With over 18 years of experience in product development, architecture, and business model innovation, Lijeesh has established himself as a

technopreneur and mentor in EdTech and career development. His journey began as a Software Engineer, where he quickly ascended to leadership roles, including a pivotal position at Flip Media (now Publicis Sapient). There, he spearheaded the

development of cutting-edge content solutions that power over 300 enterprise websites and media platforms across the Middle East.

Lijeesh’s career took a significant turn when he joined Laimoon.com together with the founding team. The platform matches individuals to jobs and courses, and as the

Chief Product & Technology Officer, he oversaw its technical strategy and execution, ensuring it delivered personalized and relevant recommendations to users. Under his leadership, Laimoon.com became one of the top players in the career space in the

MENA region, helping thousands of individuals find meaningful opportunities.

However, it was during his time at Laimoon.com that Lijeesh identified a glaring gap in the market: hundreds of thousands of junior engineers were struggling to find jobs due to limited opportunities. This realization, coupled with his passion for mentoring and nurturing talent, inspired him to co-found TalPods in 2021 with Ameer Jawad.

Initially launched as Topinterns, the venture quickly pivoted to TalPods after

recognizing that companies were not seeking interns but rather skilled, mid-level talent. Today, TalPods incubates software engineers for high-tech companies,

pairing promising juniors with top lead engineers to deliver high-quality work while saving companies up to 75% on hiring costs.

Lijeesh’s decision to enter the EdTech industry and invest in young talent was driven by his belief in the transformative power of education and technology. He witnessed firsthand how the right guidance and opportunities could change lives, and he was determined to create a platform that bridges the gap between talent and opportunity.

His journey is not just about building successful companies but also about empowering individuals to achieve their full potential.

1. Brief us about his current company’s roles. What inspired him to start these ventures? What are the core missions of the companies?

As the Co-Founder and CTO of TalPods, Lijeesh Majeed plays a pivotal role in

incubating software engineers for high-tech companies. TalPods collaborates with governments, NGOs, and corporations to bring exceptional tech talent into the

market, offering a cost-effective solution for companies to hire and develop mid-level talent. One such effort by TalPods was partnering with Jusoor, an NGO empowering Syrian refugees worldwide, through the TalPods-Jusoor Tech Talent Pipeline

Program. This initiative reflects TalPods’ commitment to creating opportunities for underrepresented talent. The core mission of TalPods is to provide a hassle-free alternative to in-house talent development, ensuring that companies can build

high-quality products while seamlessly integrating new hires into their culture and values.

Lijeesh’s inspiration for founding TalPods stemmed from his experience at

Laimoon.com, where he observed the challenges faced by junior engineers who struggled to secure jobs due to limited opportunities. Recognizing the need for a platform that not only matches talent with opportunities but also provides

mentorship and support to help individuals thrive, Lijeesh co-founded TalPods. Today, TalPods stands as a beacon of hope for aspiring engineers, bridging the gap between talent and opportunity.

In addition to his role at TalPods, Lijeesh serves as the Chief Product & Technology Officer (CPTO) of Laimoon.com, where he continues to drive the platform’s technical strategy and execution. Laimoon.com’s mission is to connect individuals with the

right jobs and courses, offering a fun and interactive experience that helps users unlock their true potential. The platform leverages cutting-edge web and cloud technologies to disrupt the traditional career opportunities space, providing personalized recommendations and connecting users with tailored opportunities.

As part of his role at Laimoon.com, Lijeesh is actively working towards building an AI-driven career guidance platform that enhances the user experience by delivering smarter, data-driven recommendations. Additionally, he has implemented a

marketing automation system that helps course providers validate hundreds of education leads, streamlining the process of connecting learners with the right educational opportunities. These innovations underscore Lijeesh’s commitment to leveraging technology to transform education and career development.

2. What is his strategic vision for his companies, and how does he plan to drive innovation in the industry?

Lijeesh’s strategic vision for TalPods and Laimoon.com is centered around innovation, scalability, and impact. For TalPods, the goal is to become the go-to platform for companies seeking to hire and develop mid-level tech talent. Lijeesh

envisions a future where TalPods is synonymous with quality and reliability, offering a seamless experience for both companies and engineers. To achieve this, he plans to leverage cutting-edge technologies, such as AI, and pair junior engineers with top lead engineers for mentorship. This fast-track opportunity attracts the brightest

talent early in their careers, enabling companies to retain them as long-term champions within their teams. This approach creates a win-win-win formula for all parties involved.

At Laimoon.com, Lijeesh’s vision is to build a platform that not only matches individuals with jobs and courses but also equips them with the tools and resources needed to succeed in their careers. He aims to drive innovation by continuously

enhancing the platform’s recommendation algorithms, improving the user experience, and expanding the range of opportunities available to users. Additionally, Lijeesh is spearheading the development of an AI-driven career guidance platform and marketing automation systems tailored for professional education institutes,

further solidifying Laimoon.com’s position as a leader in the career and education space.

3. How does his company prioritize customer needs and satisfaction in its operations?

Customer needs and satisfaction are at the core of everything Lijeesh and his companies strive to achieve. At TalPods, the focus is on delivering a hassle-free

experience for both companies and engineers. By pairing exceptional junior talent with top lead engineers, TalPods ensures that companies receive high-quality work while engineers gain invaluable experience and mentorship. The platform also

provides personalized support to help engineers integrate smoothly into their new roles, creating a positive and productive experience for everyone involved.

Additionally, companies can collaborate with mentors and agile coaches from the TalPods team to offer periodic feedback, enhancing the overall quality of

engagement and fostering the growth of engineers.

At Laimoon.com, customer satisfaction is driven by a combination of personalized recommendations and an intuitive, user-friendly interface. The platform is designed to understand users deeply, delivering relevant matches and connecting them with

the right opportunities. Lijeesh and his team actively gather feedback from users to continuously refine the platform, ensuring it evolves to meet the changing needs of its audience.

4. What have been some of the biggest challenges he’s faced in the EdTech industry while in TalPods, and how has he overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges Lijeesh has faced in the EdTech industry is the lack of opportunities for junior engineers, particularly in high-inflation economies and

among marginalized communities like Syrian refugees. This challenge inspired the creation of TalPods, which addresses the gap by providing mentorship, on-the-job

training, and support to aspiring engineers. A powerful example of this is the story of Mahmud, a Syrian refugee in Lebanon. Despite facing immense hardships—including working at a bakery for just $50 a month to support his family—Mahmud was determined to build a better future. He pursued a computer science degree through a free university, completed online courses via scholarships, and attended a coding

boot camp to prepare himself as a junior software engineer. However, due to legal restrictions in Lebanon and companies’ preference for mid-to-senior-level talent, Mahmud struggled to find a job in tech.

TalPods’ innovative apprenticeship model transformed Mahmud’s life. The program paired him with Hammad, a top lead engineer with eight years of experience, who

provided daily mentorship and guidance. Mahmud worked full-time on senior-level projects for Calo, a fast-growing food tech company, while Hammad ensured his work met the standards of a senior engineer. Within just one year, Mahmud’s skills

accelerated dramatically. He was certified as a mid-level engineer, hired full-time by Calo, and saw his salary double—enabling him to provide comfortably for his family. This success story highlights how TalPods’ model not only bridges the skill gap but also creates life-changing opportunities for individuals like Mahmud.

Another significant challenge Lijeesh has tackled is the rapid pace of technological change, which demands constant innovation and adaptation. By staying at the

forefront of technological advancements and refining TalPods’ model, Lijeesh

ensures the platform meets the evolving needs of both companies and engineers.

For instance, TalPods’ approach of pairing junior engineers with experienced mentors has proven highly effective, with the platform supplying 20% of the

engineering team for Floward, one of the largest e-gift platforms in the MENA region.

Through these efforts, Lijeesh has turned challenges into opportunities, creating a win-win-win formula: companies gain cost-effective, high-quality talent; engineers receive accelerated career growth; and marginalized individuals like Mahmud

achieve transformative outcomes. TalPods’ proven model demonstrates how

innovation and empathy can bridge the gap between talent and opportunity in the tech industry.

Source : https://talpods.io/blog/empowering-businesses-transforming-lives-talpods-jusoor-tech-talent- pipeline https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u4Ay_a6eXE http://wamda.com/2023/05/baker-learned-code

5. What are some of the biggest challenges in developing and scaling a Career platform like Laimoon.com?

Developing and scaling a career platform like Laimoon.com presents several significant challenges. One of the primary hurdles is ensuring the platform delivers accurate and relevant recommendations to users. This requires sophisticated algorithms, machine learning models, and a deep understanding of user behavior and preferences. Building a system that can effectively match individuals with the right jobs and courses is complex, as it involves analyzing vast amounts of data

while maintaining precision and personalization.

Another major challenge is scaling the platform to accommodate a rapidly growing user base without compromising performance or reliability. As more users join the platform, the infrastructure must handle increased traffic, data processing, and

real-time interactions seamlessly. Lijeesh and his team have addressed this by

leveraging state-of-the-art web and cloud technologies, continuously optimizing the platform’s architecture, and ensuring robust scalability.

Additionally, SEO and organic marketing in a rapidly evolving customer landscape pose ongoing challenges. Staying ahead of search engine algorithm changes and ensuring the platform remains visible to users requires constant adaptation and innovation. Lijeesh’s team has tackled this by implementing data-driven marketing strategies and staying attuned to industry trends.

On the courses side of the platform, maintaining a balance between offering the best courses at competitive prices while ensuring quality has been another challenge.

The transition from physical to virtual classroom modes also required significant

effort, as it involved rethinking course delivery, user engagement, and accessibility to cater to a global audience.

By addressing these challenges through technological innovation, user-centric design, and strategic marketing, Lijeesh and his team have successfully scaled Laimoon.com into a leading career and education platform in the MENA region.

6. What are some of the biggest opportunities you see in the industry?

Lijeesh sees immense opportunities in the EdTech industry, particularly in the areas of AI, machine learning, and personalized learning. He believes these technologies have the potential to revolutionize how we learn and work, equipping individuals with the tools and resources they need to succeed in their careers. By leveraging AI-driven solutions, platforms can deliver tailored learning experiences, enhance skill

development, and bridge gaps in education and career advancement.

Another significant opportunity lies in the growing demand for tech talent, especially in fields like AI-driven engineering. TalPods is uniquely positioned to address this demand by augmenting the productivity of engineers by 10x or more through innovative mentorship and on-the-job training models. This approach not only

accelerates skill development but also helps companies access high-quality talent efficiently.

Additionally, Lijeesh identifies a major opportunity in the shift toward empowering humans with new technologies. While advancements like AI and automation are giving individuals “superpowers” to solve complex problems, a majority of the

workforce and education systems remain stuck in outdated methods. This gap

represents a significant opportunity to transform how talent is nurtured, upskilled, and integrated into the modern workforce.

By capitalizing on these opportunities, Lijeesh aims to drive innovation in the EdTech space, creating solutions that empower individuals and organizations alike.

7. How do you keep abreast with the changes in your industry and prepare yourself for continuous growth?

Lijeesh stays ahead of industry changes by embracing continuous learning and

staying at the forefront of technological advancements. He regularly attends industry conferences, participates in webinars, and actively networks with other professionals in the field. Additionally, he fosters a culture of growth within his team by

encouraging continuous learning and providing the necessary resources to stay updated on the latest trends and technologies.

In his professional journey, Lijeesh wears multiple hats, collaborating with his team to craft innovative technology products, develop marketing strategies, nurture

high-performing teams, and guide individuals toward realizing their full potential.

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential for thriving in both personal and professional spheres. Outside of work, Lijeesh finds joy in exploring life alongside his cherished family and friends. He takes solace in reading books and enjoying

thought-provoking shows, and when he’s not immersed in technology or literature, you’ll likely find him on the tennis court, chasing the perfect serve.

8. What is your and your team’s goal for the next five years, and what steps are you taking to achieve it?

Lijeesh’s vision for the next five years is to establish TalPods and Laimoon.com as trailblazers in the EdTech industry. To achieve this, he is dedicated to continuous

innovation and enhancement of the platforms, expanding their reach, and equipping users with the tools and resources they need to succeed. His team is committed to delivering high-quality products and services while striving to make a meaningful

impact on the lives of their users.

On a personal level, Lijeesh aspires to transform the lives of a million individuals

through his EdTech initiatives, creating opportunities for growth, learning, and success.

9. What is that one quote you live by or find helpful?

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” – Steve Jobs

This quote resonates deeply with Lijeesh, as it reflects his passion for technology, innovation, and education. He believes that true success comes from doing what you love and making a positive impact on the world. This philosophy has guided him

throughout his career and continues to inspire him to push the boundaries of what is possible in the EdTech industry.