Brazil’s Most Innovative EdTech Companies Transforming Learning in 2025 Edition-2

The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet. - Aristotle

Editor’s ducation E xcellence M a g a z ine Word Brazilian Spirit of Learning. Celebrating the Publisher Education Excellence Magazine t its core, education has always been a moral act. Long Managing Editor Mia Jones before algorithms and online platforms, it was a A relationship between teacher and student, between Art and Design Head Stacy Walker knowledge and character. The methods may have changed: chalkboards became touchscreens, and classrooms now stretch Business Development Manager Lily White beyond walls. But the essence remains untouched. Education, at its best, still begins with a question: What kind of human do we hope to raise? And at its heart lies a quiet but powerful Executives Mark Johnson, Sara Ali truth—ethics is not an add-on to education; it is its foundation. Michael Smith This special edition of our magazine, "Brazil's Most Innovative EdTech Companies Transforming Learning in 2025," shines a light on the bold thinkers, creators, and Marketing Manager Kevin Thompson educators who are not just digitizing lessons but reimagining what learning can feel like. From AI tutors designed with Technical Head Sarah Lopez empathy to platforms that bring underserved communities into the center of the conversation, these companies represent a new rhythm in Brazil's educational journey—one where access, Digital Marketing Manager Harry Wood creativity, and purpose converge. Circulation Manager Adam Brown We sought out those shaping technology not as an end, but as a means to bring back the human pulse in learning. The innovators featured here are building more than tools; they're rebuilding trust in what education can achieve. As we look ahead, the future of education will not be defined by any single device or platform. It will be defined by how deeply we listen to learners, to educators, to communities. It will belong to those who create with empathy, who measure success not by metrics alone, but by meaning. If the past was about For any advertising related information or any feedback please contact delivering content, the future is about nurturing curiosity. And if info@educationexcellencemagazine Submissions as well as these trailblazers are any indication, the future is not coming—it's already in session. contributions to the magazine are welcome! Follow us on Ryan. parker - Managing Editor

Cover St?y Table of Contents Articles 20 From Assistive Tools to Empowered Learning How EdTech Is Reshaping Special Education 06 26 Merging Physical and Digital Pedagogy The Rise of Hybrid Learning Ecosystems EDUKANET Crafting a New Language of Possibility

Cover Story Edukanet Crafting a New Language of Possibility Education should never be a privilege of the majority—it must be a right for all. Our mission is to ensure that deaf students receive the same quality education as their hearing peers. www.educationexcellencemagazine.com www.educationexcellencemagazine.com 06 07

Brazil’s Most Innovative EdTech Companies Transforming Learning in 2025 ilence is not the absence of sound—it is a language of its S own, rich with expression yet too often unheard. For many deaf individuals, the world isn't just quiet; it's filled with closed doors, conversations they can't enter, and opportunities just out of reach. The struggle isn't about hearing—it's about being seen, understood, and truly included. While technology and awareness have made strides, real integration remains a battle against systems built for those who speak and listen in ways they cannot. The question isn't whether they can adapt to the world—it's whether the world is willing to meet them halfway. Edukanet is answering that call, not by demanding that deaf individuals fit into a system never designed for them, but by reshaping the system itself. At the heart of this transformation is its Founder Cristiano Batista dos Santos, a relentless advocate who refuses to accept exclusion as the norm. His vision for Edukanet goes beyond education—it is about dismantling barriers, creating spaces where the deaf community is not just accommodated but empowered. Pioneering True Educational Equity Cristiano was inspired to create an inclusive educational platform by personal experiences within his family. His deaf uncle faced communication barriers, which became evident when he was excluded from a family WhatsApp group. This realization sparked Cristiano's awareness of broader accessibility challenges. Cristiano Batista dos Santos In discussions with partner Giuliano Santos, Co-founder of Founder, Edukanet—whose father was also Edukanet partially deaf—they recognized the struggles deaf individuals face in fully integrating into society. They were www.educationexcellencemagazine.com www.educationexcellencemagazine.com 08 09

later joined by Josias Junior, an expert those with hearing impairments, in audiovisual content with over a Edukanet's founders recognized the decade of experience in accessibility critical need for early intervention and media access to quality educational resources. Understanding that Brazil has around Edukanet's creation was motivated by a 10 million deaf individuals, including realization in 2018, when its founders 1.5 million children with severe searched for guidance on raising a deaf challenges in education, they saw an child and found a significant lack of urgent need for inclusion. They information available. This gap focused on creating a LIBRAS- underscored the broader societal accessible platform to help deaf issue—society was not fully equipped students prepare for Brazil's national to accommodate and support the deaf high school exam (ENEM), an area community in meaningful ways. The where accessibility was severely lack of accessible educational materials lacking. and resources for deaf children led to the development of Edukanet as a Initially, they explored blending platform aimed at bridging this gap and popular media characters into providing the support and resources educational content but found it families and educators need to impractical for accurate LIBRAS integrate deaf children into the interpretation. This led to a pivotal educational system seamlessly. realization: instead of adapting general content, they needed to build an Edukanet offers a comprehensive education system designed specifically educational platform tailored to the for deaf students. Their needs of deaf students. By integrating groundbreaking approach resulted in a sign language into textbooks and comprehensive set of textbooks developing tools for educators to tailored for deaf learners, ensuring they monitor student progress, address received the same quality education as challenges, and structure academic their hearing peers. plans, the platform enhances the learning experience and ensures Through Edukanet, Cristiano and his inclusivity. The platform not only team are pioneering true educational focuses on the students but also We are not asking the equity, transforming accessibility for empowers educators by providing the deaf students across Brazil. necessary resources to create a more deaf community to accessible learning environment. Building a World Where Silence adapt to an education Speaks A unique aspect of Edukanet is its commitment to ensuring that its system that was never Edukanet was founded with the audiovisual content and teaching mission of serving the deaf community materials meet the specific needs of designed for them. and their supporters, offering deaf individuals. To achieve this, innovative solutions to address the Edukanet has assembled a specialized Instead, we are unique challenges faced by deaf production team made up of experts reshaping the system individuals in the educational system. from various fields, including video The platform was born out of personal production, animation, education, to truly include them. experiences and a deep understanding special education, interpreters of of the struggles that deaf children and LIBRAS (Brazilian Sign Language), their families encounter. Through years and psychologists. The inclusion of of observing the difficulties faced by deaf individuals in the development www.educationexcellencemagazine.com www.educationexcellencemagazine.com 010 011

process is key—through their active educational materials for schools participation, the platform incorporates specializing in special education, every the real-world experiences, needs, and detail is approached with precision. challenges faced by the deaf Any modification in the study plan community, ensuring that the content is must be carefully considered to prevent relevant and impactful. disruptions in student progress. Through its dedication to providing Carving Paths Where None Existed accessible and inclusive education, Edukanet is transforming the way Edukanet faced significant challenges society approaches education for the in gaining recognition within Brazil's deaf community. The platform fosters educational community, particularly true accessibility and belonging by due to the recent official recognition of providing a space where deaf students Brazilian Sign Language (LIBRAS) can thrive academically while ensuring and the limited number of qualified educators are well-equipped to support professionals in the field. The them in their learning journey. introduction of bilingual education for Edukanet's holistic approach not only deaf individuals as an official teaching provides educational content but also modality only came with the 2021 works toward shifting societal amendment to the Law of Guidelines perspectives on how to create an and Bases of National Education inclusive, supportive environment for (LDB), further complicating the the deaf community. adoption of Edukanet's materials. Scripted for Inclusion, Designed for In its early stages, the platform Empowerment struggled with legal barriers that prevented city halls and education By understanding the barriers that deaf departments from purchasing its people face in education and daily life, materials, despite their strong interest. Edukanet carefully scripts its With no external funding, Cristiano audiovisual materials to align and his team traveled across Brazil for seamlessly with printed content. This two years, promoting the project and comprehensive approach ensures that building credibility. the didactic materials provide deaf students with the necessary tools to A breakthrough came in the third year develop independence and acquire when Edukanet was set to be included knowledge that fosters their full in a national textbook program. inclusion in society. However, political and budgetary issues led to the program's The content creation process follows a cancellation, causing a major setback. structured methodology, with various Determined to move forward, the team stages often occurring in parallel. The launched pilot programs to demonstrate the platform's impact. focus remains on maintaining a unified understanding of the material's These proof-of-concept initiatives objectives while ensuring high-quality opened new doors, ultimately helping delivery. Key elements such as Edukanet overcome initial obstacles illustrations, class activities, video and establish itself as a valuable scripting, and editing are meticulously educational resource. adapted to enhance clarity and accessibility. Given the significant responsibility of developing www.educationexcellencemagazine.com www.educationexcellencemagazine.com 012 013

Tech-Driven Revolution in Deaf Education Over the past decade, advancements in video production and graphic resources have significantly enhanced the quality of educational materials. While book creation remains largely unchanged, these innovations have allowed Edukanet to develop high-quality audiovisual content tailored to the needs of the deaf community. The platform leverages technology not only to enhance learning but also to expand its reach to remote areas in Brazil and beyond. Currently, Edukanet is testing a process that enables videos to be available in multiple sign languages, allowing content originally created in LIBRAS to be adapted for ASL, LSQ, LSF, and more. Additionally, the organization is developing an AI-driven model for the automatic generation of the Individualized Teaching Plan (ITP), expected to be approved in Brazil by 2025. This system will help educators create personalized study plans and recommend tailored video content and book excerpts, optimizing learning outcomes for deaf students. Cristiano believes this innovation has the potential to transform special education both in Brazil and internationally. Bridging Gaps in Deaf Education Edukanet has garnered significant positive feedback from the deaf community, educators, and national organizations focused on deaf education. The platform's commitment https://edukanet.com.br/ to providing accessible educational resources and fostering an inclusive learning environment has earned widespread recognition. Additionally, Edukanet has formed valuable partnerships with organizations such as www.educationexcellencemagazine.com www.educationexcellencemagazine.com 014 015

a Sports Federation for the deaf, which particularly in rural areas and smaller ensure equity in education. From its representation within the platform atypical students. Currently, Edukanet them with continuous training and has provided strong support despite cities where resources are more inception, Edukanet has established a helps inspire others in the deaf focuses on Portuguese language maintaining open communication legal restrictions that prevent third- limited. The platform is committed to Board of Trustees, allowing deaf community, reinforcing the belief that learning, with trials in Mathematics channels are vital for success. sector entities from directly supporting bridging this gap by ensuring that deaf individuals—whether students, their condition does not limit their already underway. The long-term plan private projects. students, regardless of location, have professionals, or family members—to potential. By promoting independence, includes developing materials for Beyond technical expertise, access to high-quality educational contribute their perspectives on the Edukanet is driving meaningful adolescents and young adults, while entrepreneurs must be driven by a Edukanet also emphasizes the crucial materials and support. By focusing on platform's content and activities. This inclusion and ensuring equal carefully considering differing genuine purpose to transform lives, role that families play in the education equal opportunities for all deaf approach ensures that the platform opportunities for all. educational perspectives on whether leveraging technology to enhance of deaf children. Recognizing that students, Edukanet is striving to make remains aligned with the needs and specialized content is necessary learning and development. This parents often face challenges due to a a positive impact on the education experiences of the deaf community, As part of its commitment to throughout all academic stages. commitment requires daily dedication lack of knowledge on how to support system, ensuring that no child is left making its educational resources more supporting the deaf community while and resilience. Lastly, faith and their child's development, the platform behind due to geographic or societal relevant and effective. ensuring sustainable growth, Edukanet Additionally, Edukanet is launching a perseverance can provide strength and is dedicated to offering guidance and barriers. Through its comprehensive is expanding its educational materials podcast series in February, featuring guidance in overcoming challenges and training. This empowers families to approach, Edukanet is helping to level Edukanet also highlights the need for to support children with other experts, therapists, educators, and achieving meaningful impact. actively engage in their child's the playing field, providing both society to recognize and value the atypicalities. Through its work, policymakers to discuss inclusive education, providing the support students and their families with the contributions of atypical individuals in Edukanet has also highlighted the special education. This initiative aims Edukanet is developing educational needed for their academic and personal tools and resources needed to succeed. education, work, and social spheres. connection between deafness and to raise awareness and provide material designed to simultaneously growth. According to INEP, Brazil has around poverty in certain Brazilian regions, valuable insights for families and support children who are deaf, blind, Where Deaf Voices Lead and Shape 300 professionals with advanced where poor sanitation and diseases like professionals, further solidifying intellectually disabled, or autistic. In In countries like Brazil and the U.S., the Future degrees specializing in deaf education, meningitis contribute to hearing loss. Edukanet's role in fostering an Espírito Santo, Brazil, where Edukanet Edukanet acknowledges that disparities and Edukanet serves as a bridge to The platform is working to address inclusive and supportive learning is based, approximately 3,000 to 4,000 in access to specialized education Edukanet underscores the importance amplify their expertise, positioning these issues by providing environment. Through these efforts, deaf students are currently enrolled in remain a significant challenge, of truly representative inclusion to them as leaders in their field. This comprehensive educational tools to Edukanet continues to strengthen its the public education system within a those in need. commitment to creating opportunities population of 3.8 million. When and an inclusive society for the deaf considering students with various Looking ahead, Edukanet envisions and atypical communities. disabilities, including blindness, evolving into a comprehensive autism, and intellectual disabilities, the ecosystem where atypical individuals Inclusive Education for Every number rises to around 40,000. can access education, professional Learner training, and employment This innovative material will enable opportunities, while also enjoying Based on Edukanet's experience, public schools to serve a broader range entertainment. While legal mandates in entrepreneurs aiming to create of students with a single resource, many regions require companies to solutions for marginalized significantly simplifying teachers' work hire atypical professionals, Edukanet communities must prioritize close by eliminating the need for separate recognizes the challenges posed by a engagement with the people they seek materials for each specific condition. lack of trained candidates. To bridge to serve. Understanding their unique Additionally, Edukanet is collaborating this gap, the platform aims to develop a needs, perspectives, and challenges with the State Secretariat of Science system that empowers users to create requires continuous listening, and Technology, which has recognized and monetize quality content, validated observation, and empathy. In the case the project's potential and is supporting by AI, enabling them to showcase their of atypical individuals, recognizing efforts to accelerate the startup's talents and skills. and respecting their distinct ways of growth. This partnership will play a thinking is essential. crucial role in scaling Edukanet's Though the project has been self- business model and expanding its funded so far, Edukanet remains Applying Design Thinking principles impact. optimistic about securing future ensures that solutions are truly aligned support to fully realize its mission of with the target audience. Equally fostering education, work, and important is collaboration with special independence. The platform's future education professionals, who play a goals are centered on expanding its key role in shaping inclusive educational offerings to better serve educational approaches. Providing www.educationexcellencemagazine.com www.educationexcellencemagazine.com 016 017

isn't just reshaping classrooms it's redefining how the

From Assistive Tools to Empowered Learning How EdTech Is Reshaping Special Education pecial education has long been social isolation. While special shaped by the need to provide educators have worked tirelessly to S equitable, personalized, and bridge these gaps, the limitations of inclusive learning experiences for conventional tools meant that many students with diverse physical, learners were still left behind. cognitive, emotional, and sensory needs. While the goals have remained EdTech has started to reconfigure this constant, the tools to achieve them narrative. By offering customizable, have evolved dramatically. In recent multisensory, and interactive years, educational technology experiences, technology is reducing the (EdTech) has not just supplemented friction that many students face in special education—it has transformed mainstream classrooms. The focus is it. no longer just on helping students “keep up”—it's on helping them thrive. From screen readers and speech-to-text software to adaptive learning platforms Assistive Technology: More Than powered by artificial intelligence, Just Tools EdTech is unlocking new possibilities in special education. It's shifting the The earliest impact of EdTech in special education came in the form of paradigm from "accommodation" to empowerment, placing learners at the assistive technology—tools designed center of their own educational to support learners with specific journeys. challenges. Today, these tools are more advanced, intuitive, and integrated than The Historical Gap in Access and ever before: Inclusion • Text-to-Speech (TTS) and Speech-to-Text (STT): These Traditionally, students with special needs have often faced systemic tools help students with dyslexia, speech impairments, or mobility barriers: inaccessible content, limited teacher training, rigid curricula, and challenges access written content www.educationexcellencemagazine.com www.educationexcellencemagazine.com 020 021

or express themselves more freely. • Track progress through learning environments that are inherently • Augmentative and Alternative analytics and dashboards accessible to all, regardless of ability. • Design customized Individualized Communication (AAC) Devices: Non-verbal students can use Education Programs (IEPs) EdTech is helping us get there. With • Share real-time updates with dynamic symbol-based the right tools, a student with a visual communication apps or eye- parents and therapists impairment can code. A learner with a tracking devices to interact with • Access vast libraries of speech delay can debate. A child once teachers and peers. differentiated resources sidelined can now lead. • Screen Readers and Magnifiers: Students with visual impairments EdTech also empowers parents, Technology alone isn't the answer—but can navigate digital content offering visibility into their child's when combined with empathy, independently. progress and challenges. Apps and expertise, and thoughtful design, it • Closed Captioning and platforms that allow seamless becomes a powerful catalyst for equity Transcription Tools: These communication between home and and empowerment. support students with hearing school create a more unified support impairments and auditory system, reinforcing learning beyond Conclusion processing disorders. the classroom. The role of EdTech in special What's powerful about these tools Challenges: Access, Training, and education is evolving—from assistive today is their mainstream integration. Ethics tools that accommodate to ecosystems Many are now built directly into that amplify potential. In reshaping standard operating systems, making Despite the promise, several challenges how special education is delivered and classrooms more inclusive without remain: experienced, EdTech is doing more segregating students. than making learning accessible—it's • Access and Equity: Not all schools making it transformative. EdTech as a Bridge, Not a Crutch or families have access to the devices, internet, or tools required When we empower every learner, we Critically, the best use of EdTech in for advanced EdTech solutions, don't just improve education—we special education doesn't isolate especially in underfunded areas. redefine its purpose. students—it integrates them. • Teacher Training: Technology is Collaborative platforms like Google only as effective as the educator Classroom, Padlet, and Flipgrid enable using it. Many teachers still lack students with special needs to the training or confidence to use participate in group discussions, these tools meaningfully in special submit creative projects, and engage education settings. with classmates in inclusive ways. • Data Privacy and Ethics: Special education data is particularly Virtual reality (VR) and augmented sensitive. Ensuring platforms reality (AR) are also being used to comply with laws like IDEA, build social and emotional learning FERPA, and GDPR is crucial to (SEL) experiences. For students on the protect students' rights. autism spectrum, for instance, simulated social scenarios allow safe To truly reshape special education, exploration and practice of real-world stakeholders must address these gaps interactions. through investment, training, and In these ways, EdTech serves as a policy frameworks that support ethical, bridge to connection, not just a inclusive implementation. workaround for disability. Looking Ahead: A Future Built on Empowering Educators and Parents Possibility While technology empowers students, The future of special education lies not it also supports those who guide them. in segregated solutions, but in Special education teachers can now use universal design—learning digital tools to: www.educationexcellencemagazine.com www.educationexcellencemagazine.com 022 023

Education is not about ?lling a pail, but lighting a ?re, and the ?re should be one of curiosity, not compliance.

Merging Physical and Digital Pedagogy The Rise of Hybrid Learning Ecosystems n recent years, education has technology not to replace the undergone a radical classroom, but to enhance it, creating I transformation—accelerated by seamless transitions between offline the pandemic, enabled by technology, and online experiences. and reimagined by educators. At the center of this transformation lies the In a true hybrid model, students might rise of hybrid learning ecosystems, a attend lectures in person, engage in model that fuses the strengths of both online simulations or labs, collaborate physical and digital pedagogy to virtually with peers across deliver a more personalized, geographies, and receive personalized accessible, and dynamic learning feedback through AI-driven experience. platforms—all within the same learning cycle. Once considered a contingency plan during crises, hybrid learning is now The Push and Pull: What's Driving emerging as a deliberate and strategic the Shift approach to education—one that redefines the very architecture of how, Several factors have contributed to the where, and when learning happens. rise of hybrid learning ecosystems: Defining the Hybrid Learning 1. Post-Pandemic Resilience: Ecosystem COVID-19 disrupted traditional education worldwide, pushing A hybrid learning ecosystem isn't just a institutions to rapidly adopt digital blend of in-person and online tools. The experience exposed classes—it's a systematic integration of both the fragility of traditional physical environments, digital tools, models and the potential of pedagogical strategies, and human flexible, tech-enabled learning. relationships. It's about using www.educationexcellencemagazine.com www.educationexcellencemagazine.com 026 027

2. Demand for Flexibility: Today's instructional design skills, and • Lifelong Learning: Supporting learners, especially Gen Z and empathy for remote learners to thrive not just K–12 or higher education, in this model. working professionals, prioritize but continuous upskilling and convenience and autonomy. reskilling for a changing Challenges and Considerations workforce. Hybrid learning offers the flexibility to learn anytime, • Wellbeing and Human anywhere, while still benefiting While the hybrid model holds promise, Connection: Prioritizing from face-to-face interaction. it's not without its challenges: emotional and social development 3. Technological Maturity: The through mentorship, peer support, EdTech sector has seen significant • Digital Divide: Not all students and human connection—both advancements—from learning have equal access to devices, online and offline. management systems and adaptive connectivity, or conducive home environments, raising concerns Conclusion learning platforms to immersive AR/VR experiences and AI about equity. tutors—making hybrid learning • Teacher Training: Many Hybrid learning ecosystems are not a more engaging and effective. educators are still adapting to new compromise between digital and 4. Global Access & Inclusion: technologies and methodologies, physical learning—they are a Hybrid models can bring requiring ongoing professional convergence. A well-designed hybrid education to underserved areas, development. model doesn't just adapt to the needs of reduce barriers to access, and • Cognitive Overload: Switching modern learners—it anticipates them. accommodate diverse learning between modalities can It brings together the best of both styles and needs. overwhelm learners if not worlds to create education that is designed thoughtfully. flexible, inclusive, resilient, and deeply Pedagogical Transformation: • Assessment Redesign: Traditional human. Teaching in a Hybrid Era testing methods often fall short in hybrid environments. Assessments As institutions, educators, and learners For hybrid learning ecosystems to must evolve to measure deeper embrace this paradigm, the future of succeed, pedagogy must evolve. learning, collaboration, and education looks less like a classroom Teaching is no longer confined to problem-solving skills. and more like a constellation of connected experiences, shaped by delivering lectures but involves curating experiences, facilitating Moreover, there is a risk of technology but rooted in the timeless values of curiosity, connection, and inquiry, and orchestrating collaboration "technology-first" thinking, where across modalities. tools are introduced without a clear growth. pedagogical purpose. Successful Key pedagogical shifts include: hybrid ecosystems must remain learner-centered, not tech-centered. • Flipped Classrooms: Students consume content online at their The Road Ahead own pace and use classroom time for active discussion and problem- As hybrid learning ecosystems solving. continue to evolve, the focus must shift from simply digitizing existing content • Project-Based Learning: Learners engage in collaborative, to rethinking the entire learning experience. This includes: real-world projects that span digital platforms and physical • Inclusive Design: Ensuring spaces. • Data-Informed Teaching: With accessibility for all learners, including those with disabilities or real-time learning analytics, educators can tailor instruction to limited digital access. • Community Integration: individual needs, identify learning gaps early, and provide timely Blending learning with real-world experiences through local projects, interventions. internships, and community-based learning. Crucially, teachers must also be equipped with digital fluency, www.educationexcellencemagazine.com www.educationexcellencemagazine.com 028 029

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Brazil’s Most Innovative EdTech Companies Transforming Learning in 2025 Edition-2

Brazil’s Most Innovative EdTech Companies Transforming Learning in 2025 Edition-2

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