What Tech for Change does

Tech for Change is a U.S.-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN# 47-1458866) founded in 2013 by Sheba Najmi, a former Yahoo!, LinkedIn, and Microsoft executive and Code for America Fellow. The organization's primary operational role is to host the Code for All network, a global coalition of 30+ civic technology partner organizations operating across six continents. Rather than developing and selling a single commercial product, Tech for Change facilitates a portfolio of civic-tech initiatives organized around four focus areas: Democracy, Health, Empowerment, and Environment. Its portfolio spans the FloodLight disaster-response mapping platform in Pakistan (built on the open-source Ushahidi stack), Pakistan's first HCAI Surveillance Application, Czech Republic's Safezóna youth mental health platform, Kosovo's early-childhood Distance Education platform, Chile's Del Dicho al Hecho legislative accountability tool, and Africa's largest indigenous fact-checking organization PesaCheck, among others. Partners include UNICEF, Save the Children, the National Democratic Institute, and various national and provincial governments (e.g., Khyber Pakhtunkhwa IT Board).

Tech for Change's technology architecture is grounded in open-source civic-tech tooling (Ushahidi for crisis mapping, web-based platforms for accountability and education), with each major initiative typically owned and operated by a local Code for All partner rather than centralized engineering at Tech for Change. The organization generates revenue through tax-deductible charitable donations and a recurring monthly giving program, and reports no pricing models because all solutions are delivered free to communities and governments. Its go-to-market is community-led rather than commercial: partners in the network adapt, localize, and deploy the shared toolkit, while Tech for Change provides coordination, storytelling, and fundraising infrastructure. The team is small (11–50 employees), there are no institutional funding rounds or parent entities, and the organization has no public financial disclosures.

The strategic posture is best described as a network orchestrator in global civic technology: it does not own equity, does not capture SaaS revenue, and does not directly employ engineers at the scale needed for AI-native product development. Its competitive position rests on the 10-year accumulation of partnerships, brand credibility (including the inaugural 2024 Don Norman Design Award for FloodLight), and ability to convene governments, multilaterals (UNICEF), and grassroots NGOs under a single umbrella. Operating geographies span 30+ countries across North America, South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania.

Name

Tech for Change

Legal name

Tech for Change

Website

https://techforchange.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Tech for Change is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2013 that hosts the global Code for All network of 30+ civic technology partner organizations, coordinating open-source platforms for disaster response, public health, democracy, and empowerment worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civic Technology

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Inclusion & Civic Tech (Connectivity, GovTech for Social Good) (BPAGALAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Development & ICT4D / GovTech Technical Assistance (BPADAEAL), Smart Cities & Urban Innovation Programs (Digital Planning, Civic Tech for Cities) (BPAIANAJ)

Keywords

• Civic technology platforms
• Disaster response mapping
• Open source software
• Nonprofit technology services
• Digital civic engagement

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Tax-deductible charitable donations from individuals supporting the organization's mission to use technology for social good. Tech for Change is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
2. Monthly Giving Program: Recurring monthly donations from supporters providing steady funding for ongoing programs and operations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Tech for Change is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that hosts the Code for All global civic tech network, coordinating the development and deployment of open-source civic technology platforms for disaster response (FloodLight), public health surveillance (HCAI), mental health (Safezóna), early childhood education (Distance Education Platform), government accountability (Del Dicho al Hecho), and fact-checking (PesaCheck). Rather than selling products, the organization facilitates a portfolio of community-led initiatives delivered through 30+ partner organizations across the Global South.

Product overview

Tech for Change is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves as the host of the Code for All network, connecting global civic tech organizations. Rather than offering a single unified product, the organization facilitates a portfolio of initiatives and programs across four focus areas: Environment (featuring FloodLight for disaster response), Health (including the HCAI Surveillance Application and Safezóna mental health platform), Empowerment (such as the KP Women's Civic Digital Internship Program and Kosovo's Distance Education Platform), and Democracy (encompassing tools like Del Dicho al Hecho, PesaCheck, the Disinformation and Civic Tech Playbook, and TRANSCEND). These products are implemented primarily through partner organizations in the Code for All network rather than directly by Tech for Change.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• FloodLight Pakistan's first open-access data mapping platform for flood and disaster response, enabling all stakeholders including government agencies, nonprofits, and volunteers to coordinate disaster response effectively. Built on the open-source Ushahidi application.
• HCAI Surveillance Application Pakistan's first healthcare-associated infections (HCAI) Surveillance Application in the public healthcare sector, enabling data-driven insights and real-time monitoring, tracking, and response to hospital-acquired infections.
• Safezóna Digital space developed by Česko.Digital in the Czech Republic where children aged 15-26 can find information and resources related to mental health and treatment of psychological problems, with tailored help for different age groups and an interactive map for locating experts and support services.
• Distance Education Platform (Kosovo) Open Data Kosovo's Distance Education platform helping parents, guardians, and educators with daily activities for engaging at home early childhood development for children ages 0-6 years old, with support from UNICEF and Save the Children Kosovo.
• KP Women's Civic Digital Internship Program Code for Pakistan's award-winning remote internship program in partnership with the KP Government Information Technology Board, helping bridge the digital divide for young women in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province through up-skilling, mentorship, and hands-on civic tech experience; now in its third cohort.
• Del Dicho al Hecho (From Said to Done) Ciudadanía Inteligente's monitoring platform that measures government fulfillment of legislative promises, used across Chile and Latin America to track government programs, anti-corruption policies, and children's welfare commitments.
• PesaCheck Africa's largest indigenous fact-checking organization, incubated by Code for Africa, verifying financial and statistical numbers quoted by government, media, and public figures across 15 East African countries. Co-founded by Catherine Gicheru and Justin Arenstein.
• TRANSCEND Trans-disciplinary Methods for Societal Impact Assessment and Impact Creation for Security Research Technologies, enabling civil society participation in design and deployment of security technologies across four pilot domains: cybersecurity, fighting crime and terrorism, disaster resilience, and border management.

Quantifiable outcome

• 33 million people and livestock affected by Pakistan floods reached through FloodLight platform
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Code for AllcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTech for Change hosts the Code for All network, a global network of civic tech organizations. Partners include Code for Africa, Code for America, Code for Australia, Code for Pakistan, Open Data Kosovo, Ciudadanía Inteligente (Chile), and many others across 30+ countries. Collaboration is central to Tech for Change's work, combining expertise and resources to create meaningful impact worldwide.
• Code for PakistancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCode for Pakistan is a key partner developing civic tech solutions including FloodLight (Pakistan's first open-access flood mapping platform) and the HCAI Surveillance Application (Pakistan's first in public healthcare sector). Also runs the KP Women's Civic Digital Internship Program.
• Česko.Digital (Czech Republic)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerČesko.Digital developed Safezóna, a digital space for children in Czech Republic to access mental health resources. Tech for Change features this project as part of its Health initiative portfolio.
• Code for JapansecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Code for All network, contributing to global civic tech initiatives.
• Waag Futurelab (Netherlands)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerWaag Futurelab launched as a Zoöp in May 2025 to explore alternative ecological ways of technology design and use. Focuses on technology based on public values and reciprocal relationships between organization and ecology.
• Open Data KosovocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOpen Data Kosovo developed the Distance Education platform for early childhood development (ages 0-6), helping parents, guardians, and educators with daily activities. Supported by UNICEF and Save the Children Kosovo.
• Ciudadanía Inteligente (Chile)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped Del Dicho al Hecho, a versatile monitoring platform tracking government commitments. Used across Chile and Latin America for monitoring government programs, anti-corruption policies, and children's welfare commitments.
• National Democratic Institute (NDI)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNDI commissioned research on civic tech approaches to confronting digital disinformation, partnering with Code for All and Matt Stempeck to develop the Disinformation and Civic Tech Playbook.
• Matt StempecksecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducted research commissioned by NDI and Code for All exploring what civic tech organizations worldwide have learned about confronting digital disinformation. Developed the Disinformation and Civic Tech Playbook.
• KP Government Information Technology BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government's IT Board for the KP Women's Civic Digital Internship Program, designed to address gender disparity in technology sectors.
• Pakistan Public Healthcare SectorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Pakistan's public healthcare sector to deploy the first HCAI Surveillance Application in the country, enabling data-driven insights for hospital-acquired infection monitoring.
• TRANSCEND Project ConsortiumsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerTRANSCEND (Trans-disciplinary Methods for Societal Impact Assessment and Impact Creation for Security Research Technologies) enables civil society participation in design and deployment of security technologies. Covers cybersecurity, fighting crime/terrorism, disaster resilience, and border management.
• Safezóna Partners NetworksecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSafezóna partners with local organizations and global partners to provide mental health resources. The platform features an interactive map helping youth find nearby experts including psychologists and specialized organizations.
• UNICEFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNICEF supports the Distance Education platform in Kosovo developed by Open Data Kosovo for early childhood development (ages 0-6).
• Save the Children KosovocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Ministry of Education in Kosovo and Open Data Kosovo on the Distance Education platform for early childhood development.
• QSHHZH – Center for Human Services and DevelopmentsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributed photos and videos to the Kosovo Distance Education platform for early childhood development.
• Code for AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfrica's largest civic technology and data journalism initiative. PesaCheck is incubated by Code for Africa and focuses on verifying financial and statistical numbers across 15 African countries in East Africa.
• International Budget PartnershipsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports PesaCheck, Africa's largest indigenous fact-checking organization verifying public financial statements across 15 African countries.
• PesaCheckcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfrica's largest indigenous fact-checking organization verifying financial and statistical numbers quoted by government, media, and public figures across 15 East African countries. Co-founded by Catherine Gicheru and Justin Arenstein.
• UshahidicoreTechnology or IntegrationOpen-source platform used as the foundation for FloodLight, Pakistan's first open-access flood and disaster response data mapping platform.
• Code for AllcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned Matt Stempeck research on civic tech approaches to disinformation, partnering with NDI to develop the Disinformation and Civic Tech Playbook for global network use.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Open Data Kosovo: Core Code for All partner that built the Distance Education platform for early childhood development supported by UNICEF and Save the Children. Operates the same civic tech nonprofit model with focus on education and open data in Southeast Europe.
• Česko.Digital: Czech Republic Code for All partner that developed Safezóna, a mental health platform for youth. Operates the same civic tech nonprofit model with focus on digital public goods and community-led technology development.
• Code for Africa: Africa's largest civic tech initiative and a core partner in the Code for All network hosted by Tech for Change. Develops data journalism and accountability tools including PesaCheck, sharing the same federated civic tech model and focuses on transparency and government accountability.
• Code for Pakistan: Core partner organization that built FloodLight and the HCAI Surveillance Application featured on Tech for Change. Operates the same civic tech model with focus on disaster response, healthcare, and women's digital empowerment in Pakistan.
• Code for America: The original US civic tech nonprofit and a direct ancestor of Tech for Change through the Code for America Fellowship. Operates a similar model of building digital tools for government and community services, with comparable open-source ethos and donor-funded revenue model.
• Ciudadanía Inteligente: Chile-based Code for All partner that built Del Dicho al Hecho, a government accountability platform deployed across Latin America. Shares the same civic tech approach to government transparency and legislative monitoring.

Broad incumbents

• Mozilla Foundation: Larger nonprofit foundation that operates in the broader 'tech for social good' space with programs on internet health, digital rights, and trustworthy AI. Comparable in mission orientation and grant-funded model but operates at significantly larger scale.
• Ushahidi: The open-source software foundation that Tech for Change uses for FloodLight. Ushahidi is the broader incumbent in crisis-mapping technology and provides the platform infrastructure that powers multiple Code for All partner projects.
• GovTech (commercial): Commercial sector of civic technology serving government agencies with software solutions. Represents the commercial alternative to Tech for Change's nonprofit model, competing for government digital transformation budgets.

Emerging players

• New America: Think tank and civic technology incubator that runs programs on digital governance, public interest technology, and open data. Comparable in advocacy for civic tech adoption in government and shares overlapping donor and funder communities.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tech-for-change

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Tech for Change