Benetech is a unique bridge that connects the social sector with business and technology leaders. We join together the heart of social mission with the mind of high-tech process and project management. Leveraging the vast technical skill in Silicon Valley, we have project managers and engineers proficient in almost every area of software development. Together, we’re using technology to serve humanity.

Good for Society and for Investors

Benetech operates much like a startup company in a venture capital environment. We identify needs and opportunities where technology could have a tremendous impact, improving the lives of thousands, potentially millions of people. Once we determine the viability of an idea, we apply research, analysis and business planning to develop and implement it. The crucial difference is that our primary goal is helping all of humanity, rather than making the maximum financial return.

As a social venture capital partner, we make decisions on behalf of society, as well as for our limited partners providing the capital in the form of grants, donations and access to intellectual property. Investments are evaluated in terms of need, feasibility and long-term business sustainability. One thing we do not do: waste money and time. 85% of every dollar goes directly to support our initiatives.

A Process Designed to Benefit Humanity

From the outset, we knew we needed a transparent process for managing our social enterprise portfolio and for guiding projects from inception, through seed funding, business planning, financing and operation.

Our development process serves us and our investors well, along with countless others around the globe who benefit from it.

Our Pipeline is a Project Incubator
There are many creative, innovative ideas in our project pipeline. They come from inventors and entrepreneurs all over the world. We study these ideas carefully to determine which ones can be taken to the next level. Does it fill an important need? Will it meet a specific demand? What is the social impact?

From this pipeline emerges those project initiatives that show enough promise for development and execution. For many of them, we serve as a “corporate home,” if there is no economic motive for independent ownership and the requirements in forming a separate nonprofit are prohibitive.

A Convergence of Talent and Conscience

The Benetech management team brings this business model to life with its depth of expertise in technology, intellectual property law, licensing, venture fund management and public service. We are all united in our devotion to achieving real and lasting social change.

The world needs you. Benetech is seeking project ideas with a budget of up to $2 million. The funding will come from donor contributions, Benetech general funds, or both.

To learn more about how we develop ideas, download our brochure:

• Benetech brochure

Other Ways to Get Involved

• Share your personal interests with us.
• Donate Now to Benetech.

Here are just a few of the ideas Benetech is exploring:

Literacy/Assistive Technology

• Audio books via cell phones and iPods for people with disabilities
• Inexpensive screen reader for the blind and illiterate
• Adult literacy solutions for teaching people how to read around the world
• Cheap, open-content books available globally for the poor
• Cell phone as a universal piece of adaptive technology for all disabilities
• Standard cell phone as a talking locator for the blind

Human Rights

• Expanding human rights technology tools into new social justice areas