What AFB does

AFB (AfB gemeinnützige GmbH, operating as "afb social & green IT") is a German non-profit IT company headquartered in Ettlingen that refurbishes and remarkets used business IT hardware (notebooks, PCs, mobile devices) while employing people with disabilities. The company's core operations span the certified collection, secure data destruction, professional refurbishment, and resale of retired enterprise IT equipment, supplemented by a digital education line that supplies classroom hardware packages (Klassensatz-IT), school IT solutions, and a parent ordering portal (Elternportal). Technically, AFB relies on certified processes rather than proprietary software — ISO 9001/14001/27001 certifications, Blancco-certified data erasure with per-device documentation, and Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher status — combined with a multi-country production footprint across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, and Slovakia.

AFB monetizes through three revenue streams: (1) refurbished hardware sales to enterprises, municipalities, educational institutions, and NPOs via a newly launched B2B e-commerce shop (afbshop.de) and direct sales, (2) IT buyback and certified data destruction services for businesses seeking compliant disposal of end-of-life hardware, and (3) digital education hardware packages sold to schools, training providers, and parents through a dedicated portal (portal.afb-group.eu). The go-to-market combines enterprise field sales for B2B contracts, e-commerce for transactional B2B and B2C orders, and event/partnership-driven marketing anchored by collaborations with Pfizer and Special Olympics. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed for enterprise engagements.

The company self-describes as "Europe's largest non-profit IT company" (Europas größtes gemeinnütziges IT-Unternehmen) and operates without disclosed external funding, parent ownership, or M&A activity. With 101–250 employees and operations in five European countries, AFB competes in the circular IT and IT asset disposition (ITAD) market, differentiating on social impact (employment of people with disabilities), regulatory compliance, and ESG-aligned procurement narratives rather than on technology depth or proprietary IP.

Name

AFB

Legal name

AfB gemeinnützige GmbH

Website

https://afb24.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

AFB (afb social & green IT) is a German non-profit IT refurbishment company that buys, securely erases, refurbishes, and resells used business IT hardware to enterprises, schools, and governments across five European countries, employing people with disabilities as part of its mission.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

IT Asset Refurbishment and Remarketing

NAICS

Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance (811210), Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance (81121)

SIC

Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment (3590)

akta.pro primary industry

Enterprise Hardware Recycling (Servers, Storage, Networking) (BPALAIAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) Services (Data-Bearing Asset Handling) (BPALAIAA)

Keywords

• IT hardware refurbishment
• IT asset disposition
• Certified data destruction
• Circular IT economy
• Digital education hardware

Headquarters

HQ city

Ettlingen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Refurbished IT Hardware Sales: Sale of professionally refurbished business IT hardware including notebooks, PCs, and mobile devices. Products are immediately deployable, budget-friendly, and eligible for funding programs.
2. IT Buyback and Take-Back: Purchase of used IT hardware from businesses with certified data destruction, transparent processes, and attractive purchase prices.
3. Digital Education Solutions: Sale of IT hardware packages for digital classroom instruction to schools, educational institutions, and parents.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

AFB is Europe's largest non-profit IT company that refurbishes and remarkets used business IT hardware (notebooks, PCs, mobile devices) while employing people with disabilities. The company purchases used IT equipment from businesses, securely erases data using certified processes, professionally refurbishes devices, and resells them through a B2B shop and direct sales channels. Additionally, AFB provides digital education hardware solutions for schools and families, combining circular IT practices with social inclusion impact.

Product overview

AFB (afb social & green IT) operates as a non-profit IT refurbishment and remarketing company. The portfolio consists of three core areas: (1) IT-Hardware services including the B2B-Shop platform for purchasing refurbished business hardware and services for selling used IT equipment with certified data destruction and pickup; (2) afb Digital Education providing class set IT, school IT solutions, and a parent portal for educational institutions and families; and (3) supporting services including professional refurbishment, recycling, and interactive digital tours. The company emphasizes circular IT economics combined with social inclusion of people with disabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• afb B2B-Shop Online storefront for sustainable refurbished business IT hardware, offering certified devices, rapid availability, and clear ordering processes for businesses, municipalities, educational institutions, and NPOs. Launched in 2025 as the company's flagship B2B purchasing platform.
• Refurbished Business-Hardware Professionally refurbished business computers, notebooks, and mobile devices sold with warranty. Includes certified data destruction and quality assurance. Manufacturer-independent selection of equipment ready for immediate deployment, targeting commercial businesses and organizations.
• IT-Hardware Verkauf (Sell to afb) Buyback service for businesses to sell used IT and mobile devices to afb. Includes certified data destruction, transparent processes, and attractive purchase prices. Protects confidential data while supporting circular IT and social impact.
• IT-Abholung (IT Pickup) Collection service for picking up used IT hardware from business customers for refurbishment or recycling. Part of the complete IT asset disposition solution.
• Datenvernichtung (Data Destruction) Certified data destruction service ensuring secure erasure of confidential information from returned IT devices using Blancco software with documentation. Meets ISO 27001 standards for information security management.
• Refurbishment & Recycling Professional refurbishment of retired IT devices for resale as Green IT, or responsible recycling of equipment that cannot be refurbished. Core circular economy service.
• afb Digital Education IT solutions for schools, educational institutions, and families. Includes hardware packages for digital classroom instruction, budget-friendly options, and inclusive design for digital participation. Provides complete digital learning hardware solutions for the education sector.
• Klassensatz-IT (Class Set IT) Complete IT class sets for schools and educational institutions, providing ready-equipped hardware packages for digital teaching. Designed for budget-conscious educational procurement.
• Schul-IT (School IT) Comprehensive IT solutions tailored for school environments and educational organizations. Provides complete school IT infrastructure solutions.
• Elternportal (Parent Portal) Online portal for parents to order devices for their children's digital learning needs. Provides convenient consumer access to educational technology hardware.
• Digitale Führung (Digital Tour) Interactive digital tour offering live camera access to warehouse and production facilities, providing transparent insight into IT refurbishment processes and social impact without requiring travel. Builds trust with potential B2B customers through operational transparency.

Quantifiable outcome

• Certified data destruction with documentation per device
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• PfizercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2025Corporate partnership for inclusion initiatives. Pfizer participated in an exclusive event with afb on March 26, 2025, featuring adventurer and filmmaker Norman Bücher in Ettlingen. The partnership focuses on dialogue around inclusion in business.
• Special OlympicscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-term partnership supporting Special Olympics Landesspiele (state games) in Germany. afb has been involved in supporting Special Olympics Landesspiele 2026 and previous events in the Saarland region, demonstrating commitment to inclusion.
• BlanccocoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partnership for certified data erasure solutions. Blancco provides the data destruction software used in afb's certified refurbishment processes, with documentation available via certificate downloads.
• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or IntegrationMicrosoft Authorized Refurbisher program partnership enabling afb to professionally refurbish and resell Microsoft-licensed hardware with proper compliance and quality assurance.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/afb_deutschland

Compliance5 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 AFB