At the beginning of December, the Social Opportunity Institute (IOS) celebrated the sixth edition of Criatech, an event whose mission is to connect young people with topics related to technology and social impact. Organized simultaneously at the TOTVS headquarters, in São Paulo (SP), and at the IOS units in Recife (PE) and Belo Horizonte (MG), Criatech 2025 brought together around 250 students, industry experts and representatives of partner companies, highlighting innovation and the prominent role of students in creating solutions for real-world challenges.
Throughout the day, young people presented fictional business projects that tackled everything from digital inclusion to environmental and security solutions. Participants were able to attend conferences followed by technical evaluations carried out by a jury made up of managers from partner companies of the institute.
“Criatech is an important step in the journey of every young person, a ‘test day’ during which commitment transforms into genius and talent. It is inspiring to see the courage and preparation of our students, ready to have fun, while showing their potential to the market”, underlines Vivian Broge, CEO of IOS. “This event reinforces the strength of our community – educators, volunteers and partners – who together have already made a difference in the lives of nearly 50,000 people. Today, we celebrate not only technology, but also the endless opportunities it generates for a closer, empathetic and better future,” he adds.
The support of strategic partners is fundamental to the success of Criatech and the mission of IOS. Recently, the institute was selected as one of 50 global beneficiaries of the Citi Foundation’s Global Innovation Challenge 2025. This support aims to promote innovative solutions to increase the employability of low-income young people, allowing the IOS to expand professional training in information and communication technologies, with new educational content in artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship and financial education, in addition to an online platform for national access and automation of the employability cycle.
Citi’s Social Investment Coordinator, Renata de Almeida, was present at Criatech, reinforcing this commitment and the importance of the initiative for the economic future of young people. “For the Citi Foundation, the partnership with an institution like IOS is fundamental and consistent with our mission to promote progress through the education and employability of young people. It was rewarding to participate in Criatech and see the quality and impact of the presentations, which reinforces the value of initiatives like this,” he emphasizes.
The diversity and relevance of the projects presented was one of the great highlights of Criatech 2025. Young people demonstrated how technology, including tools such as ERP TOTVS Backoffice — Protheus Line, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT), can be applied to create innovative solutions. From digital inclusion platforms for microentrepreneurs in vulnerable areas to security features using geolocation and AI, to sustainable product propositions that address environmental challenges such as conscious consumption and clean energy, each idea reflects a deep commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ESG practices.
“IOS was born from a fundamental vision of TOTVS: our success cannot be limited to business alone, but must have a broad social impact. This initiative is a critical part of creating an ecosystem that transforms society as a whole,” says Dennis Herszkowicz, CEO of TOTVS. “Criatech is the materialization of this vision, in which we see young talents, many of whom use our Protheus platform, developing solutions that meet market demands and address the critical challenges of our society. They are living proof that Brazil has extraordinary talents ready to lead the next wave of innovation and generate a more just future,” he emphasizes.
Criatech not only provided a platform to present projects, but also generated a networking environment in which students were able to interact directly with market professionals, thereby opening doors to future career opportunities. The institute is already planning the next edition of the event, reaffirming its commitment to continue promoting technological education and the development of young protagonists who will use innovation to build a fairer and more sustainable world.
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