# Al Lalji

> Al Lalji is the founder and chief executive officer of SmarTek21, an enterprise technology business founded in 2006. His work includes co-invented patents for connecting legacy applications and facilitating computer-generated conversations, the 2016 launch of SmartBotHub, and the company’s expansion through combinations with Retro Rabbit and IT Avalon in 2025.

- **Role:** Founder and Chief Executive Officer at SmarTek21
- **Organizations:** SmarTek21, SmartBotHub, IntelliTek, Aga Khan Sports, Aga Khan National Sport Board, Western Region Council
- **Education:** Bachelor’s degree in business, Pepperdine University, Master’s degree in information systems
- **Known for:** Founded SmarTek21 in 2006., Named co-inventor on US 8,914,544 and US 10,645,034., Led SmarTek21 through its 2025 combinations with Retro Rabbit and IT Avalon.

## Career timeline

- **1989–1992** — Lists Pepperdine University attendance, with accounting and business studies, on LinkedIn.
- **1996–2000** — Regional Chair, Aga Khan Sports.
- **1998–2000** — Youth and Sport Board volunteer role, Aga Khan National Sport Board.
- **2006** — Founded SmarTek21.
- **2010–2014** — Western Region Council volunteer leadership responsibilities, including development and training.
- **2014** — Co-inventor of US 8,914,544, granted December 16, concerning interfaces to legacy business applications.
- **2016** — SmarTek21 launched SmartBotHub on July 26.
- **2018** — SmartBotHub included as a representative vendor in Gartner’s Market Guide for Conversational Platforms, according to the company’s announcement.
- **2020** — US 10,645,034 granted May 5, naming Lalji and Andrew Alan Wells as inventors.
- **2025** — SmarTek21 combined with Retro Rabbit in January and IT Avalon in May, backed by Tortuga Growth Partners.
- **2026** — SmarTek21 announced an official technology partnership with Seattle Sounders FC in May.

## Achievements

- Founded SmarTek21 in 2006.
- Named co-inventor on US 8,914,544 and US 10,645,034.
- Led SmarTek21 through its 2025 combinations with Retro Rabbit and IT Avalon.
- SmartBotHub was included in Gartner’s 2018 Market Guide for Conversational Platforms as a representative vendor; this was not an endorsement.

## Latest updates

- **2026-05** — SmarTek21 announced an official technology partnership with Seattle Sounders FC, including data integration and Tableau dashboards.
- **2025-05** — SmarTek21 combined with IT Avalon; the announcement described more than 650 associates globally at that time.
- **2025-01** — Tortuga Growth Partners announced backing for SmarTek21’s combination with Retro Rabbit.

## Links

- Website: https://smartek21.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allalji/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/al-lalji
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-23