One Laptop Per Child

What One Laptop Per Child does

One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2005 at MIT by Nicholas Negroponte to provide educational technology access to children in underserved communities. The organization has delivered over 3 million rugged, low-cost XO laptops across 46 countries in 25 languages, with primary deployments in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. OLPC serves children ages 6-12 in developing countries, national governments implementing large-scale one-to-one learning programs, private-sector CSR partners, and NGO implementation organizations. Leadership includes CEO Mariana Ludmila, CTO James Cameron, and founder Nicholas Negroponte.

OLPC's core technology stack consists of the XO laptop hardware family (XO-1, XO-1.5, XO-1.75, XO-3, XO-4, and NL3) and the custom Linux-based OLPC OS running the Sugar Learning Platform. Sugar is an open-source educational environment based on Seymour Papert's Constructionist learning principles and includes activities such as Scratch, Turtle Blocks, Browse, Calculate, Chat, Maze, Moon, Pippy, Read, Terminal, Write, and Record. The XO hardware is designed for challenging environments with sunlight-readable displays, energy-efficient operation, and built-in anti-theft security that disables lost or stolen devices. The Sugar platform is also ported to Raspberry Pi, broadening its reach beyond proprietary hardware.

OLPC operates a donation-based non-profit revenue model rather than commercial sales. Funding sources include individual donations ($99-$999 preset tiers, with $250 = one laptop, plus monthly recurring options), corporate and government partnerships (T-ROC, ALGOSEC, Liaison Technologies, education ministries), and foundation grants (Henny's Kids). Programs are delivered through implementation partners such as Fundacion Zamora Teran (Central America, 65,000+ children), OLE Nepal, and First Star Academy, with OLPC providing comprehensive services including teacher training, technical support, content localization, and monitoring and evaluation. The organization employs 11-50 staff and is headquartered in Miami, Florida.

Name

One Laptop Per Child

Legal name

OLPC, Inc.

Website

https://laptop.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

One Laptop Per Child is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2005 that delivers rugged XO laptops and the open-source Sugar learning platform to children across 46 developing countries. The organization operates through government, corporate CSR, and NGO implementation partnerships, funded by individual donations, grants, and partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Computing Devices

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Electronic Computers (3571), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Learning Device Ecosystems & 1:1 Program Solutions (Devices, MDM, Charging) (EDAJAMAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Kids & Education Tablets (CRACAMAG)

Keywords

• Educational laptop hardware
• Constructionist learning software
• Children's education programs
• Digital learning ecosystem
• Open-source learning platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: OLPC accepts donations from individuals through its website, with preset donation amounts ($99, $249, $499, $999) or custom amounts. Monthly recurring donation option available for patrons.
2. Corporate and Government Partnerships: Partnerships with corporations for CSR programs and governments for national education initiatives. Partners include T-ROC, ALGOSEC, Liaison Technologies, and various government education ministries.
3. Foundation and NGO Grants: Support from foundations like Henny's Kids for specific programs such as teacher training and laptop deployment in Zimbabwe.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that designs, manufactures, and distributes rugged, low-cost XO laptops running the OLPC OS and Sugar Learning Platform to children in developing countries. It deploys a Digital Educational Ecosystem through partnerships with governments, private sector companies, and NGOs, providing teacher training, technical support, and pedagogical services to schools and communities. As of January 2021, OLPC had delivered over 3 million XO laptops across 46 countries and 25 languages.

Product overview

One Laptop Per Child offers a comprehensive Digital Educational Ecosystem centered on its XO Laptop hardware and OLPC OS software. The ecosystem includes the Sugar Learning Platform as the software interface, multiple laptop models (XO-1, XO-1.5, XO-1.75, XO-3, XO-4, and NL3), and the OLPC OS operating system. The company provides educational programs including the Conecta-Aprende program for virtual learning. OLPC is a non-profit organization (501(c)(3)) focused on providing educational technology to children worldwide, having delivered over 3 million XO laptops in 25 languages across 46 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• XO Laptop A rugged, low-cost, connected laptop computer designed for children in developing countries. Multiple versions exist (XO-1, XO-1.5, XO-1.75, XO-3, XO-4, and NL3) featuring sunlight-readable displays, energy-efficient operation, and durability for challenging environments.
• OLPC OS A custom Linux-based operating system running on XO laptops with a built-in security system that disables laptop use in case of loss or theft. Built on the Sugar Learning Platform and supports multiple laptop models including XO-1, XO-1.5, XO-1.75, and XO-4.
• Sugar Learning Platform An open-source learning platform and graphical shell that serves as the user interface for OLPC OS. Includes activities like Scratch, Turtle Blocks, Browse, Calculate, Chat, Maze, Moon, Pippy, Read, Terminal, Write, and Record, supporting learning through constructionism.
• Digital Learning Ecosystem OLPC's comprehensive educational solution that creates innovative learning experiences enabling children to build knowledge, foster individual empowerment, and combat social exclusion. Deployed through local partners including governments, private sector, and non-profit organizations in schools, communities, and mobile learning centers.
• Conecta-Aprende (Connect-Learn) Program A virtual distance education program for Honduras that helps teachers integrate discipline, pedagogy, and technology through three phases: Transition, Focus, and Virtual School.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students showed impressive improvement in learning English, Science and Mathematics in Baitadi, Nepal program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• T-ROC (The Revenue Optimization Companies)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 June 2021T-ROC partnered with OLPC and First Star University of Miami Academy to provide 25 laptops to foster teens in Miami. T-ROC's subsidiaries Mobile Insight and SYMBITS created a tailored curriculum for students, with graduates joining T-ROC as summer interns.
• ALGOSECcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 March 2021ALGOSEC partnered with OLPC and Zamora Terán Foundation to provide laptops to 21 students at School Virgen de Suyapa in Honduras, serving a vulnerable community of 1,208 students.
• OLE NepalcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 September 2016OLE Nepal implemented the OLPC education program in 15 schools in Baitadi district, deploying XO laptops, installing digital libraries, and providing teacher training with positive learning outcomes documented.
• Fundacion Zamora TerancoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOLPC's main implementation partner in Central America, managing programs for more than 65,000 children across Nicaragua and Honduras. Handles local deployment, teacher training, and ongoing support.
• First Star University of Miami AcademycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIntensive four-year college preparation program on University of Miami campus for youth in foster care. OLPC provides laptops as part of the program supporting academic and life-skills development.
• Fundacion Marina OrthminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerColombian educational foundation providing quality, innovative education as part of the OLPC program. Students have achieved international recognition including robotics championships.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/onelaptoprwanda
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/OLPCFoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/one.laptop.per.child
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/one-laptop-per-child

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 One Laptop Per Child