Ethan James Caldwell

Founder, Author, and Speaker — Austin, Texas

Austin-based founder building technology that respects your attention instead of mining it.

Ethan James Caldwell is the founder and CEO of Northlight and the author of The Attention Dividend. After a decade designing the features built to keep people scrolling, he left to build the opposite: tools that give focus back. His work spans product, writing, and the stage — all centered on a healthier relationship with technology.

Ethan James Caldwell, founder and CEO of Northlight
Based inAustin, Texas
As Featured In
WIREDFast CompanyTEDThe VergeForbes
BACKGROUND

About the Work

A career spent at the intersection of product design, technology, and human attention — grounded in Austin and built around one idea: your focus is the most valuable thing you own, and software should protect it.

Northlight

As founder and CEO, Ethan leads Northlight, a platform that helps people notice their digital habits, reclaim deep focus, and use technology on purpose. What began as a small focus app now reaches a community of hundreds of thousands.

Writing & Coverage

His 2024 book, The Attention Dividend, reframed digital wellbeing as a creative and economic advantage rather than a wellness luxury. He writes and speaks regularly on focus, calm technology, and the attention economy.

Learn more about Ethan James Caldwell →
Portrait of Ethan James Caldwell
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Ethan James Caldwell in the Press
The Attention Dividend — on Amazon TEDx — "The Attention Dividend" Selected essays & interviews
Get in Touch

Contact

Let's connect.

For speaking, press, or Northlight inquiries, I welcome all messages and look forward to connecting with you.

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