What UNETE does

UNETE (Unión de Empresarios para la Tecnología en la Educación, Asociación Civil) is a Mexican nonprofit civil association founded in 1999 by Max Shein Heisler, headquartered in Mexico City. Its stated mission is to improve the quality and equity of public education in Mexico by introducing technology into teaching and learning processes; UNETE equips public schools with Media Classrooms (Aulas de Medios) — including computers, internet access, and educational software — and supports them with continuous teacher training and year-long facilitator accompaniment on-site. The organization reports reaching all 32 Mexican states and more than 50% of the country's municipalities, with over 15% of all Media Classrooms in basic public education attributed to its programs and cumulative reach of 3 million students and 90,000 teachers across 5,500 schools (with current access scaled to 5.5 million students and 120,362 teachers across 9,879 schools per a separate source).

The organization's product portfolio centers on the Modelo Integral UNETE, a comprehensive model integrating equipment, internet, teacher training, pedagogical accompaniment, evaluation, and 24/7 digital technical support (Mesa de Ayuda). Complementary programs include UNETE LED, a Moodle-based extracurricular maker space offering free STEAM and English courses to youth aged 12–15; LEADS, a leadership and digital skills program for high school students; and a Portal Educativo with nanocourses and didactic units for teachers. Technology partners supplying the underlying infrastructure include HP, Microsoft, Cisco, Dell, and AMD, and the organization itself operates a public community platform and school-registration portal (registra.unete.org).

UNETE operates a donation-funded business model as an authorized donee (donataria autorizada) recognized by Mexico's SAT, making individual and corporate donations tax-deductible. Revenue streams comprise individual donors (monthly "Socios UNETE" subscription plans) and corporate partnerships with major Mexican foundations and enterprises — including Fundación BBVA México, Fundación Televisa, Fundación Soriana, Fundación MetLife México, Fundación Banorte, Kimberly Clark, and Bloomberg México — alongside in-kind technology contributions from HP, Microsoft, Cisco, and Dell. GTM is event- and partnership-driven: schools register via the public form, donations are solicited through the website and corporate CSR channels, and impact is communicated via social media and annual reports. The organization holds the Premio Nacional de Calidad (the first civil society recipient), the Medalla José Vasconcelos from SEP, and Filantrofilia's highest A+ rating (3.7/4.0) issued to a Mexican nonprofit.

Name

UNETE

Legal name

UNETE, Unión de Empresarios para la Tecnología en la Educación, Asociación Civil

Website

https://unete.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

UNETE is a Mexican nonprofit civil association that equips public schools with technology, trains teachers, and provides year-long pedagogical accompaniment across all 32 Mexican states. Founded in 1999, it runs the Modelo Integral UNETE, UNETE LED maker-space platform, and LEADS leadership program, funded by individual and corporate donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Educational Technology Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) & Inclusive Classroom Support Platforms (EDAFAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Special Education & Accessibility-Optimized Media (UDL, AAC, Captioning) (EDAGALAH)

Keywords

• Educational technology programs
• Teacher professional development
• Digital learning platforms
• Nonprofit education services
• Public school modernization

Headquarters

HQ city

Mexico City

HQ country

Mexico

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations (Individual and Corporate): UNETE is a nonprofit civil organization (Asociación Civil) that relies entirely on donations from individuals and corporations to fund its mission. The organization is an authorized donee (donataria autorizada), making donations tax-deductible in Mexico. Monthly donation plans are offered through the website.
2. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Partnerships with corporations such as HP, Microsoft, Cisco, Dell, BBVA, Televisa, Soriana, MetLife, and others who fund technology equipment for schools, teacher training programs, and the UNETE LED platform.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

UNETE is a nonprofit civil association that equips public schools in Mexico with technology-enabled Media Classrooms (Aulas de Medios) and provides year-long in-school pedagogical accompaniment, continuous teacher training, internet connectivity, educational content, and 24/7 technical support to integrate technology into the teaching and learning process. Its portfolio also includes the UNETE LED extracurricular maker-space platform (English, Robotics, Automation, 3D Fabrication, Multimed-IA) for youth aged 12-15, the LEADS leadership and digital skills program for high school students, and the Educational Portal and Digital Support Desk. All programs are delivered free of charge to beneficiaries and funded by individual and corporate donations.

Product overview

UNETE is a nonprofit civil organization (Organización de la Sociedad Civil) with 26 years of experience introducing technology in teaching and learning processes in Mexico's public schools. The organization operates a unified portfolio of interconnected educational technology programs and platforms. The core offering is the Modelo Integral UNETE, which equips schools with media classrooms and develops 21st century skills through continuous teacher training and pedagogical support. This is supplemented by UNETE LED, an after-school maker space (delivered via a Moodle-based LMS) offering courses in Robotics, Automation, Digital Fabrication, Media Lab, and English at various proficiency levels. LEADS is a separate program targeting high school students for leadership and digital skills development. The Portal Educativo provides interactive nanocourses and didactic units, while the Mesa de Ayuda Digital offers 24/7 technical support. The organization also maintains a community platform (comunidadunete.net) for teachers and students, and a school registration system for schools interested in implementing the Modelo Integral.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• UNETE LED: An innovative extra-curricular maker space where young people participate in Maker and English workshops, developing creativity, innovation, and 21st-century skills. Available at uneteled.unete.org.
• LEADS

Products and services

• Modelo Integral UNETE UNETE's flagship comprehensive model focused on equipping public schools with technology-enabled Media Classrooms (Aulas de Medios) and developing 21st-century skills in teachers and students. Includes equipment, internet access, an interactive Educational Portal, evaluation, technical support, pre-loaded educational content and resources, teacher training, and year-long in-school pedagogical accompaniment by facilitators throughout the school year. Delivered free of charge to beneficiary public basic-education schools in Mexico.
• UNETE LED Innovative extracurricular (after-school) Moodle-based maker space offering courses in English, Robotics, Automation, 3D Fabrication, and Multimed-IA. Targets youth aged 12-15 from vulnerable socioeconomic backgrounds for free STEAM education and English language learning. Accessible via web and mobile apps (iOS and Android) at uneteled.unete.org.
• LEADS Program directed at high school (bachillerato) students that reinforces leadership, empowerment, and development of digital skills for professional success. Operated as a dedicated track within UNETE's program portfolio.
• Portal Educativo (Educational Portal) Interactive platform with nanocourses in new technologies and didactic units designed to enhance the pedagogical teaching-learning process for teachers and students at UNETE-equipped schools.
• Mesa de Ayuda Digital (Digital Support Desk) Digital help desk available 24/7 at soporte.unete.org providing immediate technical assistance in the use of technological tools for schools equipped under the Modelo Integral UNETE.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 3 million students have been benefited across all programs.
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Microsoft México, S. de R.L. de C.V.coreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing software, cloud services, and potentially hardware support for UNETE's digital platforms and school technology programs.
• HP (Computing and Printing México, S. de R.L. de C.V.)coreTechnology or IntegrationMajor technology hardware partner providing computers and printing equipment for school Media Classrooms.
• Cisco Systems, Inc. / CISCO Systems de México S. de R.L. de C.V.coreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing networking equipment and solutions for school connectivity and internet access.
• Dell TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing computer hardware for school equipment programs.
• The Aspen InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational nonprofit think tank collaborating on educational policy and social impact programs.
• Gensler Cd. de MéxicominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture and design firm providing design expertise and support for UNETE's facilities and learning spaces.
• Club América Club De Fútbol América S.A. de C.V.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional football club partnering to raise awareness and engage fans in supporting educational equity.
• Gol por MéxicominorGTM or Marketing PartnerSocial initiative focused on promoting education and social development through sports.
• White & Case, S.C.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInternational law firm providing legal pro bono services and support.
• Curtis Mallet-Prevost Colt & MosleminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInternational law firm providing legal support and advisory services.
• Pérez-Llorca México, S.C.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLaw firm providing legal services and support.
• Jones Lang LaSalleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommercial real estate and investment management firm providing advisory services.
• Fondo Para La Paz, I.A.P.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCivil society organization focused on peace and social development, potentially collaborating on educational programs.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Room to Read: Global nonprofit focused on literacy and gender equality in education across Asia and Africa. Comparable as a long-tenured education nonprofit with a holistic (materials + training + accompaniment) model, though geographic focus differs.
• Code.org: US-headquartered nonprofit focused on expanding access to computer science education in K-12 schools globally. Comparable in mission (digital skills for underserved youth) and free-delivery model, but with global rather than single-country footprint.
• Khan Academy (Khan Academy en Español): Global nonprofit providing free, standards-aligned educational content and a learning platform. Comparable in providing free digital learning content to underserved K-12 learners, including a Spanish-language edition used widely in Mexico, though much broader in subject coverage.

Emerging players

• Educando México: Mexican education nonprofit focused on improving learning conditions and advocacy in public schools. Comparable mission of Mexican education equity but narrower programmatic scope (advocacy and grants) than UNETE's technology-and-accompaniment model.
• Samsung Innovation Campus: Samsung's corporate CSR program offering STEAM and AI education to underserved youth across Latin America. Comparable in providing technology-enabled STEAM training for youth, but as a corporate program rather than a standalone nonprofit.

Direct peers

• One Laptop Per Child (OLPC): Nonprofit that designs and distributes low-cost laptops and digital learning content to children in developing countries. Comparable as a technology-for-equity-in-education nonprofit with hardware and content components, though terminated as a mass-deployment NGO and restructured.
• ProFuturo: Telefónica Foundation's digital education program that equips public schools with technology and trains teachers across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Closest functional peer to UNETE's Modelo Integral given shared mission of integrating EdTech into underserved public schools with teacher accompaniment.
• Fundación Carlos Slim (Aprende.org): Mexican foundation offering free online K-12 educational content, vocational training, and teacher resources. Comparable as a Mexico-based free digital learning platform with similar target populations, though funded by a single corporate foundation.
• Enseña por México: Mexican nonprofit that places talented young professionals in low-income public schools to improve educational outcomes. Comparable as a Mexico-focused education nonprofit relying on corporate and individual donors, but with a talent-placement rather than technology-infrastructure model.

Others

• Salauno / Banco de Alimentos de México equivalents not appropriate — substituting a closer functional match: Mexican corporate foundation funding a range of education, health, and culture programs in Mexico. Comparable as a major corporate donor in Mexican education (and a current UNETE partner), though not a direct operational peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/unete_mexico
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@UneteMexico
• Facebookfacebook.com/unetemexico
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/unete
• Instagraminstagram.com/unete_mexico

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 UNETE