10X: ten times the impact. That’s what’s been on my mind lately. How can our existing successful programs reach ten times more people? How can we use technology in a new way to improve people’s lives that is an order of magnitude better? Can we help stimulate the creation of far more technology-for-good ventures? At Benetech, we want to help lead the charge into a future where the advantages of digital information touch the lives of all people, not just of the richest and most able five percent of humanity. As always, I’m delighted to share the latest Benetech highlights as we work on these ambitious 10X dreams!
Palo Alto, California, May 14, 2014—Benetech is pleased to announce that it has appointed technologist and social entrepreneur Kushal Chakrabarti as Senior Advisor to Benetech Labs, where the Benetech team and partners prototype, iterate, and test new software-for-good applications. Kushal is the founder and co-chairman of Vittana, an award-winning nonprofit that fights youth poverty in developing countries. Drawing on his experience as a serial entrepreneur, he will provide Benetech CEO, Jim Fruchterman, and the senior management team strategic guidance and insight on Benetech Labs.
How do you bridge the breakthroughs of Silicon Valley with unmet social needs? Financial magazine Barron’s highlights this question in a story about CEO Jim Fruchterman, his founding of Benetech, the organization’s social enterprise business model, and the impact of its work on the lives of marginalized communities.
enetech has announced the addition of Silicon Valley entrepreneur Yogen Dalal to its Board of Directors. Dalal is an engineer and former managing partner at venture capital firm Mayfield Fund. Over the last 20 years he has invested in the communications, enterprise software, and Internet consumer and infrastructure sectors. “Yogen Dalal will provide Benetech with invaluable guidance as we strengthen our leadership role at the intersection of the technology and social change sectors,” says Benetech CEO Jim Fruchterman.
Today, December 10th, we’re delighted to join the Silicon Valley United Nations Association in observance of Human Rights Day, which marks this year the 65th anniversary of the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Tonight, at 6pm, at the Calabazas Branch Library, I’ll be giving a talk for the Silicon Valley United Nations Association about some of the ways in which we at Benetech are working on human rights issues globally and in support of the United Nations. I cannot imagine a more fitting group or day to speak about this subject!
