FreeWorld
FreeWorld is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing tech-enabled CDL-A training and job placement for formerly incarcerated individuals across 8 states, combining online permit prep, trucking school partnerships, and five years of post-graduation coaching to deliver an 85-89% placement rate.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersAustin, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What FreeWorld does
FreeWorld is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates a tech-enabled workforce development program preparing formerly incarcerated individuals for commercial trucking careers. Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, the organization has produced over 2,300 CDL-A graduates and currently operates across 8 states and 28 cities, with reported outcomes including 85-89% job placement rates, 86% three-year retention, and recidivism below 5% among graduates. FreeWorld guides participants through a structured pipeline—online CDL-A permit preparation, trucking school placement, job placement, and up to five years of post-graduation career coaching—alongside wraparound services including identity document assistance, Uber transportation, $2,000 stipends, and financial literacy training.
The core technology stack centers on an online training and student portal (app.freeworld.org) that delivers self-paced CDL-A permit preparation, an internal eligibility and case management system tailored to justice-impacted learners, and a performance-based contracting system with trucking schools that uses collective purchasing leverage to negotiate lower tuition rates for participants. Instructors are themselves returning citizens with trucking industry experience, providing both pedagogical credibility and a lived-experience foundation that distinguishes the program from conventional CDL training providers. FreeWorld maintains referral relationships with workforce development boards and reentry service organizations, including the Center for Employment Opportunities (operating in 30 cities across 12 states) and the Jefferson County Business & Workforce Center, which together anchor a distribution model that combines direct application via the company website with partner-led referral channels.
FreeWorld's revenue model is grant- and donation-funded rather than tuition-based; the program is offered at no cost to qualifying participants, with training expenses covered through foundation grants (including the Truist Foundation, MetLife Foundation, Stand Together Foundation, and Dallas Foundation), government workforce funding (WIOA), and individual donations processed via Every.org. The customer base spans three segments: returning citizens as primary end-users, workforce development partners who co-enroll and refer participants, and trucking employers who receive a pipeline of trained drivers to address nationwide driver shortages. Headcount is reported at 1-10 employees, while the program itself produces over 1,000 CDL-A graduates annually—a leverage ratio enabled by digital training delivery, partner referrals, and performance-based contracting with trucking schools.
FreeWorld firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FreeWorld
- Legal name
- FreeWorld
- Website
- https://freeworld.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- FreeWorld is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing tech-enabled CDL-A training and job placement for formerly incarcerated individuals across 8 states, combining online permit prep, trucking school partnerships, and five years of post-graduation coaching to deliver an 85-89% placement rate.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FreeWorld industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Workforce Development / Reentry Services
- NAICS
- Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction) (EDAKANAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Technical Bootcamps & Accelerated Reskilling (Full-time/Part-time) (BPAEANAE), Workforce & Career Transition Noncredit Programs (EDAAAEAC)
Keywords
Where FreeWorld is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Austin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices12 records
Markets served
FreeWorld business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Grants: FreeWorld receives grant funding from foundations and government workforce agencies (WIOA) to cover training costs for participants. The program is described as 'no-cost' for participants in select areas through grants or WIOA funding.
- Donations: The nonprofit accepts donations through their website to support program operations and participant services.
- Partnership Services: FreeWorld provides services to workforce development partners at no cost, funded through foundation grants and government workforce funding (WIOA).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | No-cost program for qualifying returning citizens |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
FreeWorld product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FreeWorld delivers a tech-enabled workforce development program that helps formerly incarcerated individuals earn their CDL-A permit, attend trucking school, and secure living-wage trucking jobs. The program bundles online permit preparation classes, trucking school placement management, job placement, and up to five years of post-graduation career coaching. Wraparound support includes identity document assistance, Uber transportation, $2,000 training stipends, and financial literacy resources, with services delivered at no cost to qualifying participants through grants and WIOA funding.
Product overview
FreeWorld offers a single unified program for formerly incarcerated individuals seeking careers in trucking. The core offering is the FreeWorld Program, which integrates online CDL-A permit preparation classes, direct trucking school placement management, job placement services, and up to five years of follow-up support including career coaching and financial literacy. Participants also access the Student Portal for program management. The company operates as a tech-enabled nonprofit, using technology to streamline eligibility and case management processes for returning citizens.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- FreeWorld Program A comprehensive tech-enabled workforce development program for formerly incarcerated individuals that bundles online CDL-A permit preparation, trucking school placement, job placement, and up to five years of post-graduation career coaching, delivered at no cost to qualifying participants.
- Trucking School Management Services Direct management of trucking school partnerships through performance-based contracts, including negotiating lower training rates on behalf of workforce partners and program participants, delivered as a service to workforce development agencies.
Quantifiable outcome
- 86% retention rate over 3 years for program completers
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use FreeWorld
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
FreeWorld technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
FreeWorld partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO)coreGroundbreaking partnership with the nation's leading reentry services provider to help create economic mobility for those seeking second chances while easing nationwide truck driver shortages. CEO can access FreeWorld's permit prep classes for approximately 250 participants annually across their 30 cities in 12 states. Pilot program reached 50-person capacity quickly with 70% obtaining permits. The partnership allows both organizations to negotiate lower rates with trucking schools.
- Jefferson County Business & Workforce Center (JeffCo)coreFreeWorld's most successful workforce partnership to date, demonstrating an 89% CDL-A license achievement rate for shared clients. JeffCo's flexible and creative collaboration has provided valuable lessons for other workforce partners. Their willingness to rethink and redesign traditional workforce processes to reduce barriers for returning citizens has set a replicable standard.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights6 records
FreeWorld competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO): The nation's leading reentry services provider operating in 30 cities across 12 states. CEO is both a FreeWorld partner and a direct comparable, delivering employment-focused services to returning citizens with similar workforce development goals.
- Defy Ventures: National nonprofit that provides workforce reentry and entrepreneurship training to currently and formerly incarcerated individuals. Highly comparable mission, target population, and workforce-development intervention model.
- The Last Mile: Nonprofit providing in-prison technology training and post-release workforce reintegration for incarcerated individuals. Compares on target population and tech-enabled workforce development, though its curriculum focus is broader than CDL-only.
- 70 Million Jobs: National employment platform dedicated to placing people with criminal records into jobs. Direct peer on serving returning citizens, with a comparable mission of connecting this workforce to employer demand.
- Safer Foundation: Chicago-based nonprofit providing vocational rehabilitation and workforce development for justice-involved individuals. Strong comparability on serving returning citizens with vocational training and job placement.
- Offender Aid and Restoration (OAR): Virginia-based reentry services nonprofit providing case management, employment support, and reintegration services to returning citizens. Operates a comparable mission and employment-focused case management model.
- A New Way of Life Reentry Project: Los Angeles-based nonprofit focused on housing, employment, and reintegration services for formerly incarcerated women and men. Comparable on serving returning citizens with wraparound support and employment outcomes.
Broad incumbents
- Dave's Killer Bread Foundation: Foundation-driven second-chance employment initiative established alongside the Dave's Killer Bread brand. Compares on the second-chance hiring narrative but operates more as an advocacy/employment brand than a training provider.
- Roadmaster Drivers School: National CDL truck driving school chain that is one of FreeWorld's trucking-school partners/competitors. Compares on CDL training delivery but operates as a commercial school rather than a nonprofit reentry program.
- Greyston Bakery: Open-hire employer and workforce development model that hires anyone willing to work, including those with barriers to employment. Compares thematically on second-chance workforce access but as an employer rather than a training provider.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
FreeWorld social profiles
Digital presenceFreeWorld financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FreeWorld leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
FreeWorld funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FreeWorld 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 FreeWorld
What does FreeWorld do?
FreeWorld delivers a tech-enabled workforce development program that helps formerly incarcerated individuals earn their CDL-A permit, attend trucking school, and secure living-wage trucking jobs. The program bundles online permit preparation classes, trucking school placement management, job placement, and up to five years of post-graduation career coaching. Wraparound support includes identity document assistance, Uber transportation, $2,000 training stipends, and financial literacy resources, with services delivered at no cost to qualifying participants through grants and WIOA funding.
Is FreeWorld a public or private company?
FreeWorld is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was FreeWorld founded?
FreeWorld was founded in 2020. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is FreeWorld based?
FreeWorld is headquartered in Austin, United States, in the North America region.
How does FreeWorld make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Grants are the primary driver. The others are donations and partnership Services.
Who are FreeWorld's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), Defy Ventures, The Last Mile, 70 Million Jobs, Safer Foundation, Offender Aid and Restoration (OAR) and A New Way of Life Reentry Project. Broad incumbents are Dave's Killer Bread Foundation, Roadmaster Drivers School and Greyston Bakery.
Does FreeWorld have an API?
No public API is recorded for FreeWorld.
What industry is FreeWorld in?
FreeWorld's product category is Workforce Development / Reentry Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAKANAF, Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction), with a secondary code of BPAEANAE, Technical Bootcamps & Accelerated Reskilling (Full-time/Part-time). Its NAICS code is 6115 and its SIC code is 8200.