Benetech harnesses the power of software and data to create social change. They use the Silicon Valley innovation model, adapted for maximum social impact rather than financial return, to develop breakthrough social enterprises. Day by day, they’re empowering communities in need; helping build a more inclusive, equitable and just world in education and literacy, human rights and poverty alleviation.
Benetech identifies technology opportunities with the greatest potential for software and data-driven impact and brings these projects to scale for sector-wide adoption through broader market and policy uptake. They have a senior management team with expertise in technology, non-profits, public service and intellectual property. They are pragmatic idealists, willing to take measured risks for big social payoffs.
Benetech maintains deep relationships with both Silicon Valley and community and organizational leaders, activists and policymakers that enable it to act as a bridge between communities and translate for groups that don’t speak the same language (tech vs social impact). Its leadership in the software for social good space provides the necessary credibility to participate in policy circles and influence national and international policy. Benetech joins forces with strategic partners, government and philanthropic investors who share their zeal to better the world. Benetech’s return on investment is not measured in dollars, but in the number of lives they affect.
The gap between what is possible and what is profitable in technology applications puts communities and social sector organizations at a disadvantage
Benetech launches new technology enterprises that serve social purposes, such as the documentation of human rights abuses through their software Martus.
Books for the vision impaired, secure platforms for reporting human rights violations, conservation monitoring software, and open source software are improving hundreds of thousands of lives.
Benetech’s goal is simple: to create software for social good that serves humanity and empowers people to improve their lives. Benetech believes that technology should serve all the people, not just the richest 10 percent. Benetech seeks to enable access to information for marginalized communities in education and literacy, human rights, and poverty alleviation.
Public education funding, memberships, philanthropy, platform revenue as well as international treaty and publisher industry collaboration all support their systems change in education and literacy globally. Public and philanthropic funding along with sector initiatives support their human rights and poverty work.
Founder/former CEO, Benetech, and Founder/CEO, Tech Matters, Benetech
Jim Fruchterman is a technology-focused social entrepreneur who has adapted the Silicon Valley approach to communities in need by creating scalable technology solutions. As a Caltech-trained engineer and Silicon Valley tech entrepreneur, he was inspired to found Benetech when a socially beneficial product idea was vetoed by his venture capital investors. Under his leadership, Benetech created five different software social enterprises with solutions for education, human rights, and the environment. Benetech continues to develop and launch new software for social good applications. Fruchterman frequently works with technologists, companies, nonprofits, activists, and policy-makers to explore how software and data can better serve disadvantaged segments of humanity.
In October 2018, Jim stepped down as CEO and founded TechMatters, an "anti-consulting" tech non-profit. He remains on the board, and former president Betsy Beaumon is now CEO.
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