MassBay Alum’s Success Starts with Failing

MassBay Community College alum and co-founder and CEO of Vidovo, Elijah Khasabo, Wellesley Hills, MA, October 2026 (Photo / Elijah Khasabo)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Liz Cooper
ecooper@massbay.edu

WELLESLEY HILLS, Mass. (October 28, 2026) — Elijah Khasabo of Northborough, Massachusetts, always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and if you ask him, he’ll probably tell you he’s scrappy. His gritty determination has taught him something not all CEOs talk about: failing just might be a good thing.

Elijah enrolled at MassBay following his graduation from Algonquin Regional High School. At first, he didn't want to attend college because he knew he wanted to build his own business. With big dreams and a promise to his parents, he decided to figure out how to make his mark while attending classes at MassBay. He graduated in 2024.

“While I was at MassBay, I was trying my hand at different businesses while going to class and working,” said Elijah. “I think I tried five different businesses, and they all failed. It was harder than I thought it was going to be. The process was long, a game of trial and error. But failing was the best thing that happened to me.”

While at MassBay, he kept trying new business concepts, and the flexibility of his coursework helped him co-found Vidovo, a creator-powered content platform that connects brands with user-generated content creators. Vidovo has now worked with national companies like Walmart and Jersey Mike’s and currently has 15 employees with plans to expand. In addition to being Vidovo co-founder, Elijah is the company’s CEO.

Elijiah explained that his experience at MassBay helped shape him and provided perspective that he continues to carry into client meetings.

“It was a brutal grind, working while attending classes and trying to launch a business, but it gave me a work ethic that I might not have otherwise,” he said. “And I tell anyone that going to a community college is the smartest thing you can do. The professors were knowledgeable, with relevant experience and interesting classes. You also learn so much about yourself. Going to MassBay gave me time to be me, to step back and really get creative. That's when Vidovo was born.”

Elijah transferred to the UMass Isenberg School of Management through the MassTransfer program after graduating from MassBay in December 2024 and recently earned his bachelor”s degree in May 2026.

“When I transferred to the UMass Isenberg School of Management, my core classes were done, and I focused on business and marketing,” he said. “For me, it was the best way to learn. I also saved a ton of money, and now I’m looking at friends who have huge debt they’re dealing with right out of college.”

According to Elijah, Vidovo’s current revenue is approximately $4 million and continues to grow. Speaking humbly about his success, Elijah quickly turns the conversation back to how he got here and the path that led him to build a successful company.

“Most people can’t see it, but failing is a beautiful thing,” he said. “It’s hard, and you need to figure it out. When I failed, I worked for someone else for months just to keep learning. But you can’t think of it as failing and it’s over. It’s about how you bounce back and learn from that failure. You build thick skin. In life, you don’t truly fail until you give up. So don’t give up. Keep going.”

Ranked the #1 community college in Massachusetts and #15 in the nation for Career Outcomes by WalletHub, MassBay Community College is the most affordable higher education option in MetroWest Boston and is free to most Massachusetts residents without a bachelor’s degree. With more than 70 associate degree and certificate programs, along with comprehensive workforce and educational training, MassBay provides a wide range of courses with flexible day, evening, and weekend classes in Wellesley, Framingham, the Automotive Technology Center in Ashland, and online, in high-demand fields including health and life sciences, computer science, engineering, cybersecurity, business, and the humanities. MassBay students receive unparalleled value, with free one-on-one academic and social support services, compassionate and experienced faculty, and stackable credits that easily transfer to bachelor’s degree programs and that provide hands-on, workforce-ready skills. Health sciences, human services, early childhood education, and many general education programs are offered at the 65,000 square foot, state-of-the-art MassBay Framingham, which has served the community since January 2024. Founded in 1961, MassBay has been accredited by multiple governing bodies and remains dedicated to serving its diverse communities, fostering inclusiveness, and advancing equity for all.