Computing’s Top 30: Josiah Akinloye

Josiah Akinloye is one of our "Computing's Top 30 Early Career Professionals" for 2025. This program seeks to highlight an esteemed group of rising stars who earned this honor for their exceptional early-career achievements and role in driving advancements across the computing landscape. 

Introduction

My name is Josiah Akinloye, and I am the Founder and CEO of Mainlogix Technology, an IoT and intelligent systems company focused on building practical, privacy-conscious solutions for homes, buildings, and communities. Our work spans smart home automation, Edge AIoT systems, interoperability, digital infrastructure, and emerging intelligent environments. One of our flagship platforms is GrandeurSmart, which is designed to bring together smart devices, intelligent automation, local control, and privacy-focused experiences in a way that is accessible and useful in real-world settings.

My background is in mechanical engineering, but over time my work evolved across software, embedded systems, AI, automation, and product innovation. I have always been interested in solving difficult, human-centered problems with technology, especially problems that affect safety, accessibility, energy use, and quality of life. Today, I spend much of my time leading product vision, research, partnerships, and the practical development of technologies that can improve everyday living, especially in markets where infrastructure challenges create the need for resilient and adaptive innovation.

I have also been fortunate to receive recognition for my work, including being listed in Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2024, as well as support from the Tony Elumelu Foundation, both of which have further encouraged my commitment to building impactful technologies with global relevance.

What inspired you to pursue a career in technology?

What inspired me most was the realization that technology can be used as a force multiplier for human potential. I did not see technology simply as gadgets or software, but as a way to solve meaningful problems that people face in everyday life. I was especially drawn to how engineering and computing can bridge the gap between imagination and impact.

Part of my motivation also came from observing real challenges around me, from accessibility limitations to safety concerns, unreliable infrastructure, and the lack of tailored solutions for many African environments. I began to see that we could not always wait for imported systems to solve our local problems. We needed to build systems that understand our context, our constraints, and our opportunities. That mindset pushed me toward innovation in smart systems, automation, and AI-driven technologies.

I have also always been fascinated by the future: how connected systems, intelligent machines, and human-centered computing can transform the way we live. That fascination became a mission. I wanted to move from simply being excited about the future to actively helping build it.

What do you consider your highest achievement so far?

I consider one of my highest achievements to be building mission-driven technology ventures that turn ambitious ideas into practical solutions, especially through Mainlogix Technology and GrandeurSmart. Recognition such as Computing’s Top 30 Early Career Professionals, Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2024, and support from the Tony Elumelu Foundation has been meaningful because it reflects both the work itself and its potential to improve lives.

How do you plan to continue or build on that success?

The next step for me is to continue building technologies that scale responsibly and create practical value for more people. That means moving beyond prototypes and isolated deployments toward broader adoption, stronger partnerships, and deeper integration of AI, Edge computing, and digital infrastructure into everyday environments.

I am especially focused on expanding solutions that support privacy, local control, interoperability, and intelligence at the edge. As more homes, buildings, and cities become connected, I believe there is a huge need for systems that are not only smart, but trustworthy, resilient, and flexible. I want to help shape that direction.

I also plan to build on this success by contributing more visibly to research, standards conversations, training, and community development. In the long run, success for me is not just about growing a company. It is about helping create an ecosystem: more builders, more skilled talent, more local innovation capacity, and more technologies that genuinely improve quality of life.

How are you currently involved in the tech community aside from your job?

Beyond my day-to-day work, I stay actively involved in the technology community through professional engagement, knowledge sharing, and support for emerging talent. I have participated in IEEE-related activities and communities, and I value platforms that connect researchers, engineers, founders, and students across disciplines and geographies.

I am also deeply interested in mentorship, especially for young people exploring innovation, engineering, and entrepreneurship. Through my work and outreach, I try to encourage more people to see technology not just as a career path, but as a tool for solving meaningful problems. I have been involved in initiatives connected to education, practical tech exposure, and conversations around the future of intelligent systems.

In addition, I regularly engage with broader conversations around smart systems, AI, IoT, and the future of human-centered innovation. I see community involvement as an essential part of responsible technology work, because strong ecosystems are built through collaboration, not isolation.

Is there any emerging technology or industry segment you find exciting or interesting?

Yes, several. I am especially excited about the convergence of Edge AI, IoT, digital twins, and intelligent automation. We are entering a period where computation is no longer limited to centralized systems; intelligence is moving closer to the physical world, into homes, devices, buildings, vehicles, and infrastructure. That opens the door to more responsive, efficient, and context-aware systems.

I am also deeply fascinated by space technology, the broader future of physics-driven innovation, and humanity’s growing understanding of the universe, including the possibilities tied to other galaxies, deep space exploration, and how advanced computing may support future discoveries beyond Earth. I believe some of the most transformative breakthroughs of the future will come from the intersection of computing, physical sciences, and our quest to better understand life and the cosmos.

Another area I find especially compelling is biomedical technology and longevity science. The idea that technology can help us improve healthspan, detect conditions earlier, personalize care, and potentially extend the quality and duration of human life is incredibly important. I see longevity, biomedical systems, AI, and intelligent monitoring as areas that will increasingly converge in ways that reshape healthcare and human well-being.

I am also very interested in privacy-preserving AI and the future of interoperable intelligent environments. As technology becomes more embedded in daily life, we must think seriously about how to make it both useful and respectful of human autonomy. Systems should work for people without unnecessarily compromising privacy or control.

How do you see technology shaping humanitarian efforts or social good in the next 5 years?

I believe technology will increasingly shift from being a convenience tool to being a social infrastructure tool. Over the next five years, intelligent systems will play a bigger role in healthcare monitoring, disaster response, energy management, education access, inclusive design, and community resilience.

For example, connected and intelligent systems can help monitor vulnerable individuals, support remote care, optimize scarce resources, improve safety in homes and public spaces, and provide earlier warnings for risk conditions. In regions where infrastructure gaps remain a major challenge, technology can help extend services in more adaptive and cost-effective ways.

That said, social-good technology must be designed carefully. The goal should not be to deploy technology for its own sake, but to create systems that are useful, ethical, and accessible. I believe the greatest humanitarian impact will come from solutions that combine advanced capability with affordability, simplicity, and contextual relevance.

What advice would you give to young professionals or recent graduates who are trying to enter your field?

My advice is to build depth, stay curious, and work on real problems. Technology changes quickly, so your greatest advantage is not just what you know today, but how well you can keep learning. Do not be discouraged if your path is not perfectly linear. Some of the most valuable opportunities come from combining disciplines and staying open to unexpected directions.

I would also encourage young professionals to go beyond theory. Build projects. Join communities. Volunteer. Collaborate. Write. Present. Test your ideas in the real world. Practical experience develops confidence and teaches lessons that books alone cannot provide.

Finally, remember that your career should not be driven only by trends. It should be anchored in purpose. Ask yourself what problems matter to you, what kind of future you want to help create, and how your skills can contribute to something meaningful. When purpose and competence grow together, your work becomes far more powerful.

Get Connected

You can connect with Josiah Akinloye on LinkedIn.

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