7 Surprising Facts About Jordan Hewson: Bono's Daughter Who Sold Her Tech Company To NationBuilder

Jordan Hewson, the eldest daughter of U2 frontman Bono, has firmly established herself as a powerful figure in the world of technology and social entrepreneurship, moving far beyond the shadow of her famous father. As of December 15, 2025, Hewson continues to be a prominent voice in civic tech, a field she revolutionized with her groundbreaking company, Speakable, which has since been acquired by a major industry player.

Her journey is a fascinating blend of elite education, innovative technology, and a deep commitment to social justice—a path that has earned her recognition from Forbes and positioned her as a leader in making political action accessible to the digital generation. This article delves into the most current and little-known facts about the woman behind the "Action Button."

Jordan Hewson: Comprehensive Biography and Profile

• Full Name: Jordan Joy Hewson
• Date of Birth: May 10, 1989
• Age: 36 (as of December 2025)
• Place of Birth: Dublin, Ireland
• Nationality: Irish
• Parents: Paul David Hewson (Bono, lead singer of U2) and Alison "Ali" Hewson (businesswoman and activist)
• Siblings: Eve Hewson (Actress), Elijah Hewson (Musician in the band Inhaler), and John Hewson
• Education:
  • Undergraduate Degree in Political Science
  • Master's Degree in Creative Writing
  • Both degrees earned from Columbia University in New York
• Known For: Founder and former CEO of Speakable, a civic technology company.
• Key Innovation: The "Action Button," a tool embedded in news articles to allow readers to take immediate civic action.
• Current Status: Prominent social entrepreneur and tech innovator following Speakable's acquisition.

The Speakable Saga: Acquisition, Innovation, and Impact

Jordan Hewson’s primary claim to fame in the business world is her creation of Speakable, a technology company she founded in 2015. The company was born from a simple yet powerful idea: bridging the gap between reading about a cause and taking meaningful action on it. Hewson, a Columbia University graduate with a background in Political Science and Creative Writing, recognized that the digital age demanded a more streamlined approach to civic engagement.

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The Revolutionary "Action Button"

Speakable’s flagship product was the "Action Button." This widget could be embedded directly into news articles on partner websites. When a reader finished an article about a social or political issue, the Action Button would appear, offering them immediate, tangible ways to get involved.

These actions could include calling an elected official, donating to a relevant charity, or signing a petition. This innovation effectively turned passive news consumption into active advocacy, a crucial step in the evolution of digital philanthropy and activism.

The NationBuilder Acquisition

The most significant recent update in Hewson’s professional life is the acquisition of Speakable. The company, which was founded in 2015, was acquired by NationBuilder, a leading software platform for leaders and organizers. This move cemented Speakable's technology as a core component of a larger, more powerful organizing ecosystem.

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The acquisition by NationBuilder, which is backed by major venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, was a major validation of Hewson's vision and the success of the Action Button. It demonstrated that the civic tech industry had matured to the point where tools for direct action were becoming essential infrastructure for political and social campaigns globally. This development has positioned Hewson as a successful entrepreneur who has achieved a significant exit in the competitive New York tech scene.

7 Little-Known Facts About Jordan Hewson

While her famous family often draws attention, Jordan Hewson has carved out a unique and impressive career path. Here are seven facts that highlight her independent success and influence:

1. She Shares Her Birthday With Her Father

Jordan Hewson was born on May 10, 1989, which is also her father Bono’s birthday. Bono, whose real name is Paul David Hewson, turned 29 the day Jordan was born. This shared birthday is a fun detail in the family's history, but Jordan's career has proven she is a force entirely separate from her father's rock star legacy.

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2. She Holds Two Degrees from Columbia University

Hewson is highly educated, holding both an undergraduate degree in Political Science and a Master's in Creative Writing from the prestigious Columbia University in New York. Her dual focus on political systems and effective communication is clearly the intellectual foundation for her work in civic technology.

3. Speakable Partnered with Over 30 Major Charities

Before its acquisition, Speakable was a key partner for a vast network of social good organizations. The platform collaborated with more than 30 different charity groups, including high-profile entities such as Amnesty International, Planned Parenthood, and her father's own non-profit, ONE. This extensive reach demonstrates the wide-ranging impact of the Action Button technology.

4. She Was Named a Forbes 30 Under 30 Social Entrepreneur

In 2019, Jordan Hewson was recognized for her innovative work by being named to the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 - Europe - Social Entrepreneurs list. This accolade highlighted her ability to use technology for positive social change and acknowledged her as a leader among young European innovators.

5. Her Sister is a Prominent Actress

Jordan’s younger sister, Eve Hewson, is a successful actress known for roles in films and TV shows like Behind Her Eyes and Bad Sisters. While both sisters grew up in the public eye, they have each chosen distinct career paths—one in tech and one in Hollywood—further cementing the Hewson family's diverse talents.

6. She Attended High-Profile 2025 Events

Even after her company's acquisition, Hewson remains connected to high-profile philanthropic and cultural circles. In 2025, she was photographed attending the Clooney Foundation For Justice's The Albies event in London. Earlier that year, in May 2025, she was also present at the premiere for the documentary "Bono: Stories of Surrender," celebrating her father's memoir.

7. Her Privacy is Highly Guarded

Despite her family's global fame, Jordan Hewson has successfully kept her personal life largely private, a trait she shares with her sister, Eve. There is no public information about her being married or in a high-profile relationship, allowing her professional achievements as a tech CEO and social entrepreneur to remain the focus of her public identity.

Hewson’s Lasting Influence on Civic Technology

The story of Jordan Hewson is a testament to the power of combining modern technology with a humanitarian spirit. Her work with Speakable and the development of the "Action Button" has fundamentally changed how news organizations view their role in social action. By making it frictionless for readers to engage with causes they care about, she has cultivated a new generation of digital activists.

Her successful exit to NationBuilder is not just a personal achievement but a milestone for the entire civic tech sector, signaling that tools designed for social impact are financially viable and essential to the future of democratic engagement. Jordan Hewson is a powerful example of an entrepreneur who leveraged her platform and education to create a lasting, measurable impact on global philanthropy and activism, ensuring her place as a leader in her own right.