People know Naveen Jain, Internet’s information entrepreneur, because of his many accomplishments in the business world. A former Microsoft senior executive, he was part of the development of the MS-DOS, OS/2, Windows NT and 95, as well as the launching of the Microsoft Network. Jain then left the corporation in order to create his own and in 1996, he founded the Internet directory InfoSpace. He maintained his position as its chief executive officer until he left in 2002 to establish another online service provider, Intelius Inc.
Along the side of his many achievements are his awards given by acclaimed organizations. He received the Albert Einstein Technology Medal, the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the WSA Industry Achievement Award, for the identity protection service IDWatch (provided by Intelius), and the American Business Award Best New Company for Intelius. He was included in the list for “Top 20 Entrepreneurs” by Red Herring and “6 People Who Will Change the Net” by Information Week.
Naveen Jain is not only distinguished in the field of technology and business. He is also popular for his philanthropic endeavors in an array of different organizations from education to hunger issues. He actively supports local charities and nonprofit organizations like:
- the Overlake Service League
- the Children’s Hospital Circle of Care
- the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV)
- Eastside Domestic Violence
- Child Rights and You (CRY)
- Hopelink
- United Way
- Rotary Club
- TreeHouse
- Kindering Center
- Youthcare
- Olive Crest
- Bellevue Boys and Girls Club
- the Vedic Cultural Center
- the University Preparatory Academy
- the Indian American Education Foundation
- the University of Washington, where he has so far given up to $170,000 for scholarships
His sense of giving is not only on a personal level. Together with the co-founders of Intellius and his wife Anu, Naveen Jain spreads his devotion to help others through establishing several programs within the company. Employees enjoy paid leave for charity works, as well as a company match-up for every $250 charity donation they make every year.
