We sat down with Larbi Chababe, Founder & CEO of illico1.com, a project operated within Procyon Invest (Belgium, Dubai, Switzerland). His aim is simple and bold: give back control, visibility, and margin to the people who actually do the work. illico1.com is now live on Android, with iOS and Web versions coming soon.
Spark Behind the Journey
We started the interview by asking, “How did your professional journey begin, and what key moments shaped where you are now?”
Larbi shared, “I’ve always been driven by one mission: fix what’s broken in how people work, sell, promote, and get paid. For years, platforms profited the most while professionals and users adapted and lost. Commission-based models ruled—delivery, booking, influencer marketplaces, directories.
We didn’t try to ‘improve’ that model — we set out to replace it. That’s how illico1.com was born: a next-generation professional social network with zero commission, full visibility, and real-time interaction between professionals, creators, and users.”
More about Larbi Chababe’s Role at illico1.com
Intrigued to learn more about his current role and organization, we asked Larbi Chababe to share the same.
“I’m the Founder & CEO of illico1.com, within Procyon Invest. I lead the vision, product roadmap, investor relations, and go-to-market. illico1.com is an ecosystem: people can find nearby professionals in real time, book instantly, hire or apply for jobs, promote services or events, and creators can collaborate with thousands of professionals. Users and creators are free. Professionals pay a flat, tax-deductible monthly fee — zero commission. Through IllicoCash, anyone can earn recurring referral income for every professional they bring — as long as the professional remains subscribed,” he mentioned.
What makes illico1.com Different
We were interested to learn about the unique offerings that can ensure illico1.com’s position as a forefront player. So, we asked, “ What are illico1.com’s core services and what makes them unique?”
Larbi explained, “For Professionals, we offer geo-visibility (Uber-like map), a smart profile (services, offers, videos), direct messaging and calls, and the ability to sell real-time availability — perfect to fill cancellations or accept last-minute work, added with a Jobs/Missions module for quick subcontracting or staffing.
Creators can have direct access to a structured base of professionals across sectors, in-app content tools, collaboration offers, and IllicoCash for recurring income from referred pros. And for users, illico1.com has real-time, no-middleman search — to find who’s available right now, save favorites, recommend trusted pros, and even refer professionals to unlock IllicoCash benefits.”
“How it works in 30 seconds: download and join (free for users/creators), find or be found — search by category, map, and real-time availability, and finally, connect and book directly at zero commission,” he added.
Navigating through Challenges
Challenges are an inevitable part of every professional journey. To get a glimpse of the same, we asked Larbi Chababe to share his biggest challenges as a leader — and how he solved them.
“Asking the market to leave the commission economy was bold. We listened to professionals, priced fairly, and optimized for speed, simplicity, and fluidity. Adoption grows when you give back control and margin,” Larbi reflected.
Enhancing Services with AI
We further asked, “How do you see AI in your sector?”
Larbi commented, “AI should enhance, not replace, human connection. We use AI for matchmaking, job or service recommendations by need and location, and to streamline onboarding. No manipulation, no dark patterns — technology should serve people.”
Envisioning the Industry
To learn Larbi Chababe’s perspective on the growth of his industry, we asked, “What’s next for your industry?”
“Trust in high-commission intermediaries is eroding. People want direct connection, fairness, and the ability to earn. illico1.com sits at that intersection: a professional social ecosystem, zero commission, real-time availability & booking, recurring referral income via IllicoCash.
It’s not a tweak; it’s a category-defining shift,”
Words of Wisdom to Builders
Lastly, we asked, “What will be your advice to aspiring founders and professionals?
Larbi added, “Don’t just build features — remove friction and create value. Aim for hyper-relevance, not hype. Make something so useful and fair that people naturally share it.”
Explore illico1.com. Create your profile. If you’re a professional, activate your real-time availability today.
GDPR-compliant • Transparent pricing • No dark patterns.
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