What CDI does

CDI, operating under the brand Recode (previously Centro para Democratização da Informática), is a Brazilian nonprofit civil association founded in 1995 with a mission of digital inclusion and technology education for underserved populations. The organization delivers a portfolio of free training programs covering programming (Java, Python, JavaScript), data science, full-stack development, prompt engineering, generative AI (including Microsoft Copilot), and AI fundamentals (ML/DL/NLP, ethics, bias), through an online course platform (trilhas.recode.org.br) supplemented by 9,000 Centros de Empoderamento Digital (CEDs) embedded in communities across 26 Brazilian states plus the Federal District and 20+ countries. Its methodology combines active learning, mentorship, socio-emotional development, and free certification, with multiplier-based designs such as ImpactAI Escolas training teacher multipliers and student TechChange Makers in public schools.

The core technology stack is an online course delivery platform offering synchronous live classes, on-demand content, and certification. The advanced tier, Recode Pro, provides three modular tracks (Starter 180h, Essentials 380h, Advanced 540h) covering full-stack development with emphasis on AI integration, microservices orchestration, API integrations, and Vibe Coding practices. Recode does not build proprietary AI models; instead, it integrates third-party AI capabilities, notably Microsoft Copilot and Bing Chat, into its AI literacy curriculum and applies AI across content generation, marketing automation, and prompt engineering training. AI is positioned as a core learning and curriculum theme rather than as a developed or commercialized product from the organization itself.

Recode's business model is non-commercial: all programs are offered free to participants, and the organization is funded through corporate sponsorships (Microsoft, Meta, Petrobras, Accenture, Prudential, Engie, Santander, BTG Pactual, among others), foundation and institutional grants (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, BNDES, Skoll Foundation, UNESCO, Brazil Foundation), and multilateral partnerships (UNICEF, World Bank, World Economic Forum). Go-to-market is community-led, relying on partner referrals, social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, X), and the CED network for participant recruitment, while corporate partner engagement supports employee upskilling and CSR programs. Recode has impacted 1.9 million people and maintains a multi-decade track record recognized through awards including Top 100 NGO (Global Journal, 2012-2013), World Technology Award, Ashoka Fellowship, and YPO Global Impact awards.

Name

CDI

Legal name

Recode

Website

https://cdiglobal.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Recode (formerly CDI) is a Brazilian nonprofit founded in 1995 that delivers free AI, programming, and digital skills training to underserved youth, public school students, and corporate workforces through an online platform and 9,000 community centers across Brazil and 20+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Technology Education and Digital Inclusion

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Computer Training (61142), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

AI & Emerging Technology Literacy (EDAAAIAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

AI-Powered Tutoring & Study Assistant Platforms (EDANAGAD), Workshops, Webinars & Live Masterclasses (MPACALAD)

Keywords

• Technology education
• AI training programs
• Digital inclusion
• Nonprofit education services
• Full-stack developer training

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Recode operates as a non-profit receiving financial and operational support from corporate partners including Microsoft, Meta, Petrobras, Accenture, and others. Partners fund training programs and receive employee engagement opportunities and talent pipeline access.
2. Foundation and Institutional Grants: Funding from foundations including Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Skoll Foundation, UNESCO, BNDES, and others supporting social impact technology education initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Recode is a Brazilian nonprofit that delivers free technology and AI education programs to underserved communities through a network of 9,000 Digital Empowerment Centers (CEDs). Its portfolio includes full-stack developer training (Transforma Futuros, Recode Pro), AI literacy courses (Trilha FluêncIA, Dar Vida à IA), prompt engineering (Escola de Prompts), digital marketing with AI, social impact project management (GPAI), and school-based digital inclusion programs (ImpactAI Escolas, ImpactAI PRO), all featuring free certification upon completion.

Product overview

Recode is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of technology education programs focused on AI, digital inclusion, and software development. The portfolio includes Transforma Futuros (entry-level technical training), GPAI (social impact project management), Escola de Prompts (prompt engineering), and specialized AI courses like Trilha FluêncIA and Dar Vida à IA. Recode Pro provides advanced full-stack developer training with three tiers (Starter, Essentials, Advanced). ImpactAI Escolas and ImpactAI PRO target digital inclusion in schools and communities respectively. The organization operates through a network of 9,000 Centros de Empoderamento Digital (CEDs) across Brazil and 20+ countries. Programs use active methodology, mentoring, and free certification.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Transforma Futuros: Technical and socio-emotional training program for young people covering programming, data, and AI applied to impact projects. Includes 300 hours of online live classes with languages Java, Python, JavaScript, SQL, NoSQL, web development, frameworks, and agile methodologies.
• Recode Pro
• ImpactAI Escolas
• ImpactAI PRO
• GPAI
• Escola de Prompts
• Dar Vida à IA
• Marketing Inteligente com IA
• Trilha FluêncIA
• Centros de Empoderamento Digital (CEDs)

Products and services

• Transforma Futuros 300-hour technical and socio-emotional training program for young people covering programming (Java, Python, JavaScript), data (SQL/NoSQL), web development, frameworks, agile methodologies, and AI fundamentals, delivered via live online synchronous classes with free certification. For underserved youth seeking technology careers, with career pathways to Junior Web Developer and Junior Data Analyst roles.
• Recode Pro Advanced technology training program for developing high-performance Full-Stack developers. Covers the entire spectrum of software development from computational logic to microservices orchestration and API integration, with emphasis on AI as a core component. Includes Vibe Coding practices for building intelligent software solutions. Offered in three tiers: Starter (180 hours), Essentials (380 hours), and Advanced (540 hours).
• GPAI (Gestão de Projetos e Aplicativos de Impacto) 20-hour online course on project management and impact applications teaching students to plan, prototype, and present social-focused solutions. Covers project scoping, MVP development, Canvas Recode methodology, social transformation diagnostics, and SDG alignment. Career pathways include Social Project Manager, Impact Analyst, Social Innovation Consultant, and Social Entrepreneur.
• Escola de Prompts 20-hour online prompt engineering course teaching clear, logical, and creative prompting techniques to maximize AI output. Covers logic, decomposition, Portuguese/English writing, and real-world cases. For professionals in marketing, content, chatbots, data/BI, product, education, R&D, and consulting.
• Dar Vida (Inteligente) à IA 20-hour AI fundamentals course covering ML/DL/NLP concepts with ethics, privacy, and bias awareness, plus social applications. Prepares students for AI/ML development, data science, AI consulting, business analysis, research, and AI entrepreneurship careers.
• Marketing Inteligente com IA 20-hour digital marketing course combining inbound strategy, SEO, and AI for content creation and social media management. Covers fundamentals, customer journey, automation, and metrics for marketing analytics. Career pathways include Marketing Analyst, Social Media, SEO/SEM Specialist, Content Strategist, and AI Marketing Consultant.
• Trilha FluêncIA Introductory AI literacy program with 6 online modules covering AI concepts, generative AI, searches, prompts, and productivity with Bing Chat and Microsoft Copilot. Entry-level course designed for general audiences seeking AI literacy.
• ImpactAI Escolas Digital inclusion program bringing AI literacy to Brazilian public elementary and high schools. Structured in three phases: educator training (training teacher multipliers), student formation (developing TechChange Makers), and Future AI Lab. Connects school community through practical innovation with emphasis on ethical technology use.
• ImpactAI PRO Advanced digital inclusion program focused on employability in AI. Includes practical challenges, individual and collective activities, socio-emotional development, collective mentoring, projects, and employability initiatives for participants transitioning into the AI workforce.
• Centros de Empoderamento Digital (CEDs) Network of 9,000 community-based digital empowerment centers providing technology access and training across 26 Brazilian states plus the Federal District and 20+ countries. CEDs serve as physical learning locations and program recruitment points in underserved communities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.9 million people impacted by programs
• +4 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• MicrosoftflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMicrosoft is a key partner supporting Recode's technology education programs. The partnership includes Microsoft Learn integration, Copilot training (Trilha FluêncIA program), and recognition through the Microsoft Digital Inclusion Award. Microsoft provides platform access and technology curriculum alignment.
• MetacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMeta supports Recode's digital empowerment initiatives, providing platform access and resources for technology education programs targeting underserved communities.
• AccenturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional services firm supporting Recode's programs through employee engagement, curriculum development input, and funding for technology education in underserved communities.
• UNESCOflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization recognizing Recode's work with Quality Certificate for Innovative Experiences and supporting global education initiatives.
• UnicefcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Nations Children's Fund partnership supporting Recode's digital empowerment programs for youth and children in Brazil.
• LenovocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology hardware company providing equipment support for Recode's Digital Empowerment Centers and technology education programs.
• GlobocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrazil's largest media company supporting Recode's mission through visibility, content partnerships, and social impact initiatives.
• Estação HackcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation hub partnership providing physical space and technology resources for Recode's training programs.
• AshokaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal organization supporting social entrepreneurs recognizing Recode's founder Rodrigo Baggio with an Ashoka Fellowship for his social innovation work.
• World Economic ForumflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal forum recognizing Recode as a Highly Rated Project, providing international visibility and networking opportunities for the organization's social impact work.
• BRQminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology services company supporting Recode through potential talent pipeline programs and technology mentorship.
• Michael PageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecruitment firm supporting Recode through talent placement assistance for program graduates entering the technology workforce.
• LinxminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology company supporting Recode's commerce and retail technology training programs.
• Instituto AlokminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial institute supporting Recode's programs with focus on social impact and community empowerment.
• ReUrbiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrban revitalization initiative supporting Recode's community-based digital empowerment programs.
• Instituto BATminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial institute supporting Recode's technology education and digital inclusion programs.
• PMI (Project Management Institute)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject management professional association supporting Recode's project management training within GPAI programs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Trybe: Brazilian online coding bootcamp with full-stack curriculum and corporate training arm. Comparable to Recode on Brazilian tech-education market and full-stack developer training.
• Laboratoria: Latin American nonprofit running bootcamps for underserved women to enter tech careers. Closely comparable to Recode in mission (digital inclusion via tech training), geography (Latin America), and free-to-learner model.
• Rocketseat: Brazilian EdTech platform offering online programming and AI courses. Closely comparable to Recode on geography and target learner, with overlapping curriculum in full-stack development.
• Alura: Brazilian online technology education platform with courses in programming, data, and AI. Comparable to Recode in Brazilian EdTech market overlap, though operates a paid subscription model.
• Resilia: Brazilian EdTech focused on training people from underserved backgrounds for tech careers, with both B2C and B2B/corporate training lines. Closely comparable in mission, target learner, and B2B upskilling GTM.
• Per Scholas: US nonprofit providing tuition-free technology training and career pathways to individuals from underrepresented communities. Comparable in free tuition model, underserved-youth focus, and corporate-funder revenue mix.
• Generation: Global nonprofit providing free, accelerated tech and AI training to underserved youth with employer placement focus. Comparable to Recode in target audience, free model, and employer-linkage GTM.
• Digital Promise: US-based nonprofit working on equitable access to technology and learning. Comparable as a peer nonprofit operating in digital inclusion and EdTech.
• Code.org: Nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to computer science and AI education, especially in K-12 schools. Comparable to Recode in mission to broaden tech access and emphasis on public-school channels.

Broad incumbents

• Coursera: Global online learning platform offering thousands of courses including AI/ML, programming, and digital skills. Comparable as a broader incumbent in online tech and AI education where Recode competes for learner attention and corporate L&D budgets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/rederecode
• YouTubeyoutube.com/recoderede
• Facebookfacebook.com/rederecode
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cdi_4
• Instagraminstagram.com/rederecode

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 CDI