After building business from scratch, alumnus looks to support future workforce

Mohammad Elias may have founded one of the fastest growing private companies in the United States, but he remembers what it took to get there, and wants to help others achieve their goals as well.

Founder and CEO of RELI Group Inc., Elias earned his bachelor’s in business computers from St. Cloud State University in 2000. Originally from Bangladesh, he said SCSU’s business school accreditation as well as a Minnesota program offering resident tuition for foreign students were deciding factors in his studying at the University. He credited an alumni mentorship program during his time at St. Cloud State with helping to set him up for success as well.

“That definitely had a big impact and made us what we are today,” he said.

Elias started RELI Group Inc. in 2013. The company provides innovative technological solutions through advanced analytics, cyber security and program management services to help government clients in civilian and national security sectors provide essential public services.

“We are touching people's lives every day through the systems we manage, the systems we modernize or implement new solutions to make our American lives better and safer,” he said. “That's how I see the impact that is happening with the degree and the career that I chose.”

Elias is proud of having built his business from scratch as well as building a “formidable team” to manage the critical programs and systems supported by RELI Group Inc. His hope is that the business continues to grow and support the federal government, in addition to state and local agencies.

“That's where I see our future going, because we have learned a lot through the federal programs. And every state has similar needs and similar programs flow down and rules that flow down to the local level,” he said. “So how do we bring our knowledge base into the state and to the local level? That is the future goal.”

In 2019, Elias and his wife, Rebeka Sultana, started The Elias & Sultana Foundation — a private family foundation with a mission statement that reads, “Every human being deserves meaningful access to basic necessities like 1) food, 2) shelter and 3) education. We also believe that our diverse global community has a collective responsibility to help those less fortunate within our societies receive these basic life-sustaining services.” Through the foundation they have supported a number of students in the U.S. and Canada, and plan to support students at Elias’ alma mater as well.

“It’s important that SCSU keeps building a culture of inclusiveness and welcomes the international students, giving them the opportunity to be equal to a resident of Minnesota. Not too many states have that program, and students like myself — that is definitely the key differentiator for choosing a school and affording that school. When you come to a new country, you have a lot of learning to do, and also, how do you survive financially and socially?” he said. “That financial hardship; I faced it personally. I know how difficult it is to work and go to school and try to make sure that you can pay your rent and tuition at the same time. I would love to remove some of that burden and distress from the student population who are really in need now.”

As Elias contributes to the SCSU community, he also hopes that students continue to push hard to follow their dreams.

“You have to have that aspiration, and dream big. Nothing is impossible,” he said. “This is a country of opportunity. You’re here; take full advantage of it.”