Founder · Builder · Optimist
Building
technology
for good.
James Citron is the founder and CEO of Pledge, helping make generosity part of everyday life.
Meet James↗$250M+
Raised through Pledge
2B+
Meals provided
100K+
Nonprofits supported
200+
Countries reached
3×
Founder
2×
Exits
Featured in
The Mission
Make giving as easy, accessible and embedded as every other part of modern life.
After years building mobile technology (including the 2nd largest text messaging company in the US), James founded Pledge to use technology for something more meaningful: connecting people, companies and causes to create real, sustainable impact.
Career Journey
Three companies. One throughline. Build for good.
- Act I — Mogreet
Mogreet
Built and patented one of the first mobile video delivery platforms.
- Powered over 50% of the MMS industry
- Worked with Google, Disney, retailers & global brands
- Acquired by a Silver Lake portfolio company
- Act II — mGage
mGage
Scaled into one of the world’s largest messaging companies.
- Grew beyond $100M ARR
- Led Global Sales, Marketing & Product
- Managed 100+ employees
- Helped launch Crisis Text Line
- Acquired by Kaleyra for $215M
- Act III — Pledge
Pledge
Built one of the world’s leading charitable fundraising platforms.
- $250M+ raised
- 100,000+ nonprofits supported
- Global impact across 190+ countries
- Fast Company World’s Most Innovative Companies
Awards & Recognition
- Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies
- Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas
Bio.
James Citron is the founder and CEO of Pledge, a fundraising platform that powers generosity for companies, creators and communities. A three-time founder with two exits, he previously built one of the largest mobile messaging companies in the US.
Through Pledge, he has helped raise more than $250M for over 100,000 nonprofits in 200+ countries — from disaster relief and clean water to meals, trees and wildlife conservation. He also serves as a board director at LA-Tech.org.
He lives in Los Angeles with his wife — a former rock star and fashion designer turned mom of their two amazing kids. A former Division I volleyball player at Princeton, he now spends weekends coaching football, basketball and volleyball.
- Division I volleyball, Princeton
- Weekend coach, three sports
- Family, first and always
- On a hunt for LA's best breakfast burrito
- A fine tequila, occasionally
- Giving back
founder · speaker · advisor · dad · optimist
founder · speaker · advisor · dad · optimist · founder · speaker · advisor · dad · optimist ·
Work with James
Ideas become more powerful when we build for good together.
A belief worth building on
“The best technology doesn’t just capture attention. It inspires action—and gives everyone the power to make a difference.”