Tech Exchange
Tech Exchange is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1995 that refurbishes donated computers and redistributes them with training, tech support, and affordable internet enrollment to underserved families across six Bay Area counties from its Oakland TecHub and library pop-up locations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersOakland, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Tech Exchange does
Tech Exchange is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Oakland, California, that refurbishes donated computer equipment and redistributes it to underserved Bay Area communities to address the digital divide. Founded in 1995 by Bruce Buckelew, a retired IBM Systems Engineer, the organization operates a vertically integrated pipeline: corporate and individual device donations are securely wiped using a Triple-Pass Department of Defense overwrite (with certificate of destruction) at a 2201 Poplar Street warehouse, then sorted, tested, repaired, and either sold at low cost or distributed free of charge through the TecHub retail location at 1716 Telegraph Avenue, pop-up sites at San Pablo, Pittsburg, and Walnut Creek libraries, partner referrals, and an eBay storefront. The organization has reportedly distributed more than 250,000 devices and diverted over 3,050 tons of e-waste since inception.
The core product set bundles hardware access with wraparound services: TecHub combines retail, computer lab, and multilingual tech support; Digital Literacy Classes provide eight hours of hands-on training (English, Spanish, Mam, Cantonese) with a free laptop awarded on completion; Affordable Internet Assistance enrolls eligible families into low-cost plans starting at approximately $11.25/month via partnerships with Xfinity, AT&T, and Sonic; and Serve2STEM delivers a 12-week pre-apprenticeship with CompTIA A+/Network+ certification prep for youth aged 18-26. E-Waste Solutions and a Partner Solutions bulk-order program (10-500 devices per order) round out the B2B revenue lane and supply side.
Revenue mechanics are multi-stream and donation-weighted: refurbished device sales provide earned income, while grants (California Public Utilities Commission, Contra Costa County Measure X Innovation Fund), tax-deductible individual and corporate donations (EIN #92-2199377), and workforce development sponsorship funding sustain operations. The organization anticipated an operating budget of approximately $3 million for the upcoming year, with named major supporters including CPUC, AT&T, OaklandUndivided, AppDirect, and Intel. Operating geography spans six Bay Area counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano), serving a market of roughly 94,000 device- and internet-less Oakland residents and an estimated 1.5 million Bay Area residents without home computer access.
Tech Exchange firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Tech Exchange
- Legal name
- Tech Exchange
- Website
- https://techexchange.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Tech Exchange is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1995 that refurbishes donated computers and redistributes them with training, tech support, and affordable internet enrollment to underserved families across six Bay Area counties from its Oakland TecHub and library pop-up locations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Tech Exchange industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Computer Refurbishment and Digital Equity Services
- NAICS
- Other Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance (811490), Materials Recovery Facilities (562920)
- SIC
- Computer & Office Equipment (3570), Refuse Systems (4953)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Electronics Refurbishment, Repair & Reuse (Remarketing/Resale) (BPALAIAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Electronics Recycling & Material Recovery (Dismantling/Separation) (BPALAIAE), ITAD, Electronics Recycling & Parts Harvesting Retail (CRACAJAF), Digital Inclusion & Public Tech Access Training (Device/Internet/Basic IT) (EDAAAFAE)
Keywords
Where Tech Exchange is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oakland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Tech Exchange business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Refurbished Device Sales: Sale of refurbished computers, laptops, and desktops at low cost through TecHub retail location and online eBay storefront. Devices include Apple Macbooks, PC laptops, and desktops with 1-year warranty and free tech support.
- Grants and Government Funding: Funding from government entities including California Public Utilities Commission, Contra Costa County Measure X Innovation Fund, and other institutional grants for digital equity programs.
- Donations: Tax-deductible charitable donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Monthly giving program available. EIN #92-2199377.
- Workforce Development Services: Serve2STEM pre-apprenticeship program providing STEM training to youth ages 18-26, with potential sponsorship and partnership funding.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time | Digital Divide Support Donation - $25 |
| Other | One time | Tech Support Donation - $125 |
| Other | One time | Household Package Donation - $500 |
| Freemium | One time | Free Laptop with Digital Literacy Course |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Refurbished Computers - Low Cost |
| Subscription | Monthly | Affordable Internet - from $11.25/month |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
Tech Exchange product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Tech Exchange refurbishes donated computer equipment using a Triple-Pass Department of Defense data wipe process, then redistributes the devices at low or no cost to underserved Bay Area families, students, schools, and community organizations. The organization complements device distribution with an integrated pipeline of digital literacy classes, multilingual one-on-one tech support, affordable internet enrollment assistance, and STEM workforce development (Serve2STEM), all delivered through a physical TecHub community center, online eBay storefront, partner solutions program, and library pop-up locations.
Product overview
Tech Exchange is a nonprofit digital equity organization that operates as a single-platform service model combining computer refurbishment and redistribution with wraparound support services. The core offering is the TecHub—a community retail space that serves as the hub for low-cost device sales, tech support, digital literacy training, and device donations. Flanking the TecHub are the Low-Cost Devices Program (refurbished computers with 1-year tech support), Digital Literacy Classes (8-hour certification courses awarding a free laptop), Tech Support (multilingual one-on-one assistance), Affordable Internet Assistance (ACP and ConnectedED enrollment), and Serve2STEM Workforce Development (STEM pre-apprenticeship with certification prep). E-Waste Solutions and Equipment Donations form the supply side, accepting and securely wiping donated technology for refurbishment, while Data Security Services provide the triple-pass DoD wipe and certificate of destruction that underpin donor trust. Together these services form an integrated pipeline: donated equipment is securely wiped and refurbished, then distributed or sold affordably to underserved Bay Area families who also receive digital training and ongoing tech support, closing the digital divide through a combination of device access, skills, and connectivity.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- TecHub: Community space for digital empowerment providing computer lab access, digital literacy training, tech support, and affordable technology solutions in Oakland
- ConnectedED by Tech Exchange
- Serve2STEM
- Library Tech Equity Connection Project
Products and services
- TecHub A community retail space in Oakland combining low-cost refurbished computer sales, digital literacy training, one-on-one tech support, computer lab access, and device donation drop-off services for underserved Bay Area residents. Open Monday-Friday 10am-5pm.
- Low-Cost Devices Program Refurbished laptops and desktops (Apple Macbooks, PC laptops, and desktops) sold at low prices to students and families, with 1-year free tech support included. Low-income discounts available for CalFresh, SSI, HUD housing recipients, and other federal assistance program participants.
- Digital Literacy Classes 8-hour hands-on computer training courses delivered in English, Spanish, Mam, and Cantonese. Participants who complete the course receive a Certificate of Completion and a FREE laptop.
- Tech Support Multilingual one-on-one tech support including hardware repairs, software updates, device diagnostics, and remote assistance delivered via call center and in-person at the TecHub. Available in English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Mam.
- Affordable Internet Assistance Enrollment assistance for low-cost home internet plans including ACP program enrollment, ConnectedED pilot program, and referrals to Xfinity Internet Essentials, AT&T internet plans for CalFresh/SSI recipients, and Sonic low-cost Bay Area plans. Plans start at approximately $11.25-$15 per month.
- Serve2STEM Workforce Development 12-week pre-apprenticeship program for young adults aged 18-26 providing hands-on STEM skills training, CompTIA A+ and Network+ certification preparation, career readiness support, and internship placements in Alameda, Contra Costa, and Solano Counties.
- E-Waste Solutions Free pickup and recycling of decommissioned computer equipment from businesses and individuals. Includes Triple-Pass Department of Defense data wipe, certificate of destruction, industrial degausser for traditional hard drives, and tax-deductible donation receipts.
- Equipment Donations Program accepting donated computers and tech equipment from businesses and individuals. Donated equipment undergoes secure data wiping and refurbishment before redistribution to families in need. Donors receive tax-deductible donation receipts.
- Data Security Services Enterprise-grade data destruction service featuring Triple-Pass Department of Defense data wipe process that overwrites data three times, making recovery virtually impossible. Generates a certificate of destruction available within 4-6 weeks. Uses industrial degausser machine for traditional hard drives and standard 1-pass randomized wipe for other devices.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 250,000 devices distributed to families since 1995
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Tech Exchange
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Tech Exchange technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Tech Exchange partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- OakstopcorePartnership for TecHub location at 1716 Telegraph Ave, Oakland. Oakstop provides space for digital literacy classes, workshops, and expanded technology access. Collaboration on annual summer sale events.
- OaklandUndividedmajor$100,000+ major supporter and initiative partner addressing digital equity in Oakland.
- San Francisco Public LibrarycoreCommunity partner providing locations for digital literacy programs and technology distribution.
- San Jose Public Library FoundationcoreCity of San Jose Digital Inclusion Fund partnership with San Jose Public Library Foundation for digital equity programs.
- Xfinity (Comcast)minorAffordable internet provider for National Lunch Program students and HUD housing recipients through Internet Essentials program.
- AT&TminorInternet services for CAL FRESH or SSI recipients through AT&T internet service plans.
- SonicminorLow-cost internet available in the Bay Area through Sonic's plans, offered through Tech Exchange enrollment assistance.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Tech Exchange competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- World Computer Exchange: Nonprofit refurbishing and shipping computers to youth in developing countries; comparable refurbishment and e-waste-to-mission model, but international rather than domestic focus.
- Per Scholas: National nonprofit providing tuition-free IT training and pathways into tech careers for low-income adults; closer comparison on the workforce development and digital skills side of Tech Exchange's Serve2STEM program.
- Compudopt: Houston-based nonprofit providing refurbished computers and digital literacy to underserved families, including a paid workforce development track — analogous target population and revenue mix to Tech Exchange.
- Human IT: Minneapolis–St. Paul nonprofit that refurbishes and distributes computers to low-income families, plus offers digital training — same integrated device-plus-skills approach as Tech Exchange's TecHub model.
- InterConnection: Seattle-based nonprofit refurbishing donated computers and distributing them domestically and internationally while providing digital literacy — near-perfect model parallel with a smaller geographic footprint.
- PCs for People: National nonprofit distributing refurbished computers and home connectivity to low-income households; very similar product/segment and Affordable Connectivity Program enrollment, though operating at larger scale across multiple states.
- Free Geek: Portland-based nonprofit that refurbishes donated computers and resells them at low cost while providing digital literacy training — directly comparable mission and operating model to Tech Exchange, just smaller scale and in a different metro.
Broad incumbents
- Sims Lifecycle Services: Commercial IT asset disposition provider covering enterprise data destruction, refurbishment, and resale at scale — competitive on the enterprise ITAD supply side that funnels donations into Tech Exchange.
- Goodwill Industries International: Large national nonprofit with reusable computer refurbishment and resale programs across many local chapters; operates in adjacent space with much greater scale but less specialization in digital equity outcomes per device.
Others
- CA Participation Fund / California Emerging Technology Fund: California-focused digital inclusion funders and intermediaries that channel CPUC Digital Equity dollars to community orgs — adjacent ecosystem player that competes with Tech Exchange for the same grant dollars and partnerships.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Tech Exchange social profiles
Digital presenceTech Exchange financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Tech Exchange leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Tech Exchange funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Tech Exchange 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 Tech Exchange
What does Tech Exchange do?
Tech Exchange refurbishes donated computer equipment using a Triple-Pass Department of Defense data wipe process, then redistributes the devices at low or no cost to underserved Bay Area families, students, schools, and community organizations. The organization complements device distribution with an integrated pipeline of digital literacy classes, multilingual one-on-one tech support, affordable internet enrollment assistance, and STEM workforce development (Serve2STEM), all delivered through a physical TecHub community center, online eBay storefront, partner solutions program, and library pop-up locations.
Is Tech Exchange a public or private company?
Tech Exchange is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Tech Exchange founded?
Tech Exchange was founded in 1995. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Tech Exchange based?
Tech Exchange is headquartered in Oakland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Tech Exchange make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Refurbished Device Sales are the primary driver. The others are grants and Government Funding, donations and workforce Development Services.
Who are Tech Exchange's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are World Computer Exchange, Per Scholas, Compudopt, Human IT, InterConnection, PCs for People and Free Geek. Broad incumbents are Sims Lifecycle Services and Goodwill Industries International. CA Participation Fund / California Emerging Technology Fund is listed as an others.
Does Tech Exchange have an API?
No public API is recorded for Tech Exchange.
What industry is Tech Exchange in?
Tech Exchange's product category is Computer Refurbishment and Digital Equity Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPALAIAD, Electronics Refurbishment, Repair & Reuse (Remarketing/Resale), with a secondary code of BPALAIAE, Electronics Recycling & Material Recovery (Dismantling/Separation). Its NAICS code is 811490 and its SIC code is 3570.