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Jim Fruchterman, Benetech`s founder and CEO, was an engineering student at Caltech when he learned how pattern recognition technology could guide a missile to its target. “If you could use this technology to recognize tanks or bridges,” Jim thought, “perhaps you could also recognize letters and words. Then we could use software to read those words aloud to people who are blind.” Years later, after a stint as a rocket engineer, Jim cofounded a VC-backed tech company called Calera Recognition Systems. Calera invented the first successful machine that could read almost any printed font without requiring human training. The products based on that technology had many commercial applications, but Jim hadn`t let go of his earlier idea. Soon he and the Calera team began prototyping a reading machine for the blind. Calera`s investors were impressed that the reading machine worked; however, they didn`t want to pursue Jim`s vision as it would generate negligible profits and take the focus away from developing more profitable products. Jim realized his dream didn`t fit in with the for-profit model. In 1989, Benetech was born with a business model intended to keep costs low for users. The organization quickly became the largest maker of affordable reading systems for the blind. Due to limited revenue to invest in new ideas, Jim decided to sell the reading machine product line to a for-profit company and reinvest the money from the sale—$5 million—to expand Benetech to new frontiers of social good. Today, Benetech continues to be a different kind of tech company—a nonprofit—with a pure focus on developing software for social good. More than two decades after our founding, we`ve grown to include multiple program areas and initiatives that provide software to improve—even transform—the lives of people all across the world. You can read more about our work through our four main work areas: Education, Human Rights, Environment and Poverty. As a nonprofit tackling tough social issues, the funds to identify and develop new software solutions come from individuals, foundations, corporations, partner organizations, and agencies. Please consider supporting our work or partnering with us. Together, we can ensure that all of humanity benefits from technology.
Warlocks Auto Accessories is a Rancho Cordova, CA-based company in the Computers and Electronics sector.
Persolvent is a leading provider of payment processing solutions dedicated to making life easier through innovation and technology. Since 1993, we have specialized in payment integration software for ecommerce, education, professional service, government and banking verticals.
CAF is a Brazil-based provider of end-to-end identity verification, proofing and authentication solutions. Founded in 2019, CAF has rapidly grown and is trusted by hundreds of leading customers across financial services, fintech, ecommerce, technology platforms, sports betting and more to engage and authenticate their customers accurately. We began serving clients in the Brazil market but are excited to have expanded globally and serve nearly every geographic market. Our platform combines advanced computer vision ML models, an AI-powered decisions engine, and sophisticated identity orchestration with an extensive collection of biometrics and identity databases. This technology delivers automated customer onboarding, KYC, fraud prevention, authentication, and document verification/background check solutions to clients in highly regulated industries. CAF is the first and only Brazilian company to receive a safety certificate for its proof-of-life technology, granted by iBeta Quality Assurance. We`re excited to continue along our journey and look forward to hearing from you!
Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech) is "the consolidated technology services agency" (RCW 43.105.006) created to establish a streamlined, agile central IT organization that enables public agencies to better serve the people of Washington via technology. Our customers include state agencies, county, city and tribal governments as well as nonprofits. WaTech operates the state`s core technology infrastructure--the central network and data center; supports enterprise applications; and, innovates through E-Government. The agency`s Office of the Chief Information Officer is charged with preparing and leading the implementation of a strategic direction and enterprise architecture for information technology for state government. Additionally, WaTech houses the State Office of Cyber Security and Washington OneNet. Approximately 550 people are employed at WaTech.