What Connecting Up does

Connecting Up is a not-for-profit technology access program established in 2016 and operated by parent social enterprise Infoxchange, headquartered in Adelaide, South Australia. The company serves as the Australian arm of the TechSoup Global network, providing registered not-for-profits, charities, and community groups with discounted access to software, hardware, cloud services, cybersecurity tools, and digital training from more than 50 technology vendors including Microsoft, Adobe, Autodesk, Lenovo, Dell, Okta, Dropbox, ManageEngine, and Pluralsight. Membership is free for eligible organizations, with product prices gated behind login; transactions carry small administrative fees (e.g., $52 ex GST for Dashlane) and discounts of 50–90% off standard pricing, plus a refurbished hardware catalog.

The platform combines a self-serve e-commerce marketplace with a Digital Learning Program (webinars, online courses, workshops) and value-added managed services delivered through Infoxchange IT Services, including Microsoft Cloud Services support and remote Office installation assistance. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the website, supplemented by community-led growth through case studies, testimonials, and an annual Infoxchange conference. Revenue mechanics rest on three streams: per-transaction administrative fees, product sales margins, and paid training/professional services, with many training offerings provided free of charge. The company holds ACNC Registered Charity status and Social Traders certification, and is wholly owned and governed within Infoxchange, with no external venture or private equity ownership disclosed.

Name

Connecting Up

Legal name

Infoxchange

Website

https://connectingup.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Connecting Up is an Australian not-for-profit program, powered by Infoxchange, that provides registered charities and nonprofits with discounted software, hardware, cloud services, and digital training from 50+ technology vendors via the TechSoup Global network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Adelaide

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Product Administrative Fees: Connecting Up charges administrative fees for processing product orders. For example, Dashlane is listed at $52.00 ex GST administrative fee. These fees are charged to members to cover the cost of facilitating access to discounted technology products from vendor partners.
2. Technology Product Sales: Revenue generated from sales of hardware and software products to not-for-profit organizations at discounted rates. Products include computers, monitors, software subscriptions, and cloud services from various technology vendors.
3. Training and Education: Revenue from webinars, online courses, and training programs specifically designed for not-for-profit staff, with many courses free to attend.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Connecting Up is a free-membership online platform that provides registered Australian charities and not-for-profits with discounted access to enterprise software, hardware, cloud services, and digital training from over 50 vendor partners through the TechSoup Global network. The platform enables 50-90% cost savings on technology products while also offering digital learning programs, refurbished hardware, and managed IT support services tailored to the nonprofit sector.

Product overview

Connecting Up is a not-for-profit technology access program powered by Infoxchange, offering discounted software, IT hardware, and services exclusively to charities and not-for-profits. The platform operates through the TechSoup global network and provides access to a comprehensive portfolio including Microsoft 365 and Azure, Adobe Creative Cloud, identity management tools (Okta, Auth0), security solutions (Dashlane, ManageEngine suite, Avast, ESET), productivity tools (Slack, Asana, Monday.com, Notion, Dropbox, Zoho, Box.org), project management (Tableau, QuestionPro, NationBuilder), design software (Autodesk), learning platforms (Pluralsight One), marketing tools (Constant Contact, Hootsuite), and hardware (Lenovo, Acer, refurbished computers). The core value proposition is significant cost savings on technology that nonprofits depend on, enabling organisations to spend more resources on their mission rather than technology costs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Technology Donations and Discounts Program Free membership program providing Australian registered not-for-profits with access to discounted software, hardware, and cloud services from 50+ technology vendors at 50-90% off standard pricing. Includes eligibility validation and ongoing access to new product offerings.
• Digital Learning Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Organizations save thousands of dollars on technology products, enabling them to redirect funds to mission delivery
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• TechSoup GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechSoup Global is the international network partner that enables Connecting Up to offer technology donation programs from major vendors. Connecting Up is the Australian member of the TechSoup network, providing access to exclusive nonprofit pricing programs and validation services.
• InfoxchangecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInfoxchange is the parent organization powering Connecting Up. Based in Adelaide, Infoxchange is a social enterprise focused on using technology to build stronger communities. All Connecting Up operations are powered by Infoxchange.
• MicrosoftflagshipTechnology or IntegrationFlagship technology partner providing Microsoft 365, Azure, Windows Server, SQL Server, Dynamics 365, SharePoint, and other Microsoft products at nonprofit-discounted rates through Connecting Up.
• AdobeflagshipTechnology or IntegrationFlagship partner offering Creative Cloud, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, and other Adobe products at discounted rates for eligible not-for-profits.
• OktacoreTechnology or IntegrationOkta for Good program offers 50 free licenses of Okta Workforce Identity plus 50% discounts on additional users. Includes SSO, MFA, Universal Directory, Lifecycle Management, and Identity Governance.
• PluralsightcoreTechnology or IntegrationPluralsight One for Nonprofits provides technology learning platform access at steeply discounted rates, allowing nonprofit staff to develop skills in cloud, mobile, security, and data technologies.
• ManageEnginecoreTechnology or IntegrationManageEngine offers 90+ IT management tools including Password Manager Pro, Applications Manager, Desktop Central, and Office365 Manager Plus at nonprofit-discounted pricing through Connecting Up.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• TechSoup Global: The parent global network of which Connecting Up is the Australian arm. Operates the same nonprofit technology donation and discount model across 80+ countries, making it the most structurally identical peer.
• NetHope: A consortium of ~60 large international NGOs that negotiates technology access and capacity-building programs for the nonprofit sector. Operates in the same nonprofit tech enablement space with a member-driven, multi-vendor model.
• NTEN (Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network): A professional membership association for the nonprofit technology community, providing training, certification, and resources to NFP tech staff. Comparable in the training and capacity-building layer.
• Infoxchange: The parent social enterprise powering Connecting Up. Operates overlapping NFP-facing services including SAcommunity, Ask Izzy, and managed IT services for the Australian community sector.

Regional players

• TechSoup New Zealand: The cross-Tasman TechSoup partner organization serving New Zealand NFPs with the same vendor-discount and donation model. Closest operating peer by mission, model, and catalog.

Broad incumbents

• Microsoft Tech for Social Impact: Microsoft's direct nonprofit program offering deeply discounted and donated cloud and productivity software. Represents the principal vendor-side alternative that could disintermediate resellers like Connecting Up.
• Salesforce.org (Power of Us): Salesforce's philanthropic arm offering CRM and nonprofit cloud solutions at heavily discounted rates directly to NFPs, parallel to how Adobe, Google, and Microsoft serve the same buyer.
• Adobe for Nonprofits: Adobe's direct nonprofit licensing program providing Creative Cloud and document solutions at reduced rates. A flagship vendor partner of Connecting Up that could route customers directly.
• Google for Nonprofits: Google's nonprofit program offering free and discounted access to Google Workspace, Ad Grants, and other tools. Connects directly to nonprofits and bypasses traditional resellers.

Emerging players

• Candid (formerly Foundation Center + GuideStar): A major nonprofit data, research, and learning organization serving NFPs with information tools, learning resources, and capacity-building programs. Adjacent in the NFP enablement space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/connectingup
• Xx.com/connectingup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/connecting-up-australia

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Connecting Up