CETF
California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) is a statewide 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation, seeded with $60 million from AT&T and Verizon via the CPUC, that closes California's Digital Divide through grants to community organizations, the School2Home program, broadband adoption research with USC, and policy advocacy including the 2023 Digital Equity Bill of Rights (AB414).
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersConcord, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What CETF does
California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) is a statewide 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation established in 2008 by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) through voluntary agreements with AT&T and Verizon, who contributed $60 million in seed capital. CETF's sole mission is to close the Digital Divide in California by accelerating the deployment and adoption of broadband internet among unserved and underserved communities. The foundation provides grants to non-profit community-based organizations (CBOs), runs the School2Home program that integrates technology and parent engagement in middle schools in low-income neighborhoods, and conducts public policy advocacy including the sponsorship of the 2023 Digital Equity Bill of Rights (AB414).
CETF operates a portfolio of programs including School2Home (a statewide technology-in-education initiative), InternetForAllNow (a consumer resource portal for affordable broadband offers), the Get Connected public awareness campaign, Neighborhood Transformation Partnerships, telehealth/telemedicine initiatives, and Smart Housing and Smart Communities policy programs. The organization does not sell commercial technology products; its deliverables are programmatic (grants, education, advocacy) and its technical surface consists of informational websites and content rather than proprietary platforms. Underlying data assets include the Statewide Survey on Broadband Adoption conducted annually since 2008 and now in multi-year partnership with the University of Southern California (USC).
CETF's revenue model is that of a grantmaking foundation: $60 million in seed capital from AT&T and Verizon, supplemented by ongoing corporate partnerships (including a 2023 Charter Communications investment), FCC program awards (notably $862,906 for COVID-19 telehealth), and support from foundations such as The Pew Charitable Trusts. The foundation operates from a Concord, California headquarters with a Los Angeles office and serves customer segments that include low-income households, middle schools in underserved neighborhoods, people with disabilities, seniors, and rural California communities, primarily through a network of CBO grantees and Regional Broadband Consortia.
CETF firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CETF
- Legal name
- California Emerging Technology Fund
- Website
- https://cetfund.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) is a statewide 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation, seeded with $60 million from AT&T and Verizon via the CPUC, that closes California's Digital Divide through grants to community organizations, the School2Home program, broadband adoption research with USC, and policy advocacy including the 2023 Digital Equity Bill of Rights (AB414).
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where CETF is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Concord
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
CETF business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Foundation Grants and Corporate Partnerships: CETF operates as a statewide non-profit foundation funded through grants, corporate partnerships, and donations. The organization was established with $60 million in seed capital from voluntary agreements by AT&T and Verizon, facilitated by the California Public Utilities Commission.
- Grant Programs: CETF provides grants to non-profit community-based organizations to assist low-income households adopt broadband and become digitally proficient.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
CETF product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CETF is a statewide non-profit foundation that closes the Digital Divide in California by providing grants to community-based organizations, leading the School2Home program in middle schools, sponsoring digital equity legislation, and operating public awareness campaigns. It accelerates broadband deployment and adoption through policy advocacy, partnerships with ISPs and government, and direct programs for low-income households, students, seniors, and people with disabilities.
Product overview
CETF (California Emerging Technology Fund) is a statewide non-profit foundation focused on closing the Digital Divide in California. The organization operates a portfolio of programs including School2Home (a technology integration initiative for middle schools), InternetForAllNow (a consumer resource portal for affordable broadband), Get Connected (public awareness campaigns), Neighborhood Transformation Partnerships, grant programs for community-based organizations, and participation in the California Advanced Services Fund. CETF works through collaborative efforts with government, industry, and community partners to accelerate broadband deployment and adoption among unserved and underserved populations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- School2Home: A program that successfully integrates technology into teaching and learning with deep parent engagement to close the Achievement Gap in middle schools in low-income neighborhoods.
- InternetForAllNow.org
- Don and Rosemary Vial Awards for Digital Inclusion
Products and services
- School2Home
Quantifiable outcome
- 91% of California households now have high-speed internet access (up from 89% in 2019)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use CETF
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
CETF technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
CETF partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered key, core and pilot.
- San Joaquin Valley Regional Broadband Consortium (SJVRBC)keyPartnership with SJVRBC under California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley to advance Digital Equity and economic opportunity in the San Joaquin Valley region.
- California Partnership for the San Joaquin ValleykeyStrategic partnership to lead the San Joaquin Valley Regional Broadband Consortium in seeking public investments for the region's digital future.
- USC Annenberg School for Communication and JournalismkeyFirst-of-its-kind collaboration with nationally-recognized researchers, in partnership with CETF and with support from The Pew Charitable Trusts, to identify effective strategies for bringing affordable broadband to underserved communities.
- Los Angeles Jewish HomecorePartnership awarded $862,906 by FCC COVID-19 Telehealth program. This was the only California applicant funded in the most recent FCC round, focused on closing the Digital Divide for health equity.
- California Chamber of Commerce (CalChamber)keyPartnership announced to drive digital equity and reduce e-waste through California's Green Technology Initiative, reinforcing the business community's critical role in closing the Digital Divide.
- California Manufacturers and Technology Association (CMTA)keyPartnership with CMTA as part of the California Green Technology Initiative to advance digital equity and environmental sustainability goals.
- California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (CHCC)keyPartnership with CHCC to ensure Hispanic business community engagement in digital equity initiatives and programs.
- Valley VisionkeyPartnership with Valley Vision on behalf of the Connected Capital Area Broadband Consortium to release 'Getting Connected: A Broadband Deployment and Adoption Resource Guide' for local government leaders.
- University of Southern California (USC)corePartnership to measure internet access in California based on demographics and location, identify impact on those lacking access, and inform policymakers. CETF and USC conduct the annual Statewide Survey on Broadband Adoption with a prestigious panel of USC researchers analyzing results. This is a multi-year research partnership adding academic rigor to CETF's digital equity work.
- California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)coreCPUC established CETF with visionary leadership and facilitated voluntary agreements by AT&T and Verizon to contribute $60 million seed capital. CPUC continues as a key government partner in digital equity initiatives and awards programs.
- HeliumpilotCryptocurrency company partnership with San Jose for pilot program where Helium hotspots mine HNT cryptocurrency to cover cost of free internet for low-income families.
- Regional Broadband Consortia (statewide)coreNetwork of regional consortia working at local and regional levels to champion and support broadband deployment throughout California.
- Internet Service Providers (ISPs)keyPartnerships with internet service providers for affordable offers, device donations, and broadband deployment. Includes Frontier Communications, AT&T, Verizon, Charter Spectrum, and T-Mobile MOUs.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
CETF competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA): National nonprofit that advances digital equity by supporting local digital inclusion programs and shaping federal broadband policy. NDIA is the closest national-scale peer to CETF, operating the same CBO-grant and policy advocacy model but across the entire U.S.
- Benton Institute for Broadband & Society: Public policy think tank focused on universal, affordable broadband and media access. Highly comparable to CETF in its digital equity policy advocacy and research focus, though national in scope rather than California-specific.
- EveryoneOn: National nonprofit connecting low-income Americans to affordable internet, devices, and digital skills training. Directly comparable to CETF's Get Connected and School2Home programs in mission and target population.
- Connected Nation: Nonprofit working to expand broadband access and adoption through state-level programs, mapping, and policy work. Operates state digital inclusion programs analogous to CETF's California role, often directly competing for the same federal funding pools.
- PCs for People: Nonprofit distributing refurbished computers and low-cost internet to low-income households across the U.S. Directly comparable to CETF's device-procurement and broadband-adoption work with CBOs and school districts.
- EducationSuperHighway: Nonprofit dedicated to closing the K-12 digital divide by upgrading school broadband and supporting classroom connectivity. Directly comparable to CETF's School2Home program and its focus on California schools and students.
Regional players
- DigitalC: Cleveland-based nonprofit providing affordable home internet and digital training to underserved residents. Comparable city/region-anchored digital equity model, but geographically distinct from CETF's California footprint.
Broad incumbents
- Internet Society: Global nonprofit promoting open, secure, and accessible internet development worldwide. Comparable mission scope to CETF on digital inclusion, but operates at global scale with a much broader mandate including standards and technical work.
Emerging players
- US Ignite: Nonprofit fostering smart-city and broadband-driven economic development through public-private partnerships. Comparable in its focus on broadband-enabled community impact, but more focused on next-generation applications than closing the digital divide.
Others
- CTC Technology & Energy: Independent consulting firm advising governments and nonprofits on broadband, digital equity, and telecommunications policy. Comparable to CETF in the policy and broadband-deployment advisory space, but operates as a paid consultancy rather than a grant-making nonprofit.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CETF social profiles
Digital presenceCETF financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CETF leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
CETF funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CETF 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 CETF
What does CETF do?
CETF is a statewide non-profit foundation that closes the Digital Divide in California by providing grants to community-based organizations, leading the School2Home program in middle schools, sponsoring digital equity legislation, and operating public awareness campaigns. It accelerates broadband deployment and adoption through policy advocacy, partnerships with ISPs and government, and direct programs for low-income households, students, seniors, and people with disabilities.
Is CETF a public or private company?
CETF is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was CETF founded?
CETF was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is CETF based?
CETF is headquartered in Concord, United States, in the North America region.
How does CETF make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Foundation Grants and Corporate Partnerships are the primary driver. The others are grant Programs.
Who are CETF's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, EveryoneOn, Connected Nation, PCs for People and EducationSuperHighway. DigitalC is listed as a regional player. Internet Society is listed as a broad incumbent. US Ignite is listed as an emerging player. CTC Technology & Energy is listed as an others.
Does CETF have an API?
No public API is recorded for CETF.