The NetBridge Mission: Providing the Digital Age for Everyone

As of 2025, despite the Internet’s global presence for nearly three decades, a staggering 3 billion people remain entirely offline. This profound digital exclusion isn’t just a technical gap; it represents one-third of humanity is not onboarded for participation in the most transformational event in the history of our species.

The Unprecedented Transformation

The pervasive nature of digital connectivity, its rapid information flow, and its deep integration into almost every facet of our societies—from how we work and learn to how we connect and consume. Disturbingly, rising technology costs threaten to double this divide. Today’s conventional solutions are simply too expensive and complex to reach everyone.

The Challenge: A Global Exclusion with Devastating Costs

Beyond mere connectivity, this digital divide means billions are missing out on vital education, critical job opportunities, and essential healthcare services. The current high costs of access, ranging from $468–$2,039/year per household, drain an estimated $6 trillion annually, primarily burdening 90% of the world’s population that cannot afford reliable connectivity and modern access devices.

Where the Global Divide is Deepest

By Total Number Offline:

• India: 800 million people offline
• China: 336 million people offline
• Pakistan: 132 million people offline
• Nigeria: 120–123 million people offline
• Ethiopia: 100–103 million people offline
• Bangladesh: 96 million people offline
• Indonesia: 93 million people offline
• Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): 76 million people offline

By Percentage of Population Offline:

• Central African Republic: 5.3 million people offline – 89% of population
• Burundi: 12.0 million people offline – 88% of population
• South Sudan: 10.1 million people offline – 87% of population
• Niger: 23.3 million people offline – 83% of population
• Yemen: 28.0 million people offline – 82% of population
• Afghanistan: 35.1 million people offline – 81% of population
• Burkina Faso: 19.2 million people offline – 80% of population
• Madagascar: 24.6 million people offline – 79% of population

The USA Divide: approximately 30 million people currently lack internet access. This challenge is particularly acute in states where factors like rurality, affordability, and digital literacy create significant barriers:

• Mississippi: 30% lack any internet connection and are offline
• West Virginia: 30%
• Arkansas: 27%
• Louisiana: 27%
• New Mexico: 24%
• Alabama: 24%
• Kentucky: 21%
• Pennsylvania: 21%
• Oklahoma: 21%
• Tennessee: 21%

This issue demands our immediate resolution.

Our Solution: GrokPods – Unlocking Participation in the Digital Age

GrokPods, powered by AI, deliver free, secure communications to 3 billion underprivileged  people. Hosted at schools, hospitals, and community centers, these compact hubs use satellite links and private localized data to slash costs to $44.66/year per household—96% less than today. By 2026, we’ll save $5 trillion annually, reinvesting $2 trillion in communities to transform lives.

How GrokPods Work

• Smart Hubs: Modular units with advanced tech, using local power or solar at trusted facilities. During evenings when usage is light we will downstream tomorrows lesson plans via StarLink to be shared via wifi on local network servers during school hours. This smart schedule will eliminate congestion on the community infrastructure during business hours.
• AI-Driven: Prioritize critical services (e.g., education, healthcare), cutting costs by 25% ($8,906/hub/year) and adapting via community input.
• Private Data: Safe online learning, telemedicine, and smart cities, with your data protected.
• Global Impact: From Nairobi classrooms to Mumbai markets, to remote Americans , GrokPods connect all, advancing UN Sustainable Development Goal 9 (infrastructure).

Why It Matters: Bridging a Historical Divide, Empowering Futures

Picture Kenyan students and a rural American students accessing global classes together, an Indian parent gaining telehealth, and a remote Amazonian village all online. GrokPods bridge the digital divide, lifting millions out of poverty. A Global Impact Trust—ensures $2 trillion in savings builds schools and clinics transparently.

Our Plan: Launching Impact

We’re raising $13.9M to launch 10 GrokPod sites by Q1 2026, proving impact and proof of concept to move towards securing $1B/year in partnerships to build smart cities, health, and education. For phase 1 we’re targeting:

• Public Grants: USAID ($4M), UNICEF Innovation Fund ($4M), UN CERF ($3M).
• Private Grants: Rockefeller Foundation ($3M) for online equity, MacArthur Foundation ($3M) for digital inclusion, Global Innovation Fund ($5M) for education.
• Partners: Cisco, Amazon, Starlink. Dell, Tesla, Vodafone, and your ideas drive our mission.

Funding Impact

• Partnerships: $100M–500M/year from 5–10 projects
• Grants: $2M–$5M from 10-100 funds.
• Data Sharing: $5M–$100M/year from 5-50 research partners.
• Impact: Global education, health, and human communications.

Join Our Mission: Your Ideas Shape GrokPods

Help us connect 8.2 billion people. We invite:

• Tech Experts: Enhance GrokPods on GitHub (e.g., AI connectivity).
• Financial Experts: Strengthen funding on Notion.
• Everyone: Share your community’s story on Notion—every voice matters.

Get Involved: Contact Mark Nichols, Managing Director, at [email protected] or call him at 1-775-600-3400. Join us to raise $13.9M for Phase 1 and start changing the world.