On August 26, the first day of Startup Summit, Replit announced a partnership with the Catarinense Technology Association, known as ACATE, to expand artificial intelligence adoption among member companies in Santa Catarina, Brazil. The initiative is part of the newly launched ACATE AI First program, which was introduced during the event to accelerate the use of AI across the regional technology sector. Around 2,000 associated companies are expected to receive initial access to platforms, training, and certification resources.
Training, Certification and Vibe Coding
The collaboration focuses on enabling entrepreneurs to develop software through natural language, a practice often called vibe coding. Participants will gain access to Replit benefits, specialized courses, and what is described as the first official Replit certification in Brazil. The certification process is designed to ensure that corporate AI use follows appropriate data security and governance standards.
Initial Reach and Regional Ecosystem
According to ACATE Vice President of Ecosystem Tulio de Amorim Pfuetzenreiter, the program was created to serve 2,000 associated companies while encouraging thousands more across the state to participate. Marcelo Echeverria, Country Manager for Replit in Brazil, said online training and certification will be available to all members, while in-person events will have more limited participation. The first selected activities are scheduled to begin in September through a continuous agenda of capacity building and innovation.
Security and Trust as Differentiators
Security concerns were central to ACATE's decision to select Replit as a partner. Walmoli Gerber Jr., vice president of marketing at ACATE, said the association acts as a curator of reliable partners and identified Replit's product quality and security as key differentiators. Executives noted that many people are using AI to build applications without authentication layers, which can expose sensitive data to outside access.
Practical Certification and Validation
Participants seeking certification must demonstrate that they can effectively build applications and place them safely into production. Replit will help verify whether each application was developed correctly and meets governance standards. This practical validation connects online training to real outcomes and supports safer AI adoption, reinforcing the program's focus on governance rather than simply providing access to tools.
OpenAI Collaboration Boosts Accessibility
Replit's partnership comes shortly after the company announced a global initiative with OpenAI to improve access to its platform. The Free Mode offering costs twenty dollars per month and removes individual token consumption charges for unlimited creations. According to Marcelo Echeverria, this approach democratizes access, allowing small entrepreneurs, startups, and large corporations to build applications more easily.
Five-Year Ambitions and Broader Impact
ACATE's long-term goal is to impact 10,000 companies in Santa Catarina over the next five years, supporting a shift from traditional software-as-a-service models to AI-first business strategies. The program is not restricted to technology companies, as nontechnical users can also create websites or ordering systems for their businesses. ACATE will provide access to initiatives while Replit handles certification and verification of practical application development.
The ACATE AI First program is intended to be permanent, with monthly actions and no fixed duration for participating companies. By combining Replit's accessible development environment, official certification, and a strong governance focus, the partnership supports safer and faster adoption of artificial intelligence. Ultimately, the collaboration aims to help thousands of companies in Santa Catarina develop applications in a secure manner and accelerate their digital transformation.