From Retail Floor to AI Revolution: How Benjamin King's BenAI Avatar is Solving the $225 Billion Learning Crisis

Benjamin King, CEO and Founder of Elevate Innovations, talks with Roy Perlson, founder of Jobago.ai, how Elevate Innovations AI-powered avatar BenAI is transforming corporate training with empathetic coaching that reads body language and emotions.

Benjamin King, CEO and Founder of Elevate Innovations.

Q: Benjamin, you've built something quite remarkable with BenAI. Can you start by telling us what drove you to leave retail management and venture into AI-powered learning? 

Benjamin King: My passion has always been about unlocking human potential. During my decade in retail management - from Regency Furniture where I was Regional Manager of the Year, to Ashley Home Stores where I reduced employee turnover by 25% - I saw firsthand how traditional training fails people. When ChatGPT launched, I realized we could use AI not to replace humans, but to empower them. That's when Elevate Innovations was born in 2023. 

Q: The statistics you present are staggering - companies will waste over $225 billion on ineffective learning in 2025. How does BenAI solve this crisis? 

Benjamin King: The problem is that most learning management systems use static content and boring videos that don't stick. BenAI is different - it's a lifelike AI avatar that creates immersive, real-time coaching experiences. Our proprietary "Ask, Teach, Coach" framework uses the Socratic method, but what sets us apart is BenAI’s ability to personalize interactions based on user behavior and learning style. It's like having a personal coach who truly understands you. 

Q: Walk us through how BenAI actually works in practice. 

Benjamin King: BenAI integrates as a widget into existing LMS platforms, so there's instant onboarding. It scrapes information from the modules learners are working on and becomes an expert on that content. But here's the magic - instead of relying solely on user input, BenAI adapts based on a comprehensive set of behavioral signals. Whether someone is practicing a sales pitch or preparing for an interview, BenAI provides real-time feedback based not just on what they say, but how they say it and their body language. 

Q: You mention interview training specifically. How could this help job seekers? 

Benjamin King: This is huge for platforms focused on career development. BenAI can role-play interview scenarios, asking engaging questions and providing personalized feedback. Its strength lies in adaptive learning pathways and intelligent feedback that help users build confidence and improve communication techniques over time. Imagine being able to practice interviews with an AI that understands context and gives you specific, actionable feedback to improve your performance. 

Q: What makes BenAI different from other AI tools like ChatGPT or Google's offerings? 

Benjamin King: While those are general-purpose AI assistants, BenAI is specifically designed for adaptive training with empathetic insights. We understand behaviors in ways that larger AI companies haven't focused on. Our goal isn't to provide information - it's to create lasting behavioral change through immersive role-playing and personalized coaching that adapts to each individual's personality type. 

Q: You're taking a "dumbbell approach" to market entry. Can you explain this strategy? 

Benjamin King: We're focusing on both ends - B2B through strategic partnerships and B2C for self-learners. Our partnerships with organizations like the University of Toledo and other large organizations help us penetrate the corporate and government training markets. Meanwhile, our B2C version allows individuals to create personalized avatars for self-learning. Think of it like purchasing skins in video games, but these avatars become intelligent tutors. 

Q: Let's talk about the business model. How do you plan to capture value in this massive market? 

Benjamin King: We have tiered pricing from a freemium model at $0 up to enterprise solutions at $74.99 per license per month, and heavily discounted offers for larger organizations that exceed 250 active learners or more. Our target market is enormous – we're looking at a $600 billion total addressable market. We’ve identified a $5.6 billion serviceable addressable market in adaptive learning. 

Q: What's your fundraising situation, and how will you use the capital? 

Benjamin King: We're seeking $2.7 million to accelerate our go-to-market launch planned for March 2025. The funding breaks down to $1.3 million for marketing and partnerships, $1 million for continued R&D, and $400,000 for business operations. We have a pre-revenue valuation of $15 million and post-revenue valuation of $25 million. We're offering a 20% discount through a SAFE note. 

Q: You have some impressive partnerships already. Tell us about the traction you're seeing. 

Benjamin King: We have strategic partnerships across multiple sectors. One learning platform with millions of users is integrating BenAI as a feature. Another partner is white-labeling our technology for U.S. government clients. We also have a major partnership pending with a leading organization in psychometric and behavioral analytics that will be a major catalyst for our market entry. 

Q: What drives you personally to focus on empowering people through AI? 

Benjamin King: I had to work hard for everything I achieved and lacked a father figure growing up. This fueled my passion for mentoring others and helping them understand not just the "what" but the "how" and "why" behind tasks. I believe every person is a diamond in the rough, and AI, when used properly, can unlock the world's inner brilliance. That's our mission - to empower humanity, not replace it. 

Q: Where do you see Elevate Innovations in the next 3-5 years? 

Benjamin King: Our financial projections show us reaching $12.4 million in revenue by 2027 with $7.8 million EBITDA. But beyond the numbers, I see BenAI becoming the standard for immersive, empathetic AI coaching across education and corporate training. We're not just building a product - we're creating entirely new ways to empower people and unlock their potential. 

Q: What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs looking to disrupt established industries with AI? 

Benjamin King: Focus on the human element. Too many AI companies are trying to replace people rather than empower them. Find a real problem - like the $225 billion waste in corporate training - and use AI to solve it in a way that makes humans more capable, not obsolete. Also, be prepared for the funding journey. It takes grit, and you need to get in front of the right audiences to avoid wasting time. 

Key Takeaways  

• Market Opportunity: The global learning and development market represents a $600 billion opportunity, with companies wasting over $225 billion annually on ineffective training. 

• Technology Innovation: BenAI uses adaptive techniques based on behavioral engagement and contextual learning, setting it apart from general-purpose AI tools. 

• Business Model: Tiered pricing from freemium to $74.99/month enterprise. 

• Strategic Partnerships: Key alliances with leading education institutions and training providers validate market demand. 

• Funding Strategy: Seeking $2.7M with $15M pre-revenue valuation, demonstrating strong investor interest in AI-powered learning solutions. 

• Human-Centric Approach: Unlike AI tools focused on replacement, BenAI emphasizes empowerment and personalized coaching, addressing the critical need for effective learning that creates lasting behavioral change. 

• Future Vision: Positioned to become the standard for immersive, empathetic AI coaching across both corporate training and individual learning markets.