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I’m James Benham

Bootstrapped Entrepreneur, Keynote Speaker,
Author & Tech Investor

Interested in learning more about the bootstrapping mindset and how it can apply to entrepreneurs and corporate innovators?

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James Benham is the co-founder and CEO of JBK, a multinational technology and consulting company he’s bootstrapped for over 20 years. James is also the co-founder of an insurance tech product, Terra, a cloud-based claims management software that improves claim outcomes for providers and consumers of Property and Casualty (P&C) insurance. He is also the creator and co-host of the growing and top-rated show, The InsurTech Geek Podcast.

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Bootstrapped
Entrepreneur

From starting JBK in his Texas A&M University dorm room to a landmark sale of his SmartBid product, James Benham has bootstrapped his company over 20 years to develop and launch 10 of their own software products and countless more on behalf of clients in the insurance and construction industries.

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Keynote Speaker

With over 400 presentations across the globe under his belt, James is a sought-after, repeat keynote presenter for international conferences, industry trade shows, user conferences, and more. Some of James’ most requested speaking topics include entrepreneurship, insurance technology, corporate innovation, and the bootstrapping mindset. His engaging, no-notes-needed presentation style leaves audiences inspired, educated, and entertained.

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Corporate Innovator

While bootstrapping a successful SaaS startup, James’ company JBK also provides outsourced IT strategy and software development to innovation teams at some of the largest insurance & construction companies in the world. James is passionate about identifying, empowering, and partnering with innovation teams at enterprise companies for R&D efforts, rapid development, and prototyping.

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Podcast Host and Guest

James is the co-host and creator of The InsurTech Geek Podcast—the fastest-growing insurtech podcast on the market. Prior to that, James created The ConTech Crew podcast to discuss tech trends in the Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC) industry. Throughout his podcasting journey, James has interviewed hundreds of entrepreneurs, technologists, corporate innovators and Fortune 500 executives to understand how they innovate within their company. James’ podcasts have been nominated and awarded as industry-leading media brands. In addition, James is a frequent guest on insurance and business-focused podcasts offering insights from his two decades of experience.

Book James

The reality is that we all exit our business one day. James Benham is a compelling thought leader on how bootstrapping can maximize the value you exit with. Whether you’re one or twenty years away from an exit, Be Your Own VC offers bootstrapping principles that every innovator can apply.

Simon BedardFounder & CEO
Exit Advisory Group

Benham nails it, as expected. Sometimes your best investor is yourself. Nobody understands cash flow management and bootstrapping as well as James, and the book is jam-packed with insights and war stories for the growing entrepreneur.

Andrew J. ShermanPartner, Seyfarth Shaw
Author of 26 books on business
growth and capital formation

As construction is the world’s oldest industry, James and I have had to work hard to pull it into the future through technology. His experience has inspired me and many others to bootstrap their vision, think like a startup, and find the right partners to have an impact.

Ricardo KhanSenior Vice President
Chief Innovation Officer
STO Building Group

I bootstrapped and sold my first startup, and James’s principles are valuable for any company no matter the size.

Guy DiedrichSVP and Global Innovation Officer
Cisco Systems

James knows firsthand that bootstrapping doesn’t just apply to startups some of the oldest industries, like insurance, have only been disrupted from within by bootstrapped efforts of corporate innovators. This book is for those visionaries, too.