A A&EIGHT, an end-to-end digital solutions ecosystem, announced educational support for young people assisted by the NGO A Liga Digital. The focus will be teaching young people from communities and favelas how to use the e-commerce platform VTEX. The partnership aims to bridge the gap in access to technology, empowering talents with limited resources to work in the growing digital market and, consequently, generating opportunities for inclusion and professional development.
A Liga Digital has already trained over 8,000 young people across Brazil in areas such as artificial intelligence, digital marketing, e-commerce, and programming. The nonprofit organization offers free courses aimed at public school students living in socially vulnerable communities, combining technical training with career guidance.
“I come from humble origins and studied my entire life in public schools. However, I managed to change my life by venturing into the digital world and, alongside partners with a background similar to mine, we founded A&EIGHT, now one of VTEX’s main global partners,” states Renato Avelar, partner and co-CEO of A&EIGHT. The company is also led by Vinícius Sanches and Hugo Alvarenga. The executive emphasizes that deeply understanding the transformative potential of education is why he began supporting A Liga Digital with mentorships, “we want to boost trajectories and create real opportunities for young people from the outskirts,” he concludes.
Partners of A&EIGHT and students from the NGO A Liga Digital at Vtex Day
Students from the NGO A Liga Digital at Vtex Day with teachers and volunteers
Entrepreneurial vision
Currently in Brazil, about 10.1% of young people aged 18 to 24 are unemployed, according to data from IBGE’s Continuous PNAD, released in April 2025. This number is more than double that of the group aged 30 to 59, indicating the need for professional qualification among young people. Therefore, in addition to preparing students for the job market, Liga Digital encourages entrepreneurship. “Students impacted by A Liga Digital learn hands-on how to create online stores, develop sales strategies, connect their businesses to marketplaces, and use the most innovative artificial intelligence platforms. Practical knowledge in these new technologies creates real opportunities for life changes, employment, and income,” highlights Helenice Moura, co-founder of the NGO.
The institution also has a team of mentors composed of HR professionals, educators, and psychologists, who guide young people in their professional journeys, from seeking their first internship to developing their careers.
