The company hopes the investments will bolster its presence in Latin America as a serious “go-to” investor for ed-tech entrepreneurs.

Speaking with The PIE News, Managing Director of Macmillan Digital Education Matthias Ick said there were untapped opportunities in ed-tech in emerging markets. “Brazil is very attractive because of the emerging middle class, they’re very tech savvy and they get an immediate return on their investment because of the economy,” he said.

The company hopes the investments will bolster its presence in Latin America as a serious “go-to” investor for ed-tech entrepreneurs

Both start-ups target online vocational training for adults in Brazil. Responsible for bringing Massive Open Online Courses to Brazil, Veduca offers content subtitled in Portuguese from top universities including MIT, Harvard, Yale and Princeton. Once students register they can leave comments, rate lectures and create a favourites playlist.

Easyaula is an online marketplace platform that organises informal learning by connecting teachers and students directly. Students choose a subject and then connect with successful people in the field.

“Both companies have great potential and are in the early stages of development so their capital requirements aren’t huge,” said Ick. “But both now have funding to go further and boost their users.”

Part of Macmillan’s Science & Education division, Digital Education was launched in January last year as a capital investor and incubator for technology and service-driven corporate ventures. It aims to invest in products that serve parents of pupils or adult learners. In a little over a year its portfolio has come to include investments in Tutoria, Maths Doctor and Hey Tutor.

Macmillan has had a presence in Brazil since 1994, where the government is trying to train young people in English and other skills in line with rapid economic growth.