Close the Gap
Close the Gap is a Belgian non-profit founded in 2003 that collects, refurbishes, and redistributes pre-owned corporate IT equipment to schools, hospitals, and social enterprises in developing countries, complemented by Digitruck mobile classrooms, e-waste management, and entrepreneurship programs across 50+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersBrussels, Belgium
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Close the Gap does
Close the Gap is a Belgian non-profit social enterprise (legally Close the Gap International vzw, registered in Brussels under company number BE 0860.353.772) founded in 2003. The organization operates a circular economy model for IT equipment: it collects pre-owned computers from European corporate donors, refurbishes them through ISO 27001 certified data wiping and inspection processes, and redistributes the devices to educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and social enterprises in developing and emerging countries. Since inception it has collected over 1,701,367 ICT devices and reports having empowered more than 6,682,810 people, supported 1,570 entrepreneurs, and contributed to 4,751 jobs created.
The organization runs several interconnected programs beyond core hardware redistribution. The Digitruck program deploys mobile, solar-powered digital classrooms built inside refurbished 40-foot shipping containers, with 15 units currently touring Europe and Africa, delivering over 40,000 hours of digital skills training since October 2019 in partnership with Huawei. CTG Circular Kenya, established in 2021 in the port of Mombasa, operates a state-of-the-art IT Asset Disposition facility that mirrors the Belgian ITAD process. WorldLoop provides environmentally sound e-waste management. The BOOST program and Impact Accelerator Fund support social entrepreneurs through training, incubation, and access to capital, with 68 entrepreneurs graduating from the BoostPlus Mariakani incubation. The organization also operates co-working Hubs in Mombasa, runs a Circular Economy HUB in Nairobi, and operates the CTG-Texaf Digital joint venture in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Close the Gap is funded through a non-commercial model. Corporate donors contribute decommissioned IT equipment and receive free collection and certified data wiping services. Recipient organizations are asked to contribute toward refurbishment and transportation costs. Institutional funding comes from BNP Paribas Fortis Foundation, King Baudouin Foundation, DEG Invest, USAID, and the Government of Canada, supplemented by strategic corporate partners including Huawei, Microsoft, Dell, DHL, Ricoh, Rabobank, Bolloré, and Umicore. The organization maintains physical operations in Belgium, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa, and the Netherlands, and reports active program presence in over 50 countries.
Close the Gap firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Close the Gap
- Legal name
- Close the Gap International vzw
- Website
- https://close-the-gap.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Close the Gap is a Belgian non-profit founded in 2003 that collects, refurbishes, and redistributes pre-owned corporate IT equipment to schools, hospitals, and social enterprises in developing countries, complemented by Digitruck mobile classrooms, e-waste management, and entrepreneurship programs across 50+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Close the Gap industry classification
Industry- Product category
- IT Asset Refurbishment Services
- NAICS
- Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance (81121), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518), Computer Training (61142)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Computer & Office Equipment (3570)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Education Access & EdTech for Equity (Low-cost Learning, Skills Platforms) (BPAGALAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Digital Inclusion & Public Tech Access Training (Device/Internet/Basic IT) (EDAAAFAE), IT Support & End-User Computing (Helpdesk, Desktop, M365/Google Workspace) (EDABAFAN), Remote/Hybrid Work Readiness & Digital Collaboration (EDAAAKAL)
Keywords
Where Close the Gap is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brussels
- HQ country
- Belgium
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices6 records
Markets served
Close the Gap business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Equipment Donation & Redistribution: Close the Gap operates as a non-profit that accepts donations of pre-owned IT equipment from European companies and redistributes refurbished devices to educational, medical, and social organizations. Recipients pay a contribution toward refurbishing and transportation costs. The organization does not charge for collection services from donors.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Equipment contribution model for recipients |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Close the Gap product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Close the Gap is a non-profit social enterprise that collects pre-owned IT equipment from European corporate donors, refurbishes the devices with ISO 27001 certified data wiping, and redistributes them to educational, healthcare, and social organizations in developing countries. Beyond hardware redistribution, it operates the Digitruck mobile solar-powered classroom program for digital skills training, the WorldLoop e-waste management system, and the BOOST entrepreneurship support program.
Product overview
Close the Gap operates as a multi-faceted digital inclusion organization with several interconnected products and services. The core offering is IT Refurbishing, where pre-owned computers donated by European companies are collected, wiped (ISO 27001 certified), inspected, and configured for redeployment. The Digitruck Program provides mobile digital classrooms in converted shipping containers with solar power, bringing digital skills training to remote areas. WorldLoop manages e-waste sustainably in developing countries. The BOOST Program and Impact Accelerator Fund support social entrepreneurship through training, incubation, and funding. The Close the Gap Hub and Circular Economy HUB (CTG Circular Kenya, established 2021) serve as physical facilities for refurbishment, training, and supporting start-ups. These offerings work together to bridge the digital divide through hardware redistribution, skills training, and entrepreneurship support while maintaining circular economy principles.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- WorldLoop: E-waste management and recycling initiative created by Close the Gap to ensure proper and environmentally sound disposal and recycling of electronic waste in developing countries.
- Digitruck
- BOOST Program
- Circular Economy HUB
Products and services
- IT Refurbishing Service End-to-end IT refurbishment service that collects pre-owned computers from organizations, performs ISO 27001 certified data wiping, inspects hardware, and configures equipment for deployment to education, medical, entrepreneurial, and social projects in developing countries.
- Digitruck Program A mobile digital classroom service built into a 40-foot refurbished shipping container, equipped with solar power, 20 laptops/tablets, Wi-Fi with mobile/satellite connectivity, printer, foldable desks, LED flatscreen/projector, and climate control. Deployed to remote communities in Europe and Africa to deliver digital skills training.
- WorldLoop E-waste Management Service
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1.7 million ICT devices collected and redeployed since 2003
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Close the Gap
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Close the Gap technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Close the Gap partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- HuaweicoreHuawei and Close the Gap partnered to launch a mobile, solar-powered DigiTruck in Kenya to provide digital skills training to remote communities. The initiative has delivered over 40,000 hours of training since October 2019, benefiting more than 1,500 local teachers, youth, and entrepreneurs.
- MicrosoftcoreStrategic partner providing software solutions and support for digital inclusion initiatives across Close the Gap's programs in developing countries.
- DellcoreCorporate donor of high-quality pre-owned IT equipment for refurbishment and redeployment to educational and social projects.
- Circular IT GroupcoreStrategic partner handling organizational aspects of computer donation collection and preparation of project orders, including personal identification data and electronic identification data management.
- SK TescoreService partner for organizational operations related to collection of computer donations and preparation of project orders.
- BollorécoreLogistics partner for shipment of project orders to developing countries, handling transportation of refurbished equipment.
- BrucargocoreLogistics partner for shipment of project orders to third countries, handling freight forwarding services.
- RicohcoreStrategic partner providing printing services and IT solutions. Ricoh describes Close the Gap as 'the pearl among the NGO's: Pure, sincere, professional and efficient!'
- UmicorecoreStrategic partner that donated over 3,000 decommissioned PCs worldwide through Close the Gap for social development projects in Africa. Manages recycling of critical raw materials from collected equipment.
- RabobankcoreStrategic partner with core mission of 'Growing a better world together.' Close the Gap helps ensure Rabobank's equipment serves better purpose in regions where it's desperately needed.
- DHLcoreLogistics partner handling shipment and delivery of donated IT equipment to project destinations.
- Computers For Schools Kenya (CFSK)coreService partner managing distribution and deployment of refurbished computers to educational institutions in Kenya.
- Computers For Schools Uganda (CFSU)coreService partner managing distribution and deployment of refurbished computers to educational institutions in Uganda.
- Africa ICT RightcoreService partner for ICT distribution and digital inclusion projects in Africa.
- Embassy of Belgium in KenyacoreDiplomatic support and collaboration for Close the Gap Kenya operations and cross-border initiatives.
- RecupelcoreBelgian non-profit responsible for organizing collection and processing of discarded electronic appliances, providing collection boxes for mobile phone donations.
- AccentureminorCorporate partner participating in mobile phone collection pilot project alongside ENGIE and Ordina.
- ENGIEminorCorporate partner participating in mobile phone collection pilot project alongside Accenture and Ordina.
- OrdinaminorCorporate partner for mobile phone collection pilot project. Partner since several years, providing fast service, transparency and commitment.
- ThakicoreLebanon-based non-profit social enterprise receiving refurbished laptops to support refugee and vulnerable children's education. Partnership ongoing for more than six years, with over 2,000 laptops provided.
- DROP AfrikacorePartnership for supporting digital access in rural Senegal through education, health, and sustainable development initiatives in 2025.
- WEEE CentrecoreHost of Africa International E-Waste Conference where Close the Gap won inaugural E-Waste Award, recognizing circular economy leadership.
- Challenge WorkscoreManaging partner for Mombasa Plastics Prize program delivery in partnership with Mombasa County's innovation ecosystem.
- Pebbles ProjectcoreSouth African non-profit receiving refurbished computers and Digitruck support for children in wine-farming communities near Cape Town.
- Texaf-DigitalcoreJoint venture partner (CTG-Texaf) in Democratic Republic of Congo, building digital economy participation for Congolese citizens.
- NIA VenturescorePartner for BoostPlus incubation program collaboration, supporting young entrepreneurs in Kenya.
- Solarly SarlminorCameroon-based renewable energy company receiving refurbished laptops since 2021 to strengthen administration and operational capacity.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Close the Gap competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Hopeful Globe (formerly EQUALS): Netherlands-based social enterprise collecting decommissioned corporate devices for refurbishment and redeployment, focused on digital inclusion in emerging markets. Highly comparable to Close the Gap's European donor-to-developing-country model.
- InterConnection: Seattle-based nonprofit refurbishing donated computers for nonprofits and schools in developing countries. Overlapping mission of digital inclusion via enterprise IT donation, with comparable recipient application process.
- Camara Education: Ireland-headquartered nonprofit that collects used computers from European enterprises, refurbishes them, and distributes to schools in Africa and the Caribbean. Directly comparable operating model and beneficiary segments to Close the Gap.
- Computer Reach: US nonprofit refurbishing donated computers for schools, nonprofits, and refugees domestically and internationally. Comparable IT-redistribution operating model with similar donor pipeline from enterprise IT departments.
- WEEE Centre: Kenya-based e-waste management and refurbishment organization. Close the Gap's partner in the Mombasa ecosystem and a direct operational peer in African ITAD and ICT refurbishment.
- Computer Aid International: UK-based nonprofit refurbishing donated computers for deployment to education, health, and community organizations in developing countries. Closely mirrors Close the Gap's end-to-end collection, refurbishment, and redistribution model across Europe-to-Africa flows.
Broad incumbents
- Goodwill Industries International: Large established nonprofit with E-cycle/computer refurbishment programs. Overlaps with Close the Gap on IT asset disposition for social impact, but operates across a much broader mission portfolio beyond digital inclusion.
Emerging players
- Closing the Loop: Dutch social enterprise collecting used mobile phones for responsible recycling in emerging markets. Comparable circular-economy e-waste model, but focused on mobile handsets rather than laptops and digital training.
- Soluciones IT / Fundación Equidad: Latin American nonprofits focused on refurbished computer deployment for education access. Partially overlapping mission in digital inclusion via IT redistribution, though geography does not directly overlap with Close the Gap's primary markets.
Others
- Deloitte Foundation / Circularity Gap Reporting (circular-economy ecosystem): Adjacent ecosystem participant advancing corporate circular-economy measurement and reporting standards. Not a direct peer but shapes the regulatory and donor environment in which Close the Gap's corporate ITAD model operates.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Close the Gap social profiles
Digital presenceClose the Gap compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Close the Gap financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Close the Gap leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Close the Gap subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Close the Gap funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Close the Gap 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 Close the Gap
What does Close the Gap do?
Close the Gap is a non-profit social enterprise that collects pre-owned IT equipment from European corporate donors, refurbishes the devices with ISO 27001 certified data wiping, and redistributes them to educational, healthcare, and social organizations in developing countries. Beyond hardware redistribution, it operates the Digitruck mobile solar-powered classroom program for digital skills training, the WorldLoop e-waste management system, and the BOOST entrepreneurship support program.
Is Close the Gap a public or private company?
Close the Gap is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Close the Gap founded?
Close the Gap was founded in 2003. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Close the Gap based?
Close the Gap is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, in the Europe region.
How does Close the Gap make money?
One revenue line is on record: equipment Donation & Redistribution.
Who are Close the Gap's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Hopeful Globe (formerly EQUALS), InterConnection, Camara Education, Computer Reach, WEEE Centre and Computer Aid International. Goodwill Industries International is listed as a broad incumbent. Emerging players are Closing the Loop and Soluciones IT / Fundación Equidad. Deloitte Foundation / Circularity Gap Reporting (circular-economy ecosystem) is listed as an others.
Does Close the Gap have an API?
No public API is recorded for Close the Gap.
What industry is Close the Gap in?
Close the Gap's product category is IT Asset Refurbishment Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAH, Education Access & EdTech for Equity (Low-cost Learning, Skills Platforms), with a secondary code of EDAAAFAE, Digital Inclusion & Public Tech Access Training (Device/Internet/Basic IT). Its NAICS code is 81121 and its SIC code is 8300.