Thiago Amorim

Brazilian social entrepreneur who transformed favela education through digital innovation

Rising from the Favelas

Thiago Amorim (1985) grew up in Rio de Janeiro's Complexo do Alemão favela, where he witnessed the educational disparities firsthand. After winning a scholarship to study computer science in Germany, he returned to Brazil determined to bridge the digital divide.

EduTech Revolution

In 2003, Amorim co-founded Escola.net, a nonprofit providing free tech education via repurposed smartphones. His Mobile Learning Lab concept uses discarded devices to create portable classrooms, reaching 200,000+ students in 15 countries. The program's digital literacy curriculum has been adopted by UNESCO.

Community Empowerment

Amorim pioneered the Code for Change initiative, teaching favela youth to develop apps addressing local issues like waste management and healthcare. Over 70% of program graduates now work in tech fields. His work has reduced school dropout rates in partner communities by 45%.

Global Impact

Recipient of the 2020 Tech for Good Award, Amorim's model inspired similar programs in Kenya and Haiti. His TED Talk 'Rebooting Education with Old Phones' has over 3 million views. The Brazilian government now funds 150 mobile learning centers based on his model.