Digital Bridge

What Digital Bridge does

Digital Bridge is a Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2010 (originating as a 2009 student organization at the Milwaukee School of Engineering) that operates an electronics recycling and refurbishment business supplying affordable technology to low-income individuals, nonprofits, educational institutions, and international development partners. The organization accepts donated and retired IT assets from corporate donors across Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, and Michigan, then sanitizes, refurbishes, and redistributes them either through an e-commerce storefront to eligible end-users or through community-partner distribution events. Core technical capabilities center on NAID AAA-certified hard drive and solid state drive sanitization with documented chain of custody, Microsoft Registered Refurbisher status authorizing legitimate Windows/OS installations, and installation of open-source Ubuntu/Xubuntu on eligible machines. The product catalog spans Standard and Deluxe Laptops ($150–$200), Standard Desktops ($100), an HP ProDesk 600 G4 ($75), 22-inch monitors ($25+), free and sponsored devices for low-income recipients, and bundled digital literacy workshops through the Bridge Milwaukee program.

The revenue model is hybrid and characteristic of a mission-driven nonprofit: refurbished device sales (priced $0–$200 with freemium tier), tax-deductible in-kind corporate electronics donations, cash donations, and episodic corporate grants and sponsorships (e.g., the $32,500 Charter Communications Spectrum Digital Education grant in 2018). The organization is governed as an independent nonprofit with no parent company or venture capital ownership and relies on board oversight plus a small core team of 11–50 employees. Geographically, operations are anchored in Milwaukee with a Walker's Point warehouse and a single weekly drop-off site, while international impact spans more than 20 computer labs across Kenya, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Mexico, and China. Go-to-market combines enterprise field pickup service, community-led distribution through partners like United Way Techquity, and direct e-commerce to individuals and nonprofits.

Strategic positioning is centered on the dual value proposition of secure IT asset disposition for corporations and digital inclusion for underserved populations, supported by compliance credentials (NAID AAA, HIPAA, GLBA, FACTA, FISMA, PIPEDA, SOX) and an ecosystem of corporate, nonprofit, and academic partners. The Bridge Milwaukee program has set an explicit goal of providing 50,000 devices to the Milwaukee community by end of 2027, and recent partnerships (notably a 2025 nationwide agreement with TDS Telecommunications) suggest deliberate scaling of device throughput and geographic reach. Cumulative impact to date includes over 20 million pounds of e-waste diverted from landfills and more than 35,000 devices refurbished and rehomed since inception.

Name

Digital Bridge

Legal name

Digital Bridge

Website

https://digitalbridge.ngo

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Digital Bridge is a Milwaukee-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that refurbishes donated corporate electronics and redistributes them to low-income individuals, nonprofits, schools, and international partners across the US and three continents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electronics Recycling and Refurbishment

NAICS

Materials Recovery Facilities (562920)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953), Sanitary Services (4950)

akta.pro primary industry

Enterprise Hardware Recycling (Servers, Storage, Networking) (BPALAIAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Data Recovery, Device Unlocking & Software Repair Services (CRACAJAJ), Digital Inclusion & Public Tech Access Training (Device/Internet/Basic IT) (EDAAAFAE)

Keywords

• Electronics recycling
• E-waste management
• Refurbished computers
• IT asset disposition
• Digital inclusion

Headquarters

HQ city

Milwaukee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Refurbished Technology Sales: Selling refurbished computers and electronics to eligible individuals (below 200% poverty level or enrolled in government assistance programs) and nonprofits at reduced prices. Product range from free to $200.
2. Corporate Electronics Donations: Free pickup of retired technology from businesses; donations are tax-deductible as registered 501(c)(3) organization. Provides data security and environmental compliance.
3. Cash Donations: Accepts monetary donations to support digital literacy workshops, computer labs, and daily operations.
4. Corporate Grants and Sponsorships: Grants from corporations like Charter Communications Spectrum Digital Education ($32,500 grant in 2018) to support technology access programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Digital Bridge receives donated and retired corporate IT equipment, performs NAID AAA-certified secure data destruction, refurbishes the hardware with authorized operating system installations, and redistributes the computers through an online shop, free and sponsored device programs, and community partner distribution to low-income individuals, nonprofits, and educational institutions. It also delivers digital literacy workshops and helps coordinate affordable home internet for recipients.

Product overview

Digital Bridge is a nonprofit electronics recycling organization that operates a refurbished technology marketplace combined with digital inclusion services. The core offerings include: (1) an online shop selling refurbished business-class computers (Standard Laptop, Deluxe Laptop, Standard Desktop, HP ProDesk 600 G4) and accessories; (2) free and subsidized computer programs (Sponsor a Device, Free Computers) for low-income individuals; (3) corporate e-waste recycling with NAID AAA-certified data destruction; (4) Bridge Milwaukee digital literacy workshops; and (5) affordable internet coordination. Products are sourced from corporate donations, refurbished, and redistributed to nonprofits, schools, and income-eligible individuals, primarily serving the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area with nationwide impact through lab installations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Standard Laptop Refurbished business-class laptop (Dell, HP, Lenovo) with Intel Core i-series processor (1st-4th gen), 4 GB RAM, 500 GB hard drive, and built-in Wi-Fi capability. Intended for eligible low-income individuals, students, and nonprofits needing a basic productivity computer at $150.
• Deluxe Laptop Premium refurbished business-class laptop (Dell, HP, Lenovo) with Intel Core i-series processor (4th-6th gen), 8 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD, Windows 10 Pro, Microsoft Office Home & Student 2010, and built-in webcam and Wi-Fi. Priced at $200 for eligible individuals and nonprofits.
• Standard Desktop Refurbished desktop computer set including business-class PC (Dell, HP, Lenovo), 19-inch monitor, power and video cables, keyboard, mouse, and USB Wi-Fi adapter. Priced at $100 and aimed at eligible low-income individuals, students, and nonprofits needing a complete home or office workstation.
• HP ProDesk 600 G4 Refurbished HP ProDesk 600 G4 desktop computer with Intel Core i5-8500T CPU, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD, Windows 11 Pro, and Microsoft Office. Listed at $75 as a more compact modern-spec alternative to the Standard Desktop.
• 22" Dell LCD Monitor Refurbished 22-inch Dell LCD monitor sold separately as an add-on for refurbished computer buyers, priced from $25 per monitor.
• Sponsor a Device Sponsorship program that funds a refurbished computer for a low-income individual or family at $100 per sponsored device, with the recipient selected on a first-come, first-served lottery basis.
• Free Computers Program Free refurbished computers for income-eligible individuals, funded by sponsors and donations, provided on a first-come, first-served basis to recipients who meet income or government-assistance eligibility.
• Corporate E-Waste Pickup and Electronics Recycling Free pickup and drop-off recycling service for businesses and organizations. Accepts PCs, laptops, external hard drives, monitors, tablets, printers, cables, and accessories across Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, and Michigan, with documented transfer to the Digital Bridge warehouse and chain-of-custody handling.
• NAID AAA-Certified Data Destruction Secure data destruction and sanitization service for hard drives and solid-state drives, performed under NAID AAA certification with full chain-of-custody documentation and certificates of destruction. Compliance coverage includes HIPAA, GLBA, FACTA, FISMA, PIPEDA, and SOX.
• Bridge Milwaukee Workshop Digital literacy workshop series for underserved Milwaukee residents covering affordable broadband, device access, digital skills, and technical support. Each participant receives a refurbished computer and two hours of technical support. Delivered at nonprofit partner sites at $150/participant (minimum 10 participants) and connects to the Bridge Milwaukee program goal of 50,000 devices to the Milwaukee community by end of 2027.
• Affordable Internet Coordination Service that surfaces and coordinates low-cost home internet options for eligible individuals, including AT&T Internet ($10/month for 10 Mbps), Spectrum Internet ($17.99/month for 30 Mbps), and Mobile Beacon hotspot ($75 hardware plus $10/month for unlimited 4G LTE).
• Tech for Nonprofits Discounted refurbished laptops and desktops for registered nonprofits, educational institutions, and public museums. Includes bulk-order pricing, eligibility verification, and custom computer lab configurations for partner organizations.
• Tech for Individuals Affordable refurbished technology access pathway for income-eligible individuals (at or below 200% poverty level or enrolled in income-based government assistance programs). Devices are priced from $0 to $150 with eligibility verification required.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 20 million pounds of e-waste diverted from landfills
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, key, minor and foundational.

• TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 May 2025TDS donates retired technology from its operations nationwide to Digital Bridge. Digital Bridge securely sanitizes, refurbishes, and redistributes computers to individuals, schools, and nonprofits. Partnership launched spring 2025 with device donations from multiple TDS locations, with plans for employee engagement and volunteerism.
• Potawatomi Casino HotelkeyGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2025Long-standing partnership including IT department collaboration and Heart of Canal Street campaign support. April 2025: month-long employee e-waste drive throughout April, with devices refurbished and rehomed to those in need.
• Spectrum (Charter Communications) Digital EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 December 2018Spectrum's Digital Education grant program provides funding to nonprofits like Digital Bridge to support tech literacy classes, distribute refurbished laptops, and offer digital resources. Grant of $32,500 awarded in 2018 for Milwaukee Digital Inclusion program.
• United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County (Techquity)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital Bridge partners with United Way's Techquity initiative to bridge the digital divide in Milwaukee by getting devices to those in need. Joint distribution events have distributed hundreds of laptops to individuals and families.
• HydritekeyGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner for Earth Day e-waste collection, collecting electronics directly from employees on site on April 22. Supports environmental responsibility and secure disposal practices.
• Sage Legal Group, LLCminorGTM or Marketing Partner3rd Annual Electronics Recycling Drive April 20-27 at Shorewood office, inviting community to drop off used electronics for responsible recycling.
• Astronautics Corporation of AmericaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted employee e-waste drive on April 20 at Oak Creek headquarters, with retired electronics collected for responsible recycling.
• Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered during COVID-19 response to provide access to digital learning for students and work-friendly devices for professionals by sourcing refurbished technology.
• Kenya PartnerskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent charitable organization based in Nakuru, Kenya. Digital Bridge worked with Kenya Partners to establish a computer lab of 33 computers at a secondary school, with older desktops redistributed to primary school.
• Alliance for Technology Refurbishing and Reuse (AFTRR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital Bridge is a member of this national alliance of nonprofit technology refurbishers. Mission is to support the nonprofit refurbishing and reuse community to provide low-cost or free technology to those in need.
• Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE)foundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital Bridge originated as a student organization at MSOE in 2009. MSOE provided initial office space and IT equipment donations. Students from MSOE have participated in service trips to Kenya and other projects.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Free Geek: Portland-based nonprofit that refurbishes donated computers and provides them to underserved populations along with digital literacy training; closely comparable in mission and refurbishment-plus-education model.
• PCs for People: Nonprofit electronics refurbisher headquartered in Minneapolis with locations across multiple states; refurbishes donated computers for low-income individuals and nonprofits via e-commerce and distribution events — a near-identical operating model to Digital Bridge.
• Human-I-T: Nonprofit that refurbishes donated technology and distributes it to underserved communities, with digital literacy training programs; directly comparable in mission, refurbishment pipeline, and target beneficiaries.
• InterConnection: Seattle-based nonprofit refurbisher providing low-cost computers and internet access to underserved populations worldwide; comparable in nonprofit refurbishment, e-commerce sales, and international lab installations.
• Computers 4 People: Nonprofit refurbisher that distributes refurbished computers to low-income families, veterans, and students with digital literacy training; closely aligned with Digital Bridge's mission and target segments.
• World Computer Exchange: Nonprofit that refurbishes donated computers and ships them to schools and youth centers in developing countries; directly comparable to Digital Bridge's international lab deployments in Kenya, Cameroon, and similar geographies.

Broad incumbents

• Goodwill Industries International: National nonprofit network that operates electronics recycling and refurbishment programs in select regions; broadly comparable in nonprofit mission and donation-based reuse, though technology is a smaller portion of its portfolio.
• Electronic Recyclers International (ERI): One of the largest US commercial e-waste recyclers offering IT asset disposition, data destruction, and downstream commodity recovery; competes with Digital Bridge for corporate e-waste supply but operates a for-profit model at much greater scale.
• Sims Lifecycle Services: Global IT asset disposition provider and e-waste recycler serving enterprise and government clients with secure data destruction and refurbishment; a much larger commercial competitor for corporate IT retirement volumes.

Emerging players

• 4th Bin: New York-based e-waste recycling and refurbishment company serving residential and small-business customers with pickup and certified data destruction; an emerging commercial player that competes for some regional corporate e-waste supply.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DigiBridgeNGO
• Facebookfacebook.com/DigiBridgeNGO
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/companydigibridgengo

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Digital Bridge