Ethical Tech Startup Guide

This book draws on almost five decades of entrepreneurial experience and innovation and offers a broad perspective on ethical tech startups. It approaches the subject on two fronts by considering both the business of ethical technology as well as the challenges of tech startups with an imperative to behave ethically. The book provides readers with the tools to ethically frame and construct their startup ventures whether or not their core business is rooted in a technology meant to serve a social good. Incorporating ethical business practices both in knowledge and action, this book leads readers through the process of shaping an incipient startup idea all the way through the long-term operating stages. Using real-world case studies, the book explores key factors in successfully planning, framing, launching, leading, managing, and financing startups. This book is essential reading for researchers, academics, and students as well as industry professionals who have an idea or technology they want to get out into the world. Whether readers are seasoned in the field, employees of existing startups looking for better approaches, or new idealistic innovators who want to learn where to start, this guidebook explains and explores the road to launching the next great ethical tech startup.


Ron Baecker is an Emeritus Professor of Computer Science and Bell Chair in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) at the University of Toronto (UofT). He is also the co-founder of UofT's Dynamic Graphics Project and founder of both its Knowledge Media Design Institute (KMDI) and Technologies for Aging Gracefully lab (TAGlab). He earned his B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. from MIT. He is an ACM Fellow, a member of the ACM CHI Academy, one of ACM's 60 Pioneers of Computer Graphics, and a Canadian Digital Media Pioneer. He was recently awarded the 2020 ACM CHI Social Impact Award and has written over 200 papers and articles, mentored hundreds of outstanding students, and inspired thousands through his teaching.