Jim Fruchterman
CEO Benetech
Media
Social
Biography
Jim Fruchterman, Benetech
MacArthur Fellow, Technology and Social Entrepreneur
Jim Fruchterman is social entrepreneur and CEO of Benetech, a nonprofit technology company based in Palo Alto, California. A technology entrepreneur and engineer, Fruchterman has been a rocket scientist, founded two of the foremost optical character recognition companies, and created numerous technology social enterprises. Fruchterman cofounded Calera Recognition Systems (now part of Nuance, a public company) and RAF Technology, Inc. both of which were based on optical character recognition technology. In 1989, Fruchterman founded Benetech as a nonprofit social enterprise, to produce reading machines, based on the Calera technology, for people who are blind.
Benetech expanded its focus in 2000 and began creating new technology for people with disabilities as well as the human rights and environmental movements. Benetech’s programs include Bookshare, the world’s largest accessible online library for people with print disabilities, Martus, software for tracking human rights violations and Miradi, project management tools for conservationists.
Fruchterman received a MacArthur Fellowship in 2006 in recognition of his work as a pioneering social entrepreneur. He believes that technology is the ultimate leveler, allowing disadvantaged people to achieve more equality in society.
MacArthur Fellow, Technology and Social Entrepreneur
Jim Fruchterman is social entrepreneur and CEO of Benetech, a nonprofit technology company based in Palo Alto, California. A technology entrepreneur and engineer, Fruchterman has been a rocket scientist, founded two of the foremost optical character recognition companies, and created numerous technology social enterprises. Fruchterman cofounded Calera Recognition Systems (now part of Nuance, a public company) and RAF Technology, Inc. both of which were based on optical character recognition technology. In 1989, Fruchterman founded Benetech as a nonprofit social enterprise, to produce reading machines, based on the Calera technology, for people who are blind.
Benetech expanded its focus in 2000 and began creating new technology for people with disabilities as well as the human rights and environmental movements. Benetech’s programs include Bookshare, the world’s largest accessible online library for people with print disabilities, Martus, software for tracking human rights violations and Miradi, project management tools for conservationists.
Fruchterman received a MacArthur Fellowship in 2006 in recognition of his work as a pioneering social entrepreneur. He believes that technology is the ultimate leveler, allowing disadvantaged people to achieve more equality in society.
Industry Expertise
Electrical Engineering
Education/Learning
Philanthropy
Non-Profit/Charitable
Library and Information Management
Computer Software
Internet
Information Technology and Services
Areas of Expertise
Socially Beneficial Applications of Technology
Technology for People With Disabilities
Geeks Serving Human Rights Activists
Rocket Scientist to Entrepreneur to Social Entrepreneur
Accomplishments
MacArthur Fellowship
2006-10-01
MacArthur Fellowship
Education
California Institute of Technology
B.S.
Engineering
1980
California Institute of Technology
M.S.
Applied Physics
1980
Event Appearances
Title
Raising the Floor Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Regional Conference Keynote, Cleveland, OH
2011-10-29
Title
Developing Software for Human Rights Silicon Valley Human Rights Conference mini-keynote, San Francisco, CA
2011-10-25
Title
Technology Serving Humanity Keynote Speech, IEEE Sections Congress, San Francisco, CA
2011-08-22
Title
Making the Book Truly Accessible Tools of Change Conference, New York, NY
2011-02-16
Show All +
Sample Talks
Technology Serving Humanity
What happens if a technology could do amazing things for society, but doesn't make enough money for a regular company or venture capitalist?
Style
Availability
- Keynote
- Author Appearance
Fees
$7000 to $15000*Will consider certain engagements for no fee
