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Meet James Benham

Keynote Speaker, Bootstrapped Entrepreneur,
Corporate Innovator & Lifelong Geek

No Accidental Entrepreneur

Becoming an entrepreneur was not an accident for James. His entire childhood was an education in bootstrapping and innovation. From a young age, his father and greatest mentor instilled the entrepreneurial principles he’s added to and shared with clients, audiences, and peers around the world. After a multi-million dollar SaaS product exit, James continues to build and invest in innovative tech products as CEO of JBKnowledge.

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1991

His First Software

Gets his hands on a computer for the first time at age 12 and builds an invoicing application for his neighborhood lawn business.

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1992

First Business Launched

James’ dad starts his lessons on bootstrapping in Baton Rouge, Louisiana by telling him he can’t use the family lawnmower to start a business. Instead, his dad gives him a loan to buy one.

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1995

Fame but for Nerds

Attending an engineering high school, James’ Computer Science Club gets early access to the internet and James launches his first IT consulting business.

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1999

Corps Values

Begins studying at Texas A&M University and becomes a die-hard Aggie. In five years, he graduates with a BBA in Accounting, Masters in Information Systems, and as the Head of IT for over 4,000 students in the Corps of Cadets.

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2001

Dorm Room HQ

After turning down a valuable corporate job offer, James decides it’s now or never and incorporates his technology consulting and development company, JBKnowledge, from his dorm room.

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2003

Get Out & Sell

Focused on bootstrapping, James becomes the Chief Evangelist and gets on the road to sell JBKnowledge services and products through cold office visits and speaking events across the country. JBKnowledge also expands operations internationally with an Argentina office.

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2006

Building a SaaS Product Company

Always dreaming of building a product company, James’ company launches its first successful SaaS product, SmartBid, for the construction industry. Followed shortly by SmartCompliance, SmartReality & SmartInsight software and mobile apps for construction and risk management.

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2016

The Voice of Tech

Multiple launched products and services later, James decides to become his own PR and launches the first technology innovation podcast in the construction industry, The ConTech Crew.

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2018

Exit & Do It Again

James’ team sells SmartBid to their largest industry competitor and incumbent and pivots to focus on building products, like TerraClaim claims management software, for the insurance industry.

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2019

Entrepreneur and Pilot

Finally securing his private pilot’s licenses, a lifelong dream, James learns more from a hobby than he thought possible and simultaneously makes his business travel much more efficient.

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2020

Teaching & Learning

On the Board of Regents at Texas Southern University, James is focused on teaching entrepreneurism and a passion for flight to the next generation of business leaders, especially those without bootstraps.

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2022

Pushing Innovation

Through the InsureTech Geek podcast James continues to be a thought leader on cultivating innovation, especially in the insurance industry. While still leading JBKnowledge, he continues to speak on bootstrapping, entrepreneurship and the mad scientist attitude we all need.

Lessons They Don’t Teach in Business School

A free guide from my 20 years of bootstrapping a tech company.

DOWNLOAD MY EBOOK

  • I have the opportunity to moderate a panel titled "The Future of Insurance" at  @sxsw  2023 & would appreciate your v…  https://t.co/BTrUBph9Vg 
    @JamesMBenham
    4 days ago
  • RT  @cpcoalition : #Podcast Spotlight!The ConTechCrew #314: A Look into the Past & the Future of the ConTechCrew” on Spreaker. Times are chan…
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    5 days ago
  • RT  @NassauFG : James Benham joins  @NReimagine  to discuss his rules for success - He lays out 5 principles for successfully introducing innov…
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    2 weeks ago
  • RT  @InsuretechGeek : Looking to #GeekOut on more #insurancetechnology podcasts? Check out the latest episode of the Insurance Leadership Pod…
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    2 weeks ago
  • RT  @michaeljans : In the rapidly-evolving insurance industry, agents know they need to be able to pivot quickly. We caught up with James B…
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    2 weeks ago
  • RT  @SpotOnInsurance : Read Ted's article on our next week's episode with James Benham!  https://t.co/LnMwmvVLBD  #podcast #insurance #nextweek
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    2 weeks ago
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    2 weeks ago
  • Neeren Chauhan from  @ZurichNA  joined the #InsureTechGeek podcast! Listen to episode 90 and #GeekOut on…  https://t.co/yPvBx4PI68 
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    1 month ago
  • #startrek facts for you on this Wednesday!  https://t.co/K9fAZ5vi6P 
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    2 months ago
  • RT  @elonmusk : Landed back at Cape Canaveral (Humans for scale)  https://t.co/itiQ48JYmk 
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    3 months ago

ABOUT ME

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MY COMPANIES

JBKnowledge
SmartCompliance
TerraClaim

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Copyright 2022 | James Benham All Rights Reserved
  • Meet James
  • Speaking
  • Podcasts
  • Writing
    • Book | Coming Soon
    • eBook
    • Blog
  • Contact
JamesBenham