Jim Fruchterman: Tech4Good Evangelist

A conversation with Jim Fruchterman, Social Entrepreneur and Founder of Benetech

by Lisa Van Dusen / Palo Alto Weekly

Jim Fruchterman, rocket scientist-turned-social entrepreneur and Founder/CEO of Benetech, a Palo Alto-based nonprofit, develops technology to "truly help change the world.

A Cal Tech graduate and MacArthur fellow who comes from "a game-playing family," Fruchterman shares how he applies Silicon Valley's existing technology to meet humanity's needs that the traditional marketplace fails to address. He combines his love of science and technology for their own sake with a desire to help society. Benetech's current focus areas include the visually impaired, human rights and the environment. Committed to an open-source approach and inspired by his son's discovery of Napster through his neighbor, Fruchterman decided to legally create what became the world's largest digital library for the visually impaired—Bookshare.

As Fruchterman reinvents the "next way to solve problems," Fruchterman is looking for a "gigantic ROI for society." Intentionally structured as a nonprofit, Benetech can pick up where the for profit sector leaves off rather than elbowing competitors out of the way. Instead, he and his team look for the place where they can have the greatest impact and do so through sustainable business models. Looking ahead, Fruchterman wants to experiment more and fail faster, to find their best next projects through Benetech Labs. He is especially called to focus on climate change and cities. In addition to being on the lookout for the next projects to incubate and implement, Benetech is always seeking funding for their technology transfer efforts from all quarters.

Palo Alto residents, Fruchterman and his wife are the parents of three grown offspring.

Host/interview, Lisa Van Dusen

Video, Veronica Weber