Instituto Somos

What Instituto Somos does

Instituto Somos is a Brazilian non-profit educational institute headquartered in São Paulo and operating under the umbrella of Cogna Educação, one of Brazil's largest education companies. The organization runs two flagship programs: Prêmio Educador Nota 10, a national educator recognition award with over 27 years of history that identifies, awards, and showcases outstanding public school teachers across Brazil, and Somos Futuro, a scholarship and development program for low-income youth designed to expand access to higher education and professional opportunities. Together these programs serve public school teachers, school managers, students from underserved communities, and the broader Brazilian education ecosystem.

The institute operates with a lean staff of approximately 5 employees supplemented by a network of 350+ volunteers, reflecting a typical non-profit operating model that leverages volunteer labor for program execution, outreach, and scholar support. Its business model relies on institutional funding and donations, primarily channeled through Cogna Educação, with brand visibility and awareness supported by media partnerships such as the recent Eletromidia collaboration for digital out-of-home advertising. The organization has no proprietary technology platform or AI-driven products; its value is delivered through program design, award administration, scholar selection, and stakeholder convening.

Instituto Somos has expanded its footprint by adding new award categories and forming strategic media and international partnerships. The 28th edition of Prêmio Educador Nota 10 introduced a school manager recognition track, broadening the beneficiary base beyond classroom teachers, while ongoing affiliation with the Varkey Foundation and its Global Teacher Prize initiative connects Brazilian educators to international recognition networks. The combination of a multi-decade brand asset, a stable volunteer infrastructure, and incremental programmatic expansion supports a moderate-growth profile in the Brazilian education non-profit segment.

Name

Instituto Somos

Legal name

Instituto Somos

Website

https://institutosomos.org.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Instituto Somos is a Brazilian non-profit educational institute operating under Cogna Educação that runs the Prêmio Educador Nota 10 educator award and the Somos Futuro youth scholarship program, serving public school teachers, school managers, and low-income students nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-profit Educational Programs

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAKAK

Education Grantmaking Foundations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

SECONDARYEDAMAKAF

Scholarship, Financial Aid & FAFSA Support

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/College & Career Enrichment (Mentorship, Internships, Portfolio)

Keywords

• Nonprofit education programs
• Scholarship program management
• Educator recognition awards
• Public school support
• Free educational content

Headquarters

HQ city

São Paulo

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Institutional Funding: As a non-profit institute affiliated with Cogna Educação, Instituto Somos operates primarily through donations, institutional backing from its parent company, and partnerships with corporate and civil society organizations. Revenue is not derived from commercial product sales but from philanthropic contributions and strategic alliances.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Instituto Somos is a Brazilian non-profit organization that runs the Prêmio Educador Nota 10 (the largest Basic Education award in Brazil recognizing innovative educators and school leaders) and the Somos Futuro scholarship program providing full high school scholarships at partner private schools for low-income public school students. The institute also disseminates free online educational content, e-books, and courses for public school teachers and students, and donates educational materials to social organizations across Brazil.

Product overview

Instituto Somos operates as an educational nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of programs focused on improving public education in Brazil. Its core offerings include the Prêmio Educador Nota 10 (Educator Nota 10 Award), a prestigious national recognition program for educators, and the Somos Futuro scholarship program that provides acceleration and support for youth from public schools. The organization also distributes free educational content covering literacy, democratization of access, and technology & innovation. The products work together to advance the organization's mission of democratizing access to education, reading, and future skills for youth in social vulnerability across Brazil.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Prêmio Educador Nota 10: The largest and most important award for Basic Education in Brazil, recognizing teachers, coordinators, and school managers who transform lives through education.
• Somos Futuro

Products and services

• Prêmio Educador Nota 10 The largest and most important award for Basic Education in Brazil, recognizing and valuing teachers, coordinators, and school managers who transform lives through education from Early Childhood Education to High School in public and private schools across the country. The 27th edition (2025) received over 4,000 innovative practice entries. Free to participate; winners receive national recognition and media coverage through Band TV network.
• Somos Futuro Scholarship Program A scholarship program that accelerates youth from public schools by providing high school scholarships at partner private schools, along with educational materials, mentorship, academic reinforcement, and psychological support. Currently serving 80+ young people and their families. Free to beneficiaries; applications processed through somosfuturo.com.br.
• Free Online Educational Courses

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,000+ innovative practice entries received in 27th edition of Prêmio Educador Nota 10
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and major.

• SOMOS EducaçãocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company and primary strategic partner. SOMOS Educação is a major educational publisher and solutions provider in Brazil. The Instituto Somos operates under the Cogna Educação umbrella (parent of SOMOS Educação) and benefits from strategic alignment with SOMOS Educação schools as partners in the Somos Futuro scholarship program. Includes provision of educational materials and access to partner school network.
• Global Teacher Prize / Varkey FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrestigious international recognition program for educators. The Varkey Foundation's Global Teacher Prize partnership validates the credibility of Prêmio Educador Nota 10 and connects Brazilian educators to a global network of exceptional teachers.
• BandflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor Brazilian TV network and media partner for Prêmio Educador Nota 10 award coverage. Provides national media visibility for award winners and educational content dissemination.
• Instituto BandeirantesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting educational initiatives. Contributed to the 27th edition of Prêmio Educador Nota 10 as part of the network of partners backing the award.
• Pinacoteca de São PaulomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSão Paulo's state art museum and cultural partner. Participated as partner in the 27th edition of Prêmio Educador Nota 10, supporting cultural education initiatives.
• SingularidadesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher education institution and partner in Prêmio Educador Nota 10 27th edition, contributing to educator recognition and professional development programs.
• Ensina BrasilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation-focused organization and partner in the 27th edition of Prêmio Educador Nota 10, contributing to teacher development and recognition initiatives.
• Nova EscolamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation media platform and partner in Prêmio Educador Nota 10, providing pedagogical content and teacher support resources.
• Instituto Rodrigo MendesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation-focused NGO and partner in the 27th edition, contributing to inclusive education initiatives and teacher recognition.
• BDO BrasilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional services firm (audit and advisory) and partner in Prêmio Educador Nota 10 27th edition, providing financial/administrative expertise and credibility.
• EletromidiacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDigital out-of-home media company and new communication partner. Displays Instituto Somos content in commercial and residential elevators, streets, transportation, and gyms through screens in locations people frequently visit, with INSTITUTOSOMOS coupon code offering 25% off first campaign.
• StoodimajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOnline preparatory course (cursinho online) and partner providing educational content and support for students. Logo displayed on partner page of Instituto Somos website.
• Anhanguera EducacionalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher education institution and partner supporting educational initiatives. Logo displayed on partner page, contributing to education access and opportunity programs.
• PitágorasmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution network (schools, colleges, foundation) and partner supporting Instituto Somos initiatives and education access programs.
• Livro FácilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBook accessibility/distribution organization and partner facilitating access to books and educational materials for beneficiaries.
• Social Organizations (Cursinhos e Projetos Sociais)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple civil society organizations including Instituto Verdescola, Projeto Gauss, EducaAfro, Instituto Sol, Projeto Resgate, Cursinho da EACH-USP, and Mafalda. These organizations receive donated educational materials from Instituto Somos and transform lives through education across Brazil.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Instituto Unibanco: Brazilian education foundation that develops and disseminates educational solutions for public high schools across Brazil. Directly comparable as a nonprofit education foundation focused on secondary education quality and youth opportunities in public schools.
• Instituto Ayrton Senna: Brazilian nonprofit organization focused on youth education and development, partnering with public schools to implement educational programs. Comparable as a Brazilian education nonprofit supporting underserved youth through school partnerships and educational content dissemination.
• Fundação Roberto Marinho: Brazilian foundation with strong media and education portfolio, producing educational content, documentaries, and youth-focused programs. Directly comparable as a Brazilian nonprofit running education programs and content distribution targeting youth and educators.
• Varkey Foundation: Global education foundation best known for the Global Teacher Prize, focused on elevating the teaching profession and supporting teachers worldwide. Directly comparable as an existing partner of Instituto Somos, with parallel mission of educator recognition and prestige (analogous to Prêmio Educador Nota 10).
• Fundação Lemann: One of Brazil's largest private education foundations, focused on improving public education quality and supporting high-potential youth from low-income backgrounds. Directly comparable as a Brazilian nonprofit foundation running scholarship and education improvement programs targeting similar beneficiary segments.

Broad incumbents

• Fundação Bradesco: Major Brazilian foundation operating its own network of schools and education programs across Brazil with significant infrastructure. Comparable as a large established education foundation serving low-income youth, but with substantially larger scale and own-school delivery model.
• Fundação Itaú Social: Major Brazilian corporate foundation with broad social investment portfolio including education, health, and income generation programs. Comparable as a large established foundation with significant education programs serving youth in social vulnerability, though with a broader mandate than Instituto Somos.

Emerging players

• Nova Escola: Brazilian education media platform providing pedagogical content, lesson plans, and management resources for public school teachers and managers. Comparable as an existing partner with overlapping educator audience and complementary content distribution capabilities, though focused on media rather than direct program delivery.
• Ensina Brasil: Brazilian nonprofit organization focused on identifying, training, and supporting talented young professionals to teach in public schools. Comparable as an existing partner organization with parallel mission of teacher development and public education improvement in Brazil.
• Porvir: Brazilian reference platform for education innovation, publishing content on future skills, innovative pedagogies, and EdTech trends for educators and school managers. Comparable as a Brazilian education content and innovation platform serving similar educator and school leadership audiences.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institutosomos
• Instagraminstagram.com/somosinstituto
• TikToktiktok.com/@institutosomos

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Somos