Gauss

What Gauss does

Gauss (Associação Projeto Gauss) is a Brazilian nonprofit civil association founded in 2014 and headquartered in São Paulo, operating across at least five Brazilian states (Aracaju, São Paulo, Brasília, Curitiba, Salvador) plus a nationwide distance-learning arm. The organization's core function is providing full scholarships for preparatory courses (cursinhos) at a network of nine partner institutions — including Master Aracaju, Anglo, CPV, Intergraus, Pódion, Fleming, Curso Positivo, Curso Elite, and Bernouli — combined with multidisciplinary wraparound services: individual mentorship from experienced volunteers, professional psychological and pedagogical support, financial allowances for food, transportation and internet, and vocational orientation. The program targets young people aged 17-25 who completed high school in Brazilian public schools (Perfil 2), with a new Perfil 1 track being structured in 2026 for current public high school students. A specialized vertical, Gaussiana do Futuro, focuses on women pursuing STEM degrees. Students are selected through an online process and admitted at no cost; reported outcomes include 455+ beneficiaries since 2014, 260+ approved at excellence universities, and a sustained 78%+ approval rate, with over R$5 million cumulatively invested.

The organization's underlying technology is a modest online learning management system and digital platform supporting simulated exams and essay correction tools, paired with WhatsApp and social-media-driven community operations. There is no API, no proprietary AI component, and no public-facing software product beyond the selection portal and EAD channel. Revenue is entirely donation-driven, sourced from individual donors (credit card, PIX, PayPal, and from 2026 onward via FUMCAD income-tax designation up to 3%), corporate CSR partnerships, and international giving through Brazil Foundation. The volunteer base is projected to reach 200+ in 2026 and currently includes multidisciplinary professionals who deliver the mentorship and support services that constitute the program's primary differentiation against pure-financial scholarship models.

The business model is community-led growth: students are recruited via selective process, word-of-mouth referrals, public-school partnerships, and organic social channels (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, blog, WhatsApp), then matched to volunteer mentors and partner-school seats. Pricing is uniformly free to beneficiaries (Freemium from the student perspective; donations and CSR fund the cost side). The 38-employee organization is governance-led with no disclosed parent company, venture backing, or equity instrument, and operates as a registered Brazilian nonprofit civil association funded primarily through charitable contributions and tax-incentive programs.

Name

Gauss

Legal name

Associação Projeto Gauss

Website

https://projetogauss.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Brazilian nonprofit founded in 2014 providing free preparatory-course scholarships, mentorship, psychological support, and financial aid to low-income public-school students seeking admission to top Brazilian universities across multiple states and EAD.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Access Programs (Nonprofit)

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Academic Tutoring Services (Subject-Specific & General) (EDAJALAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Virtual Tutoring & Academic Intervention (K–12) (EDAJADAH)

Keywords

• Education access programs
• Scholarship programs
• University preparation
• Student mentorship
• Nonprofit education

Headquarters

HQ city

Aracaju

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Gauss receives donations from individuals via credit card, PIX, PayPal, and international payment platforms. Donors can give one-time or recurring contributions.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Companies partner with Gauss for joint social actions and corporate social responsibility initiatives, providing financial support in exchange for association with the program's impact.
3. Tax-Deductible Donations (Imposto de Renda): Individuals can direct up to 3% of their income tax to Gauss through FUMCAD (Fundo para a Criança e do Adolescente) starting in 2026, and direct tax deduction programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Gauss is a Brazilian nonprofit that funds one year of study at partner preparatory schools (cursinhos) for selected public-school students, wrapped with individualized mentorship, psychological and pedagogical support, financial allowances (food, transport, internet/computer), and a distance-learning option. It runs three program lines: Perfil 1 (high-school students), Perfil 2 (post-high-school youth aged 17–25), and Gaussiana do Futuro (women pursuing STEM).

Product overview

Gauss (Projeto Gauss) is a Brazilian non-profit educational organization (ONG) operating two main social programs: Perfil 1 and Perfil 2. The organization provides full scholarships for preparatory courses at partner institutions (including Master Aracaju, Anglo, CPV, Intergraus, Pódion, Fleming, Curso Positivo, Bernouli), combined with mentorship, psychological support, pedagogical assistance, and vocational guidance. The Gaussiana do Futuro program specifically supports women pursuing STEM fields. Gauss connects students with volunteer mentors and financial assistance for transportation, meals, internet, and computers for EAD programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Programa Gaussiana do Futuro: A program focused on women who wish to pursue degrees in STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), offering personalized mentorship, formation meetings, and career orientation.
• Perfil 1
• Perfil 2

Products and services

• Perfil 1 Program Scholarship and support program for young people currently enrolled in public high schools, providing after-school preparation for entry into excellence universities, including supplementary courses in mathematics, writing, English, and Kumon.
• Perfil 2 Program Full scholarship program for young people aged 17-25 who completed high school in public schools and aspire to enter higher education. Funds one year of study at partner preparatory courses plus mentorship, psychological support, financial allowances, and vocational guidance.
• Scholarship Program (Bolsa de Estudos) Full scholarships for study at partner prep courses including Master Aracaju, Anglo/SP, CPV, Intergraus, Pódion, Fleming/DF, Curso Positivo/PR, Bernouli/Salvador, and Anglo EAD.
• Gaussiana do Futuro Program Program for women who wish to pursue STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), offering personalized mentorship, formation meetings, and career orientation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 78%+ university approval rate at excellence institutions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Master AracajucoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreparatory school (cursinho pré-vestibular) partner in Aracaju, Sergipe that provides full scholarship seats for Gauss students. Students attend preparation courses for university entrance exams at this institution.
• Anglo (São Paulo)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEstablished preparatory school network in São Paulo offering scholarship seats for Gauss students. Also provides EAD (distance learning) options for students nationwide.
• Cursinho CPV (São Paulo)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreparatory school partner in São Paulo providing scholarship seats for Gauss students in presential preparatory courses.
• Intergraus (São Paulo)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreparatory school partner in São Paulo offering scholarship seats for Gauss students.
• Pódion (Distrito Federal)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreparatory school partner in Distrito Federal providing scholarship seats for Gauss students.
• Fleming (Distrito Federal)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreparatory school partner in Distrito Federal offering scholarship seats for Gauss students.
• Curso Positivo (Paraná)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreparatory school partner in Paraná providing scholarship seats for Gauss students.
• Curso Elite (Paraná)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreparatory school partner in Paraná offering scholarship seats for Gauss students.
• Bernouli (Salvador)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreparatory school partner in Salvador, Bahia providing scholarship seats for Gauss students at their Pituba unit.
• KumonsupportingOthersMathematics supplementary education program offered to Perfil 1 students as part of their comprehensive support package.
• KairóssupportingOthersLanguage and contextual writing course offered to students in the 8th year of elementary school as part of early preparation program.
• CellepsupportingOthersEnglish language school offering 3-year intensive English course to students throughout their high school years as part of Gauss support.
• Brazil FoundationsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational donation platform allowing foreign donors to contribute to Gauss through Brazil Foundation's giving portal.
• MagikksupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBrazilian crowdfunding platform (campaign.doare.org) used for collecting donations from individual supporters.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Teach For Brazil (Ensina Brasil): Brazilian nonprofit that places talented graduates as teachers in vulnerable public schools to drive systemic education change. Comparable in mission around public-school youth outcomes, though mechanism is teacher-placement vs. scholarship.

Direct peers

• Instituto Unibanco: Brazilian nonprofit focused on improving public high school education and supporting youth transitions to higher education. Comparable to Gauss in targeting public-school students for university access and operating in multiple Brazilian states.
• Posse Foundation: US-based nonprofit that identifies public high school leaders and supports them through college with scholarships, mentorship, and career programming. Strong functional analog to Gauss's scholarship-plus-mentorship model for underrepresented students.
• QuestBridge: US-based nonprofit that connects high-achieving low-income students with admissions and full scholarships at top universities. Closely comparable in mission and beneficiary profile (low-income students → elite higher education).
• Instituto Inspirare: Brazilian nonprofit focused on education innovation and supporting high-impact education initiatives including scholarships and college access. Directly comparable as a Brazilian education nonprofit pursuing similar beneficiary profiles.
• African Leadership Academy: Pan-African nonprofit focused on identifying and developing young African leaders with pathways to top global universities. Comparable structure as a scholarship/leadership pipeline for high-achieving students from underserved backgrounds.
• Fundação Estudar: Brazilian nonprofit that identifies and funds high-potential young people for top global universities and leadership programs. Highly comparable to Gauss in mission (low-income Brazilian youth → elite universities) and scholarship-plus-mentorship model.

Others

• British Council (Notable Brazilians/Study UK alumni programs): Large international education organization running scholarship and access programs globally. Conceptually comparable as a scholarship-funding intermediary for international study, though at vastly different scale.
• Anglo Vestibulares (Anglo): Major Brazilian commercial preparatory course (cursinho) network providing university entrance exam prep. Also a direct channel partner of Gauss, comparable in subject domain (vestibular prep) but serves paying students while Gauss subsidizes low-income beneficiaries.

Broad incumbents

• Lemann Foundation (Fundação Lemann): One of Brazil's largest education-focused foundations, supporting public-school transformation, teacher training, and scholarship management. Comparable to Gauss in mission area but at much larger scale and broader scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCD1auG7oPrcEOV6IjUq4j7A
• Facebookfacebook.com/projetogauss
• Instagraminstagram.com/projetogauss
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/projeto-gauss

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Gauss