In a tech industry driven by profit, can companies really prioritise social impact over shareholder value?
In this episode of Tech Tomorrow, David Elliman sits down with serial social entrepreneur and author Jim Fruchterman to explore what ‘tech for good’ really means, and whether it can truly exist within traditional, venture-backed business models.
Drawing on his experience building an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) startup, Jim explains how a venture capital board shut down a reading machine for blind users after deciding the market was too small. That experience eventually led him to launch a nonprofit focused on accessible technology, demonstrating that mission-driven organisations can still operate within Silicon Valley systems while benefiting underserved communities.
The conversation also examines how investor incentives can unintentionally steer companies towards harmful outcomes, even when the people inside them have good intentions. Jim highlights alternative models, including B Corps, Pledge 1%, and treating social impact as a core business metric rather than a marketing add-on, as ways to help counteract this.
Jim also shares examples of tech partnerships in which engineers and product teams offered steep discounts or free licenses to nonprofits because they believed in the mission and took pride in building useful tools. At the same time, he notes that large companies have sometimes scaled back or removed nonprofit-friendly pricing entirely once those markets became more commercially attractive.
The conversation also explores which problems are best addressed through for-profit innovation, such as clean energy, and which may always rely on charities and nonprofits, including human rights advocacy.
Overall, Jim emphasises that the wider tech ecosystem, from smartphones and app stores to open-source software, plays a vital role in making meaningful social impact possible.
Episode Highlights
01:18 – What is ‘
tech for good’?
01:45 – Jim’s social entrepreneur origin story.
05:46 – Jim’s mantra:
‘Try to do good on purpose rather than evil by accident’.
07:59 –
David’s Thoughts: Switching focus from profit to other measures of value.
09:29 – Can every part of the tech industry do societal good?
10:53 – The power of reducing software costs for nonprofits.
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5:15 – David’s Thoughts: Most of the engineers don't get out of bed for the share price.
16:13 – What else could be done to help regulate big tech?
20:13 – Is it possible for tech for good to exist within a for-profit model?
About Zühlke:
Zühlke is a global transformation partner, with engineering and innovation at its core. We help clients envision and build their businesses for the future – running smarter today while adapting for tomorrow’s markets, customers, and communities.
Our multidisciplinary teams specialise in technology strategy and business innovation, digital solutions and applications, and device and systems engineering. We thrive in complex, regulated sectors such as healthcare and finance, connecting strategy, implementation, and operations to help clients build more effective and resilient businesses.
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What is Tech Tomorrow?
Tech Tomorrow is your front-row seat to the conversations redefining the future. Each episode explores one big question about data, AI, or emerging tech, giving leaders clear, focused answers they can trust. If you're navigating complex innovation, from AI-augmented delivery to sustainability, this show helps you cut through the noise, connect cross-disciplinary trends, and lead with confidence in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Previously known as Data Today, this podcast has examined how out-of-the-box thinking around data can be used for good in our world. Now, Tech Tomorrow expands its scope, diving into topics like agentic systems, cybersecurity consulting, and AI in product development.
Host David Elliman is Chief of Software Engineering at Zühlke. With 40 years of experience in technology and innovation, David is a global leader and advisor. Specialising in building enterprise-scale solutions and adopting emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, blockchain, and cloud computing, David offers technical consulting worldwide.
About Zühlke
Zühlke is a global transformation partner, with engineering and innovation in our DNA. We're trusted to help clients envision and build their businesses for the future – to run smarter today while adapting for tomorrow’s markets, customers, and communities.
Our multidisciplinary teams specialise in tech strategy and business innovation, digital solutions and applications, and device and systems engineering. We excel in complex, regulated spaces including health and finance, connecting strategy, tech implementation, and operational services to help clients become more effective, resilient businesses.