Virginia teen, 14, launches tech initiative, distributes 2,000 refurbished devices and wins Diana Award

Detailed summary

At just 14 years old, Chris Qian founded ReTech for Kids, a nonprofit dedicated to bridging the technology gap for students lacking access to digital tools. By refurbishing and…

Chris Qian was only 14 when he founded ReTech for Kids, a nonprofit that collects, refurbishes, and redistributes second-hand technology to under-resourced students across the United States. Three years later, the initiative has mobilised more than 100 youth volunteers, helped distribute 2,000 refurbished devices, and earned Qian a $5,000 prize at the University of Vermont’s 2026 Vermont Pitch Challenge, according to the Diana Award Roll of Honour, UVM, and MIT Solve.Qian’s work began with a simple observation: many students do not have reliable access to a personal computer, while usable devices are often discarded or left unused.

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