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| title = Founder of kiwanja.net and [[FrontlineSMS]]
| title = Founder of kiwanja.net and [[FrontlineSMS]]
| awards =
| awards =
| website = [https://www.kenbanks.com/ KenBanks]
}}
}}


'''Ken Banks''' (born 1966) is a [[British]] social entrepreneur and author. He is the founder and former CEO at [[FrontlineSMS]], a mobile messaging platform that allows communication in areas with limited internet access worldwide.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Burbank |first=April |title=How Ken Banks Built a Startup One Text Message at a Time |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashoka/2012/06/20/how-ken-banks-built-a-startup-one-text-message-at-a-time/ |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> He also founded Kiwanja.net, an NGO dedicated to using mobile technology for social and environmental change, with a focus on Africa.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Butler |first=Rhett A. |date=2007-04-15 |title=Cell phones, text-messaging revolutionize conservation approaches |url=https://news.mongabay.com/2007/04/cell-phones-text-messaging-revolutionize-conservation-approaches/ |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=Mongabay Environmental News |language=en-US}}</ref>
Ken Banks (born 1966) is a [[British]] tech entrepreneur. He is known as the founder of [[FrontlineSMS]], a mobile messaging platform that allows communication in areas with limited internet access worldwide.


== Early Life and Education ==
== Early Life and Education ==
Ken Banks was born in 1966 in [[Jersey]], Channel Islands. Banks attended [[Hautlieu School]] and [[Highlands College, Jersey|Highlands College]]. In 1995, he pursued his undergraduate degree at the [[University of Sussex]], studying social anthropology and development studies, and graduating in 1999.
Banks was born in 1966 in [[Jersey]], Channel Islands. Banks attended [[Hautlieu School]] and [[Highlands College, Jersey|Highlands College]]. In 1995, he his undergraduate degree at the [[University of Sussex]], studying social anthropology and development studies, and graduating in 1999.


== Career ==
== Career ==
⚫
In 2001, Banks became a project manager at CERCOPAN in Nigeria. His time there was cut short by a bike accident in Calabar in 2002, after which he returned to [[Jersey]] to recover. During this period, Banks began working with [[Fauna and Flora International]] (FFI), a conservation organization, leading to the launch of the ! in December 2003. The initiative provided images, animal sounds, conservation-themed games, and live news to subscribers.
Banks early career involved working at a local bank, where he gained experience in commercial computing, specifically working on [[Burroughs B1700]] mainframe computers. After graduating, Banks worked at [[Cable & Wireless plc]] in the UK, until 2000.


In 2003, Banks founded kiwanja.net, an NGO dedicated to using mobile technology for social and environmental change, with a focus on Africa.<ref name="intern">{{cite web |author=Imani M. Cheers |date=2013-02-25 |title=Changing the World, One SMS at a Time |url=https://internationalreportingproject.org/stories/view/changing-the-world-one-sms-at-a-time |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203182716/https://internationalreportingproject.org/stories/view/changing-the-world-one-sms-at-a-time |archivedate=2013-12-03 |accessdate=2017-12-03 |publisher=[[International Reporting Project]]}}</ref> In 2004, Banks was approached by [[Kruger National Park]] officials in [[South Africa]], asking for a solution to update [[Bushbuckridge]] community members on changes in the park using their [[Mobile phone|mobile phones]]. This inspired him to develop [[FrontlineSMS|FrontlineSMS,]] a platform that sends and receives text messages (SMS) via mobile phones without requiring internet access, in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-13 |title=Ken Banks revels in extraordinary pursuit of life as a social innovator in new book |url=https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/ken-banks-revels-in-extraordinary-pursuit-of-life-as-a-socia-9254188/ |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=Cambridge Independent |language=en}}</ref>
⚫
In 2001, Banks became a project manager at [[CERCOPAN]] in Nigeria. His time there was cut short by a bike accident in Calabar in 2002, after which he returned to [[Jersey]] to recover. During this period, Banks began working with [[Fauna and Flora International]] (FFI), a conservation organization, leading to the launch of the wildlive! mobile portal in December 2003. The initiative provided images, animal sounds, conservation-themed games, and live news to subscribers.

In 2003, Banks founded kiwanja.net, an NGO dedicated to using mobile technology for social and environmental change, with a focus on Africa. In 2004, Banks was approached by [[Kruger National Park]] ([[South Africa]]) officials asking for a solution to update [[Bushbuckridge]] community members on changes in the park using their [[Mobile phone|mobile phones]]. This inspired him to develop [[FrontlineSMS|FrontlineSMS,]] a platform that sends and receives text messages (SMS) via mobile phones without requiring internet access, in 2005.


== FrontlineSMS ==
== FrontlineSMS ==
FrontlineSMS was used by a [[Nigeria|Nigerian]] organization called Humanitarian Emancipation Lead Project (HELP) to assist Nigerians in reporting on their [[Nigerian general election, 2007|2007 national elections]]. The [[BBC]] ran a story, ''Texts monitor Nigerian elections'', mentioning [[FrontlineSMS]], the user downloads and global interest accelerated. In 2009, Banks started a two-year [[FrontlineSMS]] Ambassadors Programme with the [[Clinton Foundation]]. Banks received grants from the MacArthur Foundation, the Hewlett Foundation, Open Society Initiative, Rockefeller Foundation, and Omidyar Network, among others.
FrontlineSMS was used by a [[Nigeria|Nigerian]] organization called Humanitarian Emancipation Lead Project (HELP) to assist Nigerians in reporting on their [[Nigerian general election|2007 national elections]]. The [[BBC]] ran a story, ''Texts monitor Nigerian elections'', mentioning [[FrontlineSMS]], the user downloads and global interest accelerated. In 2009, Banks started a two-year [[FrontlineSMS]] Ambassadors Programme with the [[Clinton Foundation]]. received from the MacArthur Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, Open Society Initiative, Rockefeller Foundation, and Omidyar Network, among others.


== Additional career ==
== Additional career ==
In 2012, Banks launched the Means of Exchange, a project aimed at rebuilding local communities through technology.<ref name="idg">{{cite web |author=Kathryn Cave |date=2015-01-15 |title=Ken Banks interview: Technology for social good |url=http://www.idgconnect.com/abstract/9306/ken-banks-interview-technology-social |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150806004106/http://www.idgconnect.com/abstract/9306/ken-banks-interview-technology-social |archivedate=2015-08-06 |accessdate=2017-12-10 |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG Connect]]}}</ref> One of the first initiatives was a "cash mob" during the [[2012 Summer Olympics|London Olympics]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Monty Munford |date=2012-08-15 |title=Cash Mobs: how the internet can revive local shops |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/9476691/Cash-Mobs-how-the-internet-can-revive-local-shops.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210113218/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/9476691/Cash-Mobs-how-the-internet-can-revive-local-shops.html |archivedate=2017-12-10 |accessdate=2017-12-10 |publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}</ref>
In 2012, Banks launched the Means of Exchange, a project aimed at rebuilding local communities through technology. One of the first initiatives was a "cash mob" during the London Olympics.


In 2012, Banks stepped down from the day-to-day running of [[FrontlineSMS]] and kiwanja.net , handing leadership to Laura Walker Hudson and Sean McDonald, respectively. He transitioned to the role of Chair of the Board, and in 2015, he took on new positions, including Entrepreneur in Residence at [[CARE International]] and Visiting Fellow at [[RMIT University]] in Melbourne. In 2018, he became a Visiting Fellow at Cambridge Judge Business School and took on the role of Head of Social Impact at Yoti, a digital identity platform.
In 2012, Banks stepped down from the day-to-day running of [[FrontlineSMS]] and kiwanja.net, handing leadership to Laura Walker Hudson and Sean McDonald, respectively. He transitioned to the role of Chair of the Board, and in 2015, he took on new positions, including Entrepreneur in Residence at [[CARE International]] and Visiting Fellow at [[RMIT University]] in Melbourne. and


== Other considerations ==
== Other considerations ==
In 2011, Banks was invited to join the UK Prime Minister’s delegation to Africa. In 2012, he received the Cambridge News Business Excellence Award for Corporate & Social Responsibility. In 2016, Banks was awarded the ACM Eugene L. Lawler Award for Humanitarian Contributions within Computer Science for his work with mobile technology.
In 2011, Banks was invited to join the UK Prime Minister’s delegation to Africa. the .the


== Books ==
== Books ==
Banks has authored two books:
Banks has authored two books:


* The Rise of the Reluctant Innovator (2013).<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Rise of the Reluctant Innovator |url=https://londonpublishingpartnership.co.uk/books/the-rise-of-the-reluctant-innovator/ |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=LPP - The London Publishing Partnership |language=en-GB}}</ref>
* The Rise of the Reluctant Innovator (2013).
* Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation (2016).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Banks |first=Ken |url=https://books.google.rw/books/about/Social_Entrepreneurship_and_Innovation.html?id=32kmjgEACAAJ&redir_esc=y |title=Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation: International Case Studies and Practice |date=2016 |publisher=Kogan Page |isbn=978-0-7494-7591-8 |language=en}}</ref>
* Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation (2016).


== Impact ==
== Impact ==
Banks's work with [[FrontlineSMS]] and kiwanja.net, has an impact on the use of technology for development and social change, particularly in under-resourced regions.
Banks's work with [[FrontlineSMS]] and kiwanja.net, has an impact on the use of technology for development and social change, particularly in under-resourced regions.


== Recognitions ==
== Recognitions ==


* 2011: The Antonio Pizzigati Prize for Software in the Public Interest Award by [[Tides Foundation]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tides |title=Tides Awards the 2011 Pizzigati Prize to Ken Banks |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tides-awards-the-2011-pizzigati-prize-to-ken-banks-118156129.html |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}</ref>
* 2008: PopTech Social Innovation Fellowship
* 2011: Frontline SMS awarded [[Curry Stone Design Prize]] by Curry Stone Foundation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zeichner |first=Baruch |date=2015-11-01 |title=Curry-Stone Design Prize Winner 2011: Frontline SMS - Ken Banks, Sean McDonald & Laura Walker McDonald |url=https://paradigms.life/2015/curry-stone-design-prize-winner-2011-frontline-sms-ken-banks-sean-mcdonald-laura-walker-mcdonald/ |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=Paradigms Podcast |language=en-US}}</ref>


* 2016: The [[ACM Eugene L. Lawler Award]] by [[Association for Computing Machinery]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Association for Computing Machinery Awards Ken {{!}} Ashoka |url=https://www.ashoka.org/en-ke/story/association-computing-machinery-awards-ken-banks-developing-frontlinesms |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=www.ashoka.org |language=en-ke}}</ref>
* 2009: The Tech Awards
* 2010: Ashoka Fellowship
* 2010: National Geographic Emerging Explorer
* 2011: Antonio Pizzigati Prize for Software in the Public Interest
* 2011: Curry Stone Design Prize
* 2012: Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts


== References ==
== References ==

Latest revision as of 07:12, 15 October 2024

Ken Banks
Ken Banks at PopTech in 2012
Born1966 (age 57–58)
Jersey
NationalityBritish
Alma materUniversity of Sussex
Occupation(s)Entrepreneur, mobile technologist
Years active2002 - present
Known formobile technology
TitleFounder of kiwanja.net and FrontlineSMS
WebsiteKenBanks

Ken Banks (born 1966) is a British social entrepreneur and author. He is the founder and former CEO at FrontlineSMS, a mobile messaging platform that allows communication in areas with limited internet access worldwide.[1] He also founded Kiwanja.net, an NGO dedicated to using mobile technology for social and environmental change, with a focus on Africa.[2]

Early Life and Education

[edit]

Banks was born in 1966 in Jersey, Channel Islands. Banks attended Hautlieu School and Highlands College. In 1995, he attended his undergraduate degree at the University of Sussex, studying social anthropology and development studies, and graduating in 1999.[2][3]

Career

[edit]

In 2001, Banks became a project manager at CERCOPAN in Nigeria. His time there reported that was cut short by a bike accident in Calabar in 2002, after which he returned to Jersey to recover. During this period, Banks began working with Fauna and Flora International (FFI), a conservation organization, leading to the launch of the Wildlive! Mobile Portal in December 2003. The initiative provided images, animal sounds, conservation-themed games, and live news to subscribers.[4]

In 2003, Banks founded kiwanja.net, an NGO dedicated to using mobile technology for social and environmental change, with a focus on Africa.[5] In 2004, Banks was approached by Kruger National Park officials in South Africa, asking for a solution to update Bushbuckridge community members on changes in the park using their mobile phones. This inspired him to develop FrontlineSMS, a platform that sends and receives text messages (SMS) via mobile phones without requiring internet access, in 2005.[6]

FrontlineSMS

[edit]

FrontlineSMS was used by a Nigerian organization called Humanitarian Emancipation Lead Project (HELP) to assist Nigerians in reporting on their 2007 national elections.[7] The BBC ran a story, Texts monitor Nigerian elections, mentioning FrontlineSMS, the user downloads and global interest accelerated.[8] In 2009, Banks started a two-year FrontlineSMS Ambassadors Programme with the Clinton Foundation.[9] FrontlineSMS received partnerships and supports from international organizations including the MacArthur Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, Open Society Initiative, Rockefeller Foundation, and Omidyar Network, among others.[10]

Additional career

[edit]

In 2012, Banks launched the Means of Exchange, a project aimed at rebuilding local communities through technology.[11] One of the first initiatives was a "cash mob" during the London Olympics.[12]

In 2012, Banks stepped down from the day-to-day running of FrontlineSMS and kiwanja.net, handing leadership to Laura Walker Hudson and Sean McDonald, respectively.[13] He transitioned to the role of Chair of the Board, and in 2015, he took on new positions, including Entrepreneur in Residence at CARE International and Visiting Fellow at RMIT University in Melbourne.[14]

Other considerations

[edit]

In 2011, Banks was invited to join the UK Prime Minister’s delegation to the Africa.[15]

Books

[edit]

Banks has authored two books:

  • The Rise of the Reluctant Innovator (2013).[16]
  • Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation (2016).[17]

Impact

[edit]

Banks's work with FrontlineSMS and kiwanja.net, has an impact on the use of technology for development and social change, particularly in under-resourced regions.[1]

Recognitions

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Burbank, April. "How Ken Banks Built a Startup One Text Message at a Time". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-10-15.
  2. ^ a b Butler, Rhett A. (2007-04-15). "Cell phones, text-messaging revolutionize conservation approaches". Mongabay Environmental News. Retrieved 2024-10-15.
  3. ^ "Ken Banks, BA in Social Anthropology and International Development (1999) talks about his career". University of Sussex. 2018. Archived from the original on December 18, 2018. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
  4. ^ Sitas, Nadia (2008-04-16). "Mobile game to help save gorillas". EDGE of Existence. Retrieved 2024-10-15.
  5. ^ Imani M. Cheers (2013-02-25). "Changing the World, One SMS at a Time". International Reporting Project. Archived from the original on 2013-12-03. Retrieved 2017-12-03.
  6. ^ "Ken Banks revels in extraordinary pursuit of life as a social innovator in new book". Cambridge Independent. 2022-05-13. Retrieved 2024-10-15.
  7. ^ Stuart Thornton (2011-01-21). "Spreading the Message". National Geographic Society. Archived from the original on 2017-12-07. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
  8. ^ "Texts monitor Nigerian elections". BBC. 2007-04-20. Archived from the original on 2017-12-07. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
  9. ^ "FrontlineSMS Ambassadors Programme". Clinton Foundation. Archived from the original on 2016-11-10. Retrieved 2017-12-12.
  10. ^ Livingston, Steven, ed. (2014). "FrontlineSMS:Grassroots M4D Innovation and the Challenges of Success". Bits and Atoms: Information and Communication Technology in Areas of Limited Statehood. Oxford University Press. pp. 84–85. ISBN 978-0-19-994159-9. Retrieved 2017-12-07 – via Google Books.
  11. ^ Kathryn Cave (2015-01-15). "Ken Banks interview: Technology for social good". IDG Connect. Archived from the original on 2015-08-06. Retrieved 2017-12-10.
  12. ^ Monty Munford (2012-08-15). "Cash Mobs: how the internet can revive local shops". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2017-12-10. Retrieved 2017-12-10.
  13. ^ Monty Munford (2012-08-15). "Cash Mobs: how the internet can revive local shops". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2017-12-10. Retrieved 2017-12-10.
  14. ^ Rob Goodier (2016-05-12). "Five Questions with Ken Banks: ICT4D Writer, Editor and FrontlineSMS Founder". Engineering for Change. Archived from the original on 2016-08-11. Retrieved 2017-12-10.
  15. ^ "In the Spotlight with Ken, Head of Social Impact at Yoti". Yoti Blog. 2018-04-17. Retrieved 2019-03-10.
  16. ^ "The Rise of the Reluctant Innovator". LPP - The London Publishing Partnership. Retrieved 2024-10-15.
  17. ^ Banks, Ken (2016). Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation: International Case Studies and Practice. Kogan Page. ISBN 978-0-7494-7591-8.
  18. ^ Tides. "Tides Awards the 2011 Pizzigati Prize to Ken Banks". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2024-10-15.
  19. ^ Zeichner, Baruch (2015-11-01). "Curry-Stone Design Prize Winner 2011: Frontline SMS - Ken Banks, Sean McDonald & Laura Walker McDonald". Paradigms Podcast. Retrieved 2024-10-15.
  20. ^ "The Association for Computing Machinery Awards Ken | Ashoka". www.ashoka.org. Retrieved 2024-10-15.
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