I agree, it is unfortunately much more rampant in those areas. Starting there should have the biggest social payoff.
I think it's such an important area neglected by tech industry. One reason is that there is no commercial payoff. In fact, the opposite is going to be the case. We need someone like him who has the fortune to invest in these projects.
Funding isn't too hard to get for tools like this. It works differently from the standard start-up model, but have a look at, for example, where the Sunlight Foundation gets its money: http://sunlightfoundation.com/about/funding/
I think it's such an important area neglected by tech industry. One reason is that there is no commercial payoff. In fact, the opposite is going to be the case. We need someone like him who has the fortune to invest in these projects.