Devon Saliga

BORN TO BUILD. Devon Saliga believes if it weren’t for his LGBTQIA+ identity, he may never have started his company Beepboop, a revolutionary language-learning platform. Growing up closeted in a conservative environment, Devon found solace and escape in the world of languages. “Studying Japanese offered me an escape from societal expectations,” he recalls. This passion for language not only shaped his personal journey but also laid the foundation for his professional path.

Devon’s entrepreneurial spirit was ignited early on by his father, who, along with his brothers, ran a machine shop. “Every Saturday, I would wake up early and go to work with my dad. I learned about dedication and how much effort it takes to build something you can be proud of,” Devon reflects. This early exposure to the world of business instilled in him a deep-seated work ethic and a fascination with the challenges and rewards of creating something from the ground up.

“In high school, I fell into a common trap many queer youths experience. I believed I was so fundamentally flawed that I had to compensate by amassing accolades and achievements, often at the expense of my happiness or mental well-being,” Devon recounts. Pushing himself to the brink, Devon transformed into the “perfect” student, a pursuit that was neither healthy nor sustainable. This relentless drive led him to Dartmouth, where he studied Japanese. It was here that he encountered a unique teaching method that would later inspire Beepboop. “This specific method rapidly improved my Japanese, and with that skill, I landed my first job at Goldman Sachs in investment banking,” Devon explains.

At Goldman Sachs, Devon’s passion for language learning continued in his free time, but it was a trip to Mexico that sparked the idea for Beepboop. Despite diligently studying Spanish through popular apps, Devon found himself struggling to communicate in real-life scenarios.

This epiphany led him to realize the limitations of existing language-learning tools and the need for a platform that prioritized real-world communication. “I felt like I had a moral obligation to do it because I knew something about the language learning market that others didn’t,” Devon explains.

Beepboop’s mission is to transform charismatic and compassionate people into super-charged foreign language educators. The platform leverages proven teaching methods, many of which Devon encountered at Dartmouth, to create group learning environments where students can gain practical language skills through roleplay and interactive scenarios. “Our technology streamlines these effective methods, providing teachers with step-by-step instructions that dynamically update to accommodate the learning styles of students in the classroom.” Devon explains. This approach has resonated with users, leading to the rapid growth of Beepboop’s community.

PURSUE THE PASSION. As Beepboop has evolved, so has Devon’s role, transitioning from CEO to board chairperson. He has guided Beepboop’s transformation into a cooperative linked to a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), where the community of teachers and students influences the platform’s direction. “This new structure incentivizes our community to fuel the next wave of growth, bringing our impact to more classrooms,” Devon says, hopeful that Beepboop will exemplify the successful integration of cooperatives and DAOs.

Reflecting on his journey at Beepboop, Devon acknowledges that his LGBTQIA+ identity has been integral to his success. The challenges he faced as a young person seeking validation have evolved into a desire to create meaningful impact and fulfillment in his work. “I love who I am today and am so grateful I can pursue my passions,” he shares. To anyone considering starting their own company, Devon advises, “You need to have an almost delusional belief that you’re the only person who could be doing this. And just like my dad would always tell me at his machine shop, ‘if you’re dedicated enough, you can build anything!”