Clementine Jacoby

Check it out, we’re talking about Clementine Jacoby, this is the real deal, a total boss in the civic tech world. She’s a YC alum from S19, but what really makes her stand out is her process from Google to actually building something that matters, Recidiviz.

So, she’s got this tech background, right? Studied at Stanford in Symbolic Systems, basically, she’s super sharp with how tech and data can solve massive social issues. She kicked things off at Google, working her way up as a Product Manager for Google Maps and Android. Pretty sick creds, no cap. But here’s where it gets interesting, she didn’t stick to the usual tech grind. She jumped into something way bigger, turning her skills into a mission-driven project.

In 2017, she co-founded Recidiviz, which is a nonprofit using data and tech to reform the criminal justice system. Think about it, most folks in her position could’ve just stayed in the corporate world, but she saw a huge problem and said, “Nah, I can do something about this.” Starting as a volunteer project at Google, Recidiviz grew into a legit civic tech powerhouse, backed by big foundations and recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30, Fast Company’s Most Creative People, and TIME’s Next 100 Most Influential. That’s not just fame, that’s impact.

What’s dope is her motivation. She’s clearly driven by a desire to make the world fairer, to cut down on mass incarceration, and to use tech for good. Her process shows what happens when you combine smarts, purpose, and a bit of risk, you can crush it while actually doing good. She’s proof that starting something, even from a volunteer project, can turn into a big wave of change if you’re committed.

Basically, Clementine Jacoby isn’t just a tech founder, she’s a changemaker, blending innovation with social justice. She’s the kind of person who saw a problem, jumped in with both feet, and used her skills to make the system better. That’s why she’s so important. She’s the real deal, someone who proves that tech can be a tool for real social impact, and she’s just getting started.