Welcome to Tech In Chicago! 

Working with Obama, Empowering Non-Profits, & How Bands Are Like Startups - Jason Kunesh / Co-Founder of Public Good

JasonKunesh.PublicGood.TechInChicago.Podcast

Jason Kunesh is a co-founder and CEO of Public Good Software, a startup aiming to make donating to non-profits as easy as ordering something on Amazon. Before starting PGS, Jason was the Director of UX for Obama's 2012 reelection campaign and part of the founding team at The Point, which later became Groupon. Jason is also a member of the adjunct faculty at the Starter School, owner of the best Fu Manchu in Chicago, a mentor at Impact Engine, and an advisor to the American Design and Master-Craft Initiative and UX for Good.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

  • How he got involved in the Obama campaign?
  • What it is like demoing your product for the president?
  • What the team learned on the Obama campaign and then applied at Public Good?
  • Why charities for animals outperform charities for the homeless?
  • Why non-profits are scared of innovation?
  • How he got into tech? 
  • Why you should be public about your failures?
  • Why Chicago is the best place to start a non-profit focused company?
  • What we need to to do to take Chicago tech to the next level?
  • How startups are like bands?
  • How to get a team to work together? Hint: Encourage transparency/dialogue/dissent
  • Why you really have to understand your motivations as a founder?

Selected Links From The Episode:

Favorite Books: 

Sponsored By:

  • Bevy: a Chicago startup delivering everything you need, but don’t want to own, for amazing experiences. Own Less. Live More. 

 

Social Impact, Helping Clinton Beat Trump & Engaging Communities - Michael Slaby / Founder of Timshel

How To Land A Job At A Startup & The Biggest Mistake 1st Time Founders Make - Gale Bowman / Founding Director of Irish Angels