Ben Rattray Net Worth

Ben Rattray Net Worth: The Story of a Social Entrepreneur

Ben Rattray is a venture capitalist and entrepreneur who is best known as the founder and CEO of Change.org. He started the company in 2007 as a platform for social activism and has since built it into one of the most influential websites for social and political change in the world. Along the way, he has won numerous accolades for his work in technology and business, but what is his net worth and how did he get there? In this article, we explore his early life, education, career, personal life, and more to understand the story of Ben Rattray and his success.

What is Ben Rattray Net Worth and Salary?

Ben Rattray’s net worth is estimated at $20 million. He has earned his fortune through his ventures in technology, particularly as the founder of Change.org, which has raised millions of dollars in funding over the years. As the CEO of the company, he has also likely earned a substantial salary. However, the exact details of his compensation are not publicly available.

Early Life and Education

Ben Rattray was born on June 16, 1980, in Santa Barbara, California. He grew up in a family of social activists. His mother was an environmentalist and his father was a public interest attorney who worked on issues of consumer protection and civil rights. Growing up, Rattray was inspired by his parents’ work and developed a passion for social justice.

Rattray attended Stanford University, where he earned a degree in Political Science. During his time at Stanford, he was active in student government and participated in a variety of social justice initiatives. After graduation, he attended the London School of Economics, where he earned a master’s degree in Public Policy.

Career

After completing his education, Rattray worked for several years in the venture capital industry. He worked at Battery Ventures, a technology-focused VC firm, where he focused on investments in internet and software companies. While working for Battery Ventures, Rattray began to develop the idea for Change.org.

In 2007, Rattray launched Change.org as a platform for social activism. The website allows users to create and promote online petitions on a variety of issues, from environmentalism to human rights. Over the years, Change.org has become one of the most influential websites for political and social change, with over 250 million users in 196 countries.

In 2015, Rattray stepped down as CEO of Change.org and became chairman of the board. He has since focused on investing in other startups through his venture capital firm, Uprising. He also serves on the board of numerous nonprofit organizations and is a sought-after speaker on issues related to technology and social change.

Personal Life

Ben Rattray is married and has two children. He is a private person and does not share much about his personal life with the public.

Real Estate

Ben Rattray owns a home in San Francisco, where he lives with his family. The value of the property is not publicly available.

Legacy

Ben Rattray’s legacy is one of social entrepreneurship. He is praised for his work in creating Change.org, which has become a powerful tool for social and political change. His philosophy of empowering people to create change has inspired a generation of activists and entrepreneurs. Rattray’s legacy will likely continue to inspire others to create technology solutions for social problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How did Ben Rattray get the idea for Change.org?

Ben Rattray got the idea for Change.org while working in venture capital. He realized that there was no easy way for people to mobilize around a cause online. He wanted to create a platform that would make it easy for people to create and promote online petitions, and thus Change.org was born.

2. How successful has Change.org been?

Change.org has been incredibly successful. The website has over 250 million users in 196 countries and has helped to create real change on numerous issues, from environmentalism to human rights.

3. How has Ben Rattray’s work influenced technology and social change?

Ben Rattray’s work has had a profound influence on the intersection of technology and social change. He has shown that technology can be used to empower people to create change, rather than just as a tool for entertainment or commerce. His philosophy has inspired other entrepreneurs to create technology solutions for social problems.

4. What is Ben Rattray’s role at Change.org now?

Ben Rattray stepped down as CEO of Change.org in 2015 and became chairman of the board. He is no longer involved in day-to-day operations but remains involved in strategic decision-making.

5. What is Ben Rattray’s venture capital firm, Uprising, focused on?

Uprising is focused on investing in startups that are creating social impact. The firm looks for companies that are using technology to solve social problems in innovative ways.

6. What other organizations does Ben Rattray serve on the board of?

Ben Rattray serves on the board of numerous nonprofit organizations, including the Voter Participation Center, the Weave Project, and the TechCongress.

7. Does Ben Rattray have any plans to launch another startup?

Ben Rattray has not announced plans to launch another startup at this time. He is focused on investing in other startups through Uprising.

8. What is Ben Rattray’s philosophy on social change?

Ben Rattray believes that social change is best achieved through a bottom-up approach. He believes that empowering individuals to take action on issues they care about is the most effective way to create lasting change.

9. What awards has Ben Rattray won for his work?

Ben Rattray has won numerous awards for his work in technology and social change, including the World Economic Forum Young Global Leader Award, the Wired Smart List Award, and the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship.

10. What advice does Ben Rattray have for social entrepreneurs?

Ben Rattray advises social entrepreneurs to focus on creating real impact, rather than just building a successful business. He also encourages entrepreneurs to stay true to their values and to never give up, even in the face of adversity.

11. What is Ben Rattray’s background in technology?

Ben Rattray does not have a background in technology. He studied Political Science in college and earned a master’s degree in Public Policy before beginning his career in venture capital.

12. What is the future of Change.org?

The future of Change.org is bright. The website continues to grow and evolve, and is likely to remain a powerful tool for social and political change for years to come.

13. What is Ben Rattray’s impact on the tech industry?

Ben Rattray’s impact on the tech industry has been significant. He has shown that technology can be a force for good in the world, and has inspired other entrepreneurs to create technology solutions for social problems.

14. What is the most important lesson to be learned from Ben Rattray’s success?

The most important lesson to be learned from Ben Rattray’s success is the importance of finding a passion and pursuing it relentlessly. Rattray’s passion for social justice led him to create Change.org, and his dedication to that cause has helped him achieve great success.

15. What is Ben Rattray’s vision for the future of social entrepreneurship?

Ben Rattray’s vision for the future of social entrepreneurship is one in which technology is used to create real, lasting change in the world. He believes that by empowering individuals to take action on the issues they care about, social entrepreneurs can help to create a better world for everyone.