Our practice stems from the belief that the built environment is a living, safe, and breathing entity with the ability to express emotion and intimately engage with its surroundings.

Our responsibility is inspiring and humbling: to create a positive, lasting impact through tech-driven developments. We value empathy and embrace the hard work that leads to innovation.

Our goal is to create a company and culture where everyone—employees and clients—can do the best work of their lives.

Our philosophy is how we can make it happen.

Our motivation is the endless effort to grow and succeed in our field.

Ali S. Balaban
Founder & CEO

Ali is a C-suite executive with over 25 years of experience specializing in launching and scaling businesses, steering operations, leading dynamic teams, driving sales, and maximizing profits and market share in both B2B and B2C realms, specifically within software development and innovative real estate development space. He has proven experience with highly engineered systems. He is a proficient entrepreneur adept at resolving engineering challenges, empowering global team members, and increasing customer engagement.

Ali founded and started Smart Development Group, LLC in 2016, specializing in engineering innovative technologies and solutions tailored to effectuate significant contributions to the U.S. real estate landscape.

Ali has taught international organizations at Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey, and marketing management and monetary theories at Wisconsin University WIUU, Kyiv, Ukraine (later renamed Ukrainian-American Concordia University) for six years.

Ali holds a B.A. and a Masters in business administration from the Paul Valéry University, Montpellier III, and an International Business certificate from the University of California Los Angeles. Ali received a certificate of achievement from Stanford University for the Venture Capital Unlocked program in August 2019.