FreeGeek
Free Geek is a Portland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2000 that refurbishes donated technology, recycles e-waste, and distributes free or low-cost computers along with digital literacy education to underserved Oregonians.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersPortland, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What FreeGeek does
Free Geek is a Portland, Oregon-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 93-1292010) founded in 2000 by Oso Martín that operates a circular-economy model combining e-waste recycling with digital inclusion services. The organization collects over one million pounds of donated electronics annually from individuals and corporate partners, applies NIST SP800-88-compliant data sanitization and i-SIGMA-certified destruction processes, and routes approximately 30% of incoming devices through refurbishment for redistribution while the remaining 70% is responsibly recycled through the Oregon E-Cycles program.
The core product portfolio includes an eBay storefront selling refurbished computers, laptops, and accessories at price points starting at $100 (desktops) and $150 (laptops); structured community programs such as Plug Into Portland (K-12 students earn devices through 24 hours of nonprofit volunteer service), Welcome to Computers (a five-week culturally-specific digital literacy curriculum), and Hardware Grants (free equipment to qualifying nonprofits and schools); corporate IT asset disposition services with pickup, data destruction certification at $10 per device, and tax-deductible receipting; and free community technology education being transitioned online. The technology stack is operational rather than platform-based: refurbishment workflow tooling, e-commerce through eBay, Google Forms for applications, and the e2ma newsletter platform, with no public API.
The business model blends mission-driven distribution with earned revenue. Free distribution channels (community programs, hardware grants) serve 35,000+ Oregonians annually, including underserved community members, K-12 students, nonprofits, and schools. Earned revenue comes from eBay hardware sales (100% of proceeds fund operations), corporate pickup fees ($150 flat for donations over 20 devices in the Portland metro), data destruction certificates ($10/device), and individual monetary donations including a recurring membership program called THE BRIDGE. The organization is led by Executive Director Juan M. Muro Jr. (appointed 2022, joined 2018) and a management team of approximately 40-50 staff overseeing business development, refurbishment, digital equity, receiving/recycling, and operations. A volunteer workforce exceeding 2,000 active participants annually contributes 47,000+ hours and serves as both a service-delivery mechanism and a recruitment pipeline for technology adoption.
FreeGeek firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FreeGeek
- Legal name
- Free Geek
- Website
- https://freegeek.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Free Geek is a Portland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2000 that refurbishes donated technology, recycles e-waste, and distributes free or low-cost computers along with digital literacy education to underserved Oregonians.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FreeGeek industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Technology Refurbishment and E-Waste Recycling
- NAICS
- Other Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance (811490), Materials Recovery Facilities (562920)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Repair Services (7600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Electronics Refurbishment, Repair & Reuse (Remarketing/Resale) (BPALAIAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- E-Waste (WEEE) Collection, Refurbishment & Recycling (IMAIAFAH), Electronics Recycling & Material Recovery (Dismantling/Separation) (BPALAIAE), Certified Refurbished Electronics Retail (CRACAJAD), Consumer E-waste Collection & Take-Back Programs (EUAIAIAA)
Keywords
Where FreeGeek is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Portland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
FreeGeek business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Technology Sales: Sale of refurbished computers, laptops, desktops, monitors, and accessories through eBay store. Proceeds 100% support Free Geek operations.
- Technology Donations (Corporate): Corporate technology donations received and processed. Companies receive tax-deductible receipts for donated equipment.
- Individual Donations: Monetary donations from individuals, including monthly membership program THE BRIDGE and one-time gifts.
- Volunteer Workforce: Volunteers contribute labor in exchange for computer training and devices, enabling service delivery without equivalent cash expenditure.
- Pickup Service Fees: Flat fee of $150 for pickup services for donations over 20 devices in the Portland metro area.
- Data Destruction Certificates: $10 per device fee for documented certificate of data destruction for donors requiring documentation of erasure.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Desktop computers starting at $100 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Technology pickup service for large donations |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | eBay store sales with free local pickup |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Certificate of Data Destruction |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
FreeGeek product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Free Geek collects donated technology from individuals and businesses, securely sanitizes hard drives to NIST SP800-88 standards, and routes devices through a multi-stage refurbishment and recycling workflow (approximately 30% refurbished for reuse, 70% recycled). Refurbished computers are redistributed at no or low cost through community programs, hardware grants to nonprofits and schools, a volunteer computer adoption program, and an eBay-based storefront. The organization also delivers digital literacy education and digital navigation support to underserved populations.
Product overview
FreeGeek is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit technology refurbisher and digital equity organization founded in 2000, headquartered in Portland, Oregon. The organization operates a circular model that combines e-waste recycling with digital inclusion: it collects donated technology, refurbishes usable devices for redistribution, and provides digital literacy education. The core product portfolio includes the eBay-based refurbished computer store, multiple community programs (Plug Into Portland for students, Welcome to Computers digital literacy classes, Hardware Grants for nonprofits, Volunteer Computer Adoption), ethical e-waste recycling services, and data security/destruction services. Programs serve over 35,000 Oregonians annually, focusing on vulnerable populations lacking digital access. All programs are being enhanced with an upcoming move to a larger facility at 1700 SE Grand Ave in July 2026.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Free Geek Store (eBay)
- Plug Into Portland
- Welcome to Computers
- Hardware Grants
- Community Technology Education
- Volunteer Computer Adoption
- Data Security and Destruction Services
- E-Waste Recycling
- Digital Navigation Support
- Corporate Technology Donation Program (ITAD)
- Windows 10 Pro on Refurbished Computers
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1 million pounds of e-waste diverted from landfills annually
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use FreeGeek
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
FreeGeek technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
FreeGeek partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators10 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
FreeGeek competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
FreeGeek social profiles
Digital presenceFreeGeek compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
FreeGeek financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FreeGeek leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
FreeGeek funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FreeGeek M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about FreeGeek
What does FreeGeek do?
Free Geek collects donated technology from individuals and businesses, securely sanitizes hard drives to NIST SP800-88 standards, and routes devices through a multi-stage refurbishment and recycling workflow (approximately 30% refurbished for reuse, 70% recycled). Refurbished computers are redistributed at no or low cost through community programs, hardware grants to nonprofits and schools, a volunteer computer adoption program, and an eBay-based storefront. The organization also delivers digital literacy education and digital navigation support to underserved populations.
Is FreeGeek a public or private company?
FreeGeek is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was FreeGeek founded?
FreeGeek was founded in 2000. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is FreeGeek based?
FreeGeek is headquartered in Portland, United States, in the North America region.
How does FreeGeek make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Technology Sales are the primary driver. The others are technology Donations (Corporate), individual Donations, volunteer Workforce, pickup Service Fees and data Destruction Certificates.
Does FreeGeek have an API?
No public API is recorded for FreeGeek.
What industry is FreeGeek in?
FreeGeek's product category is Technology Refurbishment and E-Waste Recycling. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPALAIAD, Electronics Refurbishment, Repair & Reuse (Remarketing/Resale), with a secondary code of IMAIAFAH, E-Waste (WEEE) Collection, Refurbishment & Recycling. Its NAICS code is 811490 and its SIC code is 7600.