During a 2013 TED Talk, Dan Pallotta challenged popular assumptions and expectations of the social good sector. The talk struck a nerve and has since gone to be viewed over three million times.

Pallotta rightly noted that the problems social entrepreneurs and nonprofits are tackling are “massive in scale.” Pallotta also noted that the social good sector is unjustly punished for investing in its work and taking risks.

Fortunately, not every one has taken these ideas to heart. A number of organizations have taken the opposite path, focusing on investing in technology and taking bold risks in their quest to make the world a better place. Here are a few examples of organizations that have taken technology risks for social good:

• Solar-powered mobile phone charging: Social enterprise, BuffaloGrid, recognized the benefits mobile phones could bring to developing communities and how that was often challenged in places lacking of power. BuffaloGrid developed a mini portable charger that can power up to 24 devices. The device is free for local entrepreneurs who cover the costs of operation by requiring customers charging their device send a premium text message.

SafeNight, lets domestic violence shelters crowdfund hotel rooms when they are full so as to never turn anyone away

• Crowdfunding emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence: Nonprofit, Caravan Studios, was founded with the mission to build apps for good. Their first mobile app, SafeNight, lets domestic violence shelters crowdfund hotel rooms when they are full so as to never turn anyone away. Donors receive notice on their mobile devices that their local shelter is in need and they can quickly fund emergency shelter for someone in immediate need.

Foodsharing created an online platform based on the idea of sharing food locally to minimize waste and help those in need

• Eliminating food waste using the sharing economy model: More and more people are using to technology to share their homes and rides. Foodsharing, a German nonprofit, created an online platform based on the idea of sharing food locally to minimize waste and help those in need. Individuals and businesses can register to share free and anyone on a limited budget or who is just very environmentally minded locally.

Investing in new ways of doing things carries a risk but it’s a risk worth taking if we’re truly committed to social good.

Technology has made it easier than ever to fail fast and fail forward. So make sure you’re not undermining your mission by investing in the technology you need.