together.