What Instituto Catalisador does

Instituto Catalisador is a São Paulo-based nonprofit civil society organization (organização da sociedade civil sem fins lucrativos) founded in 2015 that develops and disseminates creative-learning and maker-culture methodologies for Brazilian public schools, primarily serving underserved students from Ensino Fundamental Anos Iniciais through Ensino Médio and their teachers. The organization's signature product is the proprietary 'Rodas de Invenções' (Invention Wheels) methodology, which integrates reading, hands-on construction (mão na massa), and narrative construction within a Creative Learning and Learning-by-Making framework. This methodology is delivered through three flagship programs: Trilha Tech (digital literacy for Fundamental II students and teachers), Catalise uma Escola (an in-person school-partnership program with teacher training, kits, and workshops), and Catalise Online (the asynchronous distance-learning extension launched in 2024). The underlying technology stack is light and pedagogical rather than proprietary — it relies on consumer creative-coding tools such as Scratch, micro:bit, OctoStudio, TinkerCad, and Inkscape, supplemented by laser-cutters and physical Kit Rodas de Invenções material kits distributed to partner schools.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit operating on a community-led, event-driven go-to-market. The roughly 90% of operating capacity is funded by grants and corporate-foundation donations from a diversified base including Instituto MRV, Instituto Cyrela, Itaú Social, Fundação Vale, Lenovo, Vivo, Neoenergia, Mouser, and UNICEF; the largest disclosed grant was R$200,000 from MRV's 'Educar para Transformar' program (2021). Commercial revenue streams are secondary but real: sales of the Kit Rodas de Invenções (one-time unit pricing), the 'Curso Online Rodas de Invenções' asynchronous subscription on a third-party e-learning platform, and book/guide sales via Amazon and free downloads. Customer segments are public-school students and teachers (primary), public-school administrations and regional education directorates (secondary), and non-formal education organizations such as Lar das Crianças da CIP and Espaço Catalisador Pirituba community maker space. Pricing for direct school partnerships is not transactional — costs are covered by captured grants rather than school fees — while the online course and kits carry modest list prices. Geographic scope is single-country (Brazil), with depth in São Paulo state and expanding national reach via Catalise Online.

Name

Instituto Catalisador

Legal name

Instituto Catalisador

Website

https://catalisador.org.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Instituto Catalisador is a São Paulo-based Brazilian nonprofit founded in 2015 that designs and delivers the proprietary 'Rodas de Invenções' creative-learning methodology, Trilha Tech digital literacy, and Catalise uma Escola programs to underserved public-school students and teachers across Brazil.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Education Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Education & Instructional Practice Professional Development (EDAGANAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Instructional Equipment & Classroom Tools (Whiteboards, Lab Kits, Manipulatives) (EDAEAIAB)

Keywords

• Creative learning education
• Maker education programs
• Digital literacy training
• Teacher professional development
• Hands-on learning methodology

Headquarters

HQ city

São Paulo

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic Grants and Donations: As a non-profit civil society organization, Instituto Catalisador operates primarily through donations and grants from corporate foundations and institutional partners. Funding is received from organizations like Instituto MRV, Instituto Cyrela, Itaú Social, and others for specific educational programs.
2. Social Investment Programs: Project-based funding through social investment programs such as the MRV 'Educar para Transformar' program, which provides R$200,000 grants for digital literacy projects in public schools.
3. Course and Training Fees: Revenue generation through the online course 'Curso Online Rodas de Invenções' - an asynchronous training program about the organization's proprietary methodology, offered through their e-learning platform.
4. Material Sales: Sale of the 'Kit Rodas de Invenções' - physical educational material kits distributed to teachers and schools for implementing the methodology.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Instituto Catalisador delivers educational programs and services built around its proprietary "Rodas de Invenções" (Invention Wheels) methodology, which integrates reading, hands-on making, and narrative construction. Core offerings include the Trilha Tech digital literacy program, the Catalise uma Escola school partnership program (in-person and online variants), teacher training and pedagogical workshops, the Kit Rodas de Invenções physical material kit, and an asynchronous online methodology course. The organization also publishes a library of free downloadable practice guides, educator notebooks, and STEAM collections.

Product overview

Instituto Catalisador is a nonprofit civil society organization founded in 2015 that operates at the intersection of Education, Technology and Creativity. The organization offers a portfolio of educational products and services centered on its authorial "Rodas de Invenções" methodology—a structured hands-on learning approach that integrates reading, construction, and narrative creation. The core offerings include: (1) the Rodas de Invenções methodology itself, (2) the Trilha Tech digital literacy program, and (3) the Catalise uma Escola school partnership program. Supporting these programs are physical products (Kit Rodas de Invenções), an asynchronous online course, and a rich library of downloadable publications including practice guides, STEAM collections, the Educator's Notebook, and themed booklets. The organization also offers short courses such as Inventar e Brincar, Curta esse Circuito, and Raio X da Tecnologia targeting different school levels. All offerings are grounded in Maker Culture, Creative Learning, and Learning-by-Making pedagogical approaches.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rodas de Invenções: The signature methodology of Instituto Catalisador that integrates reading, hands-on maker activities, and narrative construction aligned with Creative Learning and Learning by Making approaches.
• Catalise uma Escola
• Trilha Tech
• Catalise Online

Products and services

• Rodas de Invenções (Invention Wheels) Methodology Authorial pedagogy integrating reading, hands-on construction (mão na massa), and narrative construction, aligned with Creative Learning and Learning-by-Making approaches. Mobilizes student imagination through structured sequences of activities and is delivered to public schools, educators, and partner institutions.
• Trilha Tech (Digital Literacy Trail) Digital literacy project for students and teachers in public schools, providing access to technology, understanding its logics, and meaningful use of digital languages through maker workshops that develop student agency and protagonism. Targeted at Fundamental II students.
• Catalise uma Escola (Catalyze a School) Recurring project bringing active methodologies, hands-on practices, technology, and creativity to public schools through in-person and online approaches. Includes teacher training, educational materials, student workshops, and pedagogical practice diversification.
• Catalise Online Online version of the Catalise uma Escola project enabling participation of schools outside greater São Paulo through synchronous planning meetings and access to the online Rodas de Invenções course.
• Kit Rodas de Invenções (Invention Wheels Kit) A set of diverse materials that encourages students to build, create, and experiment. The kit remains with schools, allowing teachers to replicate and remix the Rodas de Invenções approach throughout the year.
• Curso Online Rodas de Invenções (Invention Wheels Online Course) Asynchronous online course on Instituto Catalisador's authorial Rodas de Invenções methodology, designed for educator professional development. Delivered through the institute's e-learning platform (catalisador.eadplataforma.app).
• Guias de Práticas (Practice Guides) Activity guides serving as starting points for educators across Brazil to implement hands-on transformative proposals with their classes. Available as free downloads from the institute's website library.
• Coletânea Práticas STEAM com Rodas de Invenções (STEAM Practices Collection) A STEAM journey for Elementary School Final Years where ideas take form, movement, and meaning. Available as a free download.
• Rodas de Invenções: Coletânea Leitura, Escrita e Criatividade (Reading, Writing and Creativity Collection) Proposals that articulate language and hands-on activities for Elementary School Initial Years. Available as a free download.
• Caderno do Educador Mão na Massa (Hands-On Educator Notebook) Theoretical-practical inspiration publication containing the institute's experience and guidance for educators, available as a free download.
• Caderno de Inspirações STEAM (STEAM Inspirations Notebook) A mapping of practices developed in partnership with Itaú Social, showcasing real STEAM projects across Brazil.
• Guia de Mediação – Rodas de Invenções (Mediation Guide – Invention Wheels) Mediation guide for Rodas de Invenções, available for purchase on Amazon.
• Leituras para curtir em família! (Reading for family enjoyment!) A booklet with tips for reading, playing, and creating with family, available as a free download.
• Inventar e Brincar (Inventing and Playing) Course for Elementary School Grade 1 students that encourages autonomy in play and enhances creative processes using everyday materials.
• Curta esse Circuito (Enjoy this Circuit) Course for Elementary School Grade 2 students focused on building fun artifacts with electrical, electronic components, and digital technology.
• Raio X da Tecnologia (X-Ray of Technology) High school student course aimed at understanding the universe of computers, including repair and programming with autonomy.

Quantifiable outcome

• 450 students and 120 teachers directly impacted by Trilha Tech through 2023
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MIT Media Lab - Lifelong KindergartencoreTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration through the OctoStudio project. Children from Lar das Crianças were among the first to test the OctoStudio app developed by Mitchel Resnick's group. The partnership enables integration of MIT creative learning tools with Instituto Catalisador's methodologies.
• Rede Brasileira de Aprendizagem Criativa (RBAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership for piloting OctoStudio in Brazil. RBAC coordinates creative learning initiatives across the country and worked with Instituto Catalisador to involve children from Lar das Crianças in the app testing.
• Secretaria da Educação do Estado de São Paulo (SEDUC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the São Paulo State Education Secretariat for the 'Tecnologia e Criatividade' teacher training course, reaching PCNPs and teachers from 41 Diretorias de Ensino, 316 municipalities, and 2,339 schools.
• Mirante CulturalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization that invited Instituto Catalisador to strengthen actions in Art and Technology at their community cultural center, leading to the establishment of Espaço Catalisador Pirituba.
• UNICEFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogo partner displayed on website indicating ongoing collaboration or alignment with UNICEF's educational initiatives and global learning frameworks.
• Fundação Carlos ChagascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational research foundation listed among partners, known for contributions to educational research and practice in Brazil.
• Instituto iungominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing teacher development content as part of the MRV Educar para Transformar program package.
• Faber-CastellminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational collaboration including publication of content on Faber-Castell's education platform and joint advocacy for creative learning approaches.
• Change XminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal platform for scaling community projects, listed among partner organizations.
• Lar das Crianças da CIPcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEarly childhood education center that has partnered with Instituto Catalisador since 2013 for hands-on learning activities, including OctoStudio pilot program and Rodas de Invenções implementation.
• Diretoria Regional de Ensino Pirituba-Jaraguá (DRE PJ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional education office in São Paulo that has partnered with Instituto Catalisador since 2020, coordinating Trilha Tech activities across 60 schools in the Pirituba-Jaraguá region through POED (Professores Orientadores de Educação Digital).
• EkloosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed among institutional partners supporting educational initiatives.
• Juntos pelo CapãominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSocial organization that partnered with Instituto Catalisador in the second semester of 2021 for Rodas de Invenções teacher training and hands-on activities with children.
• IFRJ (Instituto Federal do Rio de Janeiro)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal educational institution where Professor Lucas Peres Guimarães applied the Rodas de Invenções methodology with future Biology teachers in their Licensure program.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ashoka Brasil: Brazilian arm of the global social-entrepreneurship network identifying and supporting education innovators. Comparable nonprofit structure, focus on systemic change in Brazilian education, and reliance on corporate/foundation funding.
• Instituto Ayrton Senna: Long-established Brazilian education nonprofit working to expand educational opportunities for public-school youth through curriculum innovation and educator support. Comparable mission, scale ambition across Brazilian public schools, and nonprofit/corporate-funder funding model.
• Rede Brasileira de Aprendizagem Criativa (RBAC): Brazilian Creative Learning network explicitly linked to MIT Media Lab's Lifelong Kindergarten framework; an actual partner of Instituto Catalisador in piloting OctoStudio. Operates the same maker/Creative Learning methodology ecosystem for Brazilian educators and children.
• Fundação Lemann: Leading Brazilian education nonprofit focused on improving public-school quality through partnerships with state and municipal education systems. Highly comparable in mission (underserved public-school learners), target audience (Brazilian K-12 educators and students), and funder base (corporate philanthropy, institutional partners).
• Code Club Brasil: Brazilian nonprofit providing free coding and maker clubs for children in public schools. Highly comparable target segment (underserved Brazilian K-12 students), pedagogical approach (hands-on digital creativity), and nonprofit funding model with corporate partners.

Others

• UNICEF Brasil: United Nations children's fund operating in Brazil as a strategic partner of Instituto Catalisador. Both share focus on Brazilian children's education and well-being; UNICEF functions here more as a funding/standards partner than direct service competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Instituto Natura: Brazilian corporate foundation of Natura focused on public education and youth development. Comparable target audience (Brazilian public-school students) and nonprofit funding structure, though at significantly larger scale and broader thematic scope.
• Fundação Itaú Social: Major Brazilian corporate foundation and direct institutional partner of Instituto Catalisador (collaborated on Caderno de Inspirações STEAM). Operates at much broader scale across education and social investment, making it both a funder/peer and a strategic dependency.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/institutocatalisador
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institutocatalisador

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Instituto Catalisador