Brazil is the leading market for education startups in Latin America. Currently, there are 898 active edtech companies in the Latin American startup ecosystem, and the largest share is located in Brazil, accounting for nearly 70% of the total, according to the EdTech Report 2024, released by the Distrito platform.

Between 2015 and the first quarter of 2024, edtech startups in the region raised approximately $600 million in 316 investment rounds, with Brazil serving as the main catalyst for these investments, accounting for $475.6 million.

“This expansion of the educational technology market shows that edtech companies make a very significant and far-reaching contribution to education, with solutions ranging from school management and communication tools to platforms for personalizing each student’s learning experience. Recent editions of Bett Brasil have closely followed this trend, as evidenced by the growing number of companies in the sector participating in the event,” says Claudia Valério, executive director of Bett Brasil.

In this context, Bett Brasil is launching the “Bett Brasil Edtech Awards,”an initiative that will recognize edtech companies with innovative solutions for education. The awards cover both initiatives focused directly on teaching and learning and those that support school management in areas such as finance, HR, marketing, communications, administration, and technology.

The awards will be presented in person at the 30th edition of Bett Brasil, which will take place from April 28 to May 1 at Expo Center Norte in São Paulo. The “Bett Brasil Edtech Awards” are supported by the Significare Institute.

Registration and Awards

Registration for the award is free and begins this Monday (February 10) exclusively on the award’s website at the following link: bettbrasil.com.br/edtechawards. The registration period runs through March 31.

The award is open to startups in Brazil that offer solutions for the education sector, have active CNPJs, and are at any stage of development. The complete rules for entering the award can be found here. 

The “Bett Brasil Edtech Awards” features three categories, based on the most important stages of a startup’s life cycle:

• Early Stage Category: for organizations in the idea validation phase, with annual revenue of up to R$ 500,000.
• Traction Category: for organizations that already have a product or service with proven demand and are growing consistently, with annual revenue ranging from R$ 500,000 to R$ 10 million.
• Scale-up Category: for organizations that have grown over the past three fiscal years at an annual rate exceeding 20% in terms of number of employees or revenue, with annual revenue exceeding R$ 10 million.

On April 18,the nine edtech companies that will compete in the finals (three per category) will be announced.The finalists will deliver a five-minute pitch about their business on May 1, on stage at the 30th edition of Bett Brasil.

The winning startups in each category will be selected following their presentations to a judging panel composed of experts invited by the organizers of the Bett Brasil Edtech Awards.

• Enter the Bett Brasil Edtech Awards

The winner of each category will receive an exclusive trophy, a certificate, a Table Top slot to participate in the Bett Startup Arena 2026, and specialized mentoring, as well as the opportunity to promote their brand to the entire educational community.

In addition to the winners selected by the judging panel, the public will also choose the “outstanding startup” for its significant contribution to education.

Edtech Companies at Bett Brasil

Bett Brasil has revamped its Advisory Board with the addition of the Edtechs Committee to enhance the event’s focus on this ecosystem. The Bett Advisory Board is responsible for supporting strategies and initiatives, identifying trends, and fostering relationships with the education sector throughout the year.

Among the members of the judging panel for the “Bett Brasil Edtech Awards” are members of the Edtechs Committee, namely: Leo Gmeiner, founder and CEO of School Guardian; Lars Janér, founder and CEO of Learnbase and Social Entrepreneurship Ambassador for the London School of Economics in Brazil; and Otavio Pinheiro, Director of Education and Edtech at the Santa Catarina Technology Association (ACATE).

For Gmeiner, CEO of School Guardian, the impact of edtech companies on Brazilian education depends directly on the connection between their solutions and the real challenges faced by educational institutions and companies.

"When edtech solutions are truly grounded in real and relevant problems, the transformative power of these startups is incredible," he says.

According to him, innovation arises precisely because these companies develop technologies from the perspective of those who experience educational challenges firsthand. “That is why it is essential to establish a fluid channel of dialogue between solution developers and administrators at schools, universities, and companies,” he emphasizes.

Janér, the London School of Economics’ Social Entrepreneurship Ambassador in Brazil, points out that the impact of edtech companies extends across various areas of the education sector, expanding access to quality content, especially in regions with fewer resources.

"They help personalize instruction, allowing each student to learn at their own pace," he explains. In addition, edtech companies are revolutionizing the use of educational data, helping administrators and teachers make more accurate decisions. "Another key point is support for teachers' continuing professional development, which is essential for educational success," he adds.

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