What SER Educacional does

Ser Educacional (Companhia Ser Educacional, B3: SEER3) is a publicly traded Brazilian private education group headquartered in Recife, Pernambuco, founded in 2003. The group operates a multi-brand portfolio of six higher education institutions (UNINASSAU, UNAMA, UNG, UNINORTE, UNIFAEL, UNI7), two technical schools, and a network of over 1,000 distance learning (EAD) support centers, serving 300,000+ enrolled students across all 26 Brazilian states plus the Federal District. The group's revenue model is primarily subscription-based tuition across face-to-face undergraduate and graduate programs, distance learning degrees, and technical courses, with complementary revenue from EdTech platforms (Prova Fácil, Gokursos, Delinea, b.Uni fintech, Peixe 30 professional network), event management (BJ Feiras e Congressos), and veterinary services (DOK Hospital Veterinário).

The technology stack centers on an educational technology platform underpinned by the SofIA AI platform (ranked 24th nationally in '100+ Inovadoras no Uso de TI 2025'), automated assessment infrastructure through Prova Fácil (100+ million evaluations in five years, ~3 million students served), and the Delinea content management SaaS with 14,000+ educational materials. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via institutional websites, campuses, and EAD support centers, supplemented by community-led social programs (Novas Histórias, Mãe Esperança, Capacita) that offer free scholarships to vulnerable populations and serve as pipeline-generation channels. The group also operates social institutes (Instituto Ser Educacional, FIDESA), a wildlife conservation zoo (ZOO UNAMA), and a sports program with 2,500+ scholarship athletes that has produced 100+ national and international titles and eight consecutive Troféu Eficiência CBDU wins.

Name

SER Educacional

Legal name

Companhia Ser Educacional

Website

https://sereducacional.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Ser Educacional is a publicly traded Brazilian education group (B3: SEER3) operating six higher education institutions, two technical schools, and 1,000+ EAD support centers, serving 300,000+ students across all 26 Brazilian states plus the Federal District.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Access & EdTech for Equity (Low-cost Learning, Skills Platforms) (BPAGALAH)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Distance learning programs
• Technical vocational training
• EdTech platforms
• Postgraduate university programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Recife

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition - Face-to-face Education: Traditional on-campus undergraduate and graduate programs with monthly tuition fees
2. Tuition - Distance Learning (EAD): Online degree programs through more than 1,000 EAD support centers across Brazil
3. Professional and Technical Education: Technical courses and professional qualification programs
4. EdTech Solutions: Technology platforms including Prova Fácil (exam management), Gokursos (online courses), and other educational technology products
5. Event Management: BJ Feiras e Congressos organizes national and international events with approximately 4,000 participants per event
6. Veterinary Services: DOK Hospital Veterinário provides 24-hour veterinary care with specialized services

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SER Educacional is a publicly traded Brazilian education group operating six higher education institutions (UNAMA, UNINASSAU, UNG, UNINORTE, UNIFAEL, UNI7) plus technical schools, serving more than 300,000 students through on-campus and distance learning (EAD) programs spanning undergraduate, graduate, master's, and doctoral degrees. The group complements its academic offerings with proprietary EdTech platforms (Prova Fácil, Gokursos, Delinea, SofIA AI, b.Uni fintech, Peixe 30 social network) and social-impact initiatives.

Product overview

SER Educacional is a comprehensive educational services company operating as a multi-brand educational ecosystem. The portfolio includes six higher education institutions (UNAMA, UNINASSAU, UNG, UNINORTE, UNIFAEL, UNI7) offering undergraduate, graduate, master's, and doctoral programs; two technical schools (Escola Técnica UNAMA, Escola Técnica Maurício de Nassau); and supporting companies including EdTech platforms (Prova Fácil, Gokursos, Delinea), a professional social network (Peixe 30), an education-focused fintech (b.Uni), a veterinary hospital (DOK), and event management company (BJ Feiras e Congressos). The group also operates social institutes (Instituto Ser Educacional, FIDESA) and a zoo for environmental research (ZOO UNAMA). The ecosystem is supported by an AI platform (SofIA) and offers professional qualification programs (Capacita).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• UNINASSAU (Centro Universitário Maurício de Nassau)
• UNAMA (Universidade da Amazônia)
• UNG (Universidade Guarulhos)
• UNINORTE (Centro Universitário do Norte)
• UNIFAEL (Centro Universitário 100% EAD)
• UNI7 (Centro Universitário 7 de Setembro)
• MBA e Pós-graduação Continuing education programs developed by teams of professors, researchers, and industry professionals combining knowledge updates with best market practices for working professionals seeking specialization.
• Mestrado e Doutorado Master's and doctoral (stricto sensu) programs aimed at training highly qualified teachers, promoting scientific research through new researchers, and providing training in technology areas important for the country's development.
• Escola Técnica UNAMA Technical school with seven units in the metropolitan region of Belém, offering technical courses in person and distance learning to provide the community opportunities for technical professionalization.
• Escola Técnica Maurício de Nassau Technical professional training institution with units in João Pessoa-PB and Recife-PE, offering 15 professional technical courses focused on market demands.
• Prova Fácil Leading EdTech platform in exam management in Latin America, having conducted over 100 million evaluations in the last five years and serving approximately 3 million students across various institutions.
• Gokursos Continuing education platform offering hundreds of online courses in various areas for professional development with certificate issuance.
• Peixe 30 Professional social network for relationship and career development through videos, where users present themselves professionally, increase visibility, network, post and consume video content, and generate business opportunities.
• b.Uni First fintech in the education sector offering financial technology solutions for students including cashbacks and educational financial development tools.
• Delinea EdTech platform for educational content management since 2006, producing personalized didactic materials with over 14,000 educational materials and media assets in its collection.
• BJ Feiras e Congressos Event management company founded in 1994, conducting national and international events in administration, law, tourism, communication, IT, education, and health with an average of 4,000 participants per event.
• DOK Hospital Veterinário 24-hour veterinary hospital offering integrated services with specialties including cardiology, neurology, dermatology, orthopedics, and advanced imaging services for pet owners.
• Capacita Social responsibility project offering free short courses in areas such as health, technology, management, education, communication, law, entrepreneurship, and professional development, with 34,000+ free vacancies offered.
• SofIA AI Platform Artificial intelligence platform recognized in 100+ Inovadoras no Uso de TI 2025 ranking, placing 24th nationally, supporting educational operations across Ser Educacional institutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 300,000+ students enrolled annually with thousands graduating each year
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Grupo PetrópolisminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026ESG presentation partnership where Ser Educacional shared sustainability practices during Grupo Petrópolis Environment Week.
• Santander UniversidadescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Partnership for Top Espanha 2026 exchange program at Universidad de Salamanca. Program selects students from nearly 6,000 applicants for international academic experience.
• Instituto Banco VermelhocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership for Cadeira Vazia project against feminicide, raising awareness about violence against women in educational institutions.
• Instituto Maria da PenhacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership for Ser Mulher program offering free EAD scholarships for women victims of domestic violence, including psychological support and legal assistance.
• Grupo Mulheres do BrasilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership for Ser Mulher program supporting women victims of violence through scholarships and comprehensive assistance services.
• ONG Humana BrasilminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Textile recycling partnership with collection points at campuses for clothes, accessories, and shoes to support circular economy and social development.
• AlcoaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Investment of R$ 350,000+ in ZooUNAMA for floating base expansion and vehicle delivery for Amazon wildlife conservation.
• Cartório de TejipióminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership for Casamento Coletivo (collective wedding) event providing legal documentation services for 22 couples from underserved communities.
• Ministerio da Defesa / Exercito / 8o Batalhao de Engenharia e ConstruçãominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Commodato agreement for 149-hectare area hosting ZooUNAMA for wildlife conservation and ecological research.
• UNI7 (Centro Universitário 7 de Setembro)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2022Acquisition of Centro Universitário 7 de Setembro in 2022, expanding presence in Ceará state. UNI7 originated as Faculty 7 de Setembro in 2000 and achieved CentroUniversitário status in 2016.
• UNIFAELcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022First 100% EAD CentroUniversitário in Brazil, with 230+ courses, 650+ support centers, and 100,000+ enrolled students. Acquired in 2022.
• UNINORTEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2019Acquisition in November 2019 of Centro Universitário do Norte (UniNorte), operating since 1994 with 87 courses and EAD operations since 2010.
• Instituto Limpa BrasilminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Annual partnership for World Cleanup Day, mobilizing educational institutions for environmental cleanup actions across Brazil.
• DORINA NOVILminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Accessibility partnership providing Braille book collection in libraries for visually impaired students.
• UNAMA and FITcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2014Acquisition of Universidade da Amazônia (UNAMA) and Faculdades Integradas Tapajós (FIT) in 2014. UNAMA is the first private institution in the Amazon with 40+ years in the market.
• UNG (Universidade Guarulhos)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Acquisition in 2014 of Universidade Guarulhos, originally founded in 1969. Currently offers 50+ undergraduate programs, 60 specializations, 3 master's and 2 doctoral programs.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Anhanguera: Large Brazilian HE brand operated by Cogna Educação, with extensive EAD and on-campus presence. Comparable as a competing multi-state HE brand with similar target student demographics and EAD-heavy delivery.
• Unicesumar: Brazilian HE group with strong EAD focus and expanding on-campus presence. Directly comparable on distance learning scale and competitive EAD positioning in the Brazilian private HE market.
• Cruzeiro do Sul Educacional: Brazilian private HE group operating multiple institutions in São Paulo and other states. Comparable multi-campus, multi-brand HE model with on-site and EAD delivery across Brazil.
• Yduqs: Major Brazilian HE group (B3: YDUQ3) operating Estácio, Ibmec, Wyden, and IDOMED brands. Closely comparable multi-brand HE strategy with strong EAD and on-campus operations across Brazil.
• Cogna Educação: Brazil's largest for-profit education company (B3: COGN3), operating Kroton (HE), Saber (K-12), and Vasta (EdTech). Directly comparable as the dominant multi-brand, multi-segment Brazilian education group with significant EAD presence.
• Ibmec: Premium Brazilian HE institution operated by Yduqs, focused on business, law, and engineering. Comparable as a Brazilian HE brand within a larger group portfolio, with similar postgraduate and MBA program structures.
• Ânima Educação: Brazilian multi-brand HE group (B3: ANIM3) operating Universidade São Judas, Anhembi Morumbi, UnP, and others. Comparable multi-brand acquisition-driven strategy targeting quality and scale in Brazilian private HE.
• Wyden: Brazilian HE network operated by Yduqs, with multiple brands across regions. Comparable regional multi-brand strategy targeting similar student segments through on-site and EAD programs.
• Afya: Brazilian medical education specialist (B3: A1FY34) operating medical schools and preparatory courses. Comparable as a publicly-traded Brazilian education company with multi-brand institutional portfolio and EdTech exposure.

Broad incumbents

• Arco Platform: Brazilian K-12 EdTech platform (Nasdaq: ARCE). Comparable as a Brazilian publicly-traded education technology company, though focused on K-12 core curriculum rather than higher education.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 SER Educacional