Alex Menendez

Alex Menendez is the co-founder and co-owner of Monkeybrains, an Internet Service Provider (ISP) based in San Francisco.13 He founded the company in 1998 along with Rudy Rucker.1

Company Background

Monkeybrains started as a dial-up ISP in the late 1990s, operating out of a warehouse in San Francisco. Over the years, it has evolved significantly:

• In the early 2000s, they moved operations to a datacenter and began offering web hosting and collocation services.
• In 2009, they expanded by offering wireless Internet access.
• Currently, Monkeybrains operates a hybrid network of fiber optic and high-capacity wireless links, serving over 14,000 locations in San Francisco.1

Leadership and Vision

Under Menendez's co-leadership, Monkeybrains has positioned itself as a progressive and community-oriented ISP:

• The company takes a strong stance on Net Neutrality and believes the Internet should be secure, unbiased, and available to all.1
• Menendez sees Monkeybrains as a service provider rather than a data-mining company, emphasizing their commitment to customer privacy.3
• The company has been involved in initiatives to provide free or discounted internet to low-income communities in San Francisco.3

Recent Developments

In early 2023, Monkeybrains purchased the Heinzer warehouse in San Francisco for between $3.7 and $4 million, with plans to move all their San Francisco operations there.2 This acquisition has led to some community tensions, particularly regarding the use of an adjacent parcel of land known as Parcel 36.2

Alex Menendez continues to play an active role in the company's operations and community relations, representing Monkeybrains in various public forums and discussions about internet access and urban development in San Francisco.23