0001740594ifrs-full:OperatingSegmentsMemberifrs-full:ReportableSegmentsMember2019-12-31

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

(Mark One)

REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31 2018, 2021

OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934

For the transition period fromto.

OR

SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of event requiring this shell company report

Commission file number: 001-38673

Arco Platform Limited

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Not applicable 

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

Cayman Islands

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

Rua Augusta 2840, 9th floor, suite 91

Consolação, São Paulo – SP 

01.305-000, 01412-100, Brazil

+55 (11) 3047-2699

(Address of principal executive offices)


David Peixoto dos Santos,Roberto Otero, Chief Financial Officer 

Tel: +55 (11) 3047-2699 

Rua Augusta 2840, 9th floor, suite 91

Consolação, São Paulo – SP 

01.305-000, 01412-100, Brazil

+55 (11)3047-2699

(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)

Copies to:

Manuel Garciadiaz

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

450 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY10017

Phone: (212) (212) 450-4000

Fax: (212) 450-6858

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Class A common shares, par value US$0.00005 per share

ARCE

The NASDAQ Global Select Market

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

None

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

 

None

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.

Table of Contents

The number of outstanding shares as of December 31, 20182021, was 22,602,73729,450,551 Class A common shares and 27,658,29027,400,848 Class B common shares.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes                No

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes                No

Note – Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes                No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes                No

Yes               No(not required)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,filer”, "accelerated filer,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large Accelerated Filer

Accelerated Filer 

Non-accelerated Filer

Emerging growth company

Large Accelerated Filer                Accelerated Filer                Non-accelerated Filer                Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report:

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this annual report:

filing:

U.S. GAAP

International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board

Other

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.

Item 17                Item 18

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes                No

APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.

Yes                No

Arco platform limitedARCO PLATFORM LIMITED

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

 

Page

Presentation of Financial and otherOther Information

1

Forward-Looking Statements

5

7

PART I

ITEM 1.  IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERSPART I

7

Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers

9

A.

Directors and Senior Management

9

B.

Advisers

9

C.

Auditors

9

Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

9

A.

Offer Statistics

9

B.

Method and Expected Timetable

9

Item 3. Key Information

9

A.

[Removed and Reserved]

9

B.

Capitalization and Indebtedness

9

C.

Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

9

D.

Risk Factors

9

Item 4. Information on the Company

37

A.

History and Development of the Company

37

B.

Business Overview

44

C.

Organizational Structure

66

D.

Property, Plant and Equipment

68

Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments

68

Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

68

A.

Operating Results

69

B.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

88

C.

Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, Etc.

91

D.

Trend Information

91

E.

Critical Accounting Estimates

91

F.

Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

91

Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees

91

A.

Directors and senior management

7

91

B.   Advisers

7Compensation

95

C.   Auditors

7Board Practices

97

ITEM 2.  OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLED.

7Employees

99

A.   Offer statisticsE.

7Share ownership

100

B.   MethodItem 7. Major Shareholders and expected timetableRelated Party Transactions

7

100

ITEM 3.  KEY INFORMATIONA.

7Major Shareholders

100

A.   Selected financial dataB.

7

B.   Capitalization and indebtedness12
C.   Reasons for the offer and use of proceeds12
D.   Risk factors13
ITEM 4.  INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY34
A.   History and development of the company34
B.   Business Overview37
C.   Organizational structure53
D.   Property, plant and equipment53
ITEM 4A.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS54
ITEM 5.  OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS55
A.   Operating results55
B.   Liquidity and capital resources74
C.   Research and development, patents and licenses, etc.76
D.   Trend information76
E.   Off-balance sheet arrangements76
F.   Tabular disclosure of contractual obligations76
G.   Safe harbor76
ITEM 6.  DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES77
A.   Directors and senior management77
B.   Compensation78
C.   Board practices79
D.   Employees80
E.   Share ownership81
ITEM 7.  MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS82
A.   Major shareholders82
B.   Related party transactions

83

101

C.

Interests of Expertsexperts and Counselcounsel

84

103

ITEMItem 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATIONFinancial Information

85

104

A.

Consolidated statements and other financial information

85

104

B.

Significant changes

87

107

ITEMItem 9. THE OFFER AND LISTINGThe Offer and Listing

88

107

A.

Offering and listing details

88

107

B.

Plan of distribution

88

107

C.   Markets

88Markets

107

D.

Selling shareholders

88

107

E.   Dilution

88Dilution

107

F.

Expenses of the issue

88

107

ITEMItem 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONAdditional Information

89

107

A.

Share capital

89

107

B.

Memorandum and articles of association

107

89C.

Material contracts

116

i

 

Page

C.   Material ContractsD.

97Exchange controls

116

D.   Exchange ControlsE.

97Taxation

116

E.   TaxationF.

97Dividends and paying agents

120

F.   Dividends and Paying AgentsG.

100Statement by experts

120

G.   Statement by ExpertsH.

100Documents on display

120

H.   Documents on DisplayI.

100Subsidiary information

120

I.   Subsidiary informationItem 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

100

120

ITEM 11.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISKItem 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities

100

121

ITEM 12.  DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIESA.

101Debt securities

121

A.   Debt securitiesB.

101

B.   Warrants and rights

101

121

C.

Other securities

101

121

D.

American Depositary Sharesdepositary shares

101

121

PART II

ITEM 13.  DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIESPART II

102

A.   Defaults

102

B.   ArrearsItem 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and delinquenciesDelinquencies

102

122

ITEMItem 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDSMaterial Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds

102

122

A.

Material modifications to instruments

102

122

B.

Material modifications to rights

102

122

C.

Withdrawal or substitution of assets

102

122

D.

Change in trustees or paying agents

102

122

E.

Use of Proceedsproceeds

102

122

ITEMItem 15.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

102
A.   Disclosure Controls and Procedures

102

123

B.   Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial ReportingA.

103Disclosure controls and procedures

123

B.

Management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting

123

C.

Attestation Reportreport of the Registered Public Accounting Firmregistered public accounting firm

103

123

D.

Changes in Internal Controlinternal control over Financial Reportingfinancial reporting

103

124

ITEMItem 16. RESERVEDReserved

103

124

ITEMItem 16A. Audit committee financial expertCommittee Financial Expert

103

124

ITEMItem 16B. Code of Ethics

103

124

ITEMItem 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

103

124

ITEMItem 16D. Exemptions from the listing standardsListing Standards for audit committeesAudit Committees

104

125

ITEMItem 16E. Purchases of equity securitiesEquity Securities by the issuerIssuer and affiliated purchasersAffiliated Purchasers

104

125

ITEMItem 16F. Change in registrant’s certifying accountantRegistrant’s Certifying Accountant

104

125

ITEMItem 16G. Corporate governanceGovernance

104

125

ITEMItem 16H. Mine Safety Disclosure

109

132

PART III

Item 16I. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections

132

ITEM 17.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS110

ITEM 18.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTSPART III

110

133

ITEM 19.  EXHIBITS110

133

Item 17. Financial Statements

133

Item 18. Financial Statements

133

Item 19. Exhibits

133

Index Toto Consolidated Financial Statements

F-1

ii 

ii

Presentation of Financial and other Information

PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION

Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, all references in this annual report to “Arco” or the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “ours,” “us” or similar terms refer to Arco Platform Limited, together with its subsidiaries.

The term “Brazil” refers to the Federative Republic of Brazil and the phrase “Brazilian government” refers to the federal government of Brazil. “Central Bank” refers to the Brazilian Central Bank (Banco Central do Brasil). References in the annual report to “real,” “reais” or “R$” refer to the Brazilianreal,, the official currency of Brazil and references to “U.S. dollar,” “U.S. dollars” or “US$” refer to U.S. dollars, the official currency of the United States.

All references to “IFRS” are to International Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the IASB.

Financial Statements

Arco was incorporated on April 12, 2018, as a Cayman Islands exempted company with limited liability, duly registered with the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies. UntilArco became the contribution of sharesparent company of Arco Educação S.A., or Arco Brazil, to Arco prior to the consummation of the initial public offering, Arco had not commenced operations and had only nominal assets and liabilities and no material contingent liabilities or commitments. The consolidated financial statements prepared by Arco subsequent tothrough the completion of the initial public offering and the reorganization described in Note 1 of our consolidated financial statements are presented “as if” EAS is the predecessor of Arco. Accordingly, these consolidated financial statements reflect: (i) the historical operating results of EAS prior to the reorganization; (ii) the consolidated results of the Company, Arco Brazil and EAS following the reorganization; and (iii) the assets and liabilities of EAS at their historical cost.

related corporate reorganization.

We present in this annual report our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 20182021, and 20172020 and for the years ended December 31, 2018, 20172021, 2020 and 2016.2019. Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with IFRS, as issued by the IASB.

We maintain our books and records in Brazilianreais, the presentation currency for our financial statements and also the functional currency of our operations in Brazil. Unless otherwise noted, our financial information presented herein as of December 31, 20182021, and 20172020 and for the years ended December 31, 2018, 20172021, 2020 and 20162019 is stated in Brazilianreais, our reporting currency. The consolidated financial information contained in this annual report is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 20182021, and 20172020 and for the years ended December 31, 2018, 20172021, 2020 and 2016,2019, together with the notes thereto. All references herein to “our financial statements,” “our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements,” “our audited consolidated financial information,” and “our audited consolidated financial statements” are to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report.

This financial information should be read in conjunction with “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and our consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this annual report.

Our fiscal year ends on December 31. References in this annual report to a fiscal year, such as “fiscal year 2018,2021,” relate to our fiscal year ended on December 31 of that calendar year.

Corporate Events

Our Incorporation

We are a Cayman Islands exempted company incorporated with limited liability on April 12, 2018 for purposes2018. On October 29, 2019, we completed a follow-on public offering, consisting of effectuating our initial3,450,656 Class A common shares issued and sold by us, and 4,268,847 Class A common shares sold by certain selling shareholders. The public offering. At the timeoffering price was US$43.00 per Class A common share. We received net proceeds of our incorporation, Oto Brasil de Sá Cavalcante, Margarida Maria Porto Soares de Sá Cavalcante, Ari de Sá Cavalcante Neto, Mariana Magalhães de Sá Cavalcante, Patrícia Soares de Sá Cavalcante, Paula Soares de Sá CavalcanteUS$143.9 million, after deducting US$3.7 million in underwriting discounts and Luciana Soares de Sá Cavalcante Moraes, or the Founding Shareholders, andcommissions. On November 26, 2019, an additional 661,112 Class A common shares were sold by General Atlantic Arco (Bermuda), L.P., or following the GA Entity, held 7,476,705 sharesexercise by the underwriters of Arco Brazil, which were all of the shares of Arco Brazil, and Arco Brazil held all the shares of EAS Educação S.A., or EAS Brazil, our principal operating company.

 1

Our Corporate Reorganization

their option to purchase additional shares.

On February 19, 2018, SASPAR Participações Ltda., or SASPAR, throughJune 4, 2020, we completed a follow-on public offering, by which the Founding Shareholders held their shares in Arco Brazil, was merged into Arco Brazil (formerly General Atlantic Arco (Bermuda), L.P. and Alfaco Holding Participações S.A.). Following the merger, the total numberInc. sold an aggregate amount of outstanding common shares of Arco Brazil was 7,476,705.

On September 14, 2018, in connection with and in preparation for our initial public offering, the Founding Shareholders and the GA Entity contributed all of their shares in Arco Brazil to us. In return for this contribution, we issued 27,658,290 new Class B common shares to the Founding Shareholders and 9,725,235 new5,563,203 Class A common shares toissued by us, at a public offering price of US$47.70 per Class A common share. We did not receive any proceeds from the GA Entity in a one-to-five exchange for the sharessale of Arco Brazil contributed to us.

On September 14, 2018, our director Alberto Menache and his spouse, Fabiana Menache, through Alfaco Holding Inc., a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, or Alfaco, and the shares of which Mr. and Mrs. Menache own 100%, purchased 99,725 Class A common shares by the selling shareholders in connection with this offering.

1

On September 25, 2018, the registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No 333-7007) relating to our initial8, 2020, we completed a follow-on public offering, consisting of our class A common shares was declared effective by the SEC. On September 25, 2018, we commenced our initial public offering. On September 28, 2018, we closed our initial public offering, pursuant to which we issued and sold 12,777,7772,500,000 Class A common shares issued and sold by us. The public offering price was US$44.80 per Class A common share. We received net proceeds of US$109.8 million, after deducting USS$2.2 million in underwriting discounts and commissions.

On January 6, 2021, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program, or the Repurchase Program, to comply with management long-term incentive plan obligations. Pursuant to the Repurchase Program, we may repurchase up to 500,000 of our outstanding Class A common shares in the open market, based on prevailing market prices, or in privately negotiated transactions, over a period beginning on January 6, 2021, continuing until the earlier of the completion of the repurchase or January 6, 2023, depending upon market conditions. On March 31, 2021, our Board of Directors approved the increase of the share repurchase limit of our Repurchase Program to up to 2.5 million of our outstanding Class A common shares in the open market, based on prevailing market prices, or in privately negotiated transactions, continuing until the earlier of the completion of the repurchase or January 6, 2023, depending upon market conditions. As of the date of this annual report, we had purchased an aggregate of 1,818,779 Class A common shares for a total of approximately US$43.2 million under the Repurchase Program. On November 1, 2021, we cancelled 750,000 treasury shares with the approval of our Board of Directors.

On August 1, 2020, we completed a corporate reorganization through the incorporation of Positivo Soluções Didáticas Ltda., or Positivo, and Editora Piá Ltda. On January 1, 2021, we completed a corporate reorganization through the incorporation of Arco for an aggregate priceVentures S.A. On July 1, 2021, we completed a corporate reorganization through the incorporation of US$223,611,098 (R$895.2 million).

Barra Américas Editora Ltda., Distribuidora de Material Didático Desterro Ltda., SAS Sistema de Ensino Ltda. and SAS Livrarias Ltda. On October 1, 2021, we completed a corporate reorganization through the incorporation of Nave à Vela Editora e Comercializadora de Materiais Educacionais S.A. All companies were incorporated by Companhia Brasileira de Educação e Sistemas de Ensino S.A and were under our common control and the incorporated assets and liabilities of the respective companies were recorded at their carrying amounts. The incorporations were part of a tax planning strategy to enable us to obtain tax benefits from the amortization of fair value adjustments and goodwill resulting from business combinations.

Furthermore, we are currently implementing certain additional changes to the organizational structure of certain of our operating subsidiaries in Brazil. We expect to complete this reorganization during the first half of calendar year 2019. This reorganization will be an internal corporate reorganization and is not expected to affect us on a consolidated basis.

On December 1, 2021, we issued US$150 million in senior notes convertible into our Class A common shares (US$100 million to Dragoneer Investment Group LLC, or Dragoneer, and US$50 million to General Atlantic Partners (Bermuda) H, L.P., or General Atlantic), bearing interest at 8% per annum in fixed Brazilian reais and maturing on November 15, 2028. Each note is convertible at the option of the holder into our Class A common shares at the agreed conversion rate, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of US$29 per share. The conversion price represents an approximately 65% premium to the trailing 30-day volume-weighted share price at the time of signing the investment agreements for the convertible notes. Dragoneer and General Atlantic will beneficially own approximately 5.6% and 2.8%, respectively, of our total shares (on an as converted basis for the convertible senior notes).

2

Organizational Structure

The diagram below depicts our organizational structure as of the date of this annual report:

Graphic

(1)Includes Class B common shares beneficially owned by our Founding Shareholders.

(2)Includes Class A common shares beneficially ownedArce Participações Ltda., which was incorporated in 2021, holds a minority interest of 0.1% in Arco Brasil, as required by the GA Entity. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—A. Major shareholders.”Brazilian corporate law requirements.

 2

Financial Information in U.S. Dollars

Solely for the convenience of the reader, we have translated some of thereal amounts included in this annual report fromreais into U.S. dollars. You should not construe these translations as representations by us that the amounts actually represent these U.S. dollar amounts or could be converted into U.S. dollars at the rates indicated. Unless otherwise indicated, we have translatedreal amounts into U.S. dollars using a rate of R$3.8755.581 to US$1.00, the commercial selling rate for U.S. dollars as of December 31, 20182021, as reported by the Central Bank. See “Item 3. Key Information—5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—A. Selected financial data—Operating results—Exchange Rates” for more detailed information regarding translation ofreais into U.S. dollars and for historical exchange rates for the Brazilianreal.

Special Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This annual report presents our Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Free Cash Flow information for the convenience of investors. Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Free Cash Flow are the key performance indicators used by us to measure financial operating performance. Our management believes that these Non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to

3

investors and shareholders. We also use these measures internally to establish budgets and operational goals to manage and monitor our business, evaluate our underlying historical performance and business strategies and to report our results to the board of directors.

We calculate Adjusted EBITDA as profit (loss) for the year plusplus/minus income taxes plus/minus finance result plus depreciation and amortization plusplus/minus share of (profit) loss of equity-accounted investees plus share-based compensation plan.

plan, restricted stock units and related payroll taxes (restricted stock units), plus M&A expenses, plus non-recurring expenses, which are related to consulting expenses for Sarbanes-Oxley implementation, plus effects related to COVID-19 pandemic, which includes the revision of the Company’s estimated credit losses from its trade receivables based on expected increases in financial default and in unemployment rates in Brazil for the year.

We calculate Adjusted Net Income as profit (loss) for the year plus share-based compensation plan, restricted stock units and related payroll taxes (restricted stock units) plus amortization of intangible assets from business combinations (which refers to the amortization of the following intangible assets from business combinations: (i) rights on contracts, (ii) customer relationships, (iii) educational system, (iv) trademarks, and (v) non-compete agreement) less/plusagreement and (vi) software resulting from acquisitions), plus/minus changes in fair value of derivative instruments and contingent consideration (which refers to (i) changes in fair value of derivative instruments—finance income, plus (ii) changes in fair value of derivative instruments—finance costs, and plus (iii)costs), plus/minus changes in accounts payable to selling shareholders (which refers to changes in fair value of contingent consideration—consideration and accounts payable to selling shareholders—finance costs) plus share of loss of equity-accounted investees, plus interest income (expenses), net (which refers to interest expenses related to accounts payable to selling shareholders from business combinations adjusted by fair value), plus/minus changes in current and plus/minusdeferred tax recognized in statements of income applied to all adjustments to net income (which refers to tax effects of changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities recognized in profit or loss corresponding to financial instruments from acquisition of interests, tax benefit from tax deductible goodwill, share-based compensation and amortization of intangible assets.assets), plus M&A expenses (which refers to non-recurring expenses related to the acquisitions of the year), plus non-recurring expenses, which are related to legal services (mainly due to International School arbitration) and consulting expenses for Sarbanes-Oxley implementation, plus effects related to COVID-19 pandemic, which includes the revision of the Company’s estimated credit losses from its trade receivables based on expected increases in financial default and in unemployment rates in Brazil for the year.

For purposes of the calculation of Adjusted Net Income for the year ended December 31, 2021, we have excluded the following adjustments that we applied to the calculation of Adjusted Net Income for prior periods: (i) Foreign exchange effects on cash and cash equivalents; (ii) share of loss of equity-accounted investees and (iii) Interest income (expenses) linked to a fixed rate (we will maintain the adjustment for Interest income (expenses) that refers to adjustments by fair value). These adjustments will not be applied to the calculation of Adjusted Net Income going forward. We believe that eliminating these adjustments from our calculation of Adjusted Net Income for the year ended December 31, 2021 and going forward does not impact our investors’ ability to assess our results of operations. We have not retroactively restated Net Adjusted Income for the periods prior to 2021.

We calculate Free Cash Flow as net cash flows from operating activities less acquisition of property and equipment less acquisition of intangible assetsassets. We consider Free Cash Flow to be a liquidity measuremeasures that provides useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated by operating activities and cash used for investments in property and equipment required to maintain and grow our business.

We understand that, although Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Free Cash Flow are used by investors and securities analysts in their evaluation of companies, these measures have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our results of operations as reported under IFRS. Additionally, our calculations of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Free Cash Flow may be different from the calculationcalculations used by other companies, including our competitors in the education services industry, and therefore, our measures may not be comparable to those of other companies.

For a reconciliation of our non-GAAP measures, see “Item 3. Key Information—5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—A. Selected Financial and Other Information—Operating results—Reconciliations for Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

4

Special Note Regarding ACV Bookings

This annual report presents our Annual Contract Value bookings, or ACV Bookings, for the convenience of investors. This operating metric is not prepared in accordance with IFRS. ACV Bookings is a non-accounting managerial metric and represents our partner schools’ commitmentcustomers’ commitments to pay for our solutions offerings. We believe it is a meaningful indicator of demand for our platform and the market’s response to it. In particular, weWe believe ACV Bookings is a helpful metric because it is designed to show amounts that we expect to be recognized as revenue for the 12-month period between October of one fiscal year through September of the following fiscal year. WeFor our B2B2C Core Curriculum and Supplemental Content Solutions, which currently represent most of our results, we deliver our educational materials to our partner schools for their convenience in the last calendar quarter of each year, so that our partner schools can prepare their classes in advance prior to the start of the following school year in January. As a result, our results of operations for the last quarter of a given fiscal year contain revenues relating to the following school year, relating towhich reflects the content that has been delivered prior to the start of the new fiscal

 3

year. Therefore, ACV Bookings conveys information that has predictive value for subsequent months, and which may not be as clearly conveyed or understood by simply analyzing our revenues in our statements of income (loss), especially in view of our recent growth.

We define ACV Bookings as the revenue we would contractually expect to recognize from a partner school in each school year pursuant to the terms of our contract with such partner school,contracts, assuming no further additions or reductions in the number of enrolled students that will access our content at such partner school in such school year. ACV Booking is a non-accounting managerial operating metric and is not prepared in accordance with IFRS. We calculate ACV Bookings by multiplying the number of enrolled students at each partner school withthat will access our content by the average ticket per student per year; the related number of enrolled students and average ticket per student per year are each calculated in accordance with the terms of each contract with the related partner school. Althoughcontract. For our B2B2C Core Curriculum and Supplemental Content Solutions, although our contracts with our partner schools are typically for three-year terms, we record one year of revenue under such contracts as ACV Bookings. For example, if a school enters intosigns a three-year contract with us to provide our Core Curriculum solution to 100 students for a contractual fee of $100 per student per year, we record $10,000 as ACV Bookings, not $30,000.

WeFor our B2B2C Core Curriculum and Supplemental Content Solutions, we measure our ACV Bookings on a monthly basis throughout the school year, starting in November of the preceding fiscal year. Pursuant to the terms of our contracts with our partner schools, they are required, by the end of November of each year, to provide us with an estimate of the number of enrolled students that will access our platformcontent in the next school year. Since we allow our partner schools to make small adjustments to their estimates to account for late admissions and early dropouts, this number may fluctuate slightly until March 31, when it becomes more accurate. Accordingly, we believe this metric is most accurately reflected as of March 31 of each year, and in this annual report, we refer to our ACV Bookings as of March 31 in each year as our ACV Bookings.

Notwithstanding the above, following March 31 in a calendar year, our partner schools may experience additional admissions and/or dropouts up to September 30 of such year, which explains the difference between the ACV Bookings and the revenue recognized for such school year. Average ticket per student per year reflectsIn years prior to the average price per studentCOVID-19 pandemic, the difference between our ACV Bookings and the revenue recognized for the relevant school year was not material, demonstrating the predictability of our business. However, during 2020 and is presented in order2021 and as result of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, our partner schools experienced atypical dropout rates from March 31 to link this average price withSeptember 30, and the difference between our ACV Bookings and the revenue recognized for each school year was -4% and -9%, respectively. The dynamics mentioned above also impacted the number of enrolled students in our partner schools, resulting in the ACV Bookings metric.

schools.

We understand that, although ACV Bookings may be used by investors and securities analysts in their evaluation of companies, it has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results of operations as reported under IFRS.

Market Share and Other Information

This annual report contains data related to economic conditions in the market in which we operate. The information contained in this annual report concerning economic conditions is based on publicly available information from third-party sources that we believe to be reasonable. Market data and certain industry forecast data used in this annual report were obtained from internal reports and studies, where appropriate, as well as estimates, market research, publicly available information (including information available from the United States Securities and Exchange Commission website) and industry publications. We obtained the information included in this annual report relating to the industry in which we operate, as well as the estimates concerning market shares, through internal

5

research, public information and publications on the industry prepared by official public sources, such as the Central Bank, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística), or IBGE, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization,Brazilian Education Ministry (Ministério da Educação), or UNESCO,MEC, the MEC,National High School Exam (Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio), or ENEM, the National Index for Basic Education (Índice de Desenvolvimento da Educação Básica), or IDEB, the Brazilian National Institute for Educational Studies and Research (Instituto Nacional de Estudos e Pesquisas Educacionais Anísio Teixeira), or INEP, as well as private sources, such as Hoper Consultoria and Gismarket, consulting andEducaInsight a research companiescompany in the Brazilian education industry, and Getulio Vargas Foundation (Fundação Getúlio Vargas), or FGV, among others.

Industry publications, governmental publications, and other market sources, including those referred to above, generally state that the information they include has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but that the accuracy and completeness of such information is not guaranteed. Except as disclosed in this annual report, none of the publications, reports or other published industry sources referred to in this annual report were commissioned by us or prepared at our request. Except as disclosed in this annual report, we have not sought or obtained the consent of any of these sources to include such market data in this annual report.

Rounding

We have made rounding adjustments to some of the figures included in this annual report. Accordingly, numerical figures shown as totals in some tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures that preceded them.

 4

6

Forward-Looking Statements

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This annual report on Form 20-F contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this annual report can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “expect,” “should,” “plan,” “intend,” “may”, “predict”, “continue”,“may,” “predict,” “continue,” “estimate” and “potential,” among others.

Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this annual report and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our intent, belief or current expectations. Forward-looking statements are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to various factors, including, but not limited to, those identified under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this annual report. These risks and uncertainties include factors relating to:

·general economic, financial, political, demographic and business conditions in Brazil, as well as any other countries we may serve in the future and their impact on our business;business, including any impact from the COVID-19 pandemic;

·fluctuations in interest, inflation and exchange rates in Brazil and any other countries we may serve in the future;

·our ability to implement our business strategy;

·our ability to integrate and realize the anticipated benefits and synergies from mergers and acquisitions;
our ability to adapt to technological changes in the educational sector;

·our ability to enhance our brands;

·our ability to obtain government authorizations on terms and conditions and within periods acceptable to us;

·our ability to continue attracting and retaining partner schools;

·our ability to maintain the academic quality of our programs;

·the availability of qualified personnel and the ability to retain such personnel;

·changes in the financial condition of the students enrolling in our partner schools or private schools in general and in the competitive conditions in the education industry, or changes in the financial condition of our partner schools in the primary and secondary education sector;

·our capitalization and level of indebtedness;

·the interests of our controlling shareholder;

·changes in government regulations applicable to the primary and secondary education industry in Brazil;

·government interventions in the primary or secondary education industry that affect the economic or tax regime, the collection of tuition fees or the regulatory framework applicable to primary and/or secondary educational institutions;

·a decline in the number of our partner schools or the amount of fees we can charge for our educational platform;

·our ability to compete and conduct our business in the future;future and adapt to changes in circumstances;

7

·the success of our marketing initiatives, including advertising and promotional efforts;

·our ability to develop new educational products, services and concepts;

·changes in consumer demands and preferences and technological advances, and our ability to innovate to respond to such changes;

 5

·changes in labor, distribution and other operating costs;

·our compliance with, and changes to, government laws, regulations and tax matters that currently apply to us;

·other factors that may affect our financial condition, liquidity and results of operations; and

·other risk factors discussed under “Risk Factors.“Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk factors.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update them in light of new information or future developments or to release publicly any revisions to these statements in order to reflect later events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 6

8

PART I

ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

A.Directors and senior management

A.   Directors and Senior Management

Not applicable.

B.B.   Advisers

Not applicable.

C.C.   Auditors

Not applicable.

ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

A.Offer statistics

A.   Offer Statistics

Not applicable.

B.Method and expected timetable

B.   Method and Expected Timetable

Not applicable.

ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION

A.    [Removed and Reserved]

B.    Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not applicable.

C.    Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

D.    Risk Factors

Summary of Risk Factors

An investment in our Class A common shares is subject to a number of risks, including risks relating to our business and industry, risks relating to Brazil and risks relating to our Class A common shares. The following list summarizes some, but not all, of these risks. Please read the information in the section entitled “Risk Factors” for a more thorough description of these and other risks.

Certain Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry

A.Selected financial dataOur operations and results may be negatively impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The initial measures of restrictions taken by Brazilian states and local authorities directly impacted the education industry by indefinitely postponing on-site school activities. Nonetheless, as education is an important and essential service, the private schools are conducting classes on a flex model, with classroom and virtual classes. Notwithstanding the above, the Company did not suspend its

You should read the following selected financial data together with “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review andProspects” and our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this annual report.

The summary statements of financial position as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report, prepared in accordance with IFRS, as issued by the IASB.

  For the Year Ended December 31,
  2018 2018 2017 2016 2015
  US$ millions(1) R$ millions
Statement of Income Data          
Net revenue  98.3   381.0   244.4   159.3   116.5 
Cost of sales  (20.8)  (80.7)  (58.5)  (41.3)  (28.0)
Gross profit  77.5   300.2   185.9   117.9   88.5 
Selling expenses  (29.2)  (113.3)  (65.3)  (40.3)  (20.3)
General and administrative expenses  (33.5)  (129.8)  (48.9)  (32.7)  (24.6)
Other income (expenses), net  1.3   4.9   3.3   3.6   (2.0)
Operating profit  16.0   62.1   74.9   48.6   41.6 
Finance income  9.4   36.6   12.5   47.2   14.4 
Finance costs  (51.3)  (198.8)  (20.4)  (1.8)  (3.1)
Finance result  (41.9)  (162.2)  (7.9)  45.4   11.3 
Share of loss of equity-accounted investees  (0.2)  (0.8)  (0.7)  (1.1)  (0.6)
Profit before income taxes  (26.0)  (100.9)  66.4   92.8   52.3 
Income taxes—income (expense)  4.6   18.0   (22.7)  (18.4)  (8.3)
Current  (6.8)  (26.5)  (31.0)  (13.0)  (11.3)
Deferred  11.5   44.5   8.3   (5.5)  3.0 
Profit (loss) for the year  (21.4)  (82.9)  43.6   74.4   43.9 
Profit (loss) attributable to:                    
Equity holders of the parent  (21.3)  (82.4)  44.3   75.1   43.9 
Non-controlling interests  (0.1)  (0.5)  (0.6)  (0.7)   
Basic earnings per share—R$(unless otherwise indicated)(2)  (0.42)  (1.64)  0.88   1.49   1.05 
Diluted earnings per share—R$(unless otherwise indicated)(3)  (0.42)  (1.64)  0.85   1.49   1.05 

 7

9

(1)For convenience purposes only, amounts inreais as of December 31, 2018 have been translated to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of R$3.875 to US$1.00,activities and, even with the commercial selling rate for U.S. dollars as of December 31, 2018 as reportedreturn allowed by the Central Bank. These translations shouldauthorities, its workforce continues to work remotely from home and gradually returning to working on site in accordance with health and safety protocols and social distancing guidelines. Given the uncertainty around the extent and timing of the future spread of COVID-19, the imposition of additional protective measures, or the relaxation of existing protective measures, it is not possible to accurately predict COVID-19’s general impact on the education industry or to reasonably estimate its impact on Arco’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
We face significant competition in each program we offer and each geographic region in which we operate. If we experience increasing consolidation in the K-12 school industry in Brazil or if we fail to compete efficiently, we may lose market share and our profitability may be adversely affected. We compete directly with private education platform providers and indirectly with certain traditional educational content providers. Our competitors may begin to offer educational solutions similar to or better than those offered by us, have access to more funds, be more prestigious or well-regarded within the academic community, or charge lower fees. If we are unable to maintain our competitive position or otherwise respond to competitive pressures effectively, we may lose our market share, our profits may decrease, and we may be adversely affected.
We may not be considered representationsable to update, improve or offer the content of our existing educational platform on a cost-effective basis.Our educational platform is designed to offer a complete suite of turnkey curriculum solutions intended to prepare the primary and secondary education students at our partner schools to sit the ENEM (which is equivalent to the Gaokao in China and loosely comparable to the SAT in the United States), for entry into post-secondary educational institutions and which is also used by the MEC and the market to evaluate Brazilian public and private schools. If we do not adequately modify our educational platform in response to market demand, whether due to financial restrictions, technological changes or otherwise, our ability to attract new schools and retain partner schools may be impaired and we may be materially adversely affected.
Our business depends on the continued success of our brands, and if we fail to maintain and enhance the recognition of our brands, we may face difficulty increasing our network of partner schools, and our reputation and operating results may be harmed. We believe that market awareness of our brands, SAS Plataforma de Educação, or SAS, SAE Digital, International School, Sistema Positivo de Ensino, or SPE, Sistema COC, among others, has contributed significantly to the success of our business. If our marketing initiatives are not successful or become less effective, if we are unable to further enhance our brand recognition, or if we incur excessive marketing and promotion expenses, or if our brand image is negatively impacted by any negative publicity, we may not be able to attract new partner schools successfully or efficiently, and our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, if any partner school using our educational platforms engages in unlawful activities or uses our educational platforms in an unauthorized manner, the general public may associate such amounts have been, could have been or could be converted atschool’s behavior with our brand, generating negative publicity that or any other exchange rate. See “—Exchange Rates” for further information about recent fluctuations in exchange rates.may adversely affect our reputation.
If we continue to grow, we may not be able to appropriately manage the expansion of our business and staff, the increased complexity of our software and platforms, or grow in our addressable market.We are currently experiencing a period of significant expansion and may face, as a result, certain expansion-related issues, such as cash flow management, corporate culture, IT integration and internal controls, among others. These issues and the significant amount of time spent on addressing them may result in the diversion of our management’s attention from other business issues and opportunities. We cannot assure you that our current and planned platform and systems, procedures and controls, personnel and third-party relationships will be adequate to support our future operations. In addition, our continuous expansion places a significant strain on management and on our operational and financial resources, which strain is expected to continue. Our failure to manage growth effectively could seriously harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.
An increase in delays and/or defaults in the payment of amounts owed to us by partner schools may adversely affect our income and cash flow.Because the historical information included elsewhere in this annual report may not be representative of our results as a consolidated company, investors may have limited financial information on which to evaluate us, their investment decision, and our prior performance.
An increase in delays and/or defaults in the payment of tuition fees may adversely affect our income and cash flows. We depend on the full and timely payment of the amounts owed to us by partner schools. Our partner schools may face financial

10

difficulties, and in certain cases, insolvency, or bankruptcy. An increase in payment delinquency or default by partner schools may have a material adverse effect on our cash flows and our business, including our ability to meet our obligations, and in certain circumstances, we may decide to terminate our contracts with such partner schools, increasing our attrition rates.

Certain Factors Relating to Brazil

(2)CalculatedThe Brazilian federal government has exercised, and continues to exercise, significant influence over the Brazilian economy. This involvement as well as Brazil’s political, regulatory, legal and economic conditions could harm us and the price of our Class A common shares.The Brazilian government’s actions to control inflation and other policies and regulations have often involved, among other measures, increases or decreases in interest rates, changes in fiscal policies, wage and price controls, foreign exchange rate controls, blocking access to bank accounts, currency devaluations, capital controls and import and export restrictions. Uncertainty over whether the Brazilian federal government will implement reforms or changes in policy or regulation affecting these or other factors in the future may affect economic performance and contribute to economic uncertainty in Brazil, which may have an adverse effect on our activities and consequently our operating results and may also adversely affect the trading price of our Class A common shares.
Economic uncertainty and political instability in Brazil may harm us and the price of our Class A common shares.Political crises have affected and continue to affect the confidence of investors and the general public which have historically resulted in economic deceleration and heightened volatility in the securities offered by dividingcompanies with significant operations in Brazil.
Inflation and certain measures by the profit attributableBrazilian government to curb inflation have historically harmed the Brazilian economy and Brazilian capital markets, and high levels of inflation in the future would harm our business and the price of our Class A common shares.Inflation, policies adopted to curb inflationary pressures and uncertainties regarding possible future governmental intervention have contributed to economic uncertainty and heightened volatility in the Brazilian capital markets.
Exchange rate instability may have adverse effects on the Brazilian economy, us and the price of our Class A common shares.The Brazilian government has implemented various economic plans and used various exchange rate policies, including sudden devaluations, periodic mini-devaluations (during which the frequency of adjustments has ranged from daily to monthly), exchange controls, dual exchange rate markets and a floating exchange rate system. Depending on the circumstances, either devaluation or appreciation of the real relative to the shareholdersU.S. dollar and other foreign currencies could restrict the growth of the Brazilian economy, as well as our business, results of operations and profitability.
Infrastructure and workforce deficiency in Brazil may impact economic growth and have a material adverse effect on us. Growth is limited by inadequate infrastructure, including potential energy shortages and deficient transportation, logistics and telecommunication sectors, general strikes, the weighted average numberlack of common shares outstanding duringa qualified labor force, and the year.lack of private and public investments in these areas, which limit productivity and efficiency.
Developments and the perceptions of risks in other countries, including other emerging markets, the United States and Europe, may harm the Brazilian economy and the price of our Class A common shares.The market for securities offered by companies with significant operations in Brazil is influenced by economic and market conditions in Brazil and, to varying degrees, market conditions in other Latin American and emerging markets, as well as the United States, Europe, and other countries. To the extent the conditions of the global markets or economy deteriorate, the business of companies with significant operations in Brazil may be harmed.

Certain Factors Relating to Our Class A Common Shares

(3)Calculated by adjusting the weighted averageThe Founding Shareholders, our largest group of shareholders, own 100% of our outstanding Class B common shares, which represents 90.3% of the voting power of our issued share capital, and will control all matters requiring shareholder approval.This concentration of ownership and voting power limits your ability to influence corporate matters. As long as the Founding Shareholders continue to beneficially own a sufficient number of Class B common shares, even if they beneficially

11

own significantly less than 50% of our outstanding share capital, acting together, they will be able to assume conversioneffectively control our decisions. However, if our Class B common shares at any time represent less than 10% of the total number of shares in the capital of the Company outstanding, the Class B common shares then outstanding will automatically convert into Class A common shares.
Our Articles of Association contain anti-takeover provisions that may discourage a third-party from acquiring us and adversely affect the rights of holders of our Class A common shares. Our Articles of Association contain certain provisions that could limit the ability of others to acquire our control, including a provision that grants authority to our board of directors to establish and issue from time to time one or more series of preferred shares without action by our shareholders and to determine, with respect to any series of preferred shares, the terms and rights of that series.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research, or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research, about our business, the price of our Class A common shares and our trading volume could decline. The trading market for our Class A common shares depends in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. If one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our Class A common shares or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the price of our Class A common shares would likely decline.
We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain our future earnings, if any, for the foreseeable future, to fund the operation of our business and future growth. We do not intend to pay any dividends to holders of our Class A common shares. As a result, capital appreciation in the price of our Class A common shares, if any, will be your only source of gain on an investment in our Class A common shares.
Our dual class capital structure means our shares are not included in certain indices. We cannot predict the impact this may have on our share price. Under the announced policies, our dual class capital structure is not eligible for inclusion in any of the FTSE Russell, S&P Dow Jones and MSCI indices and, as a result, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and other investment vehicles that attempt to passively track these indices will not invest in our stock. It continues to be unclear what effect, if any, these policies will have on the valuations of publicly traded companies excluded from the indices, but in certain situations they may depress these valuations compared to those of other similar companies that are included. Exclusion from indices could make our Class A common shares less attractive to investors and, as a result, the market price of our Class A common shares could be adversely affected.
The dual class structure of our common stock has the effect of concentrating voting control with the Founding Shareholders; this will limit or preclude your ability to influence corporate matters. Due to the ten-to-one voting ratio between our Class B and Class A common shares, the beneficial owners of our Class B common shares (composed of the Founding Shareholders) collectively will continue to control a majority of the combined voting power of our common shares and therefore be able to control all matters submitted to our shareholders, requiring the approval of an ordinary resolution, so long as the total number of the issued and outstanding Class B common shares is at least 10% of the total number of shares outstanding. The fact that future transfers by holders of Class B common shares will generally result in those shares converting to Class A common shares, subject to limited exceptions as provided in the Articles of Association; as well as the ten-to-one voting ratio of our Class B common shares and Class A common shares, holders of our Class B common shares will in many situations continue to maintain control of all potential common shares with dilutive effects.

  As of December 31,
  2018 2018 2017 2016
  US$ millions(1) R$ millions
Balance Sheet Data:        
Assets        
Current assets        
Cash and cash equivalents  3.2   12.3   0.8   4.4 
Financial investments  208.2   806.8   83.0   65.6 
Trade receivables  35.3   136.6   94.9   65.2 
Inventories  3.9   15.1   18.8   12.6 
Taxes recoverable  2.9   11.2   5.1   3.2 
Financial instruments from acquisition of interests           4.5 
Accounts receivable from selling shareholders           2.5 
Other assets  1.6   6.1   7.3   4.1 
Total current assets  255.0   988.1   210.0   162.0 
Non-current assets                
Financial instruments from acquisition of interests  6.9   26.6   12.5   16.1 
Deferred income tax  25.7   99.5   5.9   3.7 
Taxes recoverable  0.3   1.0   3.3   2.3 
Financial investments  1.1   4.4   0.2   0.2 
Other assets  0.6   2.3   1.3   0.8 
Investments and interests in other entities  3.1   11.9   12.7   45.8 
Property and equipment  3.4   13.3   9.1   5.7 
Intangible assets  48.5   187.7   175.5   86.3 
Total non-current assets  89.5   346.7   220.4   160.8 
Total assets  344.5   1,334.9   430.4   322.9 
Liabilities and Equity                
Current liabilities                
Trade payables  3.8   14.8   3.9   3.1 
Labor and social obligations  4.1   15.9   8.7   4.9 
Taxes and contributions payable  0.7   2.6   1.1   0.4 
Income taxes payable  4.5   17.3   17.4   2.6 
Dividends payable        10.5   17.8 
Advances from customers  1.5   6.0   5.9   1.9 
Financial instruments from acquisition of interests        1.8   4.7 
Accounts payable to selling shareholders  0.2   0.8   14.9   8.1 
Other liabilities  0.1   0.4   5.5   6.4 
Total current liabilities  14.9   57.9   69.7   50.1 
Non-current liabilities                
Financial instruments from acquisition of interests  6.4   25.0   11.9   25.4 
Provision for legal proceedings  0.0   0.1       
Deferred income tax  0.4   1.4   0.1   6.2 
Accounts payable to selling shareholders  46.6   180.6   43.1    
Total non-current liabilities  53.4   207.1   55.0   31.6 
Total liabilities  68.4   265.0   124.7   81.7 
Equity                
Share capital        55.9   48.5 
Capital reserve  281.2   1,089.5   160.7   81.9 
Earnings reserves        82.0   105.5 
Share-based compensation reserve  17.4   67.4   7.1   5.2 
Accumulated losses  (22.4)  (86.7)      
Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent  276.2   1,070.2   305.6   241.1 
Non-controlling interests  (0.1)  (0.3)  0.1   0.1 
Total equity  276.1   1,069.9   305.7   241.2 
Total liabilities and equity  344.5   1,334.9   430.4   322.9 

(1)For convenience purposes only, amounts inreais as of December 31, 2018 have been translatedmatters requiring shareholder approval. This concentrated control will limit or preclude your ability to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of R$3.875 to US$1.00, the commercial selling rate for U.S. dollars as of December 31, 2018 as reported by the Central Bank. These translations should not be considered representations that any such amounts have been, could have been or could be converted at that or any other exchange rate. See “—Exchange Rates” for further information about recent fluctuations in exchange rates.

 8

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Free Cash Flow

  For the Year Ended December 31,
  2018 2018 2017 2016
  US$ millions(1) R$ millions
Adjusted EBITDA(2)  36.6   142.0   91.1   56.4 
Adjusted Net Income(3)  29.0   112.3   66.6   60.3 
Free Cash Flow(4)  14.4   55.9   51.3   34.1 

(1)For convenience purposes only, amounts inreais as of December 31, 2018 have been translated to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of R$3.875 to US$1.00, the commercial selling rate for U.S. dollars as of December 31, 2018 as reported by the Central Bank. These translations should not be considered representations that any such amounts have been, could have been or could be converted at that or any other exchange rate. See “—Exchange Rates” for further information about recent fluctuations in exchange rates.

(2)For a reconciliation between our Adjusted EBITDA and our profitinfluence corporate matters for the year, see “—Reconciliations for Non-GAAP Financial Measures—Reconciliation between Adjusted EBITDA and Profit for the Year.”foreseeable future.

(3)For a reconciliation of our Adjusted Net Income, see “—Reconciliations for Non-GAAP Financial Measures—Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income from Profit for the Year.”

(4)For a reconciliation of our Free Cash Flow, see “—Reconciliations for Non-GAAP Financial Measures—Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow from Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities.”

Operating Data

ACV Bookings

  As of March 31,
  2019(1) 2019(2) 2018(3) 2017(4) 2016(5)
  US$ (Except
number of
enrolled
students)(1)
 R$ (Except number of enrolled students)
Number of enrolled students  n/a   498,553   405,814   322,031   265,354 
Average ticket per student per year  228.2   884.3   793.8   711.9   622.0 
ACV Bookings (in millions)(6)  113.8   R$440.9   R$322.1   R$229.3   R$165.1 

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(1)For convenience purposes only, amounts inreais as of March 31, 2018 have been translated to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of R$3.875 to US$1.00, the commercial selling rate for U.S. dollars as of December 31, 2018 as reported by the Central Bank. These translations should not be considered representations that any such amounts have been, could have been or could be converted at that or any other exchange rate. See “—Exchange Rates” for further information about recent fluctuations in exchange rates.

(2)For the 2019 school year (which we define for purposes of ACV bookings as the period starting in October 2018 and ending in September 2019).

(3)For the 2018 school year (which we define for purposes of ACV bookings as the period starting in October 2017 and ending in September 2018).

(4)For the 2017 school year (which we define for purposes of ACV bookings as the period starting in October 2016 and ending in September 2017).

(5)For the 2016 school year (which we define for purposes of ACV bookings as the period starting in October 2015 and ending in September 2016). Includes the ACV Bookings of SAE, which we acquired in June 2016, for the full year 2016. On a standalone basis, SAE had ACV Bookings for the full year 2016 totaling R$21.5 million and net revenue totaling R$11.9 million. If the acquisition had taken place on January 1, 2016, SAE’s total net revenue would have been R$24.6 million and our total net revenue would have been R$172.7 million.

(6)We define ACV Bookings as the revenue we would contractually expect to recognize from a partner school in each school year pursuant to the terms of our contract with such partner school, assuming no further additions or reductions in the number of enrolled students that will access our content at such partner school in such school year. ACV Bookings is a non-accounting managerial operating metric and is not prepared in accordance with IFRS. For more information about ACV Bookings, see “Presentation of Financial and Other Information—Special Note Regarding ACV Bookings.”

As of March 31, 2019, our total number of students enrolled was 498,553, our average ticket per student per year was R$884.3 and our total ACV Bookings were R$440.9 million

Reconciliations for Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The following tables set forth reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income to our profit for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, our most recent directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with IFRS, as well as reconciliations between Free Cash Flow and net cash flows from operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, our most recent directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with IFRS. For further information on why our management chooses to use these non-GAAP financial measures, and on the limits of using these non-GAAP financial measures, please see “Presentation of Financial and Other Information—Special Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures—Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Free Cash Flow.”

Reconciliation between Adjusted EBITDA and Profit for the Period / Year

  For the Year Ended December 31,
Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation 2018 2018 2017 2016
  US$ millions(1) R$ millions
Profit (loss) for the year  (21.4)  (82.9)  43.6   74.4 
(+) Income taxes  (4.6)  (18.0)  22.7   18.4 
(+/-) Finance result  41.9   162.2   7.9   (45.4)
(+) Depreciation and amortization  5.1   19.6   14.3   5.8 
(+) Share of loss of equity-accounted investees  0.2   0.8   0.7   1.1 
(+) Share-based compensation plan  15.6   60.3   1.9   2.0 
Adjusted EBITDA  36.6   142.0   91.1   56.4 

(1)For convenience purposes only, amounts inreais for the year ended December 31, 2018 have been translated to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of R$3.875 to US$1.00, the commercial selling rate for U.S. dollars as of December 31, 2018 as reported by the Central Bank. These translations should not be considered representations that any such amounts have been, could have been or could be converted at that or any other exchange rate. See “—Exchange Rates” for further information about recent fluctuations in exchange rates.

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Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income from Profit for the Period / Year

  For the Year Ended December 31,
Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income 2018 2018 2017 2016
  US$ millions(1) R$ millions
Profit (loss) for the year  (21.4)  (82.9)  43.6   74.4 
(+) Share-based compensation plan  15.6   60.3   1.9   2.0 
(+) Amortization of intangible assets from business combinations(2)  3.0   11.8   9.6   4.4 
(+/-) Changes in fair value of derivative instruments and contingent consideration(3)  33.6   130.4   6.7   (31.7)
(+) Share of loss of equity-accounted investees  0.2   0.8   0.7   1.1 
(+) Foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents  8.9   34.4         
(+) Accrued Interest expenses from Acquisitions  2.5   9.8   11.2   0.1 
(+/-) Tax effects(4)  (13.3)  (51.5)  (7.1)  9.9 
Adjusted Net Income  29.0   112.3   66.6   60.3 

(1)For convenience purposes only, amounts inreais for the year ended December 31, 2018 have been translated to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of R$3.875 to US$1.00, the commercial selling rate for U.S. dollars as of December 31, 2018 as reported by the Central Bank. These translations should not be considered representations that any such amounts have been, could have been or could be converted at that or any other exchange rate. See “—Exchange Rates” for further information about recent fluctuations in exchange rates.

(2)Refers to the amortization of the following intangible assets from business combinations: (i) rights on contracts, (ii) customer relationships, (iii) educational system, (iv) trademarks, and (v) non-compete agreement. For further information, see note 13 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

(3)Refers to (i) changes in fair value of derivative instruments—finance income, plus (ii) changes in fair value of derivative instruments—finance costs, and plus (iii) changes in fair value of contingent consideration and accounts payable to selling shareholders—finance costs. For further information, see note 21 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

(4)Refers to tax effects of changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities recognized in profit or loss corresponding to financial instruments from acquisition of interests, share-based compensation and amortization of intangible assets. For further information, see note 22 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow from Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities

  For the Year Ended December 31,
Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow 2018 2018 2017 2016
  US$ millions(1) R$ millions
Net cash flows from operating activities  23.8   92.1   62.7   41.2 
Acquisition of property and equipment  (1.8)  (6.9)  (5.3)  (1.6)
Acquisition of intangible assets  (7.6)  (29.4)  (6.0)  (5.6)
Free Cash Flow  14.4   55.9   51.3   34.1 

(1)For convenience purposes only, amounts inreais for the year ended December 31, 2018 have been translated to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of R$3.875 to US$1.00, the commercial selling rate for U.S. dollars as of December 31, 2018 as reported by the Central Bank. These translations should not be considered representations that any such amounts have been, could have been or could be converted at that or any other exchange rate. See “—Exchange Rates” for further information about recent fluctuations in exchange rates.

Exchange Rates

The Brazilian foreign exchange system allows the purchase and sale of foreign currency and the international transfer ofreais by any person or legal entity, regardless of the amount, subject to certain regulatory procedures.

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Thereal depreciated against the U.S. dollar from mid-2011 to early 2016. In particular, during 2015, due to the poor economic conditions in Brazil, including as a result of political instability, thereal depreciated at a rate that was much higher than in previous years. On September 24, 2015, thereal fell to its lowest level since the introduction of the currency, at R$4.1945 per US$1.00. Overall in 2015, thereal depreciated 47.0%, reaching R$3.9048 per US$1.00 on December 31, 2015. In 2016, thereal fluctuated significantly, primarily as a result of Brazil’s political instability, appreciating 16.5% to R$3.2591 per US$1.00 on December 31, 2016. In 2017, thereal depreciated 1.5% against the U.S. dollar, ending the year at an exchange rate of R$3.308 per U.S.$1.00. Thereal/U.S. dollar exchange rate reported by the Central Bank was R$3.8748 per U.S.$1.00 on December 31, 2018, which reflected a 17.1% depreciation in thereal against the U.S. dollar during 2018, primarily as a result of lower interest rates in Brazil, which reduced the volume of foreign currency deposited in Brazil in the “carry trade,” as well as uncertainty regarding the results of the Brazilian presidential elections held in October 2018. There can be no assurance that thereal will not depreciate or appreciate further against the U.S. dollar.

The Central Bank has intervened occasionally in the foreign exchange market to attempt to control instability in foreign exchange rates. We cannot predict whether the Central Bank or the Brazilian government will continue to allow thereal to float freely or will intervene in the exchange rate market by re-implementing a currency band system or otherwise. Thereal may depreciate or appreciate substantially against the U.S. dollar in the future. Furthermore, Brazilian law provides that, whenever there is a serious imbalance in Brazil’s balance of payments or there are serious reasons to foresee a serious imbalance, temporary restrictions may be imposed on remittances of foreign capital abroad. We cannot assure you that the Brazilian government will not place restrictions on remittances of foreign capital abroad in the future.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high, low, average and period-end exchange rates for the purchase of U.S. dollars expressed in Brazilianreais per U.S. dollar. The average rate is calculated by using the average of reported exchange rates by the Central Bank on each day during a monthly period and on the last day of each month during an annual period. As of March 31, 2019, the exchange rate for the sellingreal/dollar exchange rate was R$3.897 to U.S.$1.00, as reported by the Central Bank. Thereal/dollar exchange rate fluctuates and, therefore, the selling rate at March 31, 2019 may not be indicative of future exchange rates.

Year Period-end Average(1) Low High
2014  2.656   2.355   2.197   2.740 
2015  3.905   3.339   2.575   4.195 
2016  3.259   3.483   3.119   4.156 
2017  3.308   3.193   3.051   3.381 
2018  3.875   3.656   3.139   4.188 

Month Period-end Average(2) Low High
September 2018  4.004   4.117   4.004   4.188 
October 2018  3.718   3.758   3.637   4.027 
November 2018  3.863   3.787   3.697   3.893 
December 2018  3.875   3.885   3.829   3.933 
January 2019  3.652   3.742   3.652   3.860 
February 2019  3.738   3.594   3.669   3.776 
March 2019  3.897   3.847   3.776   3.968 
April 2019 (through April 15, 2019)

  3.873   3.859   3.835   3.873 

Source: Central Bank.

(1)Represents the average of the exchange rates on the closing of each business day during the year.

(2)Represents the average of the exchange rates on the closing of each business day during the month.

B.Capitalization and indebtedness

Not applicable.

C.Reasons for the offer and use of proceeds

Not applicable.

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D.Risk factors

Our business, results of operations, financial condition or prospects could be adversely affected if any of these risks occurs, and as a result, the trading price of our common shares could decline. The risks described below are those known to us and those that we currently believe may materially affect us.

Certain Factors Relating to Our Business and Industry

Our operations and results may be negatively impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Since December 2019, a novel strain of COVID-19 has spread in over 150 countries, including China, Italy, U.S. and Brazil. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization, revised the classification of COVID-19 from an epidemic (when a disease spreads through a specific community or region) to a pandemic, which according to World Health Organization’s definition is when there is a worldwide spread of a new disease. The classification of the disease as a pandemic was motivated by the rapid increase in the number of cases and the number of affected countries on all continents, triggering measures by governments, companies, and societies to

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contain the advances of COVID-19. The measures vary from country to country in quantity and degree of severity but in Brazil basically involve: (1) recommendations to adopt voluntary isolation (avoid going out on the streets, avoiding crowds, avoiding physical contact with other people, etc.); (2) internal restrictions regarding the movement of people; (3) closing of schools; (4) closing of public places (parks and leisure centers); (5) closures of shopping malls, bars and restaurants; (6) adoption of remote working practices (home office) by companies, whenever possible and permitted by their activities; (7) restriction and/or suspension of trade in non-essential goods and services in the context of COVID-19 (while supermarkets, drugstores, gas stations and other essential services remain available); (8) purchase restrictions for certain essential items to avoid scarcity; (9) interruption of production activities of consumer items not essential to combat the pandemic; (10) restriction on the delivery of products to homes other than essentials; (11) compulsory reduction of working hours; (12) cancellation of public events; and (13) other restrictive measures.

The initial measures of restrictions taken by Brazilian states and local authorities directly impacted the education industry by indefinitely postponing on-site school activities. Nonetheless, as education is an important and essential service, and since the COVID-19 vaccination of children between five and eleven years old has also been initiated in Brazil, most private schools are resuming regular classroom lessons or adopting the blended learning method, mixing onsite and virtual classes. In Brazil, educational activities are gradually being resumed, including in person classes in some cases and states with several security rules. The return is occurring differently in each Brazilian state, according to their particular situation and local authorities’ recommendations.

Notwithstanding the above, the Company did not suspend its activities and, even with the return allowed by the authorities, its workforce continues to work remotely from home and gradually returning to work on site in accordance with health and safety protocols and social distancing guidelines. In this scenario, the Company has made additional investments in IT and network infrastructure; incurred additional expenses for cleaning and disinfecting the installations; purchased alcohol and masks; funded COVID-19 tests and H1N1 flu vaccination campaigns with the objective of taking care of its employees, reducing the demand for care in health units and to facilitate the diagnosis of COVID-19. The Company also delivered chairs, computers, and work kits to its employees. Additionally, to support schools, since day 1, the Company has made available an integrated platform with daily live classes to all students, webinars, broadcast, and remote support to maintain student learning with the social distancing measures.

The measures discussed above, including travel restrictions, were put in place to safeguard the health and safety of our employees, customers, and suppliers, but have not limited the Company’s ability to maintain its operations. In addition, these alternative working arrangements have not adversely affected financial reporting systems, internal control over financial reporting or disclosure controls and procedures.

Our content production continues according to the scheduled curriculum calendar and the current educational material has been delivered to the schools according to the school calendar for the year, enabling the Company to recognize the revenues on these products.

With respect to the Company’s distribution and delivery capacity, which relies on third parties, the Company’s principal vendors responsible for the printing of educational material did not raise any issues related to their ability to fulfill scheduled shipments or with respect to the incurrence of any significant additional expenses related to the COVID-19 outbreak. However, due to uncertainties with respect to number of students for some of our partner schools for the 2022 school year, additional orders of educational materials placed by partner schools after the original deadline for the 2022 school year were unusually high, leading to non-recurring delays related to the delivery of these additional educational materials.

In January 2021, the COVID vaccine began to be applied to Brazilians. Vaccination started with the priority groups: health workers, the elderly, the disabled and indigenous villagers. Brazil ended 2021 with 69% of its population fully vaccinated.

Despite vaccination efforts, we are facing a new wave of infections from the omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus. Throughout 2021, new variants of COVID-19 emerged, including the omicron variant, which impacted the number of hospital admissions and led to the adoption of further restrictive measures in some countries to contain the pandemic. Accordingly, should new variants emerge and result in further hospitalizations and medical conditions, restrictive governmental measures may be reestablished, including the prohibition of non-essential activities and lockdowns, which may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Given the uncertainty around the extent and timing of the future spread of COVID-19, the imposition of additional protective measures, or the relaxation of existing protective measures, it is not possible to accurately predict COVID-19’s general impact on the

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education industry or to reasonably estimate its impact on Arco's results of operations, cash flows or financial condition, including, but not limited to:

A decrease in the number of students, which may impact the expected amount of revenue.
An increase in bad debts due to the current economic scenario.
A change in the fair value of financial instruments.
The renegotiation of loans and lease agreements to ensure the continued strength of the Company’s financial position.

We face significant competition in each program we offer and each geographic region in which we operate. If we experience increasing consolidation in the K-12 school industry in Brazil or if we fail to compete efficiently, we may lose market share and our profitability may be adversely affected.

We compete directly with private education platform providers and indirectly with certain traditional educational content providers. Brazil’s antitrust authority, the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica), or CADE, has a consolidated decision-making practice to the education industry. For example, in September 2021, it approved a transaction between “CBE” and “Pearson Education do Brasil”, in which it reaffirmed the relevant market definition related to information collected from the market test. Accordingly, CADE understands that the (1) relevant market of “educational systems” (which includes several educational services, e.g., teachers training platforms, digital and printed content and technological platforms) is different from the (2) relevant market of “textbooks and other classroom materials” (which is referred to in this annual report as “traditional educational content”). Nonetheless, the authority acknowledged that the providers of “textbooks and other classroom materials” compete, to a certain extent, with “educational systems” providers. Our competitors may begin to offer educational solutions similar to or better than those offered by us, have access to more funds, be more prestigious or well-regarded within the academic community, or charge lower fees. To compete effectively, we may be required to reduce our fees that we charge partner schools or increase our operating expenses in order to retain partner schools or attract new schools or to pursue new market opportunities. As a result, our revenues and profitability may decrease. We cannot assure you that a migration from traditional education content providers to education platform providers will be successful in the future, or that we will be able to compete successfully against our current or future competitors. Moreover, at present, there have been certain isolated cases of market consolidation in the private primary and secondary, or K-12, industry in Brazil. In the event thatIf such industry consolidation intensifies, a trend that has been and is currently taking place in the post-secondary education industry in the country, we may face increasing levels of competition in the markets in which we operate. If we are unable to maintain our competitive position or otherwise respond to competitive pressures effectively, we may lose our market share, our profits may decrease, and we may be adversely affected.

We may not be able to update, improve or offer the content of our existing educational platform on a cost-effective basis.

Our educational platform is designed to offer a complete suite of turnkey curriculum solutions intended to prepare the primary and secondary education students at our partner schools to sit the National Exam for the Assessment of Student Performance (Exame Nacional de Desempenho de Estudantes), or ENADE, whichENEM (which is used by the Brazilian Education Ministry (Ministério da Educação), or MEC, to evaluate and grade our partner schools and their students, and the ENEM (National High School Exam, equivalent to the Gaokao)Gaokao in China and loosely comparable to the SAT in the United States), for entry into post-secondary educational institutions.institutions and which is also used by the MEC and the market to evaluate Brazilian public and private schools. To differentiate ourselves and remain competitive, we must continually update our content and develop new educational solutions, including through the adoption of new technological tools to deliver our content. Updates to our current content and the development of new educational solutions may not be readily accepted by our partner schools, their students or by the market. Also, we may not be able to introduce new educational solutions at the same pace as our competitors or at the pace required by the labor market.market or by certain regulatory measures that establishes guidelines to educational content in Brazil, such as National Education Guidelines Law (Lei de Diretrizes e Bases da Educação Nacional), or LDB, the National Common Core Curriculum (Base Nacional Comum Curricular), or BNCC, or the National Curriculum Guidelines (Diretrizes Nacionais Curriculares), or DCN. If we do not adequately modify our educational platform in response to market demand, whether due to financial restrictions, technological changes or otherwise, our ability to attract new schools and retain partner schools may be impaired and we may be materially adversely affected.

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Our business depends on the continued success of our brands, and if we fail to maintain and enhance the recognition of our brands, we may face difficulty increasing our network of partner schools, and our reputation and operating results may be harmed.

We believe that market awareness of our brands, SAS, SAE andDigital, International School, SPE, Sistema COC, among others, has contributed significantly to the success of our business. Maintaining and enhancing our brands is critical to our efforts to increase our network of partner schools, which is in turn critical to our business. We rely heavily on the efforts of our sales force and our marketing channels, including online advertising, search engine marketing, social media, and word-of-mouth. Failure to maintain and enhance the recognition of our brands could have a material and adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition. We have devoted significant resources to our brand promotion efforts and the training of our sales force in recent years, but we cannot assure you that these efforts will be successful. Our ability to attract new partner schools depends not only on investment in our brand, our marketing efforts and the success of our sales force, but also on the perceived value of our services versus competing alternatives among our client base. In addition, a failure by our clients to distinguish between our brands and the different content that they provide may result in a reduction in sales volume and revenue, margins, or market share of one of our brands at the expense of the others. If our marketing initiatives are not successful or become less effective, if we are unable to further enhance our brand recognition, or if we incur excessive marketing and promotion expenses, or if our brand image is negatively impacted by any negative publicity, we may not be able to attract new partner schools successfully or efficiently, and our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

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In addition, if any partner school using our educational platforms engages in unlawful activities or uses our educational platforms in an unauthorized manner, the general public may associate such school’s behavior with our brand, generating negative publicity that may adversely affect our reputation.

If we continue to grow, we may not be able to appropriately manage the expansion of our business and staff, the increased complexity of our software and platforms, or grow in our addressable market.

We are currently experiencing a period of significant expansion and are facingmay face, as a number ofresult, certain expansion-related issues, such as the acquisition and retention of experienced and talented personnel, cash flow management, corporate culture, IT integration and internal controls, among others. These issues and the significant amount of time spent on addressing them may result in the diversion of our management’s attention from other business issues and opportunities. In addition, we believe that our corporate culture and values are critical to our success, and we have invested a significant amount of time and resources building them. If we fail to preserve our corporate culture and values, our ability to recruit, retain and develop personnel and to effectively implement our strategic plans may be harmed.

We must constantly update our software and platform, enhance and improve our billing and transaction and other business systems, and add and train new software designers and engineers, as well as other personnel to accommodate the increased use of our platform and the new solutions and features we regularly introduce. This process is time intensive and expensive and may lead to higher costs in the future. Furthermore, we may need to enter into relationships with various strategic partners, other online service providers and other third parties necessary to our business. The increased complexity of managing multiple commercial relationships could lead to execution problems that can affect current and future revenues, and operating margins.

We cannot assure you that our current and planned platform and systems, procedures and controls, personnel and third-party relationships will be adequate to support our future operations. In addition, our currentcontinuous expansion has placedplaces a significant strain on management and on our operational and financial resources, and thiswhich strain is expected to continue. Our failure to manage growth effectively could seriously harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

An increase in delays and/or defaults in the payment of amounts owed to us by partner schools may adversely affect our income and cash flow.

We depend on the full and timely payment of the amounts owed to us by partner schools. Our partner schools may face financial difficulties, and in certain cases, insolvency or bankruptcy. An increase in payment delinquency or default by partner schools may have a material adverse effect on our cash flows and our business, including our ability to meet our obligations, and in certain circumstances, we may at no cost to us, decide to terminate our contracts with such partner schools, increasing our attrition rates. Moreover, these risks

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may be aggravated during the COVID-19 pandemic, including due to an economic crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, which may, for example, increase the levels of delinquency or default. Our allowance for doubtful accounts expenses as a percentage of our net revenue was 2.5%2.2%, 2.1%3.5% and 3.5%3.0% for the years ended December 31, 2018, 20172021, 2020 and 2016,2019, respectively.

Our business is subject to seasonal fluctuations, which may cause our operating results to fluctuate from quarter-to-quarter and adversely impact our working capital and liquidity throughout the year, adverselynegatively affecting our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our revenues and operating results normally fluctuate as a result of seasonal variations in our business, principally due to the number of months in a fiscal quarter that our partner schools are fully operational and serving students. Our main deliveries are shipped to partner schools in the last quarter of each year (typically in November and December), and in the first quarter of each subsequent year (typically in February and March). Furthermore, the materials we deliver in the fourth quarter are used by our partner schools for the following school year, and as such, our fourth quarter results reflect the growth in the number of our students from one school year to another, leading to generally higher revenues in our fourth quarter compared to the preceding quarters in each fiscal year. Consequently, in aggregate, the seasonality of our revenues has generally produced higher revenues in the first and fourth quarters of our fiscal year. In addition, we bill partner schools and collect the sales we charge them in the first half of each academic collections year, generally resulting in a higher cash position in the first half of each fiscal year relative to the second half of each fiscal year.

A significant portion of our expenses are also seasonal. Due to the nature of our business cycle, we require significant working capital, typically in September or October of each year, to cover costs related to production and accumulation of inventory, selling and marketing expenses, and delivery of our teaching materials at the end of each fiscal year in preparation for the beginning of each school year. Therefore, such operating expenses are generally incurred in the period between September and December of each year.

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Accordingly, we expect quarterly fluctuations in our revenues and operating results to continue. These fluctuations could result in volatility and adversely affect our liquidity and cash flows. As our business grows, these seasonal fluctuations may become more pronounced. As a result, we believe that sequential quarterly comparisons of our financial results may not provide an accurate assessment of our financial position.

Our working capital needs have increased and may continue to increase for the near future. We have historically relied on our cash flow generation to satisfy our working capital needs. If we do not increase our cash flow generation or gain access to additional capital, whether through a line or credit or other sources of capital, which may not be available on satisfactory terms or in adequate amounts, then our cash and cash equivalents may decline, which will have an adverse impact upon our liquidity and capital resources. We expect our working capital needs to increase as our business expands. If at some point in time we do not have sufficient working capital, we may not be able to pursue our growth strategy, respond to competitive pressures or fund key strategic initiatives, which may harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The sales cycle of our business may cause our operating results to fluctuate from quarter-to-quarter and adversely impact our working capital and liquidity from year to year, adversely affecting our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Our platform has evolved into a complex solution. The adoption of our platform by partner schools requires us to first build a high level of trust and confidence in our solutions, which can only be achieved by demonstrating a proven track record of success and quality, while constantly monitoring client satisfaction and feedback.

We have a lead time (which we define as the period from the moment of first contact to the execution of a contract) for the acquisition of new partner schools, and we typically enter into contracts with new partner schools within one year from the moment of first contact, which requires a series of interactions and constant contact, including dedicated sessions for experimentation with our platform and testing, events aimed at target partner schools, product journeys and guided visits to our business units, and industry fair exhibits. Accordingly, we expect quarterly fluctuations in our cash flows. These fluctuations could result in annual volatility and adversely affect our liquidity. As our business grows or if our business stops growing and we lose clients, these fluctuations may become more pronounced.

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We do not currently control some of our acquired technologies,equity investments, which could adversely affect our ability to develop and commercialize our products.

We acquire interests in third parties for the expansion, development or commercialization of our products. To date,Currently, we have acquired a 25%11.03% interest in WPensar,Bewater Ventures I GA FIP – Multiestratégia, or Bewater, a company engagedfund managed by Paraty Capital, which used the proceeds from our investment to subsequently make a minority investment in the development and licensing of school management systems software, with an option to acquire the remaining 75% of its outstanding share capital between 2020 and 2021. We have also acquired an 8.05% interest in Geekie,Grupo A, a company that provides adaptive assessment and learning products,educational solutions for higher education. Additionally, we have a 25.06% interest in Inco Limited, a company that provides financial assistance to schools as well as developa 23.43% interest in Tera Treinamentos Profissionais S.A., a company that offers tech-related educational services, such as UX design, full stack development and license educational software, with an option to acquiredata analytics, among others, for the remaining 91.95% of its outstanding share capital in May 2022.B2B and B2C markets. We do not currently have a controlling interest in these companies and any disagreements or disputes with these or other companies where we have a minority interest could adversely affect our ability to develop and commercialize our products and in turn, our financial condition, and results of operations. To date, we have not directly implemented the technologies related to these investments in our educational platform, but we may do so in the future. The failure to continue any investment arrangement or to resolve disagreements with current or future companies where we have a minority interest could materially and adversely affect our ability to transact the business that is the subject of such investment arrangement, which would in turn negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We may pursue strategic acquisitions or investments. The failure of an acquisition or investment to produce the anticipated results, or the inability to integrate an acquired company fully, could harm our business.

We are currently evaluating possible acquisition opportunities, and we may from time to time submit non-binding proposals or acquire or invest in complementary companies or businesses, as part of our strategy to expand our operations, including through acquisitions or investments that may be material in size and/or of strategic relevance. The success of an acquisition or investment will depend on our ability to make accurate assumptions regarding the valuation, operations, growth potential, integration and other factors related to that

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business. We cannot assure you that our acquisitions or investments will produce the results that we expect at the time we enter, into or complete, a given transaction. Furthermore, acquisitions may result in difficulties integrating the acquired companies, and may result in the diversion of our capital and our management’s attention from other business issues and opportunities. We may not be able to successfully integrate successfully the operations that we acquire, including their personnel, financial systems, distribution or operating procedures. If we fail to integrate acquisitions successfully, our business could suffer. In addition, the expense of integrating any acquired business and their results of operations may harm our operating results. We

In order to conduct certain acquisitions, investments or divestments, we may also require approvalpre-merger control approvals from Brazil’sthe Brazilian Administrative Council for Economic Defense (Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica), or CADE, or other regulatory authorities, in order to conduct certain acquisitions or investments.

authorities.

We may require additional funds to continue our expansion strategy. If we are unable to obtain adequate financing to complete any potential acquisition and implement our expansion plans, our growth strategy may be adversely affected.

For further information about our acquisitions and investments, see “Item 4.A. History and development of the company—Acquisitions and Investments.”

If we lose key personnel our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.

We are dependent upon the ability and experience of a number of our key personnel who have substantial experience with our operations. Many of our key personnel have worked for us for a significant amount of time or were recruited by us specifically due to their industry experience. It is possible that the loss of the services of one or a combination of our senior executives, certain members of our board of directors or key managers, including Ari de Sá Cavalcante Neto, our chief executive officer, director and founder, and Oto Brasil de Sá Cavalcante, our chairman, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Our business is particularly dependent on our chairman, who is also our controlling shareholder. We currently do not carry any key man insurance.

The ability to attract, recruit, retain and develop qualified employees is critical to our success and growth.

In order for us to successfully compete and grow and increase the number of partner schools, we must attract, recruit, retain and develop the necessary personnel who can provide the required expertise across the entire spectrum of our high-quality educational

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content needs, including with respect to sales and marketing. While a number of our key personnel have substantial experience with our operations, we must also develop succession plans capable of maintaining continuity in the midst of the inevitable unpredictability of human capital. However, the market for qualified personnel is competitive, and we may not succeed in recruiting additional personnel or may fail to effectively replace current personnel who depart with qualified or effective successors. We must continue to hire additional personnel to execute our strategic plans. Our effort to retain and develop personnel may also result in significant additional expenses, which could adversely affect our profitability. We cannot assure that qualified employees will continue to be employed or that we will be able to attract and retain qualified personnel in the future. In particular, we may not achieve anticipated revenue growth from expanding our sales and marketing teams if we are unable to attract, develop and retain qualified sales and marketing personnel in the future.

Failure to retain or attract key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Any increase in the attrition rates of students in our partner schools may adversely affect our results of operations.

We believe that the attrition rates at our partner schools are primarily related to the personal motivation and financial situation of their current and potential students, as well as to socioeconomic conditions in Brazil. Significant changes in projected student attrition rates and/or failure to re-enroll may affect the enrollment numbers of our partner schools, as well as their ability to recruit and enroll new students, each of which may have a material adverse effect on our projected revenues and our results of operations.

We may face restrictions and penalties under the Brazilian Consumer Protection Code and the Brazilian Antitrust Law in the future.

Brazil has a series of strict consumer protection laws, referred to collectively as the Consumer Protection Code (Código de Defesa do Consumidor). These laws apply to all companies in Brazil that supply products or services to Brazilian consumers. They include protection against misleading and deceptive advertising, protection against coercive or unfair business practices and protection in the formation and interpretation of contracts, usually in the form of civil liabilities and administrative penalties for violations. Although we are a business-to-business-to-consumer, or B2B2C, business, some parentsconsumers may allege that we are directly liable for any problems in our solution and try to assess us based upon the Consumer Protection Code.

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These penalties are often levied by the Brazilian Consumer Protection Agencies (Fundação de Proteção e Defesa do Consumidor, or PROCONs), which oversee consumer issues on a district-by-district basis. Companies that operate across Brazil may face penalties from multiple PROCONs, as well as from the National Secretariat for Consumers (Secretaria Nacional do Consumidor, or SENACON). Companies may settle claims made by consumers via PROCONs by paying compensation for violations directly to consumers and through a mechanism that allows them to adjust their conduct, called a conduct adjustment agreement (Termo de Ajustamento de Conduta, or TAC).

Brazilian public prosecutors may also commence investigations of alleged violations of consumer rights and require companies to enter into TACs. Companies that violate TACs face potential enforcement proceedings and other potential penalties such as fines, as set forth in the relevant TAC. Brazilian public prosecutors may also file public civil actions against companies who violate consumer rights or competition rules, seeking strict adherence to the consumer protection laws and compensation for any damages to consumers.

As a company operating in Brazil, we are also subject to Brazilian antitrust laws and regulations, which establishes penalties for practices that are deemed violations of the economic order. In certain cases, we may also face investigations and/be investigated or sanctionssanctioned by the CADE, into the eventextent our business practices are founddeemed to affect(i) limit, restrain or in any way harm free competition or free initiative; (ii) control the competitivenessrelevant market of the markets in which we operategoods or the consumers in such markets.

services; (iii) arbitrarily increase profits, and (iv) abusively exercise a dominant position.

Our success depends on our ability to monitor and adapt to technological changes in the education sector and maintain a technological infrastructure that works adequately and without interruption.

Information technology is an essential factor of our growth given that we deliver content through an integrated online educational platform. Our information technology systems and tools may become obsolete or insufficient, or we may have difficulties in following

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and adapting to technological changes in the education sector. Moreover, our competitors may introduce better products or platforms. Our success depends on our ability to efficiently improve our platform while developing and introducing new features that are accepted by schools (including our partner schools) and their students.

Additionally, a failure to upgrade our technology, features, content, security infrastructure, network infrastructure, or other infrastructure associated with our platform could harm our business. Adverse consequences could include unanticipated disruptions, slower response times, bugs, degradation in levels of customer support, impaired quality of users’ experiences of our educational platform and delays in reporting accurate financial information.

In addition, we face risks associated with unauthorized access to our systems, including by hackers and due to failures of our electronic security measures. These unauthorized entries into our systems can result in the theft of proprietary or sensitive information or cause interruptions in the operation of our systems. As a result, we may be forced to incur considerable expenses to protect our systems from electronic security breaches and to mitigate our exposure to technological problems and interruptions.

Our business depends on our information technology infrastructure functioning properly and without interruptions. Several problems regarding our information technology structure, such as viruses, hackers, system interruptions and other technical difficulties may have a material adverse effect on us and our business.

Regarding the aforementioned risks we implemented some of the best security practices currently used in the market. We used the NIST Cyber Security framework that provides practices, controls and technologies that enable our company to recover, identify, protect, detect, and respond to cybernetic risks.

We recently engaged a third party consultant to conduct aSome of the best practices that we have today are: (i) assets controls and monitoring; (ii) malware infection risk monitoring; (iii) we developed an access model, and vulnerability assessmentwe can manage this access with automatized tools; (iv) event monitoring of our cybersecurity infrastructure. The third party report made the following key recommendations: (1) establish asset controlsmain technologies using a SIEM solution. This solution permits that we correlate events and create application lists to monitoridentify possible threats or security incidents; (v) implemented a scheduled routine with infrastructure intrusion tests; (vi) monthly vulnerability analysis in our systems and mitigate malware infection risk; (2) establish data-loss prevention measuresfixes if required; (vii) created awareness programs for our hardware and servers; (3) develop a model to access and manage data through automation and controls of user profile information; (4) build an audit and event-log infrastructure throughout our software platforms to help us monitor potential cybersecurity breaches; (5) introduce scheduled routine infrastructure intrusion tests to verify the adequacy of our systems; (6) create background procedures to protect secure access to our video applications; and (7) establish a cybersecurity training and awareness program for our employees. Weemployees; (viii) we are currently implementing other recommendations to increase our maturity level, some of them are: (a) implement security in our internal network infrastructure; (b) implement a risk management process and (c) build a disaster recovery plan to all critical environments.

We derive the recommendations and intend to conclude their implementation by the second halfmajority of 2020.

Our revenue derivesour revenues from the contract fees per student that we generate from the sales of our educational content to our partner schools. Any disruption in our relationship with our partner schools may materially adversely affect us.

Our network of partner schools to which we make available our educational platformB2B2C Core Curriculum and to which we supply the related educational materialsSupplemental Content Solutions comprises 1,4628,056 partner schools as of DecemberMarch 31, 2018.2022. Our net revenue was R$381.01,232.1 million and R$244.41,001.7 million for the years ended December 31, 20182021, and 2017.2020. We typically enter into contracts with our partner schools for three-yearone-year terms for our Supplemental solutions and three to five-year terms for our Core solutions, which contemplate penalties ranging between 20% and 100% of the remaining total value of the contract in the event of termination. In addition, we

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also rely in part on existing partner school referrals to attract new partner schools. Accordingly, maintaining a good relationship with our partner schools, and developing new relationships and expanding our network of partner schools are essential to the success of our business. We may also not be able to renew our contracts with our partner schools, including as a resultbecause of new leadership in our partner schools deciding to discontinue the use or expansion of our educational platform in their curriculum. Any deterioration in our relationship with our partner schools, and any early termination of, or a failure to renew, our contracts with our partner schools may harm our image, impair our ability to pursue our growth strategy, and materially adversely affect our business, our operating and financial results and our cash flows.

To support our growth and to help us retain our clients, we have a dedicated sales support team that provides pedagogical assistance to partner schools and helps them train students and teachers to fully engage with the features of our platform, in order to maximize their results from using our solutions. Our pedagogical support team also makemakes visits and performperforms field work for these purposes, building rapport and strengthening our ties with our partner schools. If we fail to provide efficient and effective customer support, or to maintain our customer support standards as our business grows, our ability to maintain and grow our operations may be harmed and we may need to hire additional support personnel, which could harm our results of operations.

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Increases in the price of certain inputs used to produce our printed educational materials and increases in the fees of our third-party printer providers may materially affect us.

Increases in the price of the inputs used for editing and publishing the materials related to our educational platform,Core Curriculum and Supplemental Content Solutions particularly the price of paper, the cost of printing services and publishing, as well as increases in the fees of our third-party printer providers, which produce our printed educational materials, could adversely affect our results, if we are not able to fully pass these cost increases onto our partner schools.

Paper and postage prices are difficult to predict and control. Paper is a commodity, and its price may be impacted by fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and commodities prices and can be subject to significant volatility. Our third-party printer providers have adjusted their fees to account for changes in prevailing market prices of their inputs, especially paper. Though we have historically been able to realize favorable pricing through volume discounts, particularly as a result of our significant recent growth, no assurance can be provided that we will be able to continue to realize favorable printing and publishing pricing. We cannot predict with certainty the magnitude of future price changes for paper, postage, and printing and publishing in general. Further, we may not be able to pass such increases on to our partner schools.

We may not be able to pass on increases in our costs by adjusting the contract fees we charge our partner schools.

Our primary source of income is the payments we receive from our partner schools in connection with the contract fees per student that we charge them to use our educational platform.Core Curriculum and Supplemental Content Solutions. For the year ended December 31, 2018,2021, operation, sales, and corporate personnel expenses represented 30.9% and third-party services expenses represented 4.4%7.0% of our total costs and expenses for the period. Personnel costs are adjusted periodically using indices that reflect changes in inflation levels. Personnel costs are also adjusted annually as a resultbecause of customary annual employee salary adjustments in line with inflation. If we are not able to transfer any increases in our costs to partner schools by increasing the contract fees per student that we charge them, our operating results may be adversely affected.

Any changechanges in tax law, tax reforms or review of the tax treatment of our activities, orincluding the loss or reduction in tax benefits on the sale of books (including digital content) may materially adversely affect us.

We currently benefit from tax Law No. 10,865/04, as amended by Law No. 11,033/04, which establishes a zero ratezero-rate for the social integration program tax (Programa de Integração Social, or PIS) and the social contribution on revenues tax (Contribuição para o Financiamento da Seguridade Social, or COFINS) on the sale of books. The sale of the books is also exempt by the Brazilian constitution from the Brazilian municipal taxes, Brazilian services tax (Imposto Sobre Serviços, or ISS) and from the Brazilian tax on the circulation of goods, interstate and intercity transportation and communication services (Imposto sobre Operações relativas à Circulação de Mercadorias e sobre Prestações de Serviços de Transporte Interestadual e Intermunicipal e de Comunicação, or ICMS). If the Brazilian government or any Brazilian state, municipality or tax authority decides to change, revoke or review the current tax treatment of our activities, or cancel or reduce the tax benefit applied on the sale of goods, (includingincluding digital books and e-readers)e-readers, and/or challenge it, and we are unable to pass any cost increase onto our partner schools, our results may be materially adversely affected.

 18As of the date of this annual report, there are several bills relating to tax reforms that are under review by the Brazilian Congress. The proposed tax reforms involve a comprehensive overhaul of the consumer tax system. One bill proposes to (i) extinguish three federal taxes, the federal tax on manufactured products (Imposto sobre Produtos Industrializados, or IPI), PIS and COFINS; (ii) create and apply ICMS at the state level and ISS at the municipal level; and (iii) create a new tax on transactions for goods and services (Imposto sobre Operações com Bens e Serviços, or IBS). Another bill proposes to create a social contribution tax on transactions for goods and services (Contribuição Social sobre Operações com Bens e Serviços, or CBS) at a 12% rate, which would substitute PIS and COFINS and revoke our zero-rate tax benefits for PIS and COFINS on the sale of books. Additional bills may be proposed in the context of such wide-ranging tax reforms. Moreover, there are recent discussions concerning the potential imposition of new taxes, including new taxes on compulsory loans, taxes on large fortunes and a contribution on financial transactions, as well as discussions to repeal the income tax exemption applicable to the distribution of dividends.

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The extent to which the tax reform will impact our financial results and operations will depend on future developments, which are still uncertain and cannot be predicted due to the early stage of the process. Based on future developments of the tax reform, it is possible that we may, in the future, be required to take actions or steps in relation to our business that could have a disruptive or a material and adverse effect on our business. A tax reform or any change in the laws and regulations that affect the taxes or tax incentives applicable to us may directly or indirectly adversely impact our business and results of operations.

If we are unable to maintain consistent educational quality throughout our partner schoolsschools’ network, including the education materials we provide to our partner schools, we may be adversely affected.

The quality of our academic curricula is a key element of the quality of the educational platformCore Curriculum and Supplemental Content Solutions we provide. We cannot assure you that we will be able to develop academic curricula for our educational platformCore Curriculum and Supplemental Content Solutions with the same levels of excellence as existing curricula and meeting the requirements of theBase Nacional Comum Curricular, or the LDB, BNCC (established by Law No. 9,394 dated December 20, 1996),and DCN, to which we are currently subject, or meeting the requirements of our partner schools. Deficiencies in the quality of academic curricula for our educational platform and changes in the requirements of the LDB, BNCC and DCN may have a material adverse effect on our business.

To this date, we have implemented the mandatory requirements, but some modifications must be implemented in the following years to comply with LDB, BNCC and DCN requirements.

In addition, our partner schools and their students are regularly evaluated and graded by the State and Municipal Education Secretaries and MEC. If our partner schools’ campuses, programs or students receive lower scores from the MEC than in previous years in any of their evaluations, including the IDEB (National Index for Basic Education) and the ENEM, or if there is a decline in our partner schools students’ acceptance rates at prestigious higher education institutions post-secondary schools, we may be adversely affected by perceptions of decreased educational quality of our educational platform, which may negatively affect our reputation and, consequently, our results of operations and financial condition.

We may become subject to various laws and regulations applicable to educational platform providers, and failure to meet such future laws and regulations could harm our business.

Currently, we are subject tomay follow the requirements of the LDB, BNCC and DCN to elaborate our educational content, and we are not regulated by the MEC nor are we subject to any government regulations that are imposed by National Education Board (Conselho Nacional de Educação), or the CNE, or by the Primary and Secondary Education Board (Câmara de Educação Básica), or CEB. Should we become subject to the supervision and regulation of the MEC or any other authority or any government laws and regulations imposed by the CNE or the CEB or any other authority, we may be required to meet certain legal and regulatory requirements that may be imposed on our operations, including, but not limited to, MEC accreditation or re-accreditation requirements for our educational platform, which may adversely affect us. We may be adversely affected by changes in the laws and regulations applicable to educational platform providers, particularly by changes that impose accreditation and re-accreditation requirements on educational platforms and impose certain academic requirements for educational platform courses and curricula. In addition, we may be materially adversely affected if we are unable to obtain these authorizations and accreditations in a timely manner or if we cannot introduce new features to our educational platform as quickly as our competitors.

The quality of the pedagogical content we deliver to our clients is significantly dependent upon the quality of our editors, publishers and purchased content.

The educational materials we provide are a combination of content developed by our internal production team and content purchased from certain publishers in our market. Our editorial team is responsible for producing our materials, working in conjunction with our EdTech team to implement additional features and technology delivery. Our content production process requires significant coordination among different teams as well as qualified personnel with appropriate skill sets to ensure the quality of our pedagogical content is maintained. We may not be able to retain, recruit or train qualified employees or obtain pedagogical content that meets our standards. Delays in the delivery of content purchased from authors may have a severe impact on our annual content creation schedule. Additionally, a shortage of qualified editors, employees, publishers or suitable purchased content or a decrease in the quality of produced or purchased content, whether actual or perceived, or a significant increase in the cost to engage or retain qualified personnel or acquire content, would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

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We utilize third-party logistics service providers for the shipping of all of our collections of printed teaching materials. The successful delivery of our materials to our clients depends upon effective execution by our logistics team and such service providers. Any material failure to execute properly for any reason, including damage or disruption to any service providers’ facilities, would have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

The delivery of printed books to schools is a seasonal activity, with a cycle beginning with the creation and revision of content generally from April to July, the purchase of printing services from August to October, and delivery from November to January. We have expanded our operations rapidly since our inception. As our size increases, so does the size and complexity of our logistics operation.

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There is a high volume of deliveries in November and December, requiring significant involvement in inventory/demand management and relationship and planning alongside the printers. In an industry where one of the most valued indicators by the schools is the timely delivery of printed materials, failure to meet deadlines, inadequate logistical planning, disruptions in distribution centers, deficient inventory management, and failure to meet client requirements may damage our reputation, increase returns of our materials or cause inventory losses and negatively impact our gross margins, results of operations and business.

Substantially all of theOur inventory for our printed teaching materials is substantially located in warehouse facilities leased and operated by us and then delivered by a third-party shipping company that handles shipping of all physical learning materials. If our logistics service providers fail to meet their obligations to deliver teaching materials to partner schools in a timely manner, or if a material number of such deliveries are incomplete or contain assembly errors, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected. Furthermore, a natural disaster, fire, power interruption, work stoppage or other unanticipated catastrophic event, especially during the period from August through October when we are awaiting receipt of most of the curriculum materials for the school year and have not yet shipped such materials to partner schools, could significantly disrupt our ability to deliver our products and operate our business. If any of our material inventory items, warehouse facilities or distribution centers were to experience any significant damage, we would be unable to meet our contractual obligations and our business would suffer.

Failure to protect or enforce our intellectual property and other proprietary rights could adversely affect our business and financial condition and results of operations.

We rely and expect to continue to rely on a combination of trademark, copyright, patent and trade secret protection laws, as well as confidentiality and license agreements with our employees, consultants and third parties with whom we have relationships to protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights.

As of December 31, 2018,2021, we did notrelied on trademark, patent, copyright, and other intellectual property laws to establish and protect its products and services and owns several intellectual property assets in Brazil and abroad, including 774 trademarks registrations in Brazil (573 of which have issued patents or patent applications pendingbeen granted and 201 of which are under review but that we are entitled to use), 1 industrial design registration in or outside Brazil. We are partyprocess, and 8 software registrations. In relation to approximately 2,703 agreements with third-party authors with respectinternational assets, we have 12 trademarks registrations: 2 in Argentina, 2 in Bolivia, 1 in Chile, 1 in Ecuador, 3 in Paraguay, 2 in Uruguay, and 2 in Venezuela.

Our intellectual property rights in Brazil extend to educational content, for indefinite terms. We own 47 trademark registrations. As of December 31, 2018, we owned 62115 registered domain names and content that do not require certification or registration in Brazil. We also have a number of pending trademark applications in Brazilorder to be protected. In addition, we own several registered copyrights, most notably copyrights for text, images, edition, reformulation and the U.S. (126 in Brazil and 3 in the U.S., as of December 31, 2018) and unregistered trademarks that we use to promote our brand. From time to time, we expect to file additional patent, copyright and trademark applications in Brazil and abroad. Nevertheless, these applications may not be approved or otherwise provide the full protection we seek. book updates, among others.

Any dismissal of our “Arco Educação” trademark applicationtrademarks’ applications may impact our business. Third parties may challenge any patents, copyrights, trademarks and other intellectual property and proprietary rights owned or held by us. Third parties may knowingly or unknowingly infringe, misappropriate, or otherwise violate our patents, copyrights, trademarks and other proprietary rights and we may not be able to prevent infringement, misappropriation, or other violation without substantial expense to us.

Furthermore, we cannot guarantee that:

·our intellectual property and proprietary rights will provide competitive advantages to us;

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·our competitors or others will not design around our intellectual property or proprietary rights;

·our ability to assert our intellectual property or proprietary rights against potential competitors or to settle current or future disputes will not be limited by our agreements with third parties;

·our intellectual property and proprietary rights will be enforced in jurisdictions where competition may be intense or where legal protection may be weak;

·any of the patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets or other intellectual property or proprietary rights that we presently employ in our business will not lapse or be invalidated, circumvented, challenged or abandoned; or

·we will not lose the ability to assert our intellectual property or proprietary rights against or to license our intellectual property or proprietary rights to others and collect royalties or other payments.

If we pursue litigation to assert our intellectual property or proprietary rights, an adverse decision in any of these legal actions could limit our ability to assert our intellectual property or proprietary rights, limit the value of our intellectual property or proprietary rights or otherwise negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. If the protection of our intellectual property and proprietary rights is inadequate to prevent use or misappropriation by third parties, the value of our brand and other intangible assets may be diminished, competitors may be able to more effectively mimic our service and methods of operations more effectively, the perception of our business and service to customers and potential customers may become confused in the marketplace and our ability to attract customers may be adversely affected.

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We may in the future be subject to intellectual property claims, which are costly to defend and could harm our business, financial condition, and operating results.

Because of the large number of authors that participate in our publications, from time to time, third parties may allege in the future that we or our business infringes, misappropriates, or otherwise violates their intellectual property or proprietary rights, including with respect to our publications. Many companies, including various “non-practicing entities” or “patent trolls,” are devoting significant resources to developing or acquiring patents that could potentially affect many aspects of our business. There are numerous patents that broadly claim means and methods of conducting business on the Internet.internet. We have not exhaustively searched patents related to our technology. In addition, the publishing industry has been, and we expect in the future will continue to be, the target of counterfeiting and piracy. We may implement measures in an effort to protect against these potential liabilities that could require us to spend substantial resources. Any costs incurred as a resultbecause of liability or asserted liability relating to sales of unauthorized or counterfeit educational materials could harm our business, reputation and financial condition.

Third parties may initiate litigation against us without warning. Others may send us letters or other communications that make allegations without initiating litigation. We have in the past and may in the future receive such communications, which we assess on a case-by-case basis. We may elect not to respond to the communication if we believe it is without merit or we may attempt to resolve disputes out-of-court by electing to pay royalties or other fees for licenses. If we are forced to defend ourselves against intellectual property claims, whether they are with or without merit or are determined in our favor, we may face costly litigation, diversion of technical and management personnel, inability to use our current website or inability to market our service or merchandise our products. As a result of a dispute, we may have to develop non-infringing technology, including partially or fully revise any publication that infringes intellectual property rights, enter into licensing agreements, adjust our merchandising or marketing activities or take other action to resolve the claims. These actions, if required, may be unavailable on terms acceptable to us or may be costly or unavailable. If we are unable to obtain sufficient rights or develop non-infringing intellectual property or otherwise alter our business practices, as appropriate, on a timely basis, our reputation or brand, our business and our competitive position may be affected adversely, and we may be subject to an injunction or be required to pay or incur substantial damages and/or fees and/or royalties.

MostCertain of our services are provided using proprietary software and our software is mainly developed by our employees, who do not specifically assign to us their copyrights over the software. In this regard, thoughsoftware in their employment agreements. Additionally, the applicable law establishes that employers shall have full title over rights relating to software developed by their employees,employees. Nonetheless, we could be subject to lawsuits by former employees claiming ownership of such software.proprietary software that were not specifically assigned to us in their

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respective employment agreements. As a result, we may be required to obtain licenses of such software, incurring costs relating to payments of royalties and/or damages and we may be forced to cease the use of such software. If we are unable to use certain of our proprietary software, as a result of any of the foregoing or otherwise, this could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, we use open sourceopen-source software in connection with certain of our products and services. Companies that incorporate open sourceopen-source software into their products have, from time to time, faced claims challenging the ownership of open sourceopen-source software and/or compliance with open sourceopen-source license terms. As a result, we could be subject to suits by parties claiming ownership of what we believe to be open sourceopen-source software or noncompliance with open sourceopen-source licensing terms. Some open sourceopen-source software licenses require users who distribute or use open sourceopen-source software as part of their software to publicly disclose all or part of the source code to such software and/or make available any derivative works of the open sourceopen-source code on unfavorable terms or at no cost. Any requirement to disclose our proprietary source code or pay damages for breach of contract could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

We may be subject to risks related to non-compliance with the Brazilian Data Protection Law and may be adversely affected by the application of penalties, including pecuniary sanctions. Additionally, failure to comply with data privacy regulations could result in reputational damage to our brands an adversely affect our business, financial and condition and results of operations.

On August 14, 2018, Law No. 13,709 of August 14, 2018, was enacted, as amended, or the Brazilian Personal Data Protection Law (“LGPD”), which came fully into effect in September 2020 and brought major changes to the personal data protection system in Brazil.

The LGPD establishes a new legal framework to be observed by individuals and legal entities, detailing rules for the collection, production, reception, classification, use, access, reproduction, transmission, distribution, processing, filing, storage, elimination, evaluation or information control, modification, communication, transfer, dissemination, or extraction of personal data and provides, among others, for the rights of data subjects, the legal bases applicable to the processing of personal data, the requirements for obtaining consent and others obligations and penalties. The National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) is the body of the federal public administration responsible for ensuring the protection of personal data and for implementing and monitoring compliance with the LGPD in Brazil.

If we do not comply with the LGPD, we could be subject to one, or a combination of, administrative sanctions applicable by the National Data Protection Authority, which came into force on August 1, 2021. Sanctions include (1) warnings, with the imposition of a deadline for the adoption of corrective measures; (2) fines, up to a maximum amount of 2% of company’s or group’s turnover in Brazil limited to R$50.0 million per violation; (3) disclosure of the violation; (4) the restriction of access to or deletion of the personal data to which the violation relates; (5) in case of repetition of the violation, temporary suspension of the database or of data processing activities, partial or complete prohibition of processing activities.

Additionally, any perceived or actual unauthorized disclosure of personally identifiable information, whether through breach of our network by an unauthorized party, employee theft, misuse, or error or otherwise, could harm our reputation, impair our ability to attract and retain our customers, or subject us to claims or litigation arising from damages suffered by individuals.

Failure to protect the personal data processed by us, as well as failure to comply with the applicable legislation, may result in high fines, disclosure of the incident to the market, cancellation of existing contracts, temporary block and/or deletion of the personal data from our database, without eliminating the possibility of civil and criminal sanctions, which may adversely affect our reputation, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, we could incur significant costs in complying with relevant laws and regulations regarding the unauthorized disclosure of personal information, which may be affected by any changes to data privacy legislation at both the federal and state levels. See “Item 4. Information on The Company—B. Business Overview—Regulatory Overview—Data Protection.”

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Cybersecurity incidents, including attacks on the infrastructure necessary to maintain our IT systems, may result in financial losses and damage to our reputation.

Cybersecurity incidents may result in the misappropriation of our information and/or customer information or in ineffective time on its servers or operations, which may affect us materially and adversely. Any losses of intellectual property, trade secrets or other sensitive business information or the interruption of its operations could adversely affect our financial results. Due to such risks, we have improved the monitoring of our infrastructure and systems and seeking to implement the best practices regarding the development of IT systems.

We are susceptible to illegal or improper uses of our educational platform, which could expose us to additional liability and harm our business.

Our educational platform is susceptible to unauthorized use, copyright violations and unauthorized copying and distribution (whether by students, schools or otherwise), theft, employee fraud, and other similar breaches and violations. These occurrences may potentially harm our business and consequently negatively impact our results of operations. Additionally, we may be required to employ a significant amount of resources to combat such occurrences and identify those responsible.

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Unfavorable decisions in our legal, arbitration or administrative proceedings may adversely affect us.

We are, and may be in the future, party to legal, arbitration and administrative investigations, inspections and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business or from extraordinary corporate, tax or regulatory events, involving our controlling shareholders, subsidiaries, controlled or affiliated entities, suppliers, commercial practices, students, faculty members, as well as environmental, competition, government agencies and tax authorities, particularly with respect to civil, tax, antitrust and labor claims. We cannot guarantee that the results of these proceedings will be favorable to us or that we have made sufficient provisions for liabilities that may arise as a resultbecause of these or other proceedings. Even if we adequately address issues raised by any inspection conducted by an agency or successfully defend our case in an administrative proceeding or court action, we may have to set aside significant financial and management resources to settle issues raised by such proceedings or to those lawsuits or claims. Adverse

Therefore, failures in our governance, risk management and compliance programs and other internal policies, as well as adverse decisions in material legal, arbitrational or administrative proceedings related to the applicable laws and other legal provisions, in Brazil or overseas, even if such proceedings are without merit, may adversely affect our reputation, businesses, financial conditions, results of operations and the price of our Class A common shares.

shares, and may subject our administrators to criminal penalties.

We depend on dividend distributions by our subsidiaries, and we may be adversely affected if the performance of our subsidiaries is not positive or if Brazil imposes legal restrictions on dividend distributions by subsidiaries.

We control a number ofseveral subsidiary companies in Brazil that carry out our business activities. Our ability to comply with our financial obligations and to pay future dividends, if any, to our shareholders depends on our ability to receive distributions from the companies we control, which in turn depends on the cash flow and profits of those companies. There is no guarantee that the cash flow and profits of our controlled companies will be sufficient for us to comply with our financial obligations and pay future dividends or interest on shareholders’ equity, if any, to our shareholders, or that the new Brazilian federal government elected in October 2018 will not impose legal restrictions or tax payments on dividend distributions by our subsidiaries.

We and our subsidiaries may be held directly or indirectly responsible for labor claims resulting from the actions of third parties, including independent contractors and service providers.

To meet the needs of our partner schools and offer greater comfort and quality in all areas and aspects of our activities, we depend on service providers and suppliers for a variety of services. We may be adversely affected if these third-party service providers and suppliers do not meet their obligations under Brazilian labor laws. In particular, accordingAccording to Brazilian law we may be liable to the employees of these service providers and suppliers for labor obligations of these service providers and suppliers and may also be fined by the relevant authorities. If we are held liable for such claims, we may be adversely affected.

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We operate in markets that are dependent on Information Technology, (IT)or IT, systems, and technological change. Failure to maintain and support customer facing services, systems, and platforms, including addressing quality issues and execution on time of new products and enhancements, could negatively impact our revenues and reputation.

We use complex IT systems and products to support our businesses activities, including customer-facing systems, back-office processing, and infrastructure. We face several technological risks associated with online product service delivery, information technology security (including virus and cyber-attacks), e-commerce and enterprise resource planningEnterprise Resource Planning, or ERP, system implementation and upgrades. Our plans and procedures to reduce risks of attacks on our system by unauthorized parties may not be successful. Thus, our businesses could be adversely affected if our systems and infrastructure experience a failure or interruption in the event of future attacks on our system by unauthorized parties.

We rely upon a third-party data center service provider to host certain aspects of our platform and content and any disruption to, or interference with, our use of such services, could impair our ability to deliver our platform, resulting in customer dissatisfaction, damaging our reputation, and harming our business.

We utilize data center hosting facilities from a global third-party service provider to make certain content available in our platform. Our operations depend, in part, on our provider’s ability to protect its facilities against damage or interruption from natural disasters, power or telecommunications failures, criminal acts and similar events. The occurrence of spikes in user volume, traffic, natural disasters, acts of terrorism, vandalism or sabotage, or a decision to close a facility without adequate notice, or other unanticipated problems at our provider’s facilities could result in lengthy interruptions in the availability of our platform, which would adversely affect our business.

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Failure to prevent or detect a malicious cyber-attack on our systems and databases could result in a misappropriation of confidential information or access to highly sensitive information.

Cyber-attacks are becoming more sophisticated and pervasive. Across our business we hold large volumes of personally identifiable information including that of employees, schools, customers, students and parents and legal guardians. Individuals may try to gain unauthorized access to our data in order to misappropriate such information for potentially fraudulent purposes, and our security measures may fail to prevent such unauthorized access. A breach could result in a devastating impact on our reputation, financial condition, or student experience.experience, as well as sanctions provided for by the LGPD. In addition, if we were unable to prove that our systems are properly designed to detect an intrusion, we could be subject to severe penalties and loss of existing or future business.

Failure We have been monitoring our systems and made several security tests to comply with data privacy regulations could resultidentify our potential weakness in reputational damage to our brandsadvance and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Any perceived or actual unauthorized disclosure of personally identifiable information, whether through breach of our network by an unauthorized party, employee theft, misuse or error or otherwise, could harm our reputation, impair our ability to attract and retain our customers, or subject us to claims or litigation arising from damages suffered by individuals. Failure to adequately protect personally identifiable information could potentially lead to penalties, significant remediation costs, reputational damage,implement the cancellation of existing contracts and difficulty in competing for future business. In addition, we could incur significant costs in complying with relevant laws and regulations regarding the unauthorized disclosure of personal information, which may be affected by any changes to data privacy legislation at both the federal and state levels.

applicable security measures.

A material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting has beenmay be identified, and if we fail to establish and maintain proper and effective internal controls over financial reporting, our results of operations and our ability to operate our business may be harmed.

Prior to our initial public offering, we were a private company with limited accounting personnel and other resources to address our internal control over financial reporting and procedures. Our management has not completed an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and our independent registered public accounting firm has not conducted an audit of our internal control over financial reporting. In connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified twomay identify material weaknesses, as of December 31, 2018. A material weaknesswhich is a deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The material weaknesses identified relates to insufficient accounting resources and processes to fully comply with reporting and compliance requirementsOur management has assessed the effectiveness of IFRS and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, and to IT general controls that make us continue using of manual processes as a result of the implementation and monitoring of controls in our enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.

We plan to adopt several measures that will improve our internal control over financial reporting including increasingand has concluded that the depth and experience within our accounting and finance team, designing and implementing improved processes andCompany maintained effective internal controls implementing formal accessas of December 31, 2021. Management’s assessment of and changeconclusion on the effectiveness of internal controls to our systemsover financial reporting did not include the internal controls of Me Salva! Cursos e Consultorias S.A. (“Me Salva!”), Quadrado Mágico Desenvolvimento e Licenciamento de Software S.A. (“Eduqo”), Desenvoolva – Educação, Treinamento e Consultoria Corporativa Ltda. (“Edupass”) and make changes to our information technology systems,P2D Educação Ltda. (“P2D”), which are included in the 2021 consolidated financial statements of the Company. Collectively, Me Salva!, Eduqo, Edupass and retaining outside consultants with extensive technical expertise. SomeP2D constituted less than 3% of these measures are already being adopted, in connection with a project to prepare the companyCompany’s total assets as of December 31, 2021 and less than 5% of the Company’s total revenues for the upcoming adoption of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and will be worked extensively through 2019. However, we cannot assure you that our efforts will be effective or prevent any future material weakness or significant deficiency in our internal control over financial reporting.

year ended December 31, 2021.

We are subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which requires, among other things, that we establish and maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures. Under the current rules of the SEC starting in 2019 we will be required to perform system and process evaluation and testingTesting of our internal controls over financial reporting to allow management to assess the effectiveness of our internal controls. Our testing may reveal deficiencies in our internal controls that

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are deemed to be material weaknesses or significant deficiencies and render our internal controls over financial reporting ineffective. We expect to incur additional accounting and auditing expenses and to spend significant management time in complying with these requirements. If we are not able to comply with these requirements in a timely manner, or if we or our management identifies material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal controls over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses, the market price of our Class A common shares may decline and we may be subject to investigations or sanctions by the SEC, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or FINRA, or other regulatory authorities.

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Neither we nor ourinternal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, was audited by Ernst & Young Auditores Independentes S.S., or EY, the independent registered public accounting firm have performedthat also audited our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year then ended. EY has issued an evaluation ofunqualified report on our internal control over financial reporting, which is included elsewhere in accordance with Section 404this annual report. EY’s audit of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for purposes of identifying and reporting any weakness or significant deficiency in our internal control over financial reporting as our independent registered public accounting firm will be required to do once we cease to beof the Company also did not include an emerging growth company. Had our independent registered public accounting firm performed an auditevaluation of ourthe internal control over financial reporting additional control weaknesses may have been identified.

In addition, these new obligations will also require substantial attention from our senior managementof Me Salva!, Eduqo, Edupass and could divert their attention away from the day-to-day management of our business. These cost increases and the diversion of management’s attention could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and operation results.P2D.

Certain Factors Relating to Brazil

The Brazilian federal government has exercised, and continues to exercise, significant influence over the Brazilian economy. This involvement as well as Brazil’s political, regulatory, legal and economic conditions could harm us and the price of our Class A common shares.

The Brazilian federal government frequently exercises significant influence over the Brazilian economy and occasionally makes significant changes in policy and regulations. The Brazilian government’s actions to control inflation and other policies and regulations have often involved, among other measures, increases or decreases in interest rates, changes in fiscal policies, wage and price controls, foreign exchange rate controls, blocking access to bank accounts, currency devaluations, capital controls and import and export restrictions. We have no control over and cannot predict what measures or policies the Brazilian government may take in the future.future, and how these can impact us and our business. We and the market price of our securities may be harmed by changes in Brazilian government policies, as well as general economic factors, including, without limitation:

·growth or downturn of the Brazilian economy;

·interest rates and monetary policies;

·exchange rates and currency fluctuations;

·inflation;

·liquidity of the domestic capital and lending markets;

·import and export controls;

·exchange controls and restrictions on remittances abroad;abroad and payments of dividends;

·modifications to laws and regulations according to political, social and economic interests;

·fiscal policy and changes in tax laws;laws and related interpretations by tax authorities;

·economic, political and social instability;instability, including general strikes and mass demonstrations;

·the regulatory framework governing the educational industry;
labor and social security regulations;

·energy and water shortages and rationing;

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·commodity prices, including prices of paper and ink;

·public health, including as a result of epidemics and pandemics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic;
changes in demographics, in particular declining birth rates, which will result in a decrease in the number of enrolled students in primary and secondary education in the future; and

·other political, diplomatic, social and economic developments in or affecting Brazil.

Uncertainty over whether the Brazilian federal government will implement reforms or changes in policy or regulation affecting these or other factors in the future may affect economic performance and contribute to economic uncertainty in Brazil, which may have an adverse effect on our activities and consequently our operating results of operations, and may also adversely affect the trading price of our Class A common shares. RecentIn addition, the outcome of the upcoming Brazilian presidential elections that are taking place in October 2022 could result in an increase in government interference in the economy, aggravated by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which could negatively impact us and our results of operations.

Further, Brazil’s political environment has historically influenced, and continues to influence, the performance of the country’s economy. The recent economic instability in Brazil has contributed to a decline in market confidence in the Brazilian economy as well as to a deteriorating political environment. See “—The ongoing economic uncertainty and political instability in Brazil, including as a result of ongoing corruption investigations, may harm us and the price of our Class A common shares.”

As has ledbeen true in the past, the current political and economic environment in Brazil has and is continuing to a negative perceptionaffect the confidence of investors and the Brazilian economygeneral public, which has historically resulted in economic deceleration and higherheightened volatility in the Brazilian securities markets,offered by companies with significant operations in Brazil, which also may adversely affect us and our Class A common shares.

See “Item 5. Operating“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial ReviewCondition and Prospects—A. Operating results —Brazilian Results of Operations—Macroeconomic Environment.”

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environment” for further information.

The ongoing economic uncertainty and political instability in Brazil may harm us and the price of our Class A common shares.

Brazil’s political environment has historically influenced, and continues to influence, the performance of the country’s economy. Political crises have affected and continue to affect the confidence of investors and the general public, which have historically resulted in economic deceleration and heightened volatility in the securities offered by companies with significant operations in Brazil.

The recent economic instability in Brazil has contributed to a decline in market confidence in the Brazilian economy as well as to a deteriorating political environment, and weak macroeconomic conditions in Brazil are expected to continue.environment. In addition, various ongoing investigations into allegations of money laundering and corruption being conducted by the Office of the Brazilian Federal Prosecutor,Prosecutor’s Office, including the largest such investigation, known as “Operação Lava Jato,, have negatively impacted the Brazilian economy and political environment. In August 2016, the Brazilian Senate approved the removal of Dilma Rousseff, Brazil’s then-President, from office, following a legal and administrative impeachment process for infringing budgetary laws. Michel Temer, the former Vice-President, who had previously assumed the interim presidency of Brazil in a caretaker capacity since the former President’s suspension in May, was sworn in by the Brazilian Senate to serve out the remainder of the presidential term which ended in December 2018. Presidential elections took place in October 2018, and the election of Jair Bolsonaro as president could significantly change the course of the ongoing fiscal reforms and the economic policies being undertaken. Uncertainty about the new president’s ability to adoption and implement new policies may reduce investor and market confidence, and as a result we are unable to predict the country’s political and economic direction in coming years.

The potential outcome of these investigations is uncertain, but they have already had an adverse impact on the image and reputation of the implicated companies, and on the general market perception of the Brazilian economy. In March 2021, a Brazilian Federal Supreme Court ruling issued by Justice Edson Fachin annulled the decisions that had convicted former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. As a result of this ruling, former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva recovered his political rights and can run for office in the upcoming 2022 presidential elections in Brazil, which may result in political instability and may have an adverse effect on Brazilian capital markets.

On April 14, 2021, a Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry (Comissão Parlamentar de Inquérito), or “CPI,” was established to investigate actions and omissions by the Brazilian federal government in facing the pandemic and collapse of health in the State of Amazonas at the beginning of the year and the misuse of funds to combat the effects of COVID-19 in Brazil. With the support and expedition of a precautionary measure by the Brazilian Supreme Court justice, Luís Roberto Barroso, the necessary measures were taken for the creation and installation of the CPI. The CPI investigated, among other things, alleged failures to impose lockdowns or promote social distancing, the successive removals of health ministers to manage the pandemic, and the promotion of unproven drugs in treating COVID-19. Upon completion of the congressional investigation, a final report was approved on October 26, 2021,

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recommending that President Bolsonaro be indicted for nine crimes related to his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, including crimes against humanity. The congressional report could lead to criminal charges or trigger an impeachment proceeding.

As of the date of this annual report, several impeachment proceedings have been filed against the current President. Moreover, concerns regarding any potential interventionist stances in the future may have direct or indirect impacts on the market. Any resulting consequences of these investigations could have material adverse effects on the political and economic environment in Brazil, as well as on businesses operating in Brazil, including ours. The potential outcome of these and other investigations is uncertain, but they have already had a negative impact on the general perception of the market on the Brazilian economy and have affected and may continue to adversely affect our business, our financial condition and our operating results, as well as the trading price of our Class A common shares. We cannot predict whether the ongoing investigations will result in further political and economic instability, or if new allegations against government officials and/or executives of private companies will arise in the future.future or will result in additional investigations.

In addition, political demonstrationsA failure by the Brazilian government to implement necessary reforms may result in Brazil overdiminished confidence in the last few years have affected the developmentBrazilian government’s budgetary condition and fiscal stance, which could result in downgrades of Brazil’s sovereign foreign credit rating by credit rating agencies, negatively impact Brazil’s economy, and lead to further depreciation of the Brazilian economyreal and investors’ perceptions of Brazil. For example, street protests, which started in mid-2013 and continued through 2016, demonstrated the public’s dissatisfaction with the worsening Brazilian economic condition (including an increase in inflation and fuel prices as well as rising unemployment), and the perception of widespread corruption. Moreover, in October 2018, elections were held in Brazil for the following public offices: members of the federal house of representatives, members of the state houses of representatives, two-thirds of the senators, governors and the presidency, ininterest rates, which Jair Bolsonaro was elected president. Jair Bolsonaro began his term at the beginning of 2019. Furthermore, uncertainty over whether the acting Brazilian government will implement changes in policy or regulation in the future may contribute to economic uncertainty in Brazil and to heightened volatility in the securities offered by companies with significant operations in Brazil. We cannot predict which policies the new president of Brazil may adopt or change during his mandate or the effect that any such policies might have oncould adversely affect our business, financial condition and on the Brazilian economy. Any such new policies or changes to current policies may have a material adverse effect on us or the priceresults of our Class A common shares.

operations.

Any of the above factors may create additional political uncertainty, which could harm the Brazilian economy and, consequently, our business and the price of our Class A common shares.

Inflation and certain measures by the Brazilian government to curb inflation have historically harmed the Brazilian economy and Brazilian capital markets, and high levels of inflation in the future would harm our business and the price of our Class A common shares.

In the past, Brazil has experienced extremely high rates of inflation. Inflation and some of the measures taken by the Brazilian government in an attempt to curb inflation have had significant negative effects on the Brazilian economy generally. Inflation, policies adopted to curb inflationary pressures and uncertainties regarding possible future governmental intervention have contributed to economic uncertainty and heightened volatility in the Brazilian capital markets.

According to the National Consumer Price Index (Índice Nacional de Preços ao Consumidor Amplo), or IPCA, which is published by the IBGE, Brazilian inflation rates were 3.75%10.1%, 2.9%4.5% and 6.3%4.3% in 2018, 20172021, 2020 and

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2016, 2019, respectively. Brazil may experience high levels of inflation in the future and inflationary pressures may lead to the Brazilian government’s intervening in the economy and introducing policies that could harm our business and the price of our Class A common shares. In the past, the Brazilian government’s interventions included the maintenance of a restrictive monetary policy with high interest rates that restricted credit availability and reduced economic growth, causing volatility in interest rates. For example, the official interest rate in Brazil oscillated from 13.75%7.00% as of December 31, 20162017, to 6.50%2.00% as of December 31, 2018,2020, as established by the Monetary Policy Committee (Comitê de Política Monetária do Banco Central do Brasil—Brasil), or COPOM. Beginning in March 2021, COPOM). On February 7, 2018, began increasing Brazil’s official interest rate, reaching 9.25% as of December 31, 2021. As of the Monetary Policy Committee reduced the SELICdate of this annual report, Brazil’s official interest rate to 6.75% and further reduced the SELIC rate to 6.50% on March 21, 2018. The Monetary Policy Committee reconfirmed the SELIC rate of 6.50% on May 16, 2018 and subsequently on June 20, 2018.was 11.75%. Conversely, more lenient government and Central Bank policies and interest rate decreases have triggered and may continue to trigger increases in inflation, and, consequently, growth volatility and the need for sudden and significant interest rate increases, which could negatively affect us and increase our indebtedness.

Exchange rate instability may have adverse effects on the Brazilian economy, us and the price of our Class A common shares.

The Brazilian currency has been historically volatile and has been devalued frequently over the past three decades. Throughout this period, the Brazilian government has implemented various economic plans and used various exchange rate policies, including sudden devaluations, periodic mini-devaluations (during which the frequency of adjustments has ranged from daily to monthly), exchange controls, dual exchange rate markets and a floating exchange rate system. Although long-term depreciation of thereal is generally linked to the rate of inflation in Brazil, depreciation of thereal occurring over shorter periods of time has resulted in significant variations in the exchange rate between thereal, the U.S. dollar and other currencies. Thereal depreciated against the U.S. dollar by 47.0% at year-end 2015 as compared to year-end 2014, and by 13.4% at year-end 2014 as compared to year-end 2013. Thereal/U.S. dollar exchange rate reported by the Central Bank was R$3.90484.031 per U.S. dollar$1.00 on December 31, 2015 and R$3.2591 per U.S. dollar on December 31, 2016,2019, which reflected a 16.5% appreciation4.0% depreciation in thereal against the U.S. dollar during 2016.2019. Thereal/U.S. dollar exchange rate reported by the Central Bank was R$3.3085.197 per U.S. dollar$1.00 on

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December 31, 2017,2020, which reflected a 1.5%28.9% depreciation in thereal against the U.S. dollar during 2017.2020. Thereal/U.S. dollar exchange rate reported by the Central Bank was R$3.87485.581 per U.S.$1.00 on December 31, 2018,2021, which reflected a 17.1%7.4% depreciation in thereal against the U.S. dollar during 2017.2021. There can be no assurance that thereal will not again depreciate against the U.S. dollar or other currencies in the future.

A devaluation of thereal relative to the U.S. dollar could create inflationary pressures in Brazil and cause the Brazilian government to, among other measures, increase interest rates. Any depreciation of thereal may generally restrict access to the international capital markets. It would also reduce the U.S. dollar value of our results of operations. Restrictive macroeconomic policies could reduce the stability of the Brazilian economy and harm our results of operations and profitability. In addition, domestic and international reactions to restrictive economic policies could have a negative impact on the Brazilian economy. These policies and any reactions to them may harm us by curtailing access to foreign financial markets and prompting further government intervention. A devaluation of thereal relative to the U.S. dollar may also, as in the context of the current economic slowdown, decrease consumer spending, increase deflationary pressures, and reduce economic growth.

On the other hand, an appreciation of thereal relative to the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies may deteriorate the Brazilian foreign exchange current accounts. We and certain of our suppliers purchase goods and services from countries outside Brazil, and thus changes in the value of the U.S. dollar compared to other currencies may affect the costs of goods and services that we purchase. Depending on the circumstances, either devaluation or appreciation of thereal relative to the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies could restrict the growth of the Brazilian economy, as well as our business, results of operations and profitability.

Infrastructure and workforce deficiency in Brazil may impact economic growth and have a material adverse effect on us.

Our performance depends on the overall health and growth of the Brazilian economy. Brazilian GDP growthperformance has fluctuated over the past few years, with a growth of 3.0%1.4% in 2013 but decreasing to 0.5% in 2014,2019, a contraction of 3.8%4.1% in 2015, a contraction of 3.6% in 2016, growth of 1.0% in 20172020, and a growth of 1.1%4.6% in 2018.2021. Growth ishas been structurally limited by inadequate infrastructure, including potential energy shortages and deficient transportation, logistics and telecommunication sectors, general strikes, the lack of a qualified labor force, and the lack of private and public investments in these areas, which limit productivity and efficiency. Any of these factors could lead to labor market volatility and generally impact income, purchasing power and consumption levels, which could limit growth and ultimately have a material adverse effect on us.

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Developments and the perceptions of risks in other countries, including other emerging markets, the United States and Europe, may harm the Brazilian economy and the price of our Class A common shares.

The market for securities offered by companies with significant operations in Brazil is influenced by economic and market conditions in Brazil and, to varying degrees, market conditions in other Latin American and emerging markets, as well as the United States, Europe and other countries. To the extent the conditions of the global markets or economy deteriorate, the business of companies with significant operations in Brazil may be harmed. The weakness in the global economy has been marked by, among other adverse factors, lower levels of consumer and corporate confidence, decreased business investment and consumer spending, increased unemployment, reduced income and asset values in many areas, reduction of China’s growth rate, currency volatility and limited availability of credit and access to capital. Developments or economic conditions in other emerging market countries have at times significantly affected the availability of credit to companies with significant operations in Brazil and resulted in considerable outflows of funds from Brazil, decreasing the amount of foreign investments in Brazil.

Crises and political instability in other emerging market countries, the United States, Europe or other countries could decrease investor demand for securities offered by companies with significant operations in Brazil, such as our Class A common shares. In June 2016,Investors’ sentiment in one country may cause capital markets in other countries to fluctuate, affecting the value of our Class A common shares, even if indirectly. The economic, political, and social instability in the United Kingdom had a referendumStates, the trade war between the United States and China, crises in whichEurope and other countries, the majority voted to leave the European Union. We have no control over and cannot predict the effectconsequences of the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, nor over whether and to which effect anyglobal tensions, as well as economic or political crises in Latin America or other member state will decide to exitemerging markets including as a result of the European UnionCOVID-19 pandemic, may significantly affect the perception of the risks inherent in investment in Brazil.

Additionally, on November 7, 2020, Joseph Biden won the presidential election in the future. On January 20, 2017, Donald Trump becameUnited States and assumed office as the 46th President of the United States.States on January 20, 2021. The U.S. president has considerable influence, which may materially and

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adversely affect global economy and political stability. We cannot ensure that the Biden administration will adopt policies designed to promote macroeconomic stability, fiscal discipline, as well as domestic and foreign investment, which may materially and adversely impact the trading price of securities of Brazilian issuers, including our Class A common shares. Growing economic uncertainty and news of a potentially recessive economy in the United States may also create uncertainty in the Brazilian economy.

In 2022, the military conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine is contributing to further increases in the prices of energy, oil and other commodities (including grains and fertilizers) and to volatility in financial markets globally, as well as a new landscape in relation to international sanctions. It is unclear whether these challenges and uncertainties will be contained or resolved, and what effects they may have no control overon the global political and cannot predicteconomic conditions in the effect of Donald Trump’s administration or policies. long term.

These developments, as well as potential crises and forms of political instability arising therefrom or any other as of yet unforeseen development, may harm our businessadversely affect the United States and global economies and capital markets, which may, in turn, materially adversely affect the trading price of our Class A common shares.

Any further downgrading of Brazil’s credit rating could reduce the trading price of our Class A common shares.

WeGiven the current significance of our Brazil operations to our results of operations, we may be harmed by investors’ perceptions of risks related to Brazil’s sovereign debt credit rating. Rating agencies regularly evaluate Brazil and its sovereign credit ratings, which are based on a number ofseveral factors including macroeconomic trends, fiscal and budgetary conditions, indebtedness metrics and the perspective of changes in any of these factors.

The rating agencies began to review Brazil’s sovereign credit rating in September 2015. Subsequently, the three major rating agencies downgraded Brazil’s investment-grade status:

·In 2015, Standard & Poor’s initially downgraded Brazil’s credit rating from BBB-negative to BB-positive and subsequently downgraded it again from BB-positive to BB, maintaining its negative outlook, citing a worse credit situation since the first downgrade. On January 11, 2018, Standard & Poor’s further downgraded Brazil’s credit rating from BB to BB-negative.BB-stable, which was reaffirmed on June 2, 2021.

·In December 2015, Moody’s placed Brazil’s Baa3’s issue and bond ratings under review for downgrade and subsequently downgraded the issue and bond ratings to below investment grade, at Ba2 with a negative outlook, citing the prospect of a further deterioration in Brazil’s debt indicators, taking into account the low growth environment and the challenging political scenario. In April 2018,On May 25, 2021, Moody’s maintained Brazil’s credit rating at Ba2 but revised outlook from negative to stable, which it maintained in September 2018, citing expectations of further cuts to government spending.Ba2-stable.

·In 2016, Fitch initially downgraded Brazil’s sovereign credit rating to BB-positive with a negative outlook, in December 2015, citing the rapid expansion of the country’s rapidly expanding budget deficit and the worse-than-expected recession and subsequently downgraded it to BB with a negative outlook in May 2016.recession. In February 2018, Fitch downgraded Brazil’s sovereign credit rating again to BB-negative, citing, among other reasons,factors, fiscal deficits, the increasing burden of public debt and an inability to implement reforms that would structurally improve Brazil’s public finances. On May 27, 2021, Fitch reaffirmed Brazil’s credit rating at BB-negative.

Brazil’s sovereign credit rating is currently rated below investment grade by the three main credit rating agencies. Consequently, the prices of securities offered by companies with significant operations in Brazil have been negatively affected.

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The full consequences of a credit rating downgrade are inherently uncertain, as they depend upon numerous dynamic, complex, and inter-related factors and assumptions, including market conditions at the time of any downgrade. A prolongation or worsening of the current Brazilian recession and continued political uncertainty, among other factors, could lead to further ratings downgrades. We cannot assure you that the rating agencies will maintain their current ratings or outlooks, and such changes could increase our funding costs and adversely affect our results of operations. Any further downgrade of Brazil’s sovereign credit ratings could heighten investors’ perception of risk and, as a result, cause the trading price of our Class A common shares to decline.

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Certain Factors Relating to Our Class A Common Shares

The Founding Shareholders, our largest group of shareholders, own 100% of our outstanding Class B common shares, which represents 92.4%90.3% of the voting power of our issued share capital, and will control all matters requiring shareholder approval. This concentration of ownership and voting power limits your ability to influence corporate matters.

As of December 31, 2018,2021, Oto Brasil de Sá Cavalcante, Margarida Maria Porto Soares de Sá Cavalcante, Ari de Sá Cavalcante Neto, Mariana Magalhães de Sá Cavalcante, Patrícia Soares de Sá Cavalcante, Paula Soares de Sá Cavalcante and Luciana Soares de Sá Cavalcante Moraes, or the Founding Shareholders, control our company and do not hold any of our Class A common shares (except for Ari de Sá Cavalcante Neto, who held as of December 31, 2021, 1.3% of the Class A common shares), but beneficially own 54.8%48.2% of our issued share capital through their beneficial ownership of all of our outstanding Class B common shares, and consequently, 92.4%90.3% of the combined voting power of our issued share capital. Our Class B common shares are entitled to 10 votes per share and our Class A common shares, which are publicly traded, are entitled to one vote per share. Our Class B common shares are convertible into an equivalent number of Class A common shares and generally convert into Class A common shares upon transfer subject to limited exceptions. As a result, the Founding Shareholders will control the outcome of all decisions at our shareholders’ meetings and will be able to elect a majority of the members of our board of directors. TheyIn addition, so long as they are appointed and are serving as our directors, they will also be able to influence and direct our actions in areas such as business strategy, financing, distributions, acquisitions and dispositions of assets or businesses. For example, the Founding Shareholders, in their capacity as directors, may cause us to make acquisitions that increase the amount of our indebtedness or outstanding Class A common shares, sell revenue-generating assets or inhibit change of control transactions that benefit other shareholders. The Founding Shareholders’ decisions on these matters may be contrary to your expectations or preferences, and they may take actions that could be contrary to your interests. They are able tocan prevent any other shareholders, including you, from blocking these actions. For further information regarding shareholdings in our company, see “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—A. Major shareholders.”

SoAs long as the Founding Shareholders continue to beneficially own a sufficient number of Class B common shares, even if they beneficially own significantly less than 50% of our outstanding share capital, acting together, they will be able to effectively control our decisions. For example, if our Class B common shares amounted to 15% of our outstanding common shares, beneficial owners of our Class B common shares (consisting of the Founding Shareholders), would collectively control 63.8% of the voting power of our outstanding common shares. If the Founding Shareholders sell or transfer any of their Class B common shares, they will generally convert automatically into Class A common shares, subject to limited exceptions, such as transfers to affiliates, to trustees for the holder or its affiliates and certain transfers to U.S. tax exempt organizations. The fact that any Class B common shares convert into Class A common shares if the Founding Shareholders sell or transfer them means that the Founding Shareholders will in many situations continue to control a majority of the combined voting power of our outstanding share capital, due to the voting rights of any Class B common shares that they retain. However, if our Class B common shares at any time represent less than 10% of the total number of shares in the capital of the Company outstanding, the Class B common shares then outstanding will automatically convert into Class A common shares. For a description of the dual class structure, see “Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and articles of association.”

Our Articles of Association contain anti-takeover provisions that may discourage a third-party from acquiring us and adversely affect the rights of holders of our Class A common shares.

Our Articles of Association contain certain provisions that could limit the ability of others to acquire our control, including a provision that grants authority to our board of directors to establish and issue from time to time one or more series of preferred shares without action by our shareholders and to determine, with respect to any series of preferred shares, the terms and rights of that series. These provisions could have the effect of depriving our shareholders of the opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over the prevailing market price by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain our control in a tender offer or similar transactions.

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If securities or industry analysts do not publish research, or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research, about our business, the price of our Class A common shares and our trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our Class A common shares will dependdepends in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. Securities and industry analysts do not currently, and may never, publish research on our company. If no or too few securities or industry analysts commence coverage of our company, the trading price for our Class A common shares would likely be negatively affected. In the event securities or industry analysts initiate coverage, if one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our Class A common shares or publish

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inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the price of our Class A common shares would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our Class A common shares could decrease, which might cause the price of our Class A common shares and trading volume to decline.

We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

We currently intend to retain our future earnings, if any, for the foreseeable future, to fund the operation of our business and future growth. We do not intend to pay any dividends to holders of our Class A common shares. As a result, capital appreciation in the price of our Class A common shares, if any, will be your only source of gain on an investment in our Class A common shares.

Our dual class capital structure means our shares willare not be included in certain indices. We cannot predict the impact this may have on our share price.

In 2017, FTSE Russell, S&P Dow Jones and MSCI announced changes to their eligibility criteria for inclusion of shares of public companies on certain indices to exclude companies with multiple classes of shares of common stock, such as ours, from being added to such indices. FTSE Russell announced plans to require new constituents of its indices to have at least five percent of their voting rights in the hands of public stockholders, whereas S&P Dow Jones announced that companies with multiple share classes, such as ours, will not be eligible for inclusion in the S&P 500, S&P MidCap 400 and S&P SmallCap 600, which together make up the S&P Composite 1500. MSCI also opened public consultations on their treatment of no-vote and multi-class structures and has temporarily barred new multi-class listings from its ACWI Investable Market Index and U.S. Investable Market 2500 Index. However, in October 2018, MSCI announced its decision to include equity securities “with unequal voting structures” in its indices and to launch a new index that specifically includes voting rights in tis eligibility criteria. We cannot assure you that other stock indices will not take a similar approach to FTSE Russell, S&P Dow Jones and MSCI in the future. Under the announced policies, our dual class capital structure would make us ineligibleis not eligible for inclusion in any of these indices and, as a result, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and other investment vehicles that attempt to passively track these indices will not invest in our stock. These policies are new and it isIt continues to be unclear what effect, if any, theythese policies will have on the valuations of publicly traded companies excluded from the indices, but it is possible thatin certain situations they may depress these valuations compared to those of other similar companies that are included. Exclusion from indices could make our Class A common shares less attractive to investors and, as a result, the market price of our Class A common shares could be adversely affected.

The dual class structure of our common stock has the effect of concentrating voting control with the Founding Shareholders; this will limit or preclude your ability to influence corporate matters.

Each Class A common share entitles its holder to one vote per share, and each Class B common share will entitle its holder to ten votes per share, so long as the total number of the issued and outstanding Class B common shares is at least 10% of the total number of shares outstanding. Due to the ten-to-one voting ratio between our Class B and Class A common shares, the beneficial owners of our Class B common shares (comprised(composed of the Founding Shareholders) collectively will continue to control a majority of the combined voting power of our common shares and therefore be able to control all matters submitted to our shareholders requiring the approval of an ordinary resolution so long as the total number of the issued and outstanding Class B common shares is at least 10% of the total number of shares outstanding.

In addition, our Articles of Association provide that at any time when there are Class A common shares in issue, additional Class B common shares may only be issued pursuant to (1) a share split, subdivision of shares or similar transaction or where a dividend or other distribution is paid by the issue of shares or rights to acquire shares or following capitalization of profits, (2) a merger, consolidation, or other business combination involving the issuance of Class B common shares as full or partial consideration, or (3) an issuance of Class A common shares, whereby holders of the Class B common shares are entitled to purchase a number of Class B common shares that would allow them to maintain their proportional ownership interests in Arco (following an offer by us to each holder of Class B common shares to issue to such holder, upon the same economic terms and at the same price, such number of Class B common shares as would ensure that such holder may maintain a proportional ownership interest in Arco pursuant to our Articles of Association).

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Future transfers by holders of Class B common shares will generally result in those shares converting to Class A common shares, subject to limited exceptions, such as certain transfers effected to permitted transferees or for estate planning or charitable purposes. The conversion of Class B common shares to Class A common shares will have the effect, over time, of increasing the relative voting power of those holders of Class B common shares who retain their shares in the long term.

In light of the above provisions relating to the issuance of additional Class B common shares, the fact that future transfers by holders of Class B common shares will generally result in those shares converting to Class A common shares, subject to limited exceptions as provided in the Articles of Association; as well as the ten-to-one voting ratio of our Class B common shares and Class A common shares, holders of our Class B common shares will in many situations continue to maintain control of all matters requiring shareholder approval. This concentrated control will limit or preclude your ability to influence corporate matters for the foreseeable future. For a description of our dual class structure, see “Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and articles of association—Voting Rights.”

We are a Cayman Islands exempted company with limited liability. The rights of our shareholders, including with respect to fiduciary duties and corporate opportunities, may be different from the rights of shareholders governed by the laws of U.S. jurisdictions.

We are a Cayman Islands exempted company with limited liability. Our corporate affairs are governed by our Articles of Association and by the laws of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders and the responsibilities of members of our board of directors may be different from the rights of shareholders and responsibilities of directors in companies governed by the laws of U.S. jurisdictions. In particular, asAs a matter of Cayman Islands law, directors of a Cayman Islands company owe fiduciary duties to the company and separately a duty of care, diligence and skill to the company. Under Cayman Islands law, directors and officers owe the following fiduciary duties: (i) duty to act in good faith in what the director or officer believes to be in the best interests of the company as a whole; (ii) duty to exercise powers for the purposes for which those powers were conferred and not for a collateral purpose; (iii) directors should not properlyimproperly fetter the exercise of future discretion; (iv) duty to exercise powers fairly as between different sections of shareholders; (v) duty to exercise independent judgment; and (vi) duty not to put themselves in a position in which there is a conflict between their duty to the company and their personal interests. Our Articles of Association have varied this last obligation by providing that a director must disclose the nature and extent of his or her interest in any contract or arrangement, and following such disclosure and subject to any separate requirement under applicable law or the listing rules of the Nasdaq, and unless disqualified by the chairman of the relevant meeting, such director may vote in respect of any transaction or arrangement in which he or she is interested and may be counted in the quorum at the meeting. Conversely, under Delaware corporate law, a director has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its stockholders (made up of two components) and the director’s duties prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interest of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by the shareholders generally. See “Item. 16G Corporate Governance—Principal Differences between Cayman Islands and U.S. Corporate Law.”

As a foreign private issuer, and an “emerging growth company” (as defined in the JOBS Act), we will have different disclosure and other requirements than U.S. domestic registrants and non-emerging growth companies.

registrants.

As a foreign private issuer, and emerging growth company, we may be subject to different disclosure and other requirements than domestic U.S. registrants and non-emerging growth companies.registrants. For example, as a foreign private issuer, in the United States, we are not subject to the same disclosure requirements as a domestic U.S. registrant under the Exchange Act, including the requirements to prepare and issue quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or to file current reports on Form 8-K upon the occurrence of specified significant events, the proxy rules applicable to domestic U.S. registrants under Section 14 of the Exchange Act or the insider reporting and short-swing profit rules applicable to domestic U.S. registrants under Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we intend to rely on exemptions from certain U.S. rules which will permit us to follow Cayman Islands legal requirements rather than certain of the requirements that are applicable to U.S. domestic registrants.

We will follow Cayman Islands laws and regulations that are applicable to Cayman Islands companies. However, Cayman Islands laws and regulations applicable to Cayman Islands companies do not contain any provisions comparable to the U.S. proxy rules, the U.S. rules relating to the filing of reports on Form 10-Q or 8-K or the U.S. rules relating to liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time, as referred to above.

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Furthermore, foreign private issuers are required to file their annual report on Form 20-F within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, while U.S. domestic issuers that are accelerated filers are required to file their annual report on Form 10-K within 75 days after the end of each fiscal year. Foreign private issuers are also exempt from Regulation Fair Disclosure, aimed at preventing issuers from making selective disclosures of material information, although we will be subject to Cayman Islands laws and regulations having substantially the same effect as Regulation Fair Disclosure. As a result of the above, even though we are required to file reports on Form 6-K disclosing the limited information which we have made or are required to make public pursuant to Cayman Islands law, or are required to distribute to shareholders generally, and that is material to us, you may not receive information of the same type or amount that is required to be disclosed to shareholders of a U.S. company.

The JOBS Act contains provisions that, among other things, relax certain reporting requirements for emerging growth companies. Under this act, as an emerging growth company, we will not be subject to the same disclosure and financial reporting requirements as non-emerging growth companies. For example, as an emerging growth company we are permitted to, and intend to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. Also, we will not have to comply with future audit rules promulgated by the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or PCAOB, (unless the SEC determines otherwise) and our auditors will not need to attest to our internal controls under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We may follow these reporting exemptions until we are no longer an emerging growth company. As a result, our shareholders may not have access to certain information that they deem important. We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of our initial public offering, (b) in which we have total annual revenues of at least US$1.07 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our Class A common shares that is held by non-affiliates exceeds US$700.0 million as of the prior June 30th, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than US$1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period. Accordingly, the information about us available to you will not be the same as, and may be more limited than, the information available to shareholders of a non-emerging growth company. We could be an “emerging growth company” for up to five years, although circumstances could cause us to lose that status earlier, including if the market value of our Class A common shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of any June 30 (the end of our second fiscal quarter) before that time, in which case we would no longer be an “emerging growth company” as of the following December 31 (our fiscal year end). We cannot predict if investors will find our Class A common shares less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our Class A common shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our Class A common shares and the price of our Class A common shares may be more volatile.

As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to, and we will, rely on exemptions from certain Nasdaq corporate governance standards applicable to U.S. issuers, including the requirement that a majority of an issuer’s directors consist of independent directors. This may afford less protection to holders of our Class A common shares.

Section 5605 of the Nasdaq equity rules requires listed companies to have, among other things, a majority of their board members be independent, and to have independent director oversight of executive compensation, nomination of directors and corporate governance matters. As a foreign private issuer, however, we are permitted to, and we will, follow home country practice in lieu of the above requirements. See “Item 16G Corporate Governance—Principal Differences between Cayman Islands and U.S. Corporate Law.”

We may lose our foreign private issuer status which would then require us to comply with the Exchange Act’s domestic reporting regime and cause us to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses.

In order toTo maintain our current status as a foreign private issuer, either (a) more than 50% of our Class A common shares must be either directly or indirectly owned of record by non-residents of the United States or (b)(i) a majority of our executive officers or directors may not be U.S. citizens or residents, (ii) more than 50% of our assets cannot be located in the United States and (iii) our business must be administered principally outside the United States. If we lose this status, we would be required to comply with the Exchange Act reporting and other requirements applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, which are more detailed and extensive than the requirements for foreign private issuers. We may also be required to make changes in our corporate governance practices in accordance with various SEC and Nasdaq rules. The regulatory and compliance costs to us under U.S. securities laws if we are required to comply with the reporting requirements applicable to a U.S. domestic issuer may be significantly higher than the costs we will incur as a foreign private issuer.

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Our shareholders may face difficulties in protecting their interests because we are a Cayman Islands exempted company.

Our corporate affairs are governed by our Articles of Association, by the Companies Law (as amended)Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under the laws of the Cayman Islands are not as clearly definedestablished as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in existence insome jurisdictions in the United States. Therefore, you may have more difficulty protecting your interests than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a jurisdiction in the United States, due to the comparatively less formal nature of Cayman Islands law in this area.

While Cayman Islands law allows a dissenting shareholder to express the shareholder’s view that a court sanctioned reorganization of a Cayman Islands company would not provide fair value for the shareholder’s shares, Cayman Islands statutory law does not specifically provide for shareholder appraisal rights in connection with a merger or consolidationcourt sanctioned reorganization (by way of a company.scheme of arrangement). This may make it more difficult for you to assess the value of any consideration you may receive in a merger or consolidation (by way of a scheme of arrangement) or to require that the acquirer gives you additional consideration if you believe the consideration offered is insufficient. However, Cayman Islands statutory law provides a mechanism for a dissenting shareholder in a merger or consolidation to apply to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands for a determination of the fair value of the dissenter’s shares if it is not possible for the company and the dissenter to agree on a fair price within the time limits prescribed.

Shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies (such as us) have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records and accounts or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders. Our directors have discretion under our Articles of Association to determine whether, or not, and under what conditions, our corporate records may be inspected by our shareholders, but are not

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obliged to make them available to our shareholders. This may make it more difficult for you to obtain information needed to establish any facts necessary for a shareholder motion or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest.

Subject to limited exceptions, under Cayman Islands’ law, a minority shareholder may not bring a derivative action against the board of directors. Class actions are not recognized in the Cayman Islands, but groups of shareholders with identical interests may bring representative proceedings, which are similar.

United States civil liabilities and certain judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable.

We are a Cayman Islands exempted company and substantially all of our assets are located outside of the United States. In addition, the majority of our directors and officers are nationals and residents of countries other than the United States. A substantial portion of the assets of these persons is located outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons. It may also be difficult to enforce in U.S. courts judgments obtained in U.S. courts based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us and our officers and directors who are not resident in the United States and the substantial majority of whose assets are located outside of the United States.

Further, it is unclear if original actions predicated on civil liabilities based solely upon U.S. federal securities laws are enforceable in courts outside the United States, including in the Cayman Islands and Brazil. Courts of the Cayman Islands may not, in an original action in the Cayman Islands, recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state of the United States on the grounds that such provisions are penal in nature. Although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, courts of the Cayman Islands will recognize and enforce a foreign judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction if such judgment is final, for a liquidated sum, provided it is not in respect of taxes or a fine or penalty, is not inconsistent with a Cayman Islands’ judgment in respect of the same matters, and was not obtained in a manner which is contrary to the public policy of the Cayman Islands. In addition, a Cayman Islands court may stay proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere.

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Judgments of Brazilian courts to enforce our obligations with respect to our Class A common shares may be payable only in reais.

Most of our assets are located in Brazil. If proceedings are brought in the courts of Brazil seeking to enforce our obligations in respect of our Class A common shares, we may not be required to discharge our obligations in a currency other than thereal. Under Brazilian exchange control laws, an obligation in Brazil to pay amounts denominated in a currency other than thereal may only be satisfied in Brazilian currency at the exchange rate, as determined by the Central Bank, in effect on the date the judgment is obtained, and such amounts are then adjusted to reflect exchange rate variations through the effective payment date. The then-prevailing exchange rate may not afford non-Brazilian investors with full compensation for any claim arising out of or related to our obligations under the Class A common shares.

The Economic Substance Act of the Cayman Islands may affect our operations.

The Cayman Islands has recently enacted the International Tax Co-operation (Economic Substance) Act (As Revised), or the Cayman Economic Substance Act. We are required to comply with the Cayman Economic Substance Act. As we are a Cayman Islands company, compliance obligations include filing annual notifications for the Company, which need to state whether we are carrying out any relevant activities and if so, whether we have satisfied economic substance tests to the extent required under the Cayman Economic Substance Act. As it is a new regime, it is anticipated that the Cayman Economic Substance Act will evolve and be subject to further clarification and amendments. We may need to allocate additional resources to keep updated with these developments and may have to make changes to our operations in order to comply with all requirements under the Cayman Economic Substance Act. Failure to satisfy these requirements may subject us to penalties under the Cayman Economic Substance Act.

Our Class A common shares may not be a suitable investment for all investors, as investment in our Class A common shares presents risks and the possibility of financial losses.

The investment in our Class A common shares is subject to risks. Investors who wish to invest in our Class A common shares are thus subject to asset losses, including loss of the entire value of their investment, as well as other risks, including those related to our Class A common shares, us, the sector in which we operate, our shareholders and the general macroeconomic environment in Brazil, among other risks.

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Each potential investor in our Class A common shares must therefore determine the suitability of that investment in light ofconsidering its own circumstances. In particular, eachEach potential investor should:

·have sufficient knowledge and experience to make a meaningful evaluation of our Class A common shares, the merits and risks of investing in our Class A common shares and the information contained in this annual report;

·have access to, and knowledge of, appropriate analytical tools to evaluate, in the context of its particular financial situation, an investment in our Class A common shares and the impact our Class A common shares will have on its overall investment portfolio;

·have sufficient financial resources and liquidity to bear all of the risks of an investment in our Class A common shares;

·understand thoroughly the terms of our Class A common shares and be familiar with the behavior of any relevant indices and financial markets; and

·be able to evaluate (either alone or with the help of a financial adviser) possible scenarios for economic, interest rate and other factors that may affect its investment and its ability to bear the applicable risks.

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ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

A.History and development of the company

A.    History and Development of the Company

We were founded in 2004. However, our history goes back to 1941, when the grandfather of our CEO and founder, Ari de Sá Cavalcante Neto, acquired a small school in downtown Fortaleza. Over decades, the school grew into a large educational group with several branches providing K-12 education to over 7,0006,500 students becoming recognized byfor its quality nationally and for successfully preparing students for the most rigorous national and international college admission exams for admission into institutions such as Massachusetts Institute andof Technology, Stanford University and Princeton University, and national and international science competitions such as the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO), the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) and the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO).

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Colégio Ari de Sá developed a proprietary educational methodology aimed at improving student academic performance. The methodology is based on instilling discipline and a culture of hard work, stimulating students to develop a study routine and to demonstrate a proactive and considerate attitude toward their learning habits.

In 2004, our CEO and founder, Ari de Sá Cavalcante Neto, decided to start an independent company exclusively focused on content and technology for K-12 schools, SAS. The SAS method was created with the aim of offering it as a solution to private schools across Brazil. Our system uses technology as a powerful tool to promote improvements in student performance. This is achieved, in part, by allowing students to prepare for class in advance by using our platform’s video lessons, homework tools and daily class reviews, as well as our practical workbooks with class-specific content, homework and performance reports. The SAS method is based

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on the concept of personalized and adaptive learning, aimed at providing tailored education to each student according to his or her individual needs, with concentration on the main areas in need of improvement, which manifests in higher levels of academic achievement.

Since 2015, we have been investing in technology and our printed methodology has evolved into an educational platform capable of delivering its curriculum content in both printed and digital format. It has also evolved into a robust omni-channel platform, capable of delivering the entire K-12 curriculum in both printed and digital format, withlecturettes featuring expert, on-screen teachers and tailored assignments and assessments to engage students and ensure subject-area mastery across all grades.

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With this integrated approach, students can track their progress and performance, teachers have access to real-time data to evaluate students and personalize their teaching, and school administrators have access to their school’s performance both on absolute and comparative terms.

Graphic

Since our founding through 2019, we have achieved a compound annual growth rate, or CAGR (defined as the compounded average annual rate of growth between two periods) of 48% in terms of number of students, as shown in the chart below.

 

With an asset-light and highly scalable business model that emphasizes operating efficiency and profitability, we were able to grow the number of students served at a 48%51% CAGR since 2006, reaching a total of 498,5532,279,025 students served in 2019,2022, combining organic growth, strategic investments, and acquisitions to grow our K-12 education exposure. These initiatives have helped us identify new business potential to enhance our overall growth prospects, such as education IT systems (WPensar)technological features (WPensar, Escola em Movimento, or EEM, Studos and Eduqo), supplemental instruction content (International School)School, PES, Nave à Vela, or NAV, Escola da Inteligência, or EI, Pleno, PGS, formerly known as Pearson Global School, and Coleção Mentes), digital-native content platform (Geekie), B2C online test prep solution (Me Salva!) and life-long learning platform connecting employees of companies across Brasil to free and discounted courses (Edupass).

On September 25, 2018, the registration Statementstatement on Form F-1 (File No 333-7007) relating to our initial public offering of our class A common shares was declared effective by the SEC. On September 25, 2018, we commenced our initial public offering. On September 28, 2018, we closed our initial public offering, pursuant to which we issued and sold 12,777,777 Class A common shares for an aggregate price of US$U.S.$223,611,098 (R$895.2 million).

On October 29, 2019, we completed a follow-on public offering, consisting of 3,450,656 Class A common shares issued and sold by us, and 4,268,847 Class A common shares sold by certain selling shareholders. The public offering price was US$43.00 per Class A common share. We received net proceeds of US$143.9 million, after deducting US$3.7 million in underwriting discounts and commissions. On November 26, 2019, an additional 661,112 Class A common shares were sold by General Atlantic Arco (Bermuda), L.P. following the exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares.

On June 4, 2020, we completed a follow-on public offering, by which General Atlantic Arco (Bermuda), L.P. and Alfaco Holding Inc. sold an aggregate amount of 5,563,203 Class A common shares issued by us, at a public offering price of US$47.70 per Class A common share. We did not receive any proceeds from the sale of Class A common shares by the selling shareholders in connection with this offering.

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On September 8, 2020, we completed a follow-on public offering, consisting of 2,500,000 Class A common shares issued and sold by us. The public offering price was US$44.80 per Class A common share. We received net proceeds of US$109.8 million, after deducting USS$2.2 million in underwriting discounts and commissions.

On January 6, 2021, our Board of Directors approved the Repurchase Program to comply with management long-term incentive plan obligations. Pursuant to the Repurchase Program, we may repurchase up to 500,000 of our outstanding Class A common shares in the open market, based on prevailing market prices, or in privately negotiated transactions, over a period beginning on January 6, 2021, continuing until the earlier of the completion of the repurchase or January 6, 2023, depending upon market conditions. On March 31, 2021, our Board of Directors approved the increase of the share repurchase limit of our Repurchase Program to up to 2.5 million of our outstanding Class A common shares in the open market, based on prevailing market prices, or in privately negotiated transactions, continuing until the earlier of the completion of the repurchase or January 6, 2023, depending upon market conditions. As of the date of this annual report, we had purchased an aggregate of 1,818,779 Class A common shares for a total of approximately US$43.2 million under the Repurchase Program.

On November 1, 2021, we cancelled 750,000 treasury shares with the approval of our Board of Directors.

On December 1, 2021, we issued US$150 million in senior notes convertible into our Class A common shares (US$100 million to Dragoneer, and US$50 million to General Atlantic), bearing interest at 8% per annum in fixed Brazilian reais and maturing on November 15, 2028. Each note will be convertible at the option of the holder into our Class A common shares at the agreed conversion rate, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of US$29 per share. The conversion price represents an approximately 65% premium to the trailing 30-day volume-weighted share price at the time of signing the investment agreements for the convertible notes. Dragoneer and General Atlantic will beneficially own approximately 5.6% and 2.8%, respectively, of our total shares (on an as converted basis for the convertible senior notes).

Following over a decade of growth, and our initial public offering in 2018, we are excited about the future and how technological advances can impact education. We believe that students are increasingly looking for modern, dynamic and client oriented educational platforms and that our tech-enabled approach is positioned to deliver a variety of content and provide a new learning experience that is more effective, personal, engaging, and enjoyable.

Acquisitions and Investments

Acquisition of Edupass

 36On September 3, 2021, we acquired 100% of the equity interest of Edupass for a total amount of R$5 million. Edupass is a technology company that offers an education as a benefit platform connecting its clients’ employees to a variety of education courses and content.

Acquisition of Eduqo

On April 22, 2021, we entered into a purchase agreement for the acquisition of 100% of the equity interest of Eduqo. The transaction closed on July 1, 2021, following CADE’s approval. Eduqo is a learning management system (LMS) platform that connects students and professors, and offers question banks, exams and diagnostics to its clients.

The purchase price for the acquisition is structured as follows: (i) R$15,097 million was paid on July 1, 2021, (ii) R$ 6.969 million will be paid on July 1, 2022, and (iii) R$6.504 million will be paid on July 1, 2023. Additionally, on November 16, 2021, Eduqo shareholders and Arco entered into an agreement to amend the earnout structure previously agreed, to a fixed value of R$2.603 million to be paid on July 1, 2023.

Investment in Tera

On April 9, 2021, we acquired a 23.43% equity interest of Tera for a total amount of R$15 million. The transaction was divided in a capital injection and an acquisition of shares from Tera’s founders and early-stage investors. The company offers tech-related courses such as UX design, full stack development and data analytics, among others, for the B2B and B2C markets.

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Acquisition of Me Salva!

AcquisitionsOn March 10, 2021, we acquired 100% of the equity interest of Me Salva!, an online educational solution that prepares students to be admitted to the Brazilian universities, through recorded and live classes, comprehensive exercises, essay writing tools, assessment tests, 1-on-1 tutoring and personalized study plans.

According to the transaction agreements, 60% of the company’s interest was transferred on the signing date for a total amount of R$27.6 million, and the remaining 40% will be transferred in 2025, in an amount equal to the multiple of the net revenues of Me Salva!

Acquisition of COC and Dom Bosco learning systems and PGS and Coleção Mentes do Amanhã supplemental solutions

On March 6, 2021, we entered into a definitive agreement with Pearson Education do Brasil Ltda. (“Pearson”) to acquire 100 % interest in P2D, owner of COC and Dom Bosco learning systems, for the total amount of R$920 million, of which (i) 80% was paid on closing, and (ii) the remaining 20% of the purchase price will be paid on the first anniversary of the closing date, as adjusted. The transaction also includes an agreement with Pearson to distribute some supplemental educational solutions for K-12 schools in Brazil.

On October 1, 2021, following final approval from CADE for this acquisition, we closed the transaction. The payment terms set forth in the purchase agreement were updated upon closing of the transaction to a total purchase price of R$800.4 million, adjusted for COC’s and Dom Bosco’s cash and working capital positions as of September 30, 2021, paid in a single installment on the transaction closing date. The incorporation of COC and Dom Bosco into Companhia Brasileira de Educação e Sistema de Ensino S.A., our subsidiary incorporating the acquired businesses, is expected to be concluded in the first quarter of 2022.

In addition to the acquisition of P2D, CBE entered into a Commercial Cooperation and Distribution Agreement with Pearson pursuant to which CBE would be the sole distributor in Brazil of the PGS bilingual courseware and teaching methodology and the supplemental solution focused on 21st century skills Mentes do Amanhã, with the option to acquire these business lines in the long term.

On February 1, 2022, Pearson and CBE entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement and an Intellectual Property License Agreement, pursuant to which CBE acquired the right of such solutions in Brazil for a total amount to be calculated considering 1.5x Net Revenue for 2022, with a base price of R$15.0 million. CBE is licensed to use the PGS trademark until 2026, when a new brand is expected to be launched.

Investment in Isaac

On January 25, 2021, we entered into a Series B Ordinary Shares Purchase Agreement, among other ancillary and transactional documents, with INCO Limited, or INCO, the controlling entity of OISA Tecnología e Serviços Ltda., or OISA (a company indirectly controlled by David Peixoto dos Santos, Arco’s former CFO), pursuant to which we acquired 8,571,427 series B ordinary shares, equivalent to 30% of the total stock capital of INCO, for R$25 million. INCO Limited provides financial assistance to private schools.

In addition, on April 22, 2021, we and other investors entered into a Series A and Series A-1 Preferred Shares Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which we acquired 3,653,788 Series A Preferred Shares of INCO Limited, for R$33.2 million, with the option to acquire an additional 2,935,010 Series A-1 Preferred Shares, which was exercised on September 17, 2021 for an amount of R$52.0 million.

As of March 31, 2022, INCO Limited had additional investments rounds in which we did not participate. As of the date of this annual report, we hold 47,375,702 shares of INCO Limited, equivalent to 25.06% of its total capital stock (22.43% on fully diluted basis) representing a total investment of R$110.3 million.

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Acquisition of Escola da Inteligência

On December 2, 2020, we closed the acquisition of Escola da Inteligência, the leading solution in social-emotional learning (SEL) in Brazil, which was approved by CADE, with no restrictions, on the same date. This transaction broadens our supplemental market presence by adding a strong brand to its portfolio. We believe there is a favorable market trend for SEL, pushed forward by the COVID-19 pandemic, and that Escola da Inteligência is well positioned to capture this demand outside and within our school base.

The acquisition involves only the private sector business of Escola da Inteligência and under the terms of transaction, we acquired 100% of Escola da Inteligência’s shares, which will be officially transferred in two phases, of which 60% was acquired for R$288 million, with R$200 million paid at closing and the remaining R$88 million in the second quarter of 2021. The amount due for the remaining 40% of Escola da Inteligência’s shares will be calculated considering 6 times the 2023 ACV booking value and will be paid in the second quarter of 2023. The remaining shares will be transferred to us on the day of such payment. For further information, see note 4h to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Acquisition of Studos

On September 21, 2020, we acquired 100.0% of the outstanding shares and voting rights of Studos, a leading provider of adaptive solutions. For further information, see note 4f to our audited consolidated financial statements. This acquisition is part of our strategy to acquire technology companies that increase the value of our learning systems to partner schools and parents, improve student’s academic performance and enable teachers to thrive.

Investment in Bewater Ventures I GA

On July 24, 2020, we acquired a 14.48% interest in Bewater Ventures I GA, a fund legally managed by Paraty Capital, through the purchase of 9,670 Class B quotas for R$9.7 million. As a result of the fund's capital call, we currently own 9,713 Class B Shares, equivalent to a 11% interest, representing a total investment of R$9.8 million

The fund’s main goal is the minority investment in Grupo A, a company that provides educational solutions for higher education, which happened subsequently to our investment. For further information, see note 11 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Acquisition of Positivo Soluções Didáticas

On November 1, 2019, we closed the acquisition of Positivo, one of the largest K-12 content providers to private schools in Brazil, and other companies of the Positivo Group (as defined below), or Positivo Acquisition. Positivo is part of a group founded in 1972 in Curitiba by a group of teachers as a preparatory course focused on admission exams to universities in the state of Paraná, or Positivo Group. The preparatory course reached 2,300 enrolled students in the first year of operation and its success led the group to quickly open new schools for all K-12 grades under the brand Colégio Positivo. In a short period of time, the proprietary content and methodology developed and used by Colégio Positivo schools achieved significant recognition among teachers, parents and students. The high-quality content and its dynamic approach led to the foundation of Positivo in 1979, allowing the Positivo brand to expand far beyond the reach of Colégio Positivo, being adopted by third-party schools in several cities of the state of Paraná and other Brazilian states.

With over 40 years of brand legacy, Positivo evolved to become a leading content providing platform that transforms the lives of many students of private schools across all Brazilian states. This is a vibrant ecosystem with several opportunities to effectively address the needs of parents, students, teachers and school owners. Positivo is focused on building long-term relationships with partner schools and this approach is an important factor to its success, proven by the fact that more than 50% of its client base has over ten years of relationship.

This carve-out acquisition encompassed only the private school learning systems and did not include the other assets of the Positivo Group, such as the public-school learning system, the printing company, the Universidade Positivo post-secondary education business, and the Colégio Positivo proprietary schools.

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The agreed purchase price was R$1,684.8 million (equity value), of which (i) 50% was paid in cash on the transaction closing date, and (ii) the remaining 50% will be paid in four installments as follows: (1) 10% per year to be paid in cash in each of 2021 and 2022, and (2) 15% per year to be paid in cash in each of 2023 and 2024, all as adjusted by the CDI rate (Brazilian interest rates).

The Positivo Acquisition allowed us to increase our student base twofold, reaching over 1.2 million students in 2019. In addition, it allowed us to accelerate our growth with the same B2B2C business model, with predictable subscription-based revenue, high operating leverage and cash flow conversion while remaining asset-light. By adding complementary assets, Positivo also enables us to broaden our product offerings and expand our footprint. Positivo comprises two different brands with reciprocal business profiles: (i) Sistema de Ensino Positivo, or SPE, an educational solution consisting of content, technology and services provided to private schools serving upper-middle-income students; and (ii) Conquista Solução Educacional, or Conquista, which is focused on private schools serving lower-middle income students. Together, SPE and Conquista enhance our Core Curriculum offering, allowing us to reach a larger base of schools at different price points. In addition, Positivo also owns Positivo English Solution, or PES, an affordably priced second language-offering that enhances our Supplemental Solutions.

Positivo has a strong presence in the South and Southeast regions of Brazil, with relatively low geographic overlap with our student base. The acquisition will also allow us to add opportunities through our scale and technology, strengthening our capacity to invest in high quality content and technology and enabling us to enhance our student base experience and academic outcomes through technology improvements and our cross-selling capabilities.

Acquisition of EEM

On June 4, 2019, we closed the acquisition of EEM, or the EEM Acquisition, an app developer that enhances communication between schools and parents by providing chat-based interactions, location-based identifications, Net Promoter Scores, or NPS, tool to assess parent’s satisfaction and pilot project related to payments. The EEM Acquisition provided us with new capabilities that further increases our value proposition to partner schools, parents and students, and also allowed us to access EEM’s network of schools. The purchase consideration transferred was R$18.3 million. The amount of R$16.1 million was paid on the closing date, the amount of R$0.3 million was paid on June 29, 2019, and the deferred payment in the amount of R$1.9 million, which has been retained for a period of two years as guarantee for the payment of any contingent liabilities, will be released in accordance with the provisions of the agreement. Any remaining balance will be transferred to the former owners of the acquired entity. For further information, see note 17c to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Acquisition of NAV

In May 2019, we acquired a 13.2% interest in the share capital of NAV, a developer of competence-based learning content present in more than 50 schools and reaching 16,000 students, according to NAV’s website, for the total subscription price of R$4.2 million, hereinafter referred to as the NAV Acquisition. Pursuant to the investment and share purchase agreement, we have agreed to acquire the remaining 86.8% of the outstanding share capital of NAV in three tranches. We acquired: (i) Tranche 1, corresponding to 37.8% of the outstanding share capital of NAV, on October 29, 2019, for the amount of R$21.1 million, and (ii) Tranche 2 and Tranche 3, corresponding to 24% and 25% of the outstanding share capital of NAV, respectively, on February 15, 2021, for the total amount of R$22.6 million. By anticipating the payment of Tranche 3, NAV became our wholly owned subsidiary on February 25, 2021.

NAV enhances our Supplemental Solutions offering and the cross-selling capacity of our Core Curriculum offering through a competence-based curriculum to address 21st century skills. The EEM Acquisition and NAV Acquisition provide us with new capabilities that further increases our value proposition to partner schools, parents and students, and also allows us to access each acquisition’s network of schools. Through projects, problem solving and technology, NAV helps students develop transferable skills, such as critical and creative thinking, and communication skills.

Acquisition of Geekie

In December 2016, we acquired a 6.54% interest in Geekie, an entity that provides technology for adaptive assessment and learning products and engages in the production, development and licensing of software tailored to the specific requirements of

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education sector customers. Pursuant to the share purchase agreement dated as of December 8, 2016, as part of our acquisition of our initial 6.54% interest in the share capital of Geekie, we contracted for put and call options to acquire the remaining 93.46% of the outstanding share capital of Geekie in May 2022. On July 3, 2018, we acquired an additional 1.51% interest in the share capital of Geekie, increasing our total interest to 8.05%.

On September 20, 2019, we acquired an additional 0.96% interest in the share capital of Geekie through a capital increase of R$1.2 million. On October 14, 2019, we acquired an additional 1.92% interest in the share capital of Geekie through a capital increase of R$2.5 million, increasing our total interest to 10.92%. In addition, on October 25, 2019, we acquired an additional 18.44% interest in the share capital of Geekie from a minority shareholder for the amount of R$21.9 million, increasing our total interest to 29.36%. On November 15, 2019, we acquired an additional 1.17% interest in the share capital of Geekie through a capital increase of R$2.0 million, increasing our total interest to 30.53%. In December 2019, we acquired an additional 7.00% interest in the share capital of Geekie through a capital increase of R$4.3 million and the purchase of minority shareholders for R$5.8 million increasing our total interest to 37.53% as of December 31, 2019. On March 4, 2020, we acquired an additional 10.51% interest in Geekie’s share capital from minority shareholders for R$12.7 increasing our total interest to 48.04%. On July 6, 2020, we acquired an additional 4.62% interest in Geekie’s share capital from minority shareholders for R$5.8 million, increasing our total interest to 52.67%. On September 21, 2020, we acquired an additional 1.76% interest in the share capital of Geekie through a capital increase of R$4,500 increasing its total interest to 54.43%. On November 11, 2020, we acquired an additional 1.64% interest in Geekie’s share capital through a capital increase of R$4,500 increasing our total interest to 56.06%. On January 20, 2021, we acquired an additional 1.36% interest in Geekie’s share capital through a capital increase of R$4,000, increasing our total interest to 57.42%.

On November 27, 2020, we entered into a new shareholders’ agreement with the other Geekie’s shareholders, by which we acquired control of Geekie and started to consolidate Geekie in our financial statements as our subsidiary. We expect to acquire the remaining 42.58% interest in Geekie’s share capital in June 2022, for the amount to be calculated considering the ACV of Geekie or Arco for 2022 and the company’s debts, whichever results on the highest amount to be received by the sellers, and the net revenue of Geekie products as of January 2023, which will be payable in June 2022 and January 2023. For further information, see note 114g to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Acquisition of SAE

In June 2016, we acquired a 70% interest in the share capital of SAE. In October 2017, we acquired the remaining 30% in the share capital of SAE. As of December 31, 2018, we heldWe currently hold a 100% interest in the share capital of SAE. The investment in SAE added a new platform for the Company’s Core segment with a different pedagogical approach and different pricing point. This acquisition enabled the Company to serve a broader range of schools, allowing us to maximize our market reach and penetration. Thus, with the SAE solution, the Company started to offer a basic subscription solution focused on upper middle income private schools.

Acquisition of International School

In December 2015 we acquired a 40% interest in the share capital of International School. Inand January 2017, weour subsidiary Companhia Brasileira de Educação e Sistemas de Ensino S.A. (formerly known as PSD Educação S.A. (until 2021) as EAS Educação S.A (until 2020) and SAS Educação S.A. (until 2017)), or CBE, acquired an additional40% and 11.48% interest in the share capital of International School. As of December 31, 2018, we held a 51.48% controlling interest in the share capital of International School. Pursuant to an investment agreement between EAS Brazil and the seller, as part of our acquisition of our current 51.48% interestinterests, respectively, in the share capital of International School we contracted for putfrom Mr. Ulisses Borges Cardinot, pursuant to an investment and call options to acquire (i) a further 25% ofother covenants agreement (Contrato de Investimento e Outras Avenças) dated December 21, 2015 (as amended on January 28, 2016 and January 23, 2017), or the outstanding share capitalInvestment Agreement. Mr. Cardinot is currently the chief executive officer of International School pursuant to a shareholders’ agreement between January 1, 2020Mr. Cardinot and April 30, 2020, and (ii)CBE.

The Investment Agreement contains certain contractual arrangements for the remaining 23.52%acquisition by CBE of the outstanding share capital of International School between January 1, 2021 and April 30, 2021, in each case at a purchase price to be calculated based on the EBITDA of International School. To the extent EAS Brazil approves its IPO, the seller’s option is accelerated and becomes exercisable at any time and the seller may, at its discretion, require us to acquire the remaining 48.52% interest in the share capital of International School. We have estimatedSchool held by Mr. Cardinot, or the impactRemaining Interest, divided in two steps: (1) 25% of this obligation in our consolidated financial statements based on the most liquid option, which assumes that the full amount is paid in cash. The seller may,share capital between January 1, 2020 and April 30, 2020 at its discretion, require us to pay thea purchase price either (i)equal to the product of 30% and 10 times the accounting EBITDA of International School for the 2019 school year (twelve-month period between October and September) (subject to certain adjustments); and (2) 23.52% of the share capital between January 1, 2021 and April 30, 2021 at a purchase price equal to the product of 30% and 10 times the accounting EBITDA (as defined in cash, or (ii) in cash, withthe Investment Agreement) of International School for the 2020 school year (subject to certain adjustments). In addition, Mr. Cardinot may elect to allocate up to 50% of the total purchase price with EAS Brazilto subscribe for CBE shares calculated according(which would be valued at the product of 30% and 10 times the accounting EBITDA of CBE (subject to certain adjustments) for the applicable school year).

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Pursuant to the same EBITDA multiple,Investment Agreement, upon the approval of an initial public offering of CBE (1) certain contractual arrangements for the acquisition by CBE of the Remaining Interest are accelerated; and (2) Mr. Cardinot’s option to allocate up to 50% of the total purchase price to subscribe for CBE shares must be exercised by Mr. Cardinot at the shareholder meeting approving an initial public offering by CBE. We recognized a financial liability as of December 31, 2021 in the amount of R$379.5 million, which could resultrepresented the present value of the estimated amount payable to Mr. Cardinot. This financial liability may vary in a materially different accrued liability. For furthersubsequent financial periods and depending on the final basis for calculation of the purchase price of the Remaining Interest and it will be updated accordingly in our financial statements for future financial periods. See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated statements and other financial information—Legal Proceedings.” for more information see note 4 to our audited consolidated financial statements.on this matter.

Acquisition of Content Providers

In April 2015, we acquired a 99.99% interest in Editora e Livraria Alegre POA Ltda., a content provider to upperupper- and middle incomemiddle-income private schools in Brazil. In June 2015, we acquired a 99.99% interest in Material Didático Desterro Ltda., a content provider to upperupper- and middle incomemiddle-income private schools in Brazil. In September 2017, we acquired a 100% interest in NS Educação Ltda., or NS Educação. NS Educação is an educational content provider to middle class private schools in Brazil.

Acquisition of WPensar

In April 2015, we acquired a 25% interest in WPensar, a company that develops and licenses school management systems software. Pursuant to the shareholder agreement entered into in connection with the acquisition,On September 21, 2020, we have an option to acquireacquired the remaining 75% of the outstanding share capital of75.0% interest in WPensar between July 10, 2020 and July 10, 2021, and the sellers have a put option that requires uswe started to acquire such outstanding share capital between July 10, 2021 and July 10, 2022. To the extent these options are exercised, the seller may, at its discretion, require us to pay up to 50% of the purchase price with EAS Brazil shares.consolidate it as our wholly owned subsidiary. For further information, see note 114e to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Corporate Information

Our principal executive offices are located at Rua Augusta 2840, 9th floor, suite 91, Consolação, São Paulo—Paulo – SP, 01.305-000 ,01412-100, Brazil. Our telephone number at this address is +55 (11) 3047-26993047-2699.

The SEC maintains an internet website that contains reports and other information about issuers, like us, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is www.sec.gov. Investors should contact us for any inquiries through the address and telephone number of our principal executive office. Our principal website is www.arcoeducacao.com.br. The information contained in, or accessible through, our website is not incorporated into this annual report.

B.B.    Business Overview

Our mission is to transform the way students learn by delivering high-quality education at scale through technology to private K-12 schools.

schools and students.

We provide a complete pedagogical system with technology-enabled features to deliver educational content to private schools and students in Brazil. Our turnkey curriculum solutions provide educational content in both printed and digital formats delivered through our platform to improve the learning process.

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Our network as of February 25, 2019 consisted of 1,462 partner schools, compared to 1,140 schools as of March 31, 2018, 835 schools as of March 31, 2017 and 667 schools as of March 31, 2016, representing annual growth rates of 28.2%, 36.5% and 25.2%, respectively. We had 498,553 enrolled students across all Brazilian states as of March 2019, compared to 405,814 enrolled students as of March 31, 2018, 322,031 as of March 31, 2017 and 265,354 as of March 31, 2016, representing annual growth rates of 22.9%, 26.0% and 21.4%, respectively.

We have an asset-light, highly-scalablehighly scalable business model that emphasizes operational efficiency and profitability. WeIn our B2B2C Core Curriculum and Supplemental Content Solutions, we operate through long-term service contracts with private schools. These contracts generally have initial terms that average three years, pursuant to which we provide educational content in printed and digital format to private schools. Our revenue is driven by the number of enrolled students at each customer using the solutions and the agreedagreed-upon price per student per year, all in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in each contract. As a result, we benefit from high visibility in our net revenue and operating margin, which we calculate by dividing our operating profit by net revenue over a given period. Our annual retention rate was 93% in 2021, 93% in 2020 and 93% in 2019, which makes our recurring revenue base highly stable.

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Our network in our B2B2C Core Curriculum and Supplemental Content Solutions as of March 31, 2022, consisted of 8,056 partner schools compared to 6,119 schools as of March 31, 2021, 5,414 schools as of March 31, 2020, and 1,464 schools as of March 31, 2019, representing annual growth rates of 31.7%, 13.0% and 269.8%, respectively.

We had 2,279,025 expected number of enrolled students, or Number of Enrolled Students, across all Brazilian states as of March 31, 2022, compared to 1,489,707 final number of enrolled students, or Final Number of Enrolled Students of as of September 30, 2021 (or 1,785,576 Number of Enrolled Students as of March 31, 2021), 1,362,141 as of March 31, 2020, and 498,553 as of March 31, 2019, representing annual growth rates of 27.6%, 31.1% and 173.2%, respectively. In years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the difference between our Number of Enrolled Students and our Final Number of Enrolled Students was not material. However, during 2020 and 2021 and as result of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, our partner schools experienced atypical dropout rates from March 31 to September 30 ”.

Our B2B2C Core Curriculum and Supplemental Content Solutions business model has allowed us to grow and achieve profitability since our founding. Our net revenue totaled R$381.01,232.1 million, R$244.41,001.7 million and R$159.3572.8 million in 2018, 20172021, 2020 and 2016,2019, respectively, representing annual growth rates of 55.9%23% and 53.4%74.9% in 20182021 and 2017,2020, respectively. We generated operating profit of R$62.1129.4 million, R$74.9135.5 million and R$48.658.1 million in 2018, 20172021, 2020 and 2016,2019, respectively. We had a loss of R$82.9154.5 million in 2018, and2021, a profit of R$43.6 million and R$74.416.8 million in 20172020 and 2016,a loss of R$9.4 million in 2019, respectively. Our partner school base is highly diversified, which reduces our dependence on a concentrated number of large clients. Our 10 largest clients represented only 9.6%3.4%, 2.6% and 12.0%5.6% of our net revenueACV Bookings in 20182022, 2021 and 2017,2020, respectively.

ACV Bookings for the Supplemental Solutions (both B2B2C Supplemental Content Solutions and other supplemental solutions) totaled R$323.3 million for the 2022 school year, resulting in a 2% ACV market share of the total addressable market of such segment in Brazil, which includes after-school education, based on Educa Insights’ 2021 assessment of the private K-12 market. In addressing the core solutions market, Arco’s ACV Bookings for the 2022 school year of R$1,236.7 million results in a 24% core solutions market share, which considers the potential market for private K-12 learning systems and textbooks in Brazil, based on Educa Insights’ 2021 assessment of the private K-12 learning systems market.

We believe that the quality of our platform, together with the credibility of our client base and the strong reputation of our brand, has driven our significant growth, allowing us to expand our footprint quickly and efficiently expand our footprint in Brazil since our founding. As of December 31, 2017, 183 (or 16%) ofAccording to the 2022 university admission data published through the SISU system (Sistema de Seleção Unificada, or Unified Selection System), 1,513 students within our partner schools ranked as one ofschool base have been accepted in the top three schoolsfirst place of their respective cities, accordingmajors (an 15% increase when compared to the ENEM,1,318 students in 2021, considering the principal national standardizedsame solutions). Considering the number students within our partner school base that were accepted in top 10 positions, the number increased to 7,242 students (an 4% increase when compared to the 6,981 students in 2021, considering the same solutions).

In March 2021, Arco started serving students directly through the acquisition of Me Salva!, a B2C test prep player. The online solution offers recorded and live video classes, comprehensive exercises, essay writing tools, assessment tests, 1-on-1 tutoring and personalized study plans. Despite currently representing only a small and immaterial part of our business, this vertical allows Arco to tap a large and underserved market of students from public schools, that lack quality education at affordable prices. We also plan to reinforce our Supplemental portfolio by offering schools a solution on the test prep and tutoring vertical, developed on top of Me Salva!’s know-how and digital offering, allowing them to better prepare their students for university entrance in Brazil.

the ENEM.

Context

The 21st century has been characterized by rapid and accelerating technological innovation, with students at the forefront of the adoption of new technologies. We believe that we can deliver a more effective, personal, engaging, and enjoyable learning experience for students by combining high-qualityhigh quality proprietary content and software applications in our simple, integrated, and personalized educational platform. We aim to move beyond traditional educational models used by schools by empowering educators, school administrators and students to achieve their highest potential through our educational platform.

We founded our company with the aim of creating high-qualityhigh quality products that simplify learning and make the education process more efficient. Traditionally, school administrators required a multitude of vendors for developing content, engaging in teacher

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training, and commercializing and managing K-12 education. Simultaneously, students acquired educational content through textbooks from various publishers across retail channels. Our platform aims to replace this multitude of third-party educational providers with a streamlined, one-stop solution that delivers high quality education at scale.

Our Core Curriculum and Supplemental Solutions enable students, teachers, and school administrators to have access to engaging and easy-to-use resources that propel academic success and meet students’ diverse learning needs. Pairing our printed and digital curriculum with real-time data and teacher-led learning allows us to personalize learning at the individual level, improving both individual student and aggregate school performance.

We develop our educational content using a model based on extensive research and performance-based standards. We combine printed and digital content with onlinelecturettes featuring expert, on-screen teachers and tailored assignments and assessments to engage students and help them master their subject areas. With this integrated approach, students can track their progress and performance, teachers can access real-time data to evaluate students and personalize their teaching and school administrators can better manage their school’s performance both on absolute and comparative terms.

The increase in internet penetration and the rapid increase in the use of mobile devices and cloud-based services is broadening access to educational content and services and expanding the potential reach of educational institutions. Our platform does not require our partner schools to make any significant capital expenditures or setup investments and is compatible with most mainstream computing platforms (including tablets and mobile phones). Our solutions are designed to be highly interactive and enjoyable, which we believe results in enhanced educational outcomes when compared to traditional models.

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Underlying Trends

We believe that the strength of our business and our growth prospects is supported by strong underlying market and industry trends, including:

Demand for quality education is driving a shift from public to private K-12 education

A wide gap in the quality of education quality exists between public and private K-12 institutions in Brazil, and within the private school market itself. Test performance is significantly better in private primary and secondary education, as illustrated by the average quality index differential of the primary and IDEB. As of December 31, 2015,2019 (last data available), private K-12 education schools had an average education quality index score 41%39% higher than that of public primary and secondary schools across all school years according to the IDEB quality index differential. As a result, over the last eightten years, student enrollments in private K-12 institutions have increased 15.9%7.1%, from 6.9to 8.1 million in 2010 to 8.02021 from 7.6 million in 2018.

2011.

Technological innovation is driving enhancements in private K-12 education

In a 2018 survey conducted by FGV, the number of smartphones in Brazil was expected to reach 220 million by April 2018, or approximately one smartphone device per Brazilian. Brazil is a mass adopter of disruptive technological innovations in a number of areas and it is the second largest market for Waze®,We believe the digital traffic map application for Android® and iOS®, with São Paulo serving as its largest citytransition observed in terms of number of users worldwide, according to an October 2016 article in Valor, a Brazilian financial newspaper. Brazil is also the second largest market in the world for Instagram® in terms of number of users according to a March 2018 article in VentureBeat, an online technology news source, and one the most popular destinations for Airbnb® with Rio de Janeiro ranking fourth behind Paris, London and New York City, according to a March 2016 article inO Globo, a Brazilian newspaper.

We believe that this digital transitionrecent years can conferprovide significant benefits, on, and opportunities for, education service and content providers, such as:

·revenue diversification, asby means of technological developments in education platforms, such as new tools or capabilities, may be sold for different purposes and to different consumers;

·customization enabled by technology and tied to a soft adaptation, which allows for distribution to different customers and a scaling by companies that offer different solutions; and

·margin gains, given a lower cost per student and a larger consumer base that is accessible through technological developments.

Technology has created opportunities to make learning more affordable, accessible, flexible, personal and effective. Classroom instruction and delivery models are changing and are likely to have a substantial impact on the industry.

Schools shifting resources towards digital educational solutions

Education platforms have emerged in private K-12 education to improve teaching and learning by enabling educational materials and tools used by teachers and students (such as content, multimedia materials, teaching materials, class preparation guides, performance evaluation of students and schools, teacher training and others), to be customized for each student’s learning experience.

Teacher advocacy plays a major role in the penetration of educational solutions and digital materials across private K-12 schools. A 2009 study conducted by Fundação Lemann, Instituto Paulo Montenegro and theIBOPE showed that 92% of the teachers interviewed supported the availability of quality digital learning materials, including games, videos, exercises and websites, as well as adequate training focused on the use of technology applied to learning.

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As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, which was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020, state and local authorities in Brazil suspended school operations. On-site school activities were postponed, forcing schools to teach classes remotely. Although schools have historically been late adopters of technology and resistant to change, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic led them to turn to technology to continue offering their students educational content and pedagogical support. As part of our sales strategy during the COVID-19 outbreak, we have unbundled part of our solutions throughout 2020, allowing approximately 400 schools to use the trial versions of our products and therefore creating a large pipeline of leads for the following commercial cycles.

We believe that as we have rapidly evolved our solutions to meet schools needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are now uniquely positioned to benefit from the higher willingness from schools to adopt learning systems that offer quality content combined with technological features that will improve the learning experience.

Importance of K-12 performance in university admissions process

processes

The best higher education institutions in Brazil are public, with a highly competitive admissions process based largely on challenging standardized admissions exams. According to Oliver Wyman, 49the World University Rankings 2022 published by Times Higher Education (THE), 20 out of the 6025 top-ranked universities in Brazil were public as of December 31, 2016. In recent years, competitionAugust 2021. Competition for admission into public universities has increased, a trend driven both by greater student demand and a decrease in Brazil is historically high, accordingly to data from the number of available seats.Unified Selection System In 2012,2022, there were on average 119 applicants per available seat in public universities, as compared to 14 applicants in 2016, according to Oliver Wyman, while the number of public university seats decreased by 6.3% from 2012 to 2016.universities. As a result of this competition, parents are increasingly focused on schools that over-perform in the standardized university admissions tests. According to a 2017 study by the IBOPE, education is the number one spending priority for Brazilian families. Our solution is designed to enhance our students’ ability to perform on these exams.

Expansion of school hours and after-school programs including, but not limited to, English as a Second Language, or ESL, bilingual programs

and 21st century skills programs

The increased focus on education has led to an increase in the length of the average school day. After-school education, comprisedcomprising of tutoring, language courses, 21st century skills, such as critical thinking, leadership, collaboration and communication skills, and robotics, among other extra-curricularextracurricular activities, is also becoming more popular, offering a variety of training and learning programs in which students can participate according to their personal interests and preferences. Language courses are among the most popular after-school activities and represent an area with significant room for growth, primarily as a result of:

·the increasing relevance of languages, especially English, in a globalized context;

·the low English proficiency level in Brazil; and

·the emphasis in language classes currently offered by K-12 schools on reading and written communication, despite the fact that the labor market relies more heavily on oral communication (which also creates a market for bilingual schools).

For many parents, after-school education is considered a lifeline that helps them work without worry and balance their schedules, given (i) that Brazil has one of the highest average working hours per week in the world, and (ii) the increased participation of women in the workforce. In addition, an increase in disposable income has increased demand for private education and after-school programs, and parent expectations for their children’s education are high considering the strong competition to gain admission into top public universities. Accordingly, after-schoolsupplemental education represents a growing opportunity for private institutions.institutions, with an addressable market of R$15.4 billion compared to R$5.2 billion of potential market for private K-12 learning systems and textbooks in Brazil, based on Educa Insights’ assessment of the private K-12 learning systems market as of December 2021. This is especially the case given the wide variety of supplemental solutions that can be offered to students during regular and after-school hours.

Obsolescence of traditional content distribution models

We believe that traditional content distribution models are becoming obsolete. Traditional educational publishers are almost exclusively focused on physical textbooks, which they sell through retailers rather than directly to schools. These traditional suppliers have limited capability to develop and offer integrated digital solutions to schools, teachers, and students, and typically rely on third-partythird-

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party authors, illustrators and graphic designers to develop new content. In contrast, because of our robust technology backbone, use of data and strong relationships with teachers and administrators, we can offer a comprehensive solution and content that is continuously updated and improved.

Limited and unintegrated product offering

Due to the lack of turnkey education solutions, school administrators often rely on a multitude of third-party vendors for K-12 educational content, teacher training, student testing, management, and communication tools.

Traditional education providers have struggled to develop mission critical education platforms for several reasons, including the significant costs associated with the development of content and technologies, as well as the lack of extensive in-house technological expertise. In addition, developing a comprehensive and effective methodology is difficult to achieve since it requires many years of proven educational experience and a successful track record.

We are able tocan replace a multitude of third-party educational vendors with a streamlined and consolidated solution, offering a one-stop shop that delivers enhanced learning across the educational spectrum.

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Our Market Opportunity

According to Oliver Wyman,Educa Insights’ assessment of the private K-12 market, the existing addressable market in Brazil for core curriculum solutions and supplemental English language learning issolutions totals approximately R$12.120.6 billion in sales revenues as of April 2018,December 2021 of which we currently capture approximately 3.1%8% based on our net revenues for the year ended DecemberACV Bookings as of March 31, 2018. However, we believe that our total addressable market is larger and includes all education solutions purchased by students in private schools in Brazil.2022. We can address this larger market by launching new solutions and entering new categories.

We benefitOur B2B2C model benefits from structural differences in our market, when compared to the education markets in the United States and Europe. Private schools in Brazil are generally for-profit institutions, and the private education market in Brazil is large and highly fragmented, primarily a result of lower overall levels of government funding for K-12 public education. As of December 31, 2018,2021, approximately 8.08.1 million students were enrolled in approximately 37,98540,542 private schools (17%(17.4% of the total number of K-12 students in Brazil), according to the INEP and the IBGE. In addition, the national curriculum set by the Ministry of Education requires standardized content across Brazilian schools, which helps create demand for a unified curriculum. Finally, teachers’ unions in Brazil are relatively less influential than their counterparts in the United States and Europe, where such unions often serve as obstacles to the adoption of innovations.

We believe that the challenges inherent in the traditional content distribution model, coupled with increasing demand for modern content and integrated value-added services, present a unique market opportunity for our business. By providing an affordable, modern, and efficient platform, we believe that we can continue to disrupt the Brazilian education market and increase our penetration into current and new markets.

As for our B2C model, we benefit from the intense competition for higher education admission driving demand for test prep, as the best universities in Brazil are public (and costs are subsidized by the government) and offer a leap in earnings potential for students. As a result, parents and students demonstrate unmet needs and willingness to pay for access to top quality content, individualized learning, and convenience. The K-12 tutoring, and test prep markets are very fragmented and currently mostly offline, while we observe an increasingly preferred for online due to cost, quality and convenience. Additionally, COVID-19 pandemic to further accelerates the habit-change and conversion from offline to online.

The Arco Way

Quality, a key component for the success in the K-12 market, is always at the center of our decisions and it has been the gear of our virtuous cycle over the years.

We believe thatAs we continuously invest in quality and customer support, we assist our schools to achieve higher academic results. This is illustrated by combining our platform, our ability to innovate and our corporate culture, we can help create value forthe ENEM strong results of our partner schools, one of the main metrics to measure education quality in Brazil.

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According to the 2022 university admission data published through the Unified Selection System, 1,513students within our partner school base have been accepted in the first place of their respective majors (an 15% increase when compared to 1,318 students in 2021, considering the same solutions). Considering the number students within our partner school base that were accepted in top 10 positions, the number increases to 7,242 students (a 4% increase when compared to the 6,981 students in 2021, considering the same solutions). The strong results achieved by our partner schools improve our brand equity, help build our reputation and competitive advantages forconsequently, tends to contribute to our business.healthy, sustainable organic growth.

As we grow and add new partner schools, our network becomes a powerful source of leads generation and data. In addition, the increased scale allows us to reinvest in content, quality, and service, contributing to the positive loop.

 

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Our Business Model

Our B2B2C model is financially aligned with our partner schools. Our revenues consist of wholesale content fees paid by our partner schools annually on a per-student, per-year basis. On average, partner schools charge students’ parents an incremental markup on top of our wholesale fees, ensuring that their incentives are aligned with ours. Accordingly, we provide a supplemental revenue stream to our partner schools through our B2B2C model, which is a feature that the traditional education model does not employ. Once schools adopt our platform for a particular class year, access to, and payment for, our platform becomes mandatory for all enrolled students in each class year, and such payments are charged as a supplement to tuition. Typically, we revise our contract fees annually, in line with our price-setting policies, which are usually above published inflation indices, to account for improvements in our platform and for changes in our cost and expenses structure and for improvements in our platform.

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The following chart illustrates our business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) model:

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Long-termOur B2B2C model has long-term contracts with private schools, high retention rates and high financial predictability. Our three-year standard contract provides a revenue stream with long-term cash flow visibility. We have a lead time (which we define as the period from the moment of first contact to the execution of a contract) for the acquisition of new partner schools, and we typically enter into contracts with new partner schools within one year from the moment of first contact. Once our content is adopted, switching costs (which are the costs that schools incur as a result of switching to our platform) and time associated with updating the teaching curriculum for each class year work to our advantage.

A portion of our historical average 6.0% annual attrition rate is attributable to the early termination or suspension of performance by us, at our option, of contracts with certain partner schools as a result of their failure to timely pay our contract fees.

Asset-lightOur B2B2C model is asset-light and scalable business model, with high operating leverage and limited capex requirements. By outsourcing distribution activities to third parties and developing standard solutions, we have an asset-light and scalable business model that enables us to quickly expand our customer base with low associated expenses and capital expenditures.expenditures, including 100% digital marketing and remote negotiation processes with our customers. This allows us to increasingly expand our margins as we grow the number of students we serve, while generating cash to fund the development of new products and features, as well as identify acquisitions and strategic investments.

Our platform on the B2B2C model is difficult to replicate. We have continuously developed our platform since our founding, with the benefit of over 50 years of an evolving educational methodology and a dedicated team of education specialists focused on developing and improving our Core Curriculum and Supplemental Solutions materials. Accordingly, we believe that the depth of our educational content and the technological experience necessary to develop our products makes our platform difficult to replicate.

Our B2C model is 100% subscription-based and has attractive unit economics. Our revenues consist of retail content fees paid by students upon subscribing for one of our plans. Despite shorter-term when compared to our B2B2C model, customer acquisition cost is also reduced, leading to profitable unit economics.

Our Solutions

In the education sector, we believe that quality is fundamental. Our platform on the B2B2C model was developed with the benefit of over 50 years of an evolving educational methodology and robust track record of academic results. Our track record of high-performing educational outcomes motivated us to create a digital, technology-driven product that could deliver high quality education at scale.

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Additionally, Positivo is the pioneer in the learning system segment in Brazil and has served the K-12 private school market for more than 40 years. The pedagogical methodology developed inside the Colégio Positivo schools was transformed into a comprehensive educational solution that quickly expanded to other schools in Brazil. Over time, Positivo expanded its product offering to address different profiles of schools and increase its addressable market.

We provide a complete suite of turnkey curriculum solutions and technology-enabled features to help our students, teachers, partner schools and parents, targeting our students’ educational success.

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Our turnkey educational platform solutions comprise core K-12 curricula, as well as supplemental instructionaleducational content currently focused on English as a second language.

language and 21st century skills programs (such as social and emotional learning - SEL).

Benefits Across Our Educational Platform

We deliver the following benefits to all the stakeholders engaged in the learning process:

·Students:We deliver a personalized, multimedia learning experience, in an omni-channel format. Students can access content in various formats, including digital, video, print and other audiovisual media aligned with the daily curriculum of their classes. Our platform provides real-time feedback to students on areas for improvement and benchmarking relative to their peers, which enables us to simultaneously ensure that education is provided on an individual basis, and that our content is complete, up-to-date, and readily available.

·Teachers:We offer a range of tools to help improve teacher efficiency and learning outcomes. We provide teaching plans for each class, digital content for classroom review, pre-made class videos, a test builder platform and homework correction automation tools. In addition, teachers are able tocan access students’ performance reports and identify which students are having difficulties in progressing in a given class at any time.

·Administrators:We provide a supplemental revenue stream to our partner schools. In addition, our platform provides back office administrative support, alongside data and analytics to support decision-making processes. Administrators receive student reports and are able tocan analyze student participation rates, detailed individual performance, an overview by area of knowledge and their schools’ national ranking. They are also able to benchmark teacher performance to optimize the effectiveness of their teaching staff.

·Parents:Our software brings parents closer to the education process, through an informal communication channel and the opportunity to closely monitor and engage with their children’s performance and development.

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Our Products

We believe that innovation is an important part of our success. As a technology company in the education sector, we believe that our dynamic and adaptive nature is essential to our continued growth. Our product offerings are comprised ofcomprise two main segments that operate in concert: (i) Core Curriculum; and (ii) Supplemental Solutions.

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Our Core Curriculum comprises high-qualityhigh quality content solutions that are designed to address the Ministry of Education’s national K-12 curriculum requirements through a personalized and interactive learning experience. Students access content in various formats, such as digital, video, print and other audiovisual media that are aligned with the daily curriculum of their classes. Our Core Curriculum offering serves a broad range of price points, allowing us to maximize our market reach and penetration. It is offered in twothrough seven different versions,brands, consisting of (i) SAS, a premium solution focused on high-income private schools, with nationwide presence and strong footprint in the Northeast and North regions; (ii) COC, a premium solution focused on high-income private schools, with nationwide presence and strong footprint in the Southeast region; (iii) SPE, an educational solution focused on upper-middle-income class private schools, with nationwide presence and strong footprint in the South and Southeast regions; (iv) SAE, a basic solution focused on upper-middle income private schools.schools; (v) Dom Bosco, a solution focused on upper-middle income private schools; (vi) Conquista, a solution focused on lower-middle-income private schools, and (vii) Geekie, a digital-native content platform.

SAS and SAEOur Core brands share certain key attributes, such as:

·Online homework assessment: An extensive questions and problem-solving activities database that provides additional teacher-led instructional content to help meet individual student or small student group needs. Assessments enable thorough, customized evaluations of student performance over a single lesson, over the course of a topic, or throughout the entire academic year.

·Adaptive learning: A personalized instruction and assessment tool delivered through our exam management portal to help students prepare for and take exams. The user-friendly reporting and ongoing progress monitoring features enable educators to pinpoint student needs down to the sub-skill level, while providing real-time feedback at the class level, school and national level. The platform also enables teachers to generate exams based on a given class profile, using a database containing a broad range of questions.

·Interactive learning: Leveraging the combined abilities of our pedagogical and EdTech teams, we have created augmented reality and video features throughout our materials, allowing students to point their digital devices at certain sections in our materials to view educational animations or recorded videos that provide further information on the topic in question, contributing to a more interactive and engaging learning experience.

·Students and teachers web portal: An online environment aggregating relevant content for students and teachers by grade in the form of digital classes, exam database, assessment templates, teachers’ guides and lesson plans, exams and textbooks’ problem solving in addition to articles and general educational-related tips.

·In-app communication: A responsive, simple and user-friendly communication tool for partner schools, students and parents, giving them access to exam results and problem solving, video classes, student grades, as well as the school calendar and attendance records.

Support to partner schools: Back-office management, educational consulting services, training programs for teachers to assess and improve the quality of their teaching methods and marketing advisory services.

As part of our Core Curriculum, we offer complementary support services to partner schools consisting of:

·Back office management tools:HR tools with financial, student recruiting and administrative features.

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·Educational consulting services to partner schools:Personalized support to ensure complete understanding and appropriate implementation of our learning platform. This includes constant support to partner schools throughout the school year in connection with educational practices, administrative, human resources and financial aspects, development of customized students’ assessment models, organization of education congresses and pedagogical meetings, as well as parents and students counselling.

·Training programs for teachers and school administrators:A suite of materials to allow partner schools and teachers to assess the quality of their teaching methods and how they can improve them.them through our learning platform. This includes local, regional and national educational congresses, forums, seminars and lectures, in addition to training sessions.

·School marketing advisory:A comprehensive range of marketing and communication materials, events and support through our learning platform, including marketing brochures and recruitment campaigns.

Our Supplemental Solutions are comprisedcomprise of (i) Supplemental Content Solutions, providing additional value-added educational content for which partner schools can opt inopt-in as an addition to our Core Curriculum. Currently, our primaryCurriculum, and (ii) Other Supplemental solutions to schools and students such as education technological features schools (WPensar, EEM, Studos and Eduqo), B2C online test prep solution (MeSalva!) and life-long learning platform connecting employees of companies across Brasil to free and discounted courses (Edupass).

We have a Supplemental Content solutions market share of 2%, calculated by dividing Arco’s Supplementary Solutions ACV Bookings for the 2022 school year by the total addressable market for Supplemental Solutions, which consists of English as a Second Language (ESL) bilingual programs (International School, PES and PGS) and 21st century skills programs (Pleno, Escola da Inteligência, NAV and Mentes), based on Educa Insights’ assessment of the private K-12 market.

We started offering isSupplemental Solutions through an ESL bilingual program first offered in 2015, following our acquisition of an interest in International School. International School provides students with an internationally-orientedinternationally oriented education, in a multi-culturalmulticultural environment, based on a curriculum like the International Baccalaureate or Cambridge International Examinations. We intend to add additional, non-core supplemental educational modules to our Supplemental Solutions portfolio over time.

Upon the acquisition of Positivo in 2019, our Supplemental Solution also offers the PES, a bilingual program with an approach that promotes integrated learning of content and language, in partnership with Cambridge University Press. The program consists of 2-5 weekly hours of English classes with several tools to develop the skills needed to communicate well. PES also provides teachers’ training and pedagogical support to its partner schools. PES was launched in 2015 and has a strong cross-sell potential within our Core Solution partner schools’ network and to expand to schools that have not yet adopted our solution.

In 2019, we started investing in the development of a social-emotional supplemental solution called Pleno, developed to meet schools’ demand for a product that goes beyond the student’s cognitive development. Through the same B2B2C business model and integrated with the K-12 curriculum, Pleno helps students to develop competencies and skills, such as self and social-awareness, design thinking and entrepreneurship.

 44In February 2021, we concluded the acquisition of NAV, a developer of competence-based learning content, enhancing our Supplemental Solutions offering through a competence-based curriculum to address 21st century skills, which is in our portfolio since May 2019. Through projects, problem solving and technology, NAV helps students develop transferable skills, such as critical and creative thinking, and communication skills.

In December 2020, we concluded the acquisition of Escola da Inteligência, the leading solution in social-emotional learning (SEL) in Brazil, based on a proprietary methodology and great reputation in the K-12 market.

In February 2022, we acquired PGS, a K-12 bilingual courseware and teaching methodology, formerly known as Pearson Global School, complementing our ESL offering with a high-quality solution with a differentiated pricing point; and Mentes do Amanhã (“Mentes”), a K-12 supplemental solution focused on 21st century skills (social-emotional learning, financial literacy, and technology).

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We intend to continue adding supplemental educational modules to our Supplemental Content Solutions portfolio over time, broadening Arco’s supplemental market presence by adding high-quality solutions with pricing complementarity to our current offering. Arco believes in the large potential for English as a Second Language and in the favorable market trend for 21st century skills. An even stronger portfolio better positions Arco to capture this demand outside and within Arco’s school base. The key attributes of our Supplemental Solutions are:

·Proprietary applications:Two complementary applications providing content and English-based games that form part of students’ school year collections, including a communications tool for partner schools, students and parents.

·Robotics:Pioneering activities that enable students to build and program their own Lego® robots as a way to maximize learning beyond the classroom experience.

·Combination of concrete materials and animations:Print and digital textbooks combined with interactive animations, educational videos and exercises.

·Crowdsourced education:Collaborative and versatile platform for classrooms that allows students to collaborate in project building and problem solving.

Our Supplemental offering also includes other solutions such as technological and managerial features to partner schools, B2C test prep and education as a benefit.

Our tech and managerial features include (i) WPensar (acquired in 2015), a company that develops and licenses school management systems software, (ii) Escola Em Movimento, or EEM (acquired in 2019), an app developer that enhances communication between schools and parents by providing chat-based interactions, location-based identifications, Net Promoter Scores, or NPS, tool to assess parent’s satisfaction and pilot project related to payments, (iii) Studos (acquired in 2020) a leading provider of adaptive solutions, and (iv) Eduqo (acquired in 2011), a learning management system (LMS) platform that connects students and professors, and also offers question banks, exams and diagnostics to its clients.

In March 2021, we acquired Me Salva!, a B2C digital test prep solution, allowing Arco to start delivering high quality education to public sector students at affordable prices. Finally, in February 2022, we acquired Pearson Global School, a K-12 bilingual courseware and teaching methodology, and Coleção Mentes, a K-12 supplemental solution focused on 21st century skills (social-emotional learning, financial literacy and technology).

In September 2021, we acquired EduPass, a company that offers education as a benefit to corporate clients and aims to prepare the Brazilian workforce to the future of work through education and upskilling.

Our Team and Culture

We have a strong corporate culture, and we encourage our employees to actively adopt it. We believe in:

·A customer first focus;

·Ethics,ethics, respect and humility;

·Excellenceexcellence and a willingness to learn;

·Meritocracy,meritocracy, discipline and an execution mindset; and

·Costcost focus, with a school owner’s mindset.

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Technology

We believe that the use of technology is fundamental to achieving our goal of placing each student at the center of the educational experience. In our view, technology is a meansmean to delivering content through several formats and devices, creating a connection between each student and our common curriculum through a unique and comprehensive pedagogical approach.

To implement our vision, we’ve redesigned our structure, creating ArcoTech, a centralized tech unit responsible for integrating our user experience¸ maximizing the value of our products and reducing the time spent with repeated demands. The revamp of our technological backbone will allow for an easy plug-and-play structure for specifics products to all Arco brands - respecting their individuality and value proposition.

Our application programming interfaces, or APIs, provide a standardized way to provision, manage, engage, and deliver content to students, faculty and administrators. The APIs manage authentication and access for our entire technology stack and is designed to manage and interface with new technologies as they are introduced.

All of our APIs, applications, and application components are designed from the ground up to produce significant, readable and interpretable data. Log monitoring allows us to proactively identify and mitigate potential capacity, performance, and security issues, whilstwhile advanced analytics on student usage data provides the company with powerful insights to evaluate course content, communicate new technology releases, further personalize student’s learning, and improve user experience and engagement.

Our products help (i) schools to create and manage their classes more efficiently; (ii) teachers to easily transpose their content into the platform, access thousands of questions, schedule classes and keep up with their student’s development; and (iii) families to be closer to their children’s performance through the usage of easy-to-use communication tools.

To implement our innovative vision, we have a specialized in-house EdTechOur team is comprised of over 84 engineers, software engineers, software developers, product owners,managers, user experience and user interface designers, data scientists and digital content developers, who are responsible for envisioning and creating the ideal digital presentation of our materials within our platform, bringing the work of our pedagogical and content teams to life. Our core technology platform is fully developed and customized by our in-house EdTech team.

Following the best frameworks in digital product development, we offer a buy-and-build solution from the customer stand point,standpoint, as users and customers have the opportunity tocan influence product evolution and participate in early stages of new-product conception.

The main drivers of our technology strategy are:

·Connectivity—connecting content and stakeholders in a seamless way;

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·Omni-channel—full access to our content, anywhere, anytime, across devices;

·Empowerment—ability to identify individual needs and build a personalized learning experience;

·User Centered—intuitive design so users can quickly adapt and fully use features to their advantage;

·Management—data and analytics to support educators’ decision-making; and

·Data Analytics—monitor and assess student performance, engagement, and the impact of our solutions.

What Sets Us Apart

We believe that we have the following business strengths that allow us to disrupt the private K-12 education market:

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Disruptive approach to traditional school model

Instead of simply delivering content as a product through textbooks, we provide an education solution through a technology-based platform. We believe that our platform is cutting-edge, modern, dynamic and client-oriented.client oriented. We offer a multi-channel experience, combining proprietary content and software that would otherwise require the purchase of multiple, non-integrated solutions.

According to internal studies, we believe that the parents of thestudents enrolled at our partner schools’ studentsschools enjoy significant savings since our content solutions are less expensive than a traditional collection of textbooks, mainly because we can avoid incremental costs associated with a traditional retail distribution chain by primarily selling directly to our partner schools, as well as certain incremental costs relating to content production. In contrast, the sale of traditional textbooks often requires publishers to pay authors’ royalties for each book sold, and traditional textbooks are frequently marketed as penned by specific authors, each of which generally entails higher total royalty costs, whereas we generally acquire rights to content from a large pool of available authors, without variable payments relating to royalties. Furthermore, we deliver a supplemental revenue stream for our partner schools.

As of December 31, 2018,2021, partner schools charged parents an incremental markup on our wholesale per student prices.

Strong combination of content development team and technology to develop a best-in-class learning experience

As of December 31, 2018,2021, we had a dedicated team of over 351892 technology and content development employees focused on developing and improving our Core Curriculum and Supplemental Solutions materials. They achieve this by leveraging feedback from our (i) highly-qualifiedhighly qualified base of over 1,2002,348 experienced educational authors in Brazil on the quality of materials we produce, and (ii) network of partner schools and teachers on the impact of our materials on student performance. The advanced state of our platform reflects a process of evolution spanning over a decade, making it difficult to replicate. We also have a team of over 142 employees focused on the product design and digital presentation of our education materials on our platform.

Widespread positive customer satisfaction and strong academic outcomes

Our customer satisfaction is driven by our ability to meaningfully improve the performance of our partner schools’ enrolled students inon the ENEM exam,and universities admissions, a prerequisite for entrance into almost all higher education undergraduate institutions in Brazil. According to the 2017 results of2022 university admission data published through the ENEM exam:

SISU system (Sistema de Seleção Unificada, or Unified Selection System):

·Three of the 10 top schools1,513 students within our partner school base have been accepted in the Brazilian national school rankings use our solutions; andfirst place of their respective majors (a 15% increase when compared to 1,318 students in 2021, considering the same solutions);

·183 of7,242 students within our partner schools are ranked among theschool base were accepted in top three schools in10 positions of their respective cities.majors (a 4% increase when compared to 6,981 students in 2021, considering the same solutions).

Strong brand equity and aligned incentives resulting in high retention rates

We prioritize quality by employing a “white glove” service model across our business, with clear financial incentives (in the form of bonuses) to our sales force that drive long-term relationships with our partner schools. Educational performance is one of the main drivers of school growth, and the success of our partner schools is a critical part of our value proposition. Due to the quality of our academic outcomes, we rarely lose clients. In addition, we have historically been highly effective in increasing contract values.

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93% in 2021, 93% in 2020 and 93% in 2019.

Attractive financial model with a high level of visibility and predictability

We have cash flow visibility given our long-term contracts with partner schools. Initial contract terms generally average three years, with high switching costs resulting in a customer churn of approximately 5.0%7% in 2018.2021. In addition, we benefit from increasing enrollments across partner schools as our relationships mature and deployments increase, leading to revenue growth and increased operating margins, which contribute to the predictability of our business.

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Founder-led and experienced management, innovation-driven culture

Our culture flows from our founder and CEO’s family, who have specialized in education for over 50 years. Our founder and CEO, Mr. Ari de Sá Cavalcante Neto, has brought his family’s successful school formula to scale by creating a leading educational platform. We strive to innovate and instill in our professionals a passion for serving all of our stakeholders and seeking impactful next-generation solutions for private K-12 education.

As of December 31, 2018,2021, the average age of our employees was 3033 and 53%58% of our employees were women. We alsoAlso, we offer a long-term incentive plan for key employees and apply meritocratic methods to engage all of them, recognize their value and maintain their motivation.

Our Growth Strategies

We aim to continue driving rapid, profitable growth and to generate greater shareholder value by implementing the following strategic initiatives:

Deepen relationships with our existing customer base

We intend to increase student enrollments within our existing partner schools at a minimum marginal cost as we see major opportunities for increased penetration through:

·Increasing the number of class years that adopt our Core Curriculum at each partner school. As of DecemberMarch 31, 2018,2022, our up-sellingupselling potential would increase our student enrollments by 44%;29%, translating to approximately 439,146 students; and

·Cross-selling our Supplemental Solutions to currently-enrolledcurrently enrolled class years at our partner schools. As of DecemberMarch 31, 2018,2022, only 3.6%14% of our studentsclient base used both our Core Curriculum and at least one Supplemental Solutions.Solution, thus representing a cross-sell opportunity of over 1,7 million students.

Expand our partner school base

We believe that the top threeThe private education providerssector in Brazil accounted for less than 2% of the private educationis very fragmented, with no relevant concentration in one or few providers. As Arco solutions penetrate this market as of December 31, 2018. We believe that our sales efforts will benefit asand the performance of partnerspartner schools using our educational platform becomes more widespread and widely known.

known, our sales efforts will benefit from the referrals generated by current school base.

Add new Supplemental Solutions

We consistently review potential opportunities to provide additional after-school educational solutions that we may integrate into our Supplemental Solutions. We plan to enforce a disciplined approach to growth by using market validation techniques to assess the likelihood of our partner schools adopting our solutions, andas well as their potential spending. We will also aim to ensure that any new vertical fits within our proven business strategy, through a careful assessment of available alternatives, such as the number and size of potential adjacent market opportunities, and their relative risk and return.

Continue to innovate and extend our technological leadership

Innovation is a cornerstone of our culture. As such, we employ significant efforts and resources to ensure the constant development and improvement of our portfolio of solutions. We have also invested in a select group of education technology startups in an effort to bring new ideas and solutions into our ecosystem. These initiatives have helped us identify new business potential to enhance our overall growth prospects, such as education IT systems (WPensar)technological features (WPensar, EEM, Studos and Eduqo), supplemental instruction content (International School)School, PES, NAV, Pleno, Escola da Inteligência, PGS and Coleção Mentes), digital-native content platform (Geekie), B2C online test prep solution (Me Salva!), and life-long learning platform connecting employees of companies across Brazil to free and discounted courses (Edupass).

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We intend to increase the functionality of our platform and continue our investment in the development and acquisition of new applications that extend our technological leadership. We also intend to continue to improve and update our print and digital content based on the real-time feedback we receive from our partner schools.

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Continue to pursue M&A opportunities

We plan to continue to opportunistically pursuepursuing acquisitions that are complementary to, or that will help us diversify, our business. We intend to maintain a disciplined approach towards evaluating possible targets and integrating acquisitions into our business model. Our preferred acquisition targets are core or supplemental educational platform providers that engage in delivering high quality K-12 educational content through software-based platforms.platforms pursuant to B2B2C and B2C business models. We are currently evaluating possible acquisition opportunities and submit non-binding proposals from time to time.

We believe that we have developed a strong capability and track record of identifying, negotiating, and integrating acquisitions. Moreover, we have developed a systematic model that enables us to integrate our acquired businesses in a timely and efficient manner. Since 2011, we have successfully acquired or invested in 11 companies.22 solutions. Our acquisition strategy is focused on expanding our operations into new regions within Brazil and adding new products and technologies to accelerate our pace of innovation and broaden our footprint. For example,

We have already executed several strategic transactions since our acquisitioninitial public offering. These acquisitions have a strong fit with our business and have been executed based on three main pillars: (i) boost growth, accelerating the expansion of Sistema de Ensino Integral Bahiense reinforced our presence inpartner school base; (ii) increase cross-sell opportunities, extending our product offering; and (iii) enhance the Stateclient experience, adding value-add tech features. See “Item 4.A. History and development of Rio de Janeiro, our acquisition of Sistema de Ensino Energia expanded our presence in the southern region of Brazil,company—Acquisitions and our acquisition of International School enabled us to enter the ESL bilingual market.

Investments.”

Marketing and Sales

Our platform has evolved into a complex solution. The adoption of our platform by partner schools requires us to first build trust and confidence in our solutions, which can only be achieved by engaging them with our solutions and demonstrating a proven track record of success and quality, while constantly monitoring client satisfaction and feedback.

We have a non-traditional sales approach, which is structured around a practice we refer to as “Educational Consulting,” which reflects both our core value of ensuring that education is our first priority, as well as the unique sales dynamics associated with our industry.

We have a lead time (which we define as the period from the moment of first contact to the execution of a contract) for the acquisition of new partner schools, and we typically enter into contracts with new partner schools within one year from the moment of first contact, which requires a series of interactions and constant contact, to build a trust basedtrust-based relationship with target and partner schools. Our sales strategy is based on creating touch points to highlight the quality of our solutions. We aim to achieve this with dedicated sessions for experimenting and testing with our platform. We also hold a number ofseveral specialized events aimed at target and partner schools, product journeys and guided visits to our units, and participate in industry fairs.

The success of our sales process requires uniquely qualified professionals, who must not only have an academic background, but are also sales-oriented.sales oriented. We invest a significant amount of time and resources to recruit and train our sales force, averaging approximately 306150 hours of training per year per person. After the initial training and exposure to our Educational Consulting environment, each professional begins working by shadowing an experienced consultant. It takes approximately a year of shadowing before each new professional can work individually on our behalf. In 2018,2021, we had approximately 38,520over 3,199 applicants for our consultant positions, 35,000 applying through our trainee program and 3,520 applying for specific sales consultant positions. Currently, we employ more than 300753 sales and supportmarketing professionals. Our consultants’ incentives are also aligned with our long-term goals and are tied to our profitability, as a significant portion of their annual compensation is variable and is paid out to them annually in the form of a bonus provided certain targets are met. Furthermore, we believe that our sales consultants have achieved improved efficiencies as measured by the increase of students per sales consultants from 2016 to 2018.

In order toTo improve and optimize our partner school acquisition process, we structured a market intelligence division, which focuses on mapping and segmenting our target markets to support and focus our sales strategies, as well as providing our sales consultants with industry knowledge and high-level market analysis and insights. Our market intelligence division has access to a significant volume of

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data, is continuously undertaking industry research and analysis and receives regular feedback from, and is in regular contact with, our consultants deployed in the field.

Additionally, we promote specialized events that are aimed to retain current partner schools. The most relevant event is Positivo’s Course Program that provides teacher’s training, workshops of recent trends in education and lectures from highly specialized and trained pedagogical professionals. In 2021, the Course Program reached 3,975 teachers.

In addition, we work in conjunction with a branding agency, which assists us in developing and strengthening our brands, increasing their national awareness, and building our institutional image. Our brand portfolio is structured to reflect our value proposition and leverage our marketing and sales strategy. A study conducted by Expertise as of July 2021 showed that the Positivo brand is the most recognizable among parents, teachers, and school events.

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the contract. The loyalty program allows SPE to offer more personalized consulting services from our pedagogical experts, literature materials to complement the school’s curriculum, cooperative media, and other products or services, to increase a contract’s profitability.

Our Customer Service and Support

We believe that the best way to ensure the loyalty of our customers is to maintain a healthy, long-term relationship with our partner schools. We aim to achieve this through our customer engagement and support service, which supports partner schools in the implementation and integration of our educational solutions into their systems, as well as help them identify and achieve their pedagogical, business and business objectives.management objectives, including legal, finance and marketing. Our customer service and support come in a variety of forms such as on-site visits, remote assistance, workshops, and events for partner schools. We assign independent and dedicated client-centric customer support teams to each of our solutions. Customer service and support is comprised of two departments which are focused on developing partner school relationships and are available to address any post-implementation issues that may arise: (1) pedagogical consulting, and (2) customer service:

Pedagogical Consulting

Our pedagogical consulting department is responsible for the pedagogical supervision and educational development of our partner schools. It aims to ensure that our educational platform is being used efficiently, and to actively assist our partner schools in improving the learning experience of their students and helping them develop the necessary skills inside and outside the classroom. It also leverages a dedicated management team to train and support our partner schools in maximizing their supplemental revenue streams.

Our pedagogical consulting team activities with partner schools include:

·implementing pedagogical methodologies in connection with our educational platform and associated educational materials, making pedagogical recommendations, understanding school communities, and coordinating lesson planning;

·periodic in-person meetings and coordinated site visits to evaluate the educational process, assisting partner school owners and faculty members to develop learning and interaction projects through the use of educational media content and new technologies, and conducting lectures for parents and students;

·continuous online or on-site training for teachers and school coordinators; and

·developing educational evaluation models tailored to each partner school’s profile and needs, and training school owners and managers to use the school owner/manager specific features of our educational platform.

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Customer Support

Our customer support department provides day-to-day customer and administrative support to our partner schools in connection with our educational platform by e-mail and/or by telephone. Our customer support department interacts with our pedagogical consulting department when necessary to minimize the risk of miscommunication and ensure a unified approach to customer satisfaction.

Our Geographic Presence

We believe our platform can be adopted by virtually any private K 12K-12 school in Brazil. We believe that our product offering addresses Core and Supplemental curriculum needs for all Brazilian schools. As of March 31, 2019,2022, our network consisted of 1,4628,056 unique partner schools and 498,553 enrolled students2,279,025 Number of Enrolled Students across all Brazilian states and in 4881,878 cities, comprising students from kindergarten to high school. Our national presence has consistently expanded over the last five years, through both organic and non-organic growth and our largest client accounted for only 1.6%0.5% of our net revenue.

ACV Bookings.

Our Clients

We offer our clientsprovide a complete suite ofpedagogical system with technology-enabled features to deliver educational content to K-12 schools in Brazil. Our turnkey curriculum solutions intendedprovide educational content in both printed and digital formats delivered through our platform to prepare their K--12 students for educational success.improve the learning process. Our network as of March 31, 2022, consisted of 8,056 partner schools. Our partner school base is highly diversified, which reduces our dependence on a concentrated number of large clients. Our 10 largest clients represented only 9.6%3.4%, 2.6% and 12.0%5.6% of our net revenueDelivered ACV Bookings in 20182021, 2020 and 2017,2019, respectively. Even though our partner schools pay for our solutions, we view students, parents, teachers, school management and teachers as our customers.

Our Competition

We compete with traditional publishers and textbook providers, other providers of core curriculum solutions, as well as with online education platforms. Factors influencing competition in this industry may include price, overall education experience and track record, industry experience and reputation, content quality, availability of technology, faculty, facilities, location and program offerings, among others.

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Most traditional publishers and textbook providers are typically focused exclusively on physical textbooks. They do not produce their own content, do not update their content frequently, and do not have developed digital platforms. Furthermore, we believe that traditional publishers and textbook providers whose strategy it is to develop education solutions similar to ours do not possess the content development expertise, brand awareness, or the track record to sell such solutions directly to schools.

Other core curriculum solutions providers offer primarily printed content and a limited amount of digital content. Other online platforms that offer education solutions through digital channels face difficulties to efficiently integrate solutions for schools, parents, students, and teachers. We believe our proprietary content is engaging to students, teachers, and parents, as illustrated by our ability to persuade schools to switch from other products to our products.

We seek to differentiate ourselves from our competitors primarily on the basis of our simple, integrated and personalized educational platform. We believe the following factors are critical to success in the private K-12 education in Brazil:

(1)level of a solution’s effectiveness, personalization, engagement and enjoyment;
(2)quality of the user experience and customer service;
(3)breadth and depth of features and functionalities;
(4)brand recognition and academic outcomes; and

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(1)       Level

Table of a solution’s effectiveness, personalization, engagement and enjoyment;Contents

(2)       Quality of the user experience and customer service;

(3)       Breadth and depth of features and functionalities;

(4)       Brand recognition and academic outcomes; and

(5)       Overall cost of education solutions.

(5)overall cost of education solutions.

Seasonality

Our revenues and operating results normally fluctuate as a resultbecause of seasonal variations in our business. For further information on seasonal variations in our business, please see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—A. Operating results—Revenue Recognition and Seasonality.”

ESG, at Arco

Arco was born with the mission to transform the way students learn by delivering high quality education at scale. We believe that our mission and the social impact we aim to achieve will only be delivered if we are able to engage our stakeholders and manage properly our Environmental, Social and Governance risks.

During 2021, we conducted a ESG’s materiality process in consultation with a specialized ESG firm, which identified the material topics for our company and prioritized them through interviews and a survey with over 200 stakeholders, including employees, investors, sell-side analyst, suppliers and Non-Governmental Organizations supported by the Arco Institute. We also established an ESG Advisory Group constituted by Arco’s CHRO, COO, CFO and legal department, which supported the establishment of material topics, the prioritization according to the business impact, the engagement of the whole team and communication with different areas of the Company.

As a result, we have established three ESG pillars:

Promote the Impact on Education

To guarantee Arco’s continuous evolution, we need to keep delivering and improving the quality of our content and technology, be able to grow in scale and increase the accessibility of our products and services.

Our progress in those topics is quantified by our ability to:

Develop educational tools that engage our students and improve the performance of our partner schools in the main university’s admissions exams;
Build long-lasting and reliable relationships with our customers; and
Increase the access to our products to different socioeconomic classes. We have progressed in this topic by providing educational solutions with different average tickets to schools, therefore reaching schools with a diverse tuition profile, and also through Arco Institute, our social initiative that supports public schools’ students, delivering educational solutions and institutional assistance to different educational organizations.

In our latest ESG report, we have quantified those aspects through different metrics, such as NPS, retention rates and number of National Exam approvals, among others.

Focus on our people

Arco is a company built upon the belief that our people is our strength. We are constantly looking for highly talented and diverse people, aligned with our values and engaged on delivering our purpose. We work to maintain a sense of ownership and engagement by investing in the development and continuous evolution of our people, creating a diverse environment in which people belong and can prosper.

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To measure the success of our people-centric culture, our teams’ perception regarding Arco and its career opportunities, we track:

The voluntary turnover of our talents, developing strategies to understand the main reasons and to reduce it;
The evolution of our Employees’ Net Promoter Score (eNPS), strengthening our culture by building rituals, moments with the leadership and development opportunities;
The constant evolution and satisfaction of our interns and trainees, guaranteeing growth opportunities and the recognition of our teams; and
Metrics on diversity (regarding gender and ethnical aspects), by spreading educational contents, raising awareness about the theme and creating learning trails for the leadership.

Strong and sustainable structure

This pillar can be divided in two main parts. The first part, relating to our corporate governance and stakeholders’ alignment, is ensured by:

Maintaining a solid and reliable Code of Ethics, which guides the work of all employees and partners according to the same principles,
An independent and confidential Ethics Channel, where people feel safe to make their complaints;
An alignment of our Executives compensation with our main business goals;
Building up teams with diverse and independent perspectives on our business, both on a Board and Executive level; and
Guaranteeing the data security of our employees, partner schools and students by using attested security frameworks.

For further information on Corporate Governance, please see Item 16.G of this annual report, as well as the main indicators on our ESG Report.

With respect to the second part, regarding the sustainability of our supply chain, we work constantly to reduce our impact in the environment by:

Using sustainability criteria to choose our printing suppliers; and
Following the path of our paper, to make sure it is correctly recycled or covered by take-back programs.

We have also established goals to constantly evolve our ESG practices. For further information, please see our 2021 ESG Report published on our IR website (https://investor.arcoplatform.com/esg/).

Legal Proceedings

See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated statements and other financial information—Legal Proceedings.”

Regulatory Overview

The Brazilian constitution establishes education as a right of all citizens, the provision of which is a duty of the state and the family. Accordingly, the government is required to provide all Brazilian citizens with access to free primary education that requires

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compulsory attendance. Private investment in education is permitted so long as entities providing education services comply with the applicable rules and regulations.

The Brazilian education system is organized as a cooperation regime among federal, state, and municipal governments. The federal government is required to organize and coordinate the federal education system in order to guarantee equal opportunity and quality of education throughout Brazil.Brazil, as well as regulating higher education activities. Brazilian states and the Brazilian Federal District are required to focus on primary and secondary education, while municipalities are responsible for providing preschool and primary education, and each is responsible for establishing and implementing the relevant rules and regulations for each educational stage the subject of its focus, including monitoring and evaluation, and the issuance of all relevant authorizations, recognitions, and qualifications for each such educational stage.

Law No. 9,394/1996, or the National Education Guidelines Law (Lei(Lei de Diretrizes e Bases da Educação Nacional)Nacional), or LDB, establishes the guidelines for the provision of education services in Brazil and sets forth the federal government’s duty to: (1) coordinate the national education system; (2) prepare the National Education Plan; (3) provide financial assistance to the states, the Federal District and municipalities; and (4) define, in cooperation with other federal entities, the responsibilities and guidelines for primary and secondary education.

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In addition, the federal government, through Law No. 13,005 of June 25, 2014, implemented the National Education Plan (Plano(Plano Nacional de Educação)o), or PNE, with a duration ofvalid for ten years from the date of its publication.enactment. The National Education PlanPNE established objectives for primary and secondary education that must be met by the Brazilian federal system. TheseSome of these objectives are: (1) the universalization of preschool education, with a target to enroll at least 50% of all children up to three years of age in schools by 2024; (2) the universalization of primary education, with a target to enroll at least 95% of children between the ages of six and 14fourteen in schools by 2024; (3) the universalization of secondary education, with a target to enroll at least 85% of adolescents between the ages of 15 and 17 in schools by 2024; (4) to ensure that all children learn the Portuguese alphabet by the third year of primary education; (5) to make available full-time education in at least 50% of public schools; (6) to improve the quality of primary education as evaluated by the IDEB; (7) to ensure that all students are literate by the time they are 15 years-old;years old; (8) to make available at 25% of primary and secondary education to young adults and adults; and (9) to increase enrollment in professional studies to three times the current enrollment rate. Accordingly, each of the federal, state and municipal governments was required to prepare a ten-year education plan and establish policies, guidelines and objectives applicable to the segment of the Brazilian education system over which it is responsible. In addition, these objectives act as guidelines for the private education sector.

Primary and Secondary Education

Primary and secondary education in Brazil is equivalent to K-12 education in the United States, and consists of elementary school, junior high and high school, which are regulated by the LDB and the National Education Plan.

PNE.

The LDB regulates a nationwide, common core curriculum, the number of teaching hours, the minimum classroom attendance and grade advancement. States, municipalities, and educational institutions can pass rules and regulations according to specific regional and local requirements, such as differences in curricula and calendar, grade advancement and issuance of academic documentation for primary and secondary education students.

The National Education PlanPNE establishes ten-year targets for all the levels and stages of education, mandating that states and municipalities create and establish similar plans compatible with such national targets. It is incumbent upon the Primary and Secondary Education Secretariat (Secretaria de Educação Básica), or the SEB, under the supervision of the MEC, to monitor compliance with the PNE by states and municipalities. This inspection and monitoring includesinclude guidance and rules for assessing the primary and secondary education stages.

Under the federal constitution and the LDB, access to primary and secondary education is a right of all children from the ages of four to 17. Following amendments to Law No. 11,274 on February 6, 2006, the duration of primary and secondary education was extended from a period of eight years to a period of nine years. Among the purposes of primary education are: (1) development of the capacity to learn, including basic abilities in reading, writing and arithmetic; (2) comprehension of the natural and social environment, the political system, technology, arts and social values; (3) development of the capacity to acquire new knowledge and abilities and

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the formation of attitudes and values; and (4) strengthening family ties, social cohesion and mutual tolerance. Assessment of primary education is coordinated by the state legislation of each individual state, on a case-by-case basis.

Secondary education is designed to fulfill the government’s duty to progressively complete the formation of the citizen, seeking universalization of scope and coverage. Secondary education is conducted for a period of not less than three years and seeks: (1) the consolidation and deepening of the knowledge acquired in primary education; (2) the basic preparation of the person being educated for work and to be able to adapt within the labor market or pursue further education; (3) the improvement of the student as a person, including ethical formation and the development of intellectual autonomy and critical thinking; and (4) the comprehension of the scientific and technological bases of the productive processes, relating theory to practice in each discipline. Assessment of secondary education is conducted on a national scale and coordinated by the MEC.

Law No. 13,415/2017 amended the LDB and changed the structure of secondary education, increasing the academic courses load per year and establishing a new curricular structure that comprises a specific BNCC. Following this normative change, Ruling No. 1,210/2018 approved the new National Curriculum Guidelines (Diretrizes Nacionais Curriculares or DCN) for High School, which is known as the “New High School” (Novo Ensino Médio).

This new model is expected to be implemented gradually starting in 2022 (with implementation expected to be concluded by 2024) and one of its main innovations is the establishment of training itineraries (itinerários formativos). The structure of training itineraries is established by the DCN for High School, and characterizes them as a set of subjects, projects, workshops, study centers, among other situations, that students will be able to choose according to their areas of interest as well as life and career projects and aspirations. The training itineraries focus on deepening the study of a specific field of knowledge (Mathematics and its Technologies, Languages and its Technologies, Natural Sciences and its Technologies and Applied Human and Social Sciences) or technical and professional training (FTP) chosen by the student and each school must offer at least one itinerary, while each municipality must offer at least two itineraries, in order to ensure options for students.

Regulatory Bodies

The main regulatory bodies of the Brazilian education system are:

MEC;

INEP;

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CNE;

CEB;

the MEC;
the National Education and Research Institute (Instituto Nacional de Estudos e Pesquisas Educacionais Anísio Teixeira), or INEP;
the CNE;
the CEB;
the Higher Education Board (Câmara de Educação Superior), or CES;

State and Municipal SecretariesSecretariats (Secretarias Estaduais de Educação andSecretarias Municipais de Educação, respectively); and

State and Municipal Councils of Education (Conselhos Estaduais de Educação andConselhos Municipais de Educação, respectively).

The MEC is Brazil’s highest governmental body for education. It formulates and evaluates Brazilian national education policy, ensuring the quality of education and compliance with education regulations. The INEP is aan independent related federal entity responsible for evaluating educational institutions in Brazil, as well as conducting research in order to provide a reliable database for public use.

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The MEC is assisted by the CNE, which is the entity with regulatory power and deliberative authority to ensure national education improvement. The CNE is comprised of the CEB, which is the federal agency responsible for the regulation of the K-12 education system, and the CES, which is the federal agency responsible for the higherpost-secondary education system. Both regulatory bodies are composed of 12 members appointed by the President of Brazil.

States and municipalities are responsible for regulating K-12 education. State Secretaries of Education (Secretarias Estaduais de Educação) are assisted by the State Councils of Education (Conselhos Estaduais de Educação), and are the main regulatory bodies for primary and secondary school education. The Municipal Secretaries of Education (Secretarias Municipais de Educação) are assisted by the Municipal Councils of Education (Conselhos Municipais de Educação), and are the main regulatory bodies of preschool education.

The LDB grants power to states and municipalities to authorize, accredit and supervise primary and secondary education institutions. This is achieved through each governmental entity’s respective Department of Education.

Regulations Applicable to the Company’s Activities

The Company is not directly regulated by the MEC nor any other regulatory agency. However, our educational platform and related educational materials seek to comply with the LDB and the guidelines established by the BNCC. In addition, our partner schools are K-12 education providers and are directly regulated by the MECeducational authorities explained above and must comply with their regulations.

The BNCC is a set of guidelines that provides a curriculum specifying the core skills and knowledge required to be taught as part of primary and secondary education in Brazil and each school has the autonomy to elaborate or adapt their curricula and pedagogical projects according to such guidelines. The BNCC guidelines were established following overall poor student performance levels achieved while the predecessor education guidelines were in effect. Several indicators suggest that the predecessor guidelines were failing in severalmany ways, leading the MEC to initiate discussions relating to a new method based upon a comparison between Brazil and other countries’ results, which formed the basis for developing the BNCC. The LDB and the BNCC establish what subject matters shall be taught for each level of education (early childhood education, primary education and secondary education), and we have ensuredare constantly working on our content to ensure that our educational materials and platform meet the requisite standards and thusthey comply with these guidelines.

guidelines, as well as with our partner schools’ demands.

As provided by the LDB and the BNCC, early childhood education should enable children to live in society, to play, to participate, to explore, to express themselves, and to know themselves. Primary education, in turn, shall offer the following subject matters: (i) Portuguese; (ii) Arts; (iii) Mathematics; (iv) Geography; (v) History; (vi) Religious Studies; (vii) English; (viii) Science and (viii) Science.(ix) Physical Education. Also, according to the current BNCC, approved by Ruling No. 1,210, 2018, secondary education shall offer curricula covering the following subjects (i) Portuguese; (ii) Arts; (iii) Mathematics; (iv) Geography; (v) History; (vi) Physics; (vii); Chemistry; (viii) Biology; (ix) English, (x) Science, (xi) Sociology; (xii) Philosophy; and (xii) Philosophy.(xiii) Physical Education. As our partner schools are private and have the autonomy to establish their pedagogical projects, there are no other guidelines relevant to the materials provided.

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While following the BNCC is still required of every school in the country, there are opportunities to provide content solutions and after-school solutions to improve and adapt to the new status quo in Brazil’s education market.

Syndicates

Under Brazilian labor law, all companies and employees are represented by unions, regardless of whether they are unionized. The unions representing the companies and the employees negotiate the terms of collective bargaining agreements on an annual basis or every two years. Employers are required to grant employees all the rights and working conditions set forth in the collective bargaining agreement, regardless of whether the employee is unionized or not. The employees who choose to be unionized are required to contribute to the workers’ syndicate that represents their sector. Teachers and professors may contribute to the Brazilian Teacher’s Union (Sindicato dos Professores), as they work as registered employees under the CLT (Labor Laws Consolidation) regime.. The syndicate contribution may beis deducted once a year by employersthe employer directly from thesuch employee’s payroll in an amount equal to one working day’s salary, subject to the express authorization of such employee. Such syndicate contribution does

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Data Protection

Cybersecurity has become a top priority for regulators around the world, and in Brazil it is no different. Having come into effect in September 2020, the Brazilian Data Protection Law (Law No. 13,709/18, Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados), or LGPD, is a comprehensive personal data protection law establishing general principles and obligations that apply across multiple economic sectors and contractual relationships.

The LGPD applies to individuals or legal entities, private or government entities, who processes personal data in Brazil or collects personal data in Brazil or, further, when the processing activities have the purpose of offering or supplying goods or services to data subjects located in Brazil. The LGPD establishes detailed rules for processing personal data, which includes the collection, use, transfer and storage of personal data and will affect all economic sectors, including the relationship between clients and suppliers of goods and services, employees and employers and other relationships in which personal data is collected, whether in a digital or physical environment.

Pursuant to the LGPD, security breaches that may result in significant risk or damage to personal data must be reported to the National Data Protection Authority (Autoridade Nacional de Proteção de Dados), or ANPD, the data protection regulatory body, within a reasonable time period. The notice to the ANPD must include: (a) a description of the nature of the personal data affected by the breach; (b) the affected data subjects; (c) the technical and security measures adopted; (d) the risks related to the breach; (e) the reasons for any delays in reporting the breach, if applicable; and (f) the measures adopted to revert or mitigate the effects of the damage caused by the breach. Moreover, the ANPD could establish other obligations related to data protection that are not imply syndicate association.described above.

LGPD allows private right to petition, so we are subject to individual claims for violations of LGPD. The penalties and fines for non-compliance with the LGPD include: (1) warnings, with the imposition of a deadline for the adoption of corrective measures; (2) fines, up to a maximum amount of 2% of the company or group turnover in Brazil, limited to R$50.0 million per violation; (3) disclosure of the violation; (4) the restriction of access to or deletion of the personal data to which the violation relates (5) in case of repetition of the violation, temporary suspension of the database or of data processing activities.

C.Organizational structure

We started implementing the LGPD requirements in January 2020, adapting our websites, e-commerces and systems and processes to the new legislation and creating new privacy policies and warnings. We are developing our LGPD program taking into account the changes in cultural and consumer attitudes towards the protection of personal data law and to comply with any new regulations, creating more training for our employees and clients to promote conscience and promote conscience and change of data analysis and treatment. In 2021 we mapped and identified the risks involved with our business, as we process data on children and adolescents, in order to monitor and control sensitive points to promote greater safety, law enforcement and risk reduction. This data protection impact report is a report of the controller's documentation that contains the description of the processes of processing personal data that may generate risks to civil liberties and fundamental rights, as well as measures, safeguards and risk mitigation mechanisms. In addition, our Privacy and Cybersecurity Committee is composed of our DPO and other senior leadership members, bringing diverse backgrounds to the establishment of related LGPD and cybersecurity practices and measures, as well as readjustments and quality preservation initiatives.

C.    Organizational Structure

We are a Cayman Islands exempted company incorporated with limited liability on April 12, 2018. Arco became the holding company of Arco Educação S.A. and its operating subsidiaries, including EAS Brazil,CBE, which provides educational content from basic to secondary education (“(or K-12 curriculum”)curriculum).

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The table below is a list of the Company’s subsidiaries, joint ventures, and associated companies:companies as of December 31, 2021:

    Direct and indirect  interest (%)
NamePrincipal activitiesCountryInvestment type201820172016
Arco BrazilHoldingBrazilSubsidiary100.0- 
EASEducational contentBrazilSubsidiary100.0100.0100.0
Barra Américas Editora Ltda.Educational contentBrazilSubsidiary100.0100.0100.0
Distribuidora de Material Didático Desterro Ltda.Educational contentBrazilSubsidiary100.0100.0100.0
Novagaúcha Editora e Livraria Ltda.Educational contentBrazilSubsidiary100.0100.0100.0
SAS Sistema de Ensino Ltda.Educational contentBrazilSubsidiary100.0100.0100.0
SAS Desenvolvimento Educacional Ltda.Educational contentBrazilSubsidiary100.0100.0100.0
SAS Livrarias Ltda.Educational contentBrazilSubsidiary100.0100.0100.0
SAE Digital S.A.Educational contentBrazilSubsidiary100.0100.070.0
Escola de Aplicação São José dos Campos Ltda.Educational servicesBrazilSubsidiary69.669.651.0
International School Serviços de Ensino, Treinamento e Editoração, Franqueadora S.A.Educational contentBrazilSubsidiary51.551.540.0
NS Ventures Participações Ltda.Educational contentBrazilSubsidiary100.0100.0-
NS Educação Ltda.Educational contentBrazilSubsidiary100.0100.0-
WPensar S.A.Educational technologyBrazilJoint venture25.025.025.0
Geekie Desenvolvimento de Softwares S.A.Educational technologyBrazilAssociate8.056.56.5

Direct and Indirect Interest (%)

Name

    

Principal Activities

    

Country

    

Investment Type

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

Arco Educação S.A.

 

Holding

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

100.0

100.0

100.0

Companhia Brasileira de Educação e Sistemas de Ensino S.A.

 

Educational content

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

100.0

100.0

100.0

Arco Ventures S.A.

 

Educational content

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

100.0

100.0

Barra Américas Editora Ltda.

 

Educational content

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

100.0

100.0

Distribuidora de Material Didático Desterro Ltda.

 

Educational content

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

100.0

100.0

SAS Sistema de Ensino Ltda.

 

Educational content

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

100.0

100.0

SAS Livrarias Ltda.

 

Educational content

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

100.0

100.0

SAE Digital S.A.

 

Educational content

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

100.0

100.0

100.0

International School Serviços de Ensino, Treinamento e Editoração, Franqueadora S.A.

 

Educational content

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

51.5

51.5

51.5

Nave à Vela Ltda.

 

Educational content

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

51.0

51.0

EEM Licenciamento de Programas Educacionais Ltda.

 

Educational technology

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

100.0

100.0

100.0

NLP Soluções Educacionais Ltda.

 

Educational content

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

100.0

100.0

100.0

Bewater Ventures

 

Private equity

 

Brazil

 

Investee

 

11.0

14.5

WPensar S.A.

 

Educational technology

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

100.0

100.0

25.0

Geekie Desenvolvimento de Softwares S.A.

 

Educational technology

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

57.4

56.0

*

37.5

Studos Software Ltda.

 

Educational content

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

100.0

100.0

Escola de Inteligência Cursos Educacionais S.A.

 

Educational content

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

60.0

60.0

Arce Participações Ltda.*

Holding

Brazil

Subsidiary

100.0

Quadrado Mágico Desenvolvimento e Licenciamento de Software S.A.

Educational technology

Brazil

Subsidiary

100.0

Desenvoolva – Educação, Treinamento e Consultoria Corporativa Ltda.

Educational Development

Brazil

Subsidiary

100.0

P2D Participações Ltda.

Educational content

Brazil

Subsidiary

100.0

Me Salva! Cursos e Consultoria S.A.

Educational content

Brazil

Subsidiary

60.0

Tera Treinamentos Profissionais S.A.

Educational content

Brazil

Investment

23.4

Inco Limited

Educational Solutions

Cayman

Investment

26.1

*As of December 31, 2020 we had acquired a 56.06% corporate interest in Geekie and were already entitled to acquire up to 57.42% of its corporate interest.

For more details about our organizational structure please see “Presentation of Financial and Other Information—Our Corporate Reorganization”Organizational Structure” and refer to notes 1 and 22.2 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

D.Property, plant and equipment

On January 1, 2020, Osterreich Investimentos - Participações Societárias S.A., Mendel Investimentos - Participações Societárias S.A., Torino Investimentos - Participações Societárias S.A., Remare Investimentos - Participações Societárias S.A. and Fahe Investimentos - Participações Societárias S.A. merged into Positivo and became extinct. As a result of the merger, all the contracts, rights and obligations of the now-extinct companies were transferred to Positivo.

Intellectual PropertyOn August 1, 2020, Positivo and Piá, merged into CBE and became extinct. As a result of the merger, all the contracts, rights and obligations of Positivo and Piá were transferred to CBE.

On January 1st, 2021, Arco Ventures S.A., merged into CBE and, therefore, became extinct. Due to the merger, all contracts, rights, and obligations from Arco Ventures were transferred to CBE.

MostOn July 1, 2021, Barra Américas, Desterro, SAS Sistema and SAS Livrarias merged into CBE and were dissolved. Due to the merger, all contracts, rights, and obligations from Barra Américas, Desterro, SAS Sistema and SAS Livrarias were transferred to CBE.

On October 1, 2021, Nave merged into CBE and was dissolved. Due to the merger, all contracts, rights, and obligations from Nave were transferred to CBE.

In order to comply with Brazilian corporate regulation, Arce Participações Ltda. holds one (1) share of our services are provided using proprietary software. We rely on a combination of industrial property, copyright and software laws, as well as employee and third-party non-disclosure, confidentiality and other types of contractual arrangements to establish, maintain and enforce our intellectual property rights, including with respect to our proprietary rights related to our products and services. In addition, we license technology from third parties, and do not hold or own licenses regarding all software employed in the business. However, we have not received any legal notices related to such non-licensed software and are employing measures to obtain pending licenses.

As of December 31, 2018, we own 47 trademark registrations and 62 registered domain names in Brazil. We also have a number of pending trademark applications in Brazil and the U.S. (126 in Brazil and 3 in the U.S., as of December 31, 2018). We have a number of registered copyrights, most notably copyrights for text formatting, critical reading, books, drafting, text editing and review, reformulation, book updates, content coordination, illustrations and diagramming.

 53Arco Educação.

67

D.    Property, Plant and Equipment

Properties

Our corporate headquarters, which houses our sales, marketing, and business operations, areis located in São Paulo at Rua Augusta and comprise 1,960comprises over 4,426 square meters under a lease that expires3 leases, which expire in 60 months.2023. We also lease 5,869 square meters in Fortaleza for our product development, sales, and business operations under a lease that expires in 2025. Additionally, we lease 13,858 square meters in Curitiba, which houses Positivo’s sales, marketing, and business operations, under a lease that expires on July 31, 2022. Also, in the city of Curitiba we lease a building that houses SAE Digital business operations, such lease agreement expires in October 2022. We have offices in several other locations and believe our facilities are sufficient for our current needs.

In addition to our corporate headquarters and as of December 31, 2018,2021, we leased operational, sales, distribution, and administrative facilities in Rio de Janeiro,Louveira, Cajamar, São José, Curitiba, Diadema, Florianópolis, Campinas, Cotia, Diadema, CuritibaPorto Alegre, Recife, Salvador, Guarulhos, Fortaleza, Jaboatão dos Guararapes, Embu das Artes, Belo Horizonte, São José dos Campos, Ribeirão Preto, Niterói and Porto Alegre.Simões Filho. As of December 31, 2018,2021, we had a services agreement with a data center service provider for the provision of data services to us from its data centers located globally, which expires in 2019.is automatically renewed and may be terminated upon requested by the parties, and two cloud storage agreements, one of which can be terminated at our discretion with 30 days’ notice to the service provider and the other which the expiration date may vary on each purchase order. We believe that our facilities are suitable and adequate for our business as presently conducted, however, we periodically review our facility requirements and may acquire new space to meet the needs of our business or consolidate and dispose of facilities that are no longer required.

Intellectual Property

Most of our services are provided using proprietary software developed by third parties and by our employees. We rely on a combination of industrial property, copyright, and software laws, as well as employee and third-party non-disclosure, confidentiality and other types of contractual arrangements to protect, establish, maintain and enforce our intellectual property rights, including with respect to our proprietary rights related to our products and services. Nevertheless, we may hold restricted rights over certain software developed either by third parties or by our current or former employees and, occasionally, may be subject to lawsuits filed by said third parties or employees to claim ownership over each software. In addition, we license technology from third parties, and do not hold or own licenses regarding certain software employed in the business. However, we have not received any legal notices related to such non-licensed software and are employing measures to obtain pending licenses.

As of December 31, 2021, we own 774 trademark registrations in Brazil (573 of which have been granted and 201 of which are under review but that we are entitled to use), 2 in Argentina, 2 in Bolivia, 1 in Chile, 1 in Ecuador, 3 in Paraguay, 2 in Venezuela, and 2 in Uruguay. As of December 31, 2021, we owned 115 registered domain names in Brazil. We also have 150 of pending trademark applications in Brazil, Paraguay and Venezuela (148 in Brazil, 1 in Paraguay and 2 in Venezuela), as of December 31, 2021. We have several registered copyrights, most notably copyrights for text formatting, critical reading, books, drafting, text editing and review, reformulation, book updates, content coordination, illustrations and diagramming.

ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable.

 54

ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto as well as the information presented under “Item 3. Key Information—A. Selected financial data.thereto. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a resultbecause of various factors, including those set forth in “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk factors”factors.”

68

A.Operating results

A.    Operating Results

We provide a complete pedagogical system with technology-enabled features to deliver educational content to private schools in Brazil.

We founded our company with the aim to create high-qualityof creating high quality products that simplify learning and make the education process more efficient. Traditionally, school administrators required a multitude of vendors for content development, training, commercializing, and managing K-12 education. Simultaneously, students acquired educational content through textbooks from various publishers across retail channels. Our platform aims to replace this multitude of third-party educational providers with a streamlined, one-stop solution that delivers high quality education at scale.

We believe the success of our platform, together with the quality of our client base and the popularity of our brand, has driven our significant growth, allowing us to expand our footprint quickly and efficiently expand our footprint in Brazil.

We provide a complete suite of turnkey curriculum solutions and technology-enabled features to help our students, teachers, partner schools and parents, targeting our students’ educational success. Our turnkey educational platform solutions compriseconsist of core K-12 curricula, as well as supplemental instructional content currently focused on English as a second language.

As of March 31, 2019 we2022, our Core Curriculum and Supplemental B2B2C Content Solutions had 1,4628,056 unique partner schools. These schools are spread across 4881,878 cities located across all of the states of Brazil. Our partner schools base is highly diversified, which reduces our dependence on major accounts.

Our Cohort Economics

We believe that an annualized cohort analysis is a useful indicator of demand for our platform. We define a cohort as the amount spent by all of our partner schools on our platform over each 12-month period. We calculate the total contractual fees payable by our partner schools in each cohort as of the end of each academic year, or the yearly contract fee amount. These amounts increase as a result of (i) increases in the total number of enrolled students at our partner schools served by our platform, and (ii) annual adjustments of our contract fees. These amounts decrease when customers terminate their contracts, downgrade their contracts to a lower price point, or if there is a decrease in the number of enrolled students at our partner schools.

 

 55

We focus on attracting new partner schools and increasing the value we offer to them. Accordingly, each cohort of new partner schools tends to generate higher fees payable to us over time. We have a track record of attracting new partner schools and increasing the amount of fees they pay us over time, as illustrated by the chart below.

Customer expansion can be seen in the Annual Contract Value, or ACV, growth in cohorts over the last five fiscal years. Our cohorts of customers from 2014 through 2018 have grown their ACV, on areal-weighted average basis, by an average of 27% by the end of first contract year (Year 1), 39% by the end of second contract year (Year 2), 48% by the end of third contract year (Year 3), 59% by the end of fourth contract year (Year 4) and 77% by the end of fifth contract year (Year 5).

 

The strength of our partner schools base and our ability to expand sales is demonstrated in the increasing portion of our ACV derived from existing clients and upsell in existing clients, combining for 79.1%. 44.5%, 43.4% and 39.5% growth in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. respectively.

 56

 

Our Growth

Graphic

Our revenue growth has been driven by:

·

Expansion of our partner school base:The increase in the number of partnerspartner schools using our educational platform. Through a sophisticated sales process with our highly skilled sales team, we build relationships with partners schools and plant seeds for new features and products.

·

Deepening of relationships with our existing customer base:The increase in the number of enrolled students we serve in our partner schools, through (i) the increase in the number of class years that adopt our Core Curriculum solutions (upselling), and (ii) cross-selling our Supplemental Solutions.Solutions and services.

·

Price increases:The annual adjustments of our contract fees, in line with our price-setting policies which are usually above published inflation indices, to account for changes in our cost and expensesexpenses’ structure and for improvements in our platform.

·

M&A:The acquisition of complementary businesses. Since 2011, we have successfully acquired or invested in 11 companies that havebusinesses has helped us expand our operations regionally and nationally and also add new products and technologies. This allows us to become a one-stop shop platform, which we believe further strengthens our stickiness and improves our value proposition.

69

The strength of our partner school base and our ability to expand sales are demonstrated in the increasing portion of our ACV Bookings from existing clients and upsell in existing clients prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, represented in the chart below. During the 2020 and 2021 school years, our business was impacted by the non-recurring drop-outs of students in partner schools, which we believe will be normalized in the upcoming years.

Graphic

Revenue Recognition and Seasonality

Prior to the adoption of IFRS 15, revenue was recognized when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have beenwere transferred to the customer, recovery of the consideration iswas probable, the associated costs and possible return of educational content cancould be estimated reliably, there iswas no continuing management involvement with the educational content and the amount of revenue cancould be measured reliably. Upon the adoption of IFRS 15, revenue is recognized when the performance obligation is satisfied. We recognize our revenue at the momentwhen we deliver our content to our partner schools in printed format or via access to the content in our digital platform. The technology is provided solely to optimize the use of our educational content. Our printed materials can be used independently of the technology we provide, as the content of both our printed materials and online materials is substantially the same.

 57

We generate substantially all of our revenue from contracts that have an average term of three years, pursuant to which we provide educational content in printed and digital format to partner schools. Our revenue is driven by the number of enrolled students at each partner school using our solutions and the agreed price per student per year, all in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in each contract. Each contract contemplates penalties ranging between 20% and 100% of the remaining total value of the contract in the event of termination, and the content already delivered by us through the termination date is not returned to us by the partner school.

Our partner schools pay us our fees directly and pass that cost on to their enrolled students’ parents, who in turn are charged through a mandatory supplement to school tuition, in lieu of paying for textbooks from several vendors. Most of our partner schools charge parents an incremental markup from which we do not earn any additional revenue on top of our wholesale prices.

Pursuant to the terms of our contracts with our partner schools, they are required, by the end of November of each year, to provide us with an estimate of the number of enrolled students that will access our content in the next school year (which typically starts in February of the following year). Since we allow our partner schools to make small adjustments to their estimates to account for late admissions and dropouts, this number may fluctuate slightly until March 31, when it becomes more accurate.

70

We typically deliver our Core Curriculum content four times each year in March, June, August and December and our Supplemental Solutions content twice each year in June and December, typically two to three months prior to the start of each school quarter. This allows our partner schools and their teachers to prepare classes in advance of each school quarter. Because we recognize revenue at the moment ofupon delivery of our educational content, our fourth quarter results reflect the growth in the number of our students from one school year to another. Consequently, we generally produce higher revenues in the fourth quarter of our fiscal year compared to the preceding quarters.

In addition, we bill partner schools and collect the sales we charge them in the first half of each academic collections year, generally resulting in a higher cash position in the first half of each fiscal year relative to the second half of each fiscal year.

Accordingly, we expect quarterly fluctuations in our revenues and operating results to continue. These fluctuations could result in volatility and adversely affect our liquidity and cash flows. As our business grows, these seasonal fluctuations may become more pronounced. As a result, we believe that sequential quarterly comparisons of our financial results may not provide an accurate assessment of our financial position.

A significant portion of our expenses is also seasonal. Due to the nature of our business cycle, we require significant working capital, typically in September and/or October of each year, to cover costs related to production and accumulation of inventory, selling and marketing expenses, and delivery of our teaching materials at the end of each fiscal year in preparation for the beginning of each school year. Therefore, such operating expenses are generally incurred in the period between September and December of each year.

Key Business Metrics

We review the following key metrics to evaluate our business, measure our performance, identify trends affecting our business, formulate business plans and make strategic decisions:

Operating Data

Enrolled Students

The number of enrolled students is the primary operational metric our management reviews.reviews for our B2B2C Core Curriculum and Supplemental Content Solutions. It represents the total number of students at our partner schools served by our platform during a given school year. Although our primary customers are the partner schools we attract to our base, our revenues are determined by the number of students enrolled in our partner schools.

We typically have high visibility of the number of students we will serve before the school year starts, typically by the end of November. Since we allow our partner schools to make small adjustments to their estimates to account for late admissions and early dropouts, this number may fluctuate slightly until March 31, when it becomes more accurate. Accordingly, we believe this metric is most accurately reflected as of March 31 of each year.

Following March 31 in a calendar year, our partner schools may experience additional admissions and/or dropouts up to September 30 of such year, which is the date on which the number of students for the year becomes final, or Final Number of Students. In years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the difference between the Number of Enrolled Students as of March 31 and the Final Number of Students as of September 30 was not material. However, during 2020 and 2021 and as result of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, our partner schools experienced atypical dropout rates from March 31 to September 30, and our number of students decreased from Number of Enrolled Students of 1,362,141 as of March 31, 2020, to Final Number of Enrolled Students of 1,239,937 as of September 30, 2020, and from Number of Enrolled Students of 1,785,576 as of March 31, 2021, to Final Number of Students of 1,489,707 as of September 30, 2021.

As of March 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016,2022, we had Number of Enrolled Students of 2,279,025 , compared to the Final Number of Enrolled Students of 1,489,707 as of September 30, 2021 (and 1,785,576 Number of Enrolled Students as of March 31, 2021) and 1,362,141 and 498,553 405,814, 322,031,Number of Enrolled Students as of March 31, 2020 and 265,354 enrolled students,2019, respectively, representing a CAGR of 23.4%66%.

 58

71

In our Core Curriculum segment, we had 413,678, 363,824, 303,950, and 265,354 studentsNumber of Enrolled Students of 1,614,648 as of March 31, 2019, 2018, 20172022, compared to Final Number of Enrolled Students of 1,057,118 as of September 30, 2021 (and 1,270,463 Number of Enrolled Students as of March 31, 2021), and 2016,1,131,691 and 413,678 Number of Enrolled Students as of March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, representing a CAGR of 16.0%57%. In our Supplemental Content Solutions, segment, which we began consolidating in our financial statements in 2017, we had 84,875, 41,990 and 18,081 studentsNumber of Enrolled Students of 664,377 as of March 31, 2022, compared to Final Number of Enrolled Students of 432,589 as of September 30, 2021 (and 515,113 Number of Enrolled Students as of March 31, 2020), and 230,450 and 84,875 Number of Enrolled Students as of March 31, 2020 and 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

respectively, representing a CAGR of 99%.

The following table sets forth the number of enrolled students at our partner schools as of the dates indicated.

  As of March 31,
  2018 2017 2016 2015
Number of enrolled students  405,814   322,031   265,354   156,011 

As of March 31, 2019, our number of enrolled students was 498,553.

As of March 31,

    

2022

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

Number of Enrolled Students

 

2,279,025

 

1,785,576

 

1,362,141

 

498,553

Core Curriculum solutions(1)

1,614,648

1,270,463

1,131,691

413,678

Supplemental Content Solutions (2)

664,377

515,113

230,450

84,875

(1)Includes SAS, SAE, Positivo, Conquista, Geekie, COC and Dom Bosco.
(2)Includes International School, PES, PGS, Escola da Inteligência, Pleno and NAV (all B2B2C solutions).

ACV Bookings

ACV Bookings is an operating metric and represents our partner schools’customers’ commitment to pay for our solutions offerings. We believe that they are a meaningful indicator of demand for our platform and the market’s response to it.

We define ACV Bookings as the revenue we would contractually expect to recognize from a partner school in each school year pursuant to the terms of our contract, with such partner school, assuming no further additions or reductions in the number of enrolled students that will access our content at such partner school in such school year. ACV Bookings is a non-accounting managerial operating metric and is not prepared in accordance with IFRS. We calculate ACV Bookings by multiplying the number of enrolled students at each partner school with the average ticket per student per year, all in accordance with the terms of our contract with such partner school. AlthoughFor our B2B2C Core Curriculum and Supplemental Content Solutions, although our contracts with our partner schools are typically for three-year terms, we record one year of revenue under such contracts as ACV Bookings. For example, if a school enters into a three-year contract with us to provide our Core Curriculum solution to 100 students for a contractual fee of $100 per student per year, we record $10,000 as ACV Bookings, not $30,000.

WeFor our B2B2C Core Curriculum and Supplemental Content Solutions, we measure our ACV Bookings on a monthly basis throughout the school year, starting in November of the preceding fiscal year. Pursuant to the terms of our contracts with our partner schools, they are required, by the end of November of each year, to provide us with an estimate of the number of enrolled students that will access our platform in the next school year. Since we allow our partner schools to make small adjustments to their estimates to account for late admissions and early dropouts, this number may fluctuate slightly until March 31, when it becomes more accurate. Accordingly, we believe this metric is most accurately reflected as of March 31 of each year.year, and in this annual report, we refer to our ACV Bookings as of March 31 in each year as our ACV Bookings.

Following March 31 in a calendar year, our partner schools may experience additional admissions and/or dropouts up to September 30 of such year, explaining the difference between the ACV Bookings and the revenue recognized for such school year. In years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the difference between our ACV Bookings and the revenue recognized for the school year was not material, demonstrating the predictability of our business. However, during 2020 and 2021 and as result of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, our partner schools experienced atypical dropout rates from March 31 to September 30, and the difference

72

between our ACV Bookings and the revenue recognized for each school year was -4% and -9%, respectively. Consequentially, the dynamics mentioned above also impacted the number of enrolled students in our partner schools.

Graphic

As presented in the chart above, the ACV is divided into three main parts:

-

Core Curriculum Solutions: including SAS, SAE, Positivo, Conquista, Geekie, COC and Dom Bosco, as of March 31, 2022.

-

Supplemental Content Solutions (B2B2C content segment): International School, PES, PGS, Escola da Inteligência, Pleno and NAV, as of March 31, 2022

-

Other Supplemental Solutions: WPensar, Escola em Movimento (EEM), Studos, Eduqo, Me Salva and Edupass.

The following table sets forthillustrates our ACV Bookings for the periods presented.as of March 31, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019 by segment:

  As of March 31,
  2019(1) 2019(2) 2018(3) 2017(4) 2016(5)
  US$ (Except
number of
enrolled
students)(1)
 R$ (Except number of enrolled students)
Number of enrolled students  n/a   498,553   405,814   322,031   265,354 
Average ticket per student per year  228.2   884.3   793.8   711.9   622.0 
ACV Bookings (in millions)(6)  113.8   R$440.9   R$322.1   R$229.3   R$165.1 

As of March 31,

    

2022(1)

    

2022(2)

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

US$(1)

R$

Core Curriculum Solutions Segment

 

221.6

 

1,236.7

 

912.8

 

803.6

 

340.5

Supplemental Content Solutions Segment (B2B2C content)

 

52.2

 

291.2

 

233.8

 

196.8

 

100.4

(=) B2B2C Content Solutions ACV

 

273.8

 

1,527.9

 

1,146.7

 

1,000.4

 

440.9

Other Supplemental Solutions

 

5.8

 

32.1

 

16.7

 

5.3

 

(=) Total ACV

 

279.5

 

1,560.0

 

1,163.4

 

1,005.8

 

440.9

(1)

(1)

For convenience purposes only, amounts inreais as of MarchDecember 31, 20182021, have been translated to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of R$3.8755.581 to US$1.00, the commercial selling rate for U.S. dollars as of December 31, 20182021 as reported by the Central Bank. These translations should not be considered representations that any such amounts have been, could have been or

73

could be converted at that or any other exchange rate. See “—Exchange Rates” for further information about recent fluctuations in exchange rates.

(2)

For the 2022 school year (which we define for purposes of ACV Bookings as the period starting in October 2021 and ending in September 2022). Includes the ACV Bookings of COC and Dom Bosco, which were acquired in November 2021.

The following table set forth our Number of Enrolled Students, average ticket per student per year and ACV Bookings for our B2B2C Core Curriculum and Supplemental Content Solutions as of March 31, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019.

As of March 31,

    

2022(1)

    

2022(2)

    

2021(3)

    

2020(4)

    

2019(5)

US$ (except

R$ (except 

 number of

number of

 enrolled students)(1)

 enrolled students)

R$ (except number of enrolled students)

Number of Enrolled Students(6)

 

n/a

 

2,279,025

 

1,785,576

 

1,362,141

 

498,553

Average ticket per student per year(6)

 

120.1

 

670.4

 

642.2

 

734.5

 

884.3

ACV Bookings (in millions)(6)

 

273.8

 

1,527.9

 

1,146.7

 

1,000.4

 

440.9

(1)For convenience purposes only, amounts in reais as of December 31, 2021, have been translated to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of R$5.581 to US$1.00, the commercial selling rate for U.S. dollars as of December 31, 2021 as reported by the Central Bank. These translations should not be considered representations that any such amounts have been, could have been or could be converted at that or any other exchange rate. See “—Exchange Rates” for further information about recent fluctuations in exchange rates.

(2)For the 2022 school year (which we define for purposes of ACV Bookings as the period starting in October 2021 and ending in September 2022). Includes the ACV Bookings of COC and Dom Bosco, which were acquired in November 2021.
(3)For the 2021 school year (which we define for purposes of ACV Bookings as the period starting in October 2020 and ending in September 2021).
(4)For the 2020 school year (which we define for purposes of ACV Bookings as the period starting in October 2019 and ending in September 2020). Includes the ACV Bookings of Positivo, which was acquired in November 2019.
(5)For the 2019 school year (which we define for purposes of ACV bookingsBookings as the period starting in October 2018 and ending in September 2019).

(3)For the 2018 school year (which we define for purposes of ACV bookings as the period starting in October 2017 and ending in September 2018).

(4)For the 2017 school year (which we define for purposes of ACV bookings as the period starting in October 2016 and ending in September 2017).

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(5)For the 2016 school year (which we define for purposes of ACV bookings as the period starting in October 2015 and ending in September 2016). Includes the ACV Bookings of SAE, which we acquired in June 2016, for the full year 2016. On a standalone basis, SAE had ACV Bookings for the full year 2016 totaling R$21.5 million and net revenue totaling R$11.9 million. If the acquisition had taken place on January 1, 2016, SAE’s total net revenue would have been R$24.6 million and our total net revenue would have been R$172.7 million.

(6)We define ACV Bookings as the revenue we would contractually expect to recognize from a partner school in each school year pursuant to the terms ofFor our contract with such partner school, assuming no further additions or reductions in the number of enrolled students that will access our content at such partner school in such school year. ACV Bookings is a non-accounting managerial operating metricCore Curriculum Solutions (SAS, SAE, Positivo, Conquista, Geekie, COC and is not prepared in accordance with IFRS. For more information about ACV Bookings, see “Presentation of FinancialDom Bosco) and Other Information—Special Note Regarding ACV Bookings.”Supplemental Content Solutions (International School, PES, PGS, Escola da Inteligência, Pleno and NAV).

AsACV Bookings for our Core Curriculum and Supplemental Content Solutions were R$1.146.7 million as of March 31, 2019, our total number of students enrolled was 498,553, our average ticket per student per2021 and recognized Revenue for the 2021 school year was R$884.3 and our total ACV Bookings were R$440.9.million

 

 60

(1)Includes the ACV Bookings of SAE, which we acquired in June 2016, for the full year 2016. On a standalone basis, SAE had ACV Bookings for the full year 2016 totaling R$21.5 million and net revenue totaling R$11.91,045.9 million. If the acquisition had taken place on January 1, 2016, SAE’s total net revenue would have been R$24.6 million and our total net revenue would have been R$172.7 million.

The following table sets forth the approximate numberNumber of enrolled studentsEnrolled Students, average ticket per student per year and ACV Bookings for our supplementalCore Curriculum Solutions segment for the periods presented.

  As of March 31,
  2019(1) 2019(2) 2018(3) 2017(4) 2016(5)
  US$ (Except
number of
enrolled
students)(1)
 R$ (Except number of enrolled students)
Number of enrolled students  n/a   84,875   42,000   18,000   6,000 
ACV Bookings (in millions)(6)  25.9   R$100.4   R$45.0   R$20.0   R$6.0 

As of March 31,

    

2022(1)

    

2022(2)

    

2021(3)

    

2020(4)

    

2019(5)

US$ (except 

R$ (except

 number of 

 number of

 enrolled students)(1)

 enrolled students)

R$ (except number of enrolled students)

Number of Enrolled Students

 

n/a

 

1,614,648

 

1,270,463

 

1,131,691

 

413,678

Average ticket per student per year

137.2

765.9

718.4

710.1

823.0

ACV Bookings (in millions)

 

221.6

 

1,236.7

 

912.7

 

803.6

 

340.5

74

(1)For convenience purposes only, amounts inreais as of MarchDecember 31, 20182021, have been translated to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of R$3.8755.581 to US$1.00, the commercial selling rate for U.S. dollars as of December 31, 20182021, as reported by the Central Bank. These translations should not be considered representations that any such amounts have been, could have been or could be converted at that or any other exchange rate. See “Item 3. Key Information—A. Selected financial data—“—Exchange Rates” for further information about recent fluctuations in exchange rates.

(2)For the 2022 school year (which we define for purposes of ACV Bookings as the period starting in October 2021 and ending in September 2022). Includes the ACV Bookings of COC and Dom Bosco, which were acquired in November 2021.
(3)For the 2021 school year (which we define for purposes of ACV Bookings as the period starting in October 2020 and ending in September 2021).
(4)For the 2020 school year (which we define for purposes of ACV Bookings as the period starting in October 2019 and ending in September 2020). Includes the ACV Bookings of Positivo, which we acquired in November 2019.
(5)For the 2019 school year (which we define for purposes of ACV bookingsBookings as the period starting in October 2018 and ending in September 2019). Presented

For our Core Curriculum Solutions segment, ACV Bookings was R$912.7 million as of March 31, 2021, and recognized Revenue for the 2021 school year was R$841.9 million.

The following table sets forth the approximate Number of Enrolled Students, average ticket per student per year and ACV Bookings for our Supplemental Content Solutions for the periods presented.

As of March 31,

    

2022(1)

    

2022(2)

    

2021(3)

    

2020(4)

    

2019(5)

US$ (except

R$ (except

number of

number of

enrolled

enrolled 

students)(1)

students)

R$ (except number of enrolled students)

Number of Enrolled Students

 

n/a

664,377

515,113

230,450

84,875

Average ticket per student per year

 

78.5

438.4

454.0

854.1

1,182.9

ACV Bookings (in millions)

 

52.2

291.2

233.8

196.8

100.4

(1)

For convenience purposes only, amounts in reais as of February 25, 2019, nearest available dateDecember 31, 2021, have been translated to March 31U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of R$5.581 to US$1.00, the commercial selling rate for U.S. dollars as of December 31, 2021, as reported by the date of this form 20-F.Central Bank. These translations should not be considered representations that any such amounts have been, could have been or could be converted at that or any other exchange rate. See “—Exchange Rates” for further information about recent fluctuations in exchange rates.

(2)

(3)

For the 20182022 school year (which we define for purposes of ACV bookingsBookings as the period starting in October 20172021 and ending in September 2018)2022).

(3)

(4)

For the 20172021 school year (which we define for purposes of ACV bookingsBookings as the period starting in October 20162020 and ending in September 2017)2021).

(4)

(5)

For the 20162020 school year (which we define for purposes of ACV bookingsBookings as the period starting in October 20152019 and ending in September 2016)2020). Includes the ACV Bookings of Positivo, which we acquired in November 2019.

(5)

(6)We

For the 2019 school year (which we define for purposes of ACV Bookings as the revenue we would contractually expect to recognize from a partner schoolperiod starting in each school year pursuant to the terms of our contract with such partner school, assuming no further additions or reductionsOctober 2018 and ending in the number of enrolled students that will access our content at such partner school in such school year. ACV Bookings is a non-accounting managerial operating metric and is not prepared in accordance with IFRS. For more information about ACV Bookings, see “Presentation of Financial and Other Information—Special Note Regarding ACV Bookings.”September 2019).

75

For our supplemental segment,Supplemental Content Solutions, the ACV Bookings was R$233.8 million as of March 31, 2019,2021, and recognized Revenue for the approximate number of enrolled students2021 school year was 84,875 and ACV Bookings were approximately R$100.4204.0 million.

Brazilian Macroeconomic Environment

We believe that our results of operations and financial performance are and will continue to be affected by the following macroeconomic trends and factors:

All of our operations are located in Brazil. As a result, our revenues and profitability are affected by political and economic developments in Brazil and the effect that these factors have on the availability of credit, disposable income, employment rates and average wages in Brazil. Our operations, and the industry in general, are particularly sensitive to changes in economic conditions.

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Brazil is the largest economy in Latin America, as measured by gross domestic product, or GDP. The following table shows data for real GDP, inflation and interest rates in Brazil and the U.S. dollar/real exchange rate at the dates and for the periods indicated.

  For the Year Ended December 31,
  2018 2017 2016
Real growth (contraction) in gross domestic product  1.1%  1.0%  (3.5)%
Inflation (IGP-M)(1)  7.5%  (0.5)%  7.2%
Inflation (IPCA)(2)  3.4%  2.9%  6.3%
Long-term interest rates—TJLP (average)(3)  6.7%  7.0%  7.5%
CDI interest rate (average)(4)  6.5%  10.1%  14.1%
Period-end exchange rate—reais per US$1.00  3.875   3.308   3.259 
Average exchange rate—reais per US$1.00(5)  3.656   3.203   3.483 
Appreciation (depreciation) of the real vs. US$ in the period(6)  (17.1)%  (1.5)%  16.6%
Unemployment rate(7)  12.3%  12.7%  11.5%

For the Year Ended December 31,

 

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

Real growth (contraction) in gross domestic product

 

4.6

%  

(4.1)

%  

1.1

%  

Inflation (IGP-M)(1)

 

17.8

%  

23.1

%  

7.3

%  

Inflation (IPCA)(2)

 

10.1

%  

4.5

%  

4.3

%  

Long-term interest rates—TJLP (average)(3)

 

4.8

%  

4.9

%  

6.2

%  

CDI interest rate(4)

 

4.5

%  

2.8

%  

6.0

%  

Period-end exchange rate—reais per US$1.00

R$

5.581

R$

5.197

 

4.031

 

Average exchange rate—reais per US$1.00(5)

R$

5.396

R$

5.158

 

3.946

 

Appreciation (depreciation) of the real vs. US$in the period(6)

 

7.4

%  

(28.9)

%  

(4.0)

%  

Unemployment rate(7)

 

11.1

%  

13.5

%  

11.9

%  

Source: FGV, IBGE, Central Bank and Bloomberg.

B3.

(1)Inflation (IGP-M) is the general market price index measured by the FGV.

(2)Inflation (IPCA) is a broad consumer price index measured by the IBGE.

(3)TJLP is the Brazilian long-term interest rate (average of monthly rates for the period).

(4)The CDI (certificado de depósito interbancário) interest rate is an average of interbank overnight rates in Brazil, (daily average forduring the period).corresponding period.

(5)Average of the exchange rate on each business day of the year.

(6)Comparing the US$ closing selling exchange rate as reported by the Central Bank at the end of the period’s last day with the day immediately prior to the first day of the period discussed.

(7)Average unemployment rate for year as measured by the IBGE.

Historically,For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, we have been able to offset all or most of the inflation has been offseteffects by adjustments toadjusting the contractual fees per student that we charge our partner schools above the average adjustment of which was 8.3% for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

IPCA rate. Our financial performance is also tied to fluctuations in interest rates, such as the CDI rate, because such fluctuations affect the value of our financial investments.

76

Printer Costs; Raw Materials

We outsource the printing and binding of our educational materials. Printer costs are one of our principal costs; printer fees are impacted by changes in the price of paper, one of the principal raw materials required for the production ofto produce our educational materials. The cost of paper is generally impacted by fluctuations in the U.S. dollar/real exchange rate, and is also impacted by inflation, but not necessarily linked to a specific inflation index. Such changes in prices are reflected as inflation adjustments in the fees charged by our third-party printers, which produce our printed materials. To the extent we cannot offset the impact of printer costs by adjusting the contractual fees per student that we charge our partner schools, our margins may be negatively affected.

Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with IFRS. In preparing our audited consolidated financial statements, we make assumptions, judgments and estimates that can have a significant impact on amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements. We base our assumptions, judgments and estimates on historical experience and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We regularly reevaluate our assumptions, judgments and estimates. Our significant accounting policies are described in note 3 to our audited consolidated financial statements. We believe that the following critical accounting policies are more affected by the significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements:

 62

Impairment of Non-Financial Assets

Impairment exists when the carrying value of an asset or cash generating unit (“CGU”) or a group of CGUs exceeds its recoverable amount, defined as the higher of its fair value less costs of disposal and its value in use. The fair value less costs of disposal calculation is based on data available from binding sales transactions, conducted at arm’s length, for similar assets or observable market prices less incremental costs of disposing of the asset. The value in use calculation is based on a discounted cash flow model (“DCF” model). The cash flows are derived from the budget for the next five years and do not include restructuring activities to which we have not yet committed or significant future investments that will enhance the performance of the assets of the CGU being tested. The recoverable amount is sensitive to the discount rate used for the DCF model as well as to expected future cash-inflows and the growth rate used for extrapolation purposes. These estimates are most relevant to goodwill that is recognized by us. The key assumptions used to determine the recoverable amount for the different CGUs, including a sensitivity analysis, are disclosed and further explained in note 13 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Taxes

Deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and unused tax credits from net operating losses carryforward to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the losses can be utilized. Significant management judgement is required to determine the amount of deferred tax assets that can be recognized, based upon the likely timing and the level of future taxable profits, together with future tax planning strategies. Further details on taxes are disclosed in note 22 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Fair Value Measurement of Financial Instruments

When the fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities recorded in the statement of financial position cannot be measured based on quoted prices in active markets, their fair value is measured using valuation techniques including the DCF model. The inputs into these models are taken from observable markets where possible, but where this is not feasible, a degree of judgement is required to estimate fair values. Judgements include considerations of inputs such as liquidity risk, credit risk and volatility. Changes in assumptions relating to these factors could affect the reported fair value of financial instruments. See note 24 to our audited consolidated financial statements for further information.

Contingent consideration, resulting from business combinations, is valued at fair value as of the acquisition date as part of the business combination. When the contingent consideration meets the definition of a financial liability, it is subsequently remeasured at each reporting date. This determination of fair value is based on discounted cash flows. The key assumptions take into consideration the probability of meeting each performance target and the discount factor. Any contingent consideration is classified as financial instruments from acquisition of interests. For further information, see notes 4, 14 and 24 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Share-based payment

Estimating fair value for share-based payment transactions requires determination of the most appropriate valuation model, which depends on the terms and conditions of the grant. This estimate also requires determination of the most appropriate inputs to the valuation model including the expected life of the share option or appreciation right, volatility and dividend yield and making assumptions about them. For the measurement of the fair value of equity-settled transactions, we uses the Black & Scholes model. See note 16.b for the assumptions and models used for estimating fair value for share-based payment transactions.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

New standards, interpretations and amendments adopted in 2018

We started applying IFRS 9—Financial Instruments and IFRS 15—Revenue from Contracts with Customers, beginningFor a discussion on January 1, 2018. For further information,recent accounting pronouncements, see note 2.4 to our audited consolidated financial statements. Other amendments and interpretations were applied for the first time in 2018, but do not have an impact on our audited consolidated financial statements.

 63

IFRS 9—Financial Instruments

The IASB issued IFRS 9 relating to the classification and measurement of financial instruments. IFRS 9 uses a single approach to determine whether a financial asset is measured at amortized cost or fair value, and this approach replaces the previous requirements of IAS 39. The approach in IFRS 9 is based on how an entity manages its financial assets (i.e., its business model) and the contractual cash flow characteristics of those financial assets. IFRS 9 also amends the impairment criteria by introducing a new expected credit losses model for calculating impairment on financial assets and commitments to extend credit. Further, IFRS 9 includes new hedge accounting requirements that align hedge accounting more closely with risk management. These new requirements do not fundamentally change the types of hedging relationships or the requirement to measure and recognize ineffectiveness but do allow more hedging strategies that are used for risk management to qualify for hedge accounting and for more judgment by management in assessing the effectiveness of those hedging relationships. Extended disclosures in respect of risk management activity for those choosing to apply the new hedge accounting requirements will also be required under the new standard.

We adopted IFRS 9 prospectively, with the initial application date of January 1, 2018. The adoption of the expected credit loss requirements of IFRS 9 resulted in an increase in impairment allowances of the trade receivables. The increase in allowances resulted in an adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2018 of R$4.3 million, net of tax effects.

For further information, see note 2.4 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

IFRS 15—Revenue from Contracts with Customers

IFRS 15 was issued in May 2014, and amended in April 2016. IFRS 15 affects any entity entering into contracts with customers, unless those contracts fall within the scope of other standards such as insurance contracts, financial instruments or lease contracts. IFRS 15 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in IAS 18, Revenue, IFRIC 13, Customer Loyalty Programmes, and the majority of other industry-specific guidance. The standard contains a single model that applies to contracts with customers and two approaches to recognizing revenue: at a point in time or over time. The model features a contract-based five-step analysis of transactions to determine whether, how much and when revenue is recognized. New estimates and judgmental thresholds have been introduced, which may affect the amount or timing of revenue recognized.

We adopted IFRS 15 as of January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method and the effects of adopting IFRS 15 are not material. For further information, see note 2.4 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Standards, interpretations and amendments not adopted yet

Certain IFRS standards and interpretations that have been issued but that will not be in effect until January 1, 2019 could impact the presentation of our financial position or performance once they are effective. For further information on the impact of these IFRS standards and interpretations on the presentation of our financial position or performance once they become effective, see note 2 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

IFRS 16—Leases

The IASB recently issued IFRS 16 to replace IAS 17 “Leases.” This standard introduces a single lessee accounting model and requires a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities for all leases with a term of more than 12 months, unless the underlying asset is of low value. A lessee is required to recognize a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset and a lease liability representing its obligation to make lease payments. This standard substantially carries forward the lessor accounting requirements of IAS 17, while requiring enhanced disclosures to be provided by lessors.

We will adopt IFRS 16 from its effective date of January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective transition approach. The expected impacts of the adoption for 2019 are as disclosed in note 2.4 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

IFRIC 23—Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments

On June 7, 2017, the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRS IC) issued IFRIC 23, which clarifies how the recognition and measurement requirements of IAS 12—Income taxes, are applied where there is uncertainty over income tax treatments. IFRIC 23 applies to all aspects of income tax accounting where there is an uncertainty regarding the treatment of an item, including taxable profit or loss, the tax bases of assets and liabilities, tax losses and credits and tax rates.

 64

Management has assessed the new standard and does not expect any impacts on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

JOBS Act

We are an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act. The JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected not to avail ourselves of this exemption and, therefore, we will be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies.

Subject to certain conditions set forth in the JOBS Act, if, as an “emerging growth company”, we choose to rely on such exemptions we may not be required to, among other things, (i) provide an auditor’s attestation report on our system of internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404, (ii) provide all of the compensation disclosure that may be required of non-emerging growth public companies under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, (iii) comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the PCAOB regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements (auditor discussion and analysis), and (iv) disclose certain executive compensation related items such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and comparisons of the CEO’s compensation to median employee compensation. These exemptions will apply for a period of five years following the completion of our initial public offering or until we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” whichever is earlier.

Components of Our Results of Operations

The following is a summary of the principal line items comprising our statements of income (loss).

Net Revenue

revenue

We generate substantially all of our revenue from contracts that have a standard term of threefrom one to five years, pursuant to which we provide educational content in printed and digital format to partner schools.

Our revenue is driven by the number of enrolled students at each partner school using our solutions and the agreed price per student per year, all in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in each contract. We recognize our revenue at the momentwhen we make our content available to our partner schools in printed format or via access to our digital platform. We typically deliver our Core Curriculum content four times each year in March, June, August and December and our Supplemental Solutions content twice each year in June and December, typicallyusually two to three months prior to the start of each school quarter. This allows our partner schools and their teachers to prepare classes in advance of each school quarter.

Cost of sales

Sales

Cost of sales primarily consists of expenses related to the production and delivery of our content and technology, which are mainly composed of printing costs, employee-related costs, and the purchase of long-term intellectual property assets such as educational content produced by third-party authors, as well as inventory write-off costs.

We intend to continue to invest additional resources in our content development and technology platform. The timing of these expenses will affect our cost of sales in the affected periods. Also, we may launch new products that require additional resources and can affect our cost of sales.

Expenses

We classify our operating expenses as selling expenses, general and administrative expenses, and other expenses. The largest component of our operating expenses is employee and labor-related expenses, which includes salaries and bonuses, employee benefit expenses and contractor costs. We allocate expenses such as information technology infrastructure costs related to our operations and rent and occupancy charges in each expense category based on employee headcount in that category.

 65

·Selling expenses.Expenses. Selling expenses consist primarily of the personnel expenses of our sales and marketing and customer support employees, including commissions and incentives, travel and travel-related expenses, benefits, marketing programs, including lead generation, costs of our education-related conferences and other miscellaneous expenses, as well as intangible assets amortization expenses. We expect that our selling expenses will increase as we increase the size of our sales and marketing teams and potentially increase the number of conferences and events that we organize.

77

·General and administrative expenses.Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses consist of personnel expenses and related expenses, including executive, finance, legal, human resources, recruiting, employee-related information technology, administrative personnel, payroll, and benefits. They also consist of expenses in connection with professional fees for external legal, accounting, and other consulting services, intangible assets amortization expenses, as well as other miscellaneous expenses. WeIn 2021, general and administrative expenses decreased on an absolute real basis as part of our recent integration efforts. Going forward, we expect general and administrative expenses to increase on an absolutereal basis but decrease as a percentage of total revenue as we continue to focus on processes, systems and controls that will enable our internal support functions to grow concurrently with the growth of our business. We also anticipate increases to general and administrative expenses as we incur the expenses of compliance associated with being a publicly traded company, including legal, audit and consulting fees.

We allocate share-based payment expense to general and administrative expenses. These share-based expenses represent granted share optionsrestricted shares to selected employees we consider to be key executives. We recognize our share-based payments as an expense in the statement of income based on their fair value over the vesting period. These charges have been significant in the past, and we expect that they will increase as we hire more employees and seek to retain existing employees.

Other income (expenses)Income (Expenses), net

Net

Our other income (expenses), net, line item consists mainly of miscellaneous income and/or expense items.

Finance result

Result

Our finance result includes finance income and finance costs.

Finance income includes mainly income from cash equivalents and financial investments, and changes in fair value of derivative instruments from business combinations and acquisition of interest in associates and joint ventures. Finance costs includesconsist mainly of changes in fair value of derivatives instruments, andchanges in accounts payable to selling shareholders, interest expenses in acquisition of investment, interest expenses on loans and financing, interest expenses in lease liabilities from business combinations and other financial discounts and bank fees.

discounts.

Income taxes

Taxes

Income taxes includesinclude current and deferred income taxes. Deferred tax expenses are mainly related to tax losses carryforward, provisions for bonuses, inventories reserve, allowance for doubtful accounts, share-based compensation plan, intangible amortization and derivatives from acquisition of interests and business combinations.

78

Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2018 Compared2021, compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2017

2020

The following table sets forth our consolidated statements of income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 20182021, and 2017:2020:

 66

  For the Year Ended
December 31,
  2018 2017 Variation (%)
  (in R$ millions, except for
percentages)
Statement of Income Data:      
Net revenue  381.0   244.4   55.9 
Core(1)  303.0   219.0   38.4 
Supplemental(1)  78.0   25.4   207.1 
Cost of sales  (80.7)  (58.5)  37.9 
Gross profit  300.2   185.9   61.5 
Selling expenses  (113.3)  (65.3)  73.5 
General and administrative expenses  (129.8)  (48.9)  165.4 
Other income (expenses), net  4.9   3.3   48.5 
Operating profit  62.1   74.9   (17.1)
Finance income  36.6   12.5   192.8 
Finance costs  (198.8)  (20.4)  874.5 
Finance result  (162.2)  (7.9)  1,953.2 
Share of loss of equity-accounted investees  (0.8)  (0.7)  14.3 
Profit before income taxes  (100.9)  66.4   (252.0)
Income taxes—income (expense)  18.0   (22.7)  (179.3)
Current  (26.5)  (31.0)  14.5 
Deferred  44.5   8.3   436.1 
Profit for the year  (82.9)  43.6   (290.1)
Profit (loss) attributable to:            
Equity holders of the parent  (82.4)  44.3   (286.0)
Non-controlling interests  (0.5)  (0.6)  16.7 

 67

For the Year Ended December 31,

 

    

2021

    

2020

    

Variation

 

(in R$millions, except for percentages)

 

Statement of Income Data:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Net revenue

 

1,232.1

 

1,001.7

 

23.0

%

Core(1)

 

936.0

 

841.1

 

11.3

%

Supplemental(1)

 

296.1

 

160.6

 

84.4

%

Cost of sales

 

(294.4)

 

(221.1)

 

33.2

%

Gross profit

 

937.7

 

780.6

 

20.1

%

Selling expenses

 

(496.3)

 

(372.3)

 

33.3

%

General and administrative expenses

 

(328.7)

 

(270.6)

 

21.5

%

Other income (expenses), net

 

16.7

 

(2.2)

 

(859.1)

%

Operating profit

 

129.4

 

135.5

 

(4.5)

%

Finance income

 

91.2

 

45.2

 

101.8

%

Finance costs

 

(372.1)

 

(142.0)

 

162.0

%

Finance result

 

(280.9)

 

(96.8)

 

190.2

%

Share of (loss) profit of equity-accounted investees

 

(22.2)

 

0.4

 

n/a

(Loss) profit before income taxes

 

(173.7)

 

39.1

 

(544.2)

%

Income taxes—income (expense)

 

15.6

 

(22.3)

 

(170.0)

%

Current

 

(65.6)

 

(87.4)

 

(24.9)

%

Deferred

 

81.2

 

65.1

 

24.7

%

(Loss) profit for the year

 

(158.1)

 

16.8

 

n/a

(Loss) profit attributable to:

 

  

 

  

 

Equity holders of the parent

 

(158.1)

 

16.8

 

n/a

(1)Our operating segments consist of our Core segment and our Supplemental segment. For further information, see note 2325 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 and for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.statements.

Net revenue

Revenue

Net revenue for the year ended December 31, 20182021, was R$381.01,232.1 million, an increase of R$136.6230.4 million, or 55.9%23.0%, from R$244.41,001.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.

2020.

This increase was primarily attributable to:

(i)

(ii)

in the first three quartersfourth quarter of 2018,2021, the positive impact of our organic growth through the addition of new partner schools and an increase in up-sales ofupsell within our solutions, which resulted in a 26.0%28% increase in the total numberNumber of students enrolledEnrolled Students for 2022 at our partner schools to 405,814 students distributed across our partner schools2,279,025 as of March 31, 2018,2022, from 322,031 students distributed across our partner schoolsthe Number of Enrolled Students of 1,785,576 as of March 31, 2017.2021; and

(ii)

(iii)

in the fourth quarter of 2018, the positive impact of our organic growth through

the addition of new partner schoolssolutions to the portfolio, such as Me Salva!, Eduqo, Edupass, COC and an increaseDom Bosco, all acquired in up-sales of our solutions, which resulted in a 22.9% increase in the total number of students enrolled at our partner schools, to 498,553 students distributed across our partner schools as of March 31, 2019, from 405,814 students distributed across our partner schools as of March 31, 2018; and2021.

This increase partially offset by the negative impact of student drop outs in our partner schools in the first three quarters of 2021, which led to a lower than expected revenue recognition for the period.

(iii)the 11.5% increase in the average contractual fees per student that we charge our partner schools, from R$711.9 per student as of March 31, 2017 to R$793.8 per student as of March 31, 2018, which impacted the first three quarters of 2018, and a 11.4% increase in the average contractual fees to R$884.4 as of March 31, 2019, which impacted the fourth quarter of 2018.

79

In our Core segment, net revenue for the year ended December 31, 20182021, was R$303.0936.0 million, an increase of R$84.094.9 million, or 38.4%11.3%, from R$219.0841.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.

2020. This increase was primarily attributable to:

(i)the 19.7% increase in the number of enrolled students at partner schools, from 303,950 enrolled students as of March 31, 2017 to 363,824 enrolled students as of March 31, 2018, which impacted the first three quarters of 2018, combined with the 13.7% increase in the number of enrolled students at partner schools to 413,678 as of March 31, 2019, which impacted the fourth quarter of 2018; and

(ii)the 10.1% overall increase in the average contractual fees per student payable by partner schools, from R$687.9 per student for the year ended December 31, 2017 to R$757.6 per student for the year ended December 31, 2017, which impacted the first three quarters of 2018, and a 8.6% increase in the average contractual fees to R$823.0 as of March 2019, which impacted the fourth quarter of 2018.

 68

COC and Dom Bosco core brands from Pearson.

In our Supplemental segment, net revenue for the year ended December 31, 20182021 was R$78.0296.1 million, an increase of R$52.6135.5 million, or 207.1%84.4% from R$25.4160.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.

2020. This increase was primarily attributable to organic growth and the 102.1% increaseacquisition of new companies in the number of enrolled students at partner schools, from 41,990 enrolled students as of March 31, 2018 to 84,875 enrolled students as of March 31, 20192021.

Cost of sales

Sales

Cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 20182021, was R$80.7294.4 million, an increase of R$22.273.3 million, or 37.9%33.2%, from R$58.5221.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.2020. This increase of 37.9% was primarily attributable to the overall increase in the production volume of our educational materials, resulting from the positive impact of our organic growth. The increase in cost of sales was lowerhigher than our revenue growth due to captured benefits from economies of scale.

new solutions in our base with lower gross margin.

As a percentage of net revenue, our cost of sales decreased to 21.2% for the year ended December 31, 2018, comparedincreased to 23.9% for the year ended December 31, 2017.

2021, compared to 22.1% for the year ended December 31, 2020.

In our Core segment, cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 20182021, was R$70.9228.5 million, an increase of R$16.637.6 million, or 30.6%19.7%, from R$54.3190.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.2020. As mentioned above, this increase was primarily attributable to the overall increase in the production volume of our educational materials, resulting from the positive impact of our organic growth.growth and mix of solutions. As a percentage of net revenue in our Core segment, cost of sales decreasedincreased to 23.4%24.4% in the year ended December 31, 2018,2021, compared to 24.8%22.7% in the year ended December 31, 2017.

2020.

In our Supplemental segment, cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 20182021, was R$9.865.9 million, an increase of R$5.635.7 million, or 133.3%118.2% from R$4.230.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.2020. This increase was primarily attributable to the overall increase in the production volume of our educational materials, resulting from the positive impact of our organic growth and the addition of our supplemental solutions in our portfolio. As a percentage of net revenue in our Supplemental segment, cost of sales increased to 22.3% in the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to 18.8% in the year ended December 31, 2020.

Gross Profit

For the reasons discussed above, gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2021, was R$937.7 million, an increase of R$157.1 million, or 20.1%, from R$780.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. In our Core segment, gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2021, was R$707.5 million, an increase of R$57.4 million, or 8.8%, from R$650.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. In our Supplemental segment, gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2021, was R$230.2 million, an increase of R$99.8 million or 76.5%, from R$130.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Selling Expenses

Selling expenses for the year ended December 31, 2021, were R$496.3 million, an increase of R$124.0 million, or 33.3%, from R$372.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. This increase was primarily attributable to:

(i)a R$42.8 million, or 25.6%, increase in sales personnel expenses, mainly attributable to new brands in our portfolio and the increase in the number of employees in our educational and pedagogical consulting teams to support our growth strategy going forward;
(ii)a R$35.3 million, or 65.5%, increase in customer support expenses due to new brands in our portfolio and continuous investments for customer satisfaction, which increases as our school base grows;

80

(iii)a R$22.1 million, or 28.6%, increase in depreciation and amortization expenses, mainly due the amortization of intangible assets acquired from business combinations in 2021 and in the last quarter of 2020;
(iv)a R$22.7 million, or 94.1%, increase in sales & marketing expenses, the increase was mainly attributable to and increase in travel and events, which resumed in the second half of 2021 following travel and events restrictions related to COVID-19 pandemic during 2020 and the first half of 2021.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2021, were R$328.6 million, an increase of R$58.1 million, or 21.5%, from R$270.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. This increase was primarily attributable to:

(ii)a R$22.2 million increase in corporate personnel expenses totaling R$96.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, due to the 29.1% increase in the number of employees in our general administrative team, to 563 employees as of December 31, 2021, from 436 employees as of December 31, 2020; and
(ii)a R$24.4 million increase in depreciation and amortization totaling R$39.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, mainly due to (i) depreciation and amortization of IT equipment acquired by Geekie,; (ii) amortization of intangible assets acquired during the year through a business combination; and (iii) amortization of licenses and software acquired for the development of new projects.
(iii)a R$18.4 million increase in share-based compensation plan totaling R$88.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, from R$69.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Operating Profit

For the reasons discussed above, operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2021, was R$129.4 million, a decrease of R$6.1 million, or 4.5%, from R$135.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Finance Result

Finance result for the year ended December 31, 2021, was a net finance cost of R$280.9 million, an increase of R$184.1 million, from a net finance cost of R$96.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, for the reasons described below.

Finance income. Finance income for the year ended December 31, 2021, was R$91.2 million, an increase of R$46.0 million, or 101.8%, from R$45.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. This increase was mainly attributable to the interest from financial investments.

Finance costs. Finance costs for the year ended December 31, 2021, was R$372.1 million, an increase of R$230.1 million, from R$142.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. This increase was primarily attributable to increase of (i) changes in accounts payable to selling shareholders and interest on acquisition of investments as described in note 17 of our consolidated financial statements; (ii) interest on loans and financing; (iii) changes in fair value of derivative instruments; and (iv) foreign exchange loss.

Share of Profit (Loss) of Equity-Accounted Investees

Share of profit (loss) of equity-accounted investees for the year ended December 31, 2021, was a loss of R$22.2 million, as compared to a profit of R$0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, attributable to the performance of our equity-accounted investees.

81

(Loss) Profit before Income Taxes

For the reasons discussed above, for the year ended December 31, 2021, we recorded a loss before income taxes of R$173.7 million compared to a profit of R$39.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Income Taxes – Income (Expense)

For the year ended December 31, 2021, we recorded an income tax credit of R$15.6 million compared to an income tax expense of R$22.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The income tax credit in 2021 was mainly attributable to: (i) reduction of current tax due to the incorporation of companies by CBE, which is operating at a loss, resulting in a 0 tax liability and (ii) the recognition of deferred tax credits over fiscal loss.

(Loss) Profit for the Year

As a result of the foregoing, loss for the year ended December 31, 2021, was R$158.1 million compared to a profit of R$16.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Year Ended December 31, 2020, compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2019

The following table sets forth our consolidated statements of income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2020, and 2019:

For the Year Ended December 31,

 

    

2020

    

2019

    

Variation

 

(in R$millions, except for percentages)

 

Statement of Income Data:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Net revenue

 

1,001.7

 

572.8

 

74.9

%

Core(1)

 

841.1

 

433.3

 

94.1

%

Supplemental(1)

 

160.6

 

139.5

 

15.1

%

Cost of sales

 

(221.1)

 

(117.3)

 

88.5

%

Gross profit

 

780.6

 

455.5

 

71.4

%

Selling expenses

 

(372.3)

 

(199.8)

 

86.3

%

General and administrative expenses

 

(270.6)

 

(191.4)

 

41.4

%

Other income (expenses), net

 

(2.2)

 

(6.2)

 

(62.9)

%

Operating profit

 

135.5

 

58.1

 

133.2

%

Finance income

 

45.2

 

72.0

 

(37.2)

%

Finance costs

 

(142.0)

 

(170.8)

 

(16.9)

%

Finance result

 

(96.8)

 

(98.8)

 

(2.0)

%

Share of profit (loss) of equity-accounted investees

 

0.4

 

(1.8)

 

(122.2)

%

Profit (loss) before income taxes

 

39.1

 

(42.5)

 

(192.0)

%

Income taxes—income (expense)

 

(22.3)

 

33.1

 

(167.4)

%

Current

 

(87.4)

 

(46.9)

 

86.4

%

Deferred

 

65.1

 

80.0

 

(18.6)

%

Profit (loss) for the year

 

16.8

 

(9.4)

 

(278.7)

%

Profit (loss) attributable to:

 

 

  

 

Equity holders of the parent

 

16.8

 

(9.4)

 

(278.7)

%

Non-controlling interests

 

 

 

(1)

Our operating segments consist of our Core segment and our Supplemental segment. For further information, see note 25 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

82

Net Revenue

Net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020, was R$1,001.7 million, an increase of R$428.9 million, or 74.9%, from R$572.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.

This increase was primarily attributable to:

(i)the acquisition of Positivo on November 1, 2019, which contributed 710,705 students to our total student base, with an average ticket per student per year of R$579.0 at the time of the acquisition;
(ii)in the first three quarters of 2020, the positive impact of our organic growth through the addition of new partner schools and an increase in up-sales of our solutions, which resulted in a 30.7% increase in the total number of students enrolled at our partner schools (excluding Positivo), to the Final Number of Enrolled Students of 1,239,937 as of September 30, 2020, from Number of Enrolled Students of 498,553 students as of March 31, 2019;
(iii)in the fourth quarter of 2020, the positive impact of our organic growth through the addition of new partner schools and an increase in up-sales of our solutions, which resulted in a 44.1% increase in the Number of Enrolled Students for 2021 at our partner schools to 1,785,576 as of March 31, 2021, from the Final Number of Enrolled Students of 1,239,937 as of September 30, 2020; and

In our Core segment, net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020, was R$841.1 million, an increase of R$407.8 million, or 94.1%, from R$433.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.

This increase was primarily attributable to:

(i)the acquisition of Positivo on November 1, 2019, adding two Core brands to the portfolio, Sistema Positivo de Ensino and Conquista;
(ii)the 5.1% increase in the number of enrolled students at partner schools (excluding Positivo), to the Final Number of Enrolled Students of 434.969 as of September 30, 2020, from the Number of Enrolled Students of 413,678 as of March 31, 2019, which impacted the first three quarters of 2020, combined with the 23.1% increase in the Number of Enrolled Students to 1,270,463 as of March 31, 2021, compared to the Final Number of Enrolled Students of 1,032,029 as of September 30, 2020, which impacted the fourth quarter of 2020; and

In our Supplemental segment, net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020, was R$160.6 million, an increase of R$21.1 million, or 15.1% from R$139.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.

This increase was primarily attributable to the acquisition of Positivo on November 1, 2019, adding one ESL solution, PES, and the 86.4% increase in the number of enrolled students at partner schools (excluding Positivo), to the Final Number of Enrolled Students of 207,908(158,247 excluding Positivo supplemental solutions) as of September 30, 2020, from the Number of Enrolled Students of 84,875 as of March 31, 2019, and the addition of new supplemental solutions to our portfolio.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2020, was R$221.1 million, an increase of R$103.8 million, or 88.5%, from R$117.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This increase was primarily attributable to the overall increase in the production volume of our educational materials, resulting from the positive impact of our organic growth. The increase in cost of sales was higher than our revenue growth due to new solutions in our base with lower gross margin.

As a percentage of net revenue, our cost of sales increased to 22.1% for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to 20.5% for the year ended December 31, 2019.

83

In our Core segment, cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2020, was R$190.9 million, an increase of R$93.4 million, or 95.8%, from R$97.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. As mentioned above, this increase was primarily attributable to the overall increase in the production volume of our educational materials, resulting from the positive impact of our organic growth and mix of solutions. As a percentage of net revenue in our Core segment, cost of sales increased to 22.7% in the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to 22.5% in the year ended December 31, 2019.

In our Supplemental segment, cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2020, was R$30.2 million, an increase of R$10.5 million, or 53.3% from R$19.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This increase was also primarily attributable to the overall increase in the production volume of our educational materials, resulting from the positive impact of our organic growth.growth and the addition of our supplemental solutions in our portfolio. As a percentage of net revenue in our Supplemental segment, cost of sales decreasedincreased to 12.6% in 2018, compared to 16.5%18.8% in the year ended December 31, 2017.

2020, compared to 14.1% in the year ended December 31, 2019.

Gross profit

Profit

For the reasons discussed above, gross profit for the year ended December 31, 20182020, was R$300.2780.6 million, an increase of R$114.4325.1 million, or 61.5%71.4%, from R$185.9455.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.2019. In our Core segment, gross profit for the year ended December 31, 20182020, was R$232.1650.2 million, an increase of R$67.5314.4 million, or 41.0%93.6%, from R$164.6335.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.2019. In our Supplemental segment, gross profit for the year ended December 31, 20182020, was R$68.1130.4 million, an increase of R$46.910.6 million or 221.2%8.8%, from R$21.2119.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.

2019.

Selling expenses

Expenses

Selling expenses for the year ended December 31, 20182020, were R$113.3372.3 million, an increase of R$48.0172.5 million, or 73.5%86.3%, from R$65.3199.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.2019. This increaseincrease/decrease was primarily attributable to:

(i)a R$22.379.9 million, or 83.5%91.5%, increase in sales personnel expenses, mainly attributable to new brands in our portfolio and the 56.5% increase in the number of employees in our educational and pedagogical consulting teams to support our growth strategy going forward.forward;

(ii)a R$9.123.1 million, or 111.4%75.2%, increase in customer support expenses due to new brands in our portfolio and continuous investments for customer satisfaction, which increases as our school base grows;
(iii)a R$53.8 million, or 228.1%, increase in depreciation and amortization expenses, mainly due to the increase in our partner schools base across Brazil, as well as expenses related to promoting our growth strategy going forward;acquisition of Positivo and Escola da Inteligência, which includes their trademarks, and customer relationship and educational systems; and

(iv)(iii)a R$8.67.1 million, or 92.4%22.8%, increasedecrease in sales & marketing expenses, despite the increase of brands in our portfolio, the decrease was mainly attributable to the expansion of our educationaltravel and pedagogical teams’ activities, such as traveling expenses, advertising, and other general expenses, necessaryevents restrictions related to support our growth strategy going forward.COVID-19 pandemic.

 69

In our Core segment, selling expenses for the year ended December 31, 2018 were R$87.2 million, an increase of R$30.9 million, or 54.8%, from R$56.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in (i) the number of employees in our educational and pedagogical consulting teams, (ii) sales & marketing and (iii) customer support expenses.

In our Supplemental segment, selling expenses for the year ended December 31, 2018 were R$26.1 million, an increase of R$17.1 million or 189.9%, from R$9.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in (i) the number of employees in our educational and pedagogical consulting teams, and (ii) customer support expenses.

General and administrative expenses

Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 20182020, were R$129.8270.6 million, an increase of R$80.979.2 million, or 165.4%41.4%, from R$48.9191.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.2019. This increase was primarily attributable to the vesting of the Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) as a result of our IPO in September 2018, resulting in a non-recurring expense of R$60.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. These expenses are also attributable to:

(i)a R$14.721.0 million increase in corporate personnel expenses totaling R$39.474.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018,2020, due to the 38.2%13.0% increase in the number of employees in our general administrative team, from 207to 436 employees as of December 31, 2017, to 2842020, from 355 employees as of December 31, 2018;2019; and

(ii)a R$6.536.8 million increase in third partythird-party services expenses totaling R$14.380.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018,2020, attributable to expenses relating to (i) the creationacquisition of our sharednew brands; (ii) services center in orderrelated to centralize our administrative expensesM&A acquisitions; and internal controls across our business(iii) non-recurring legal and (ii) the creation of our new value creation team.consulting services, including related to SOX implementation.

84

Operating profit

Profit

For the reasons discussed above, operating profit for the year ended December 31, 20182020, was R$62.1135.5 million, a decreasean increase of R$12.877.4 million, or 17.1%133.2%, from R$74.958.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Adjusting the impact of the vesting of the LTIP, the operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2018 would be R$122.4 million, an increase of R$47.5 million, or 63.4% from R$74.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, in line with our revenue growth.

2019.

Finance result

Result

Finance result for the year ended December 31, 20182020, was a net finance cost net of R$162.296.8 million, an increasea decrease of R$154.32.0 million, from a net finance cost net of R$7.998.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, for the reasons described below.

Finance income. Finance income for the year ended December 31, 20182020, was R$36.645.2 million, an increasea decrease of R$24.126.8 million, or 192.8%37.2%, from R$12.572.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.2019. This increasedecrease was mainly attributable to the interest generated from financial investments and by the increase in the fair value of our derivative financial instruments, comprising the put and call options of our business acquisitions and investments in associates and joint ventures.

investments.

Finance costs. Finance costs for the year ended December 31, 20182020, was R$198.8142.0 million, an increasea decrease of R$178.428.8 million, from R$20.4170.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.2019. This increasedecrease was primarily attributable to the foreign exchange rate variation on the proceeds we received from our IPO, which had an impacteffects of R$34.1 million, and thechanges in fair value of our derivative financial instruments comprisingaccounts payable to selling shareholders (International School acquisition debt), which decreased R$69.1 million, while the put and call optionsinterest in acquisition of our business acquisitions and investments in associates and joint ventures, primarily with respect to(mainly International School whichand Position acquisitions debt) had an increased impact of R$130.426.2 million.

Share of lossProfit (Loss) of equity-accounted investees

Equity-Accounted Investees

Share of lossprofit (loss) of equity-accounted investees for the year ended December 31, 20182020, was a lossprofit of R$0.80.4 million, as compared to a loss of R$0.71.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, mainly2019, attributable to the performance of our equity-accounted investees.

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Profit (loss)(Loss) before income taxes

Income Taxes

For the reasons discussed above, for the year ended December 31, 2018, the loss2020, we recorded a profit before income taxes was R$100.9 million, a decrease of R$167.339.1 million or 252.0%, fromcompared to a profitloss of R$66.442.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.

2019.

Income taxesTaxesIncome (Expense)

For the year ended December 31, 2020, we recorded an income (expense)

Income taxestax expense of R$22.3 million compared to an income tax credit of R$33.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 were an2019. This income of R$18.0 million, a R$40.7 million difference between the R$22.7 million expense for the year ended December 31, 2017. The positive income tax credit in 2019 was mainly attributable to the recognition of deferred tax credits over financial instruments from acquisition of interests.

Profit (loss)(Loss) for the year

As a result of the foregoing, loss for the year ended December 31, 2018 was R$82.9 million, a decrease of R$126.5 million, or 290.1%, from a profit of R$43.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2016

The following table sets forth our consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:

  For the Year Ended December 31,
  2017 2016 Variation (%)
  (in R$ millions, except for
percentages)
Statement of Income Data:      
Net revenue  244.4   159.3   53.4 
Core(1)  219.0   159.3   37.5 
Supplemental(1)  25.4      n.m. 
Cost of sales  (58.5)  (41.3)  41.6 
Gross profit  185.9   117.9   57.6 
Selling expenses  (65.3)  (40.3)  62.0 
General and administrative expenses  (48.9)  (32.7)  49.9 
Other income (expenses), net  3.3   3.6   (8.5)
Operating profit  74.9   48.6   54.2 
Finance income  12.5   47.2   (73.4)
Finance costs  (20.4)  (1.8)  1030.8 
Finance result  (7.9)  45.4   (117.3)
Share of loss of equity-accounted investees  (0.7)  (1.1)  (36.5)
Profit before income taxes  66.4   92.8   (28.5)
Income taxes—income (expense)  (22.7)  (18.4)  23.2 
Current  (31.0)  (13.0)  139.3 
Deferred  8.3   (5.5)  (251.3)
Profit for the year  43.6   74.4   (41.3)
Profit (loss) attributable to:            
Equity holders of the parent  44.3   75.1   (41.1)
Non-controlling interests  (0.6)  (0.7)  (16.2)
             
(1)Our operating segments consist of our Core segment and our Supplemental segment. For further information, see note 23 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 and for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Net revenue

Net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017 was R$244.4 million, an increase of R$85.1 million, or 53.4%, from R$159.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.

This increase was primarily attributable to:

 71

(i)the positive impact of our organic growth through the addition of new partner schools and an increase in up-sales of our solutions, which resulted in a 21.4% increase in the total number of students enrolled at our partner schools, to 322,031 students distributed across our partner schools as of March 31, 2017, from 265,354 students distributed across our partner schools as of March 31, 2016.

(ii)the 14.5% increase in the average contractual fees per student that we charge our partner schools, to R$711.9 per student for the year ended December 31, 2017 from R$622.0 per student for the year ended December 31, 2016;

(iii)the consolidation of the results of operations of SAE into our financial statements starting in June 2016, as a result of our acquisition of a controlling interest in SAE on June 27, 2016; and

(iv)the consolidation of the results of operations of International School into our financial statements starting in January 2017, as a result of our acquisition of a controlling interest in International School on January 23, 2017.

In our Core segment, net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017 was R$219.0 million, an increase of R$59.7 million, or 37.5%, from R$159.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.

This increase was primarily attributable to:

(i)the consolidation of the results of operations of SAE into our financial statements starting in June 2016, as a result of our acquisition of a controlling interest in SAE on June 27, 2016;

(ii)the 14.5% increase in the number of enrolled students at partner schools, to 303,950 enrolled students as of March 31, 2017, from 265,354 enrolled students as of March 31, 2016; and

(iii)the 10.6% overall increase in the average contractual fees per student payable by partner schools, to R$687.9 per student for the year ended December 31, 2017, from R$622.0 per student for the year ended December 31, 2016.

In our Supplemental segment, net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017 was R$25.4 million, an increase of R$25.4 million, from no net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016. We did not have a Supplemental segment prior to 2017. This increase was primarily attributable to the consolidation of the results of operations of International School into our financial statements starting in January 2017, as a result of our acquisition of a controlling interest in International School on January 23, 2017.

Cost of sales

Cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2017 was R$58.5 million, an increase of R$17.2 million, or 41.6%, from R$41.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. This increase was primarily attributable to:

(i)a R$13.7 million, or 54.9%, increase in our content providing costs and freight costs, mainly attributable to the consolidation of SAE and International School into our financial statements starting in June 2016 and January 2017, respectively, as well as the overall increase in the production volume of our educational materials, as a result of the positive impact of our organic growth through the addition of new partner schools and an increase in up-sales of our solutions during the period; and

(ii)a R$1.8 million, or 19.6%, increase in operations personnel costs, mainly attributable to (i) the consolidation of SAE and International School into our financial statements starting in June 2016 and January 2017, and (ii) the 27.4% increase in the number of employees in our content and technology production team.

As a percentage of net revenue, our cost of sales decreased to 23.9% for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to 25.9% for the year ended December 31, 2016. We expect these costs to continue to decrease as our products achieve greater scale going forward.

In our Core segment, cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2017 was R$54.3 million, an increase of R$13.0 million, or 31.4%, from R$41.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. This increase was primarily attributable to the consolidation of the results of operations of SAE into our financial statements starting in June 2016, as a result of our acquisition of a controlling interest in SAE on June 27, 2016. As a percentage of net revenue in our Core segment, cost of sales decreased to 24.8% in 2017, compared to 25.9% in 2016.

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In our Supplemental segment, cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2017 was R$4.2 million, an increase of R$4.2 million, from no cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2016. This increase was primarily attributable to the consolidation of the results of operations of International School into our financial statements starting in January 2017 as a result of our acquisition of a controlling interest in International School on January 23, 2017. As a percentage of net revenue in our Supplemental segment, cost of sales represented 16.5% in 2017.

Gross profit

For the reasons discussed above, gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2017 was R$185.9 million, an increase of R$67.9 million, or 57.6%, from R$117.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. In our Core segment, gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2017 was R$164.6 million, an increase of R$46.7 million, or 39.6%, from R$117.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. In our Supplemental segment, gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2017 was R$21.2 million, an increase of R$21.2 million, from no gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Selling expenses

Selling expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017 were R$65.3 million, an increase of R$25.0 million, or 62.0%, from R$40.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. This increase was primarily attributable to the consolidation of SAE and International School into our financial statements starting in June 2016 and January 2017, respectively, resulting in:

(i)a R$10.1 million, or 61.0%, increase in sales personnel expenses mainly as a result of the increase in the number of employees in our sales team;

(ii)a R$3.2 million, or 53.3%, increase in sales and marketing expenses mainly as a result of marketing events aimed at strengthening our brands;

(iii)a R$4.1 million, or 101.6%, increase in customer support expenses; and

(iv)a R$5.3 million, or 117.5%, increase in amortization of intangible assets and depreciation of property and equipment.

In our Core segment, selling expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017 were R$56.3 million, an increase of R$16.0 million, or 39.7%, from R$40.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. This increase was primarily attributable to the consolidation of the results of operations of SAE into our financial statements starting in June 2016, as a result of our acquisition of a controlling interest in SAE on June 27, 2016, which increased our sales personnel expenses, and our sales and marketing and services expenses.

In our Supplemental segment, selling expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017 were R$9.0 million, an increase of R$9.0 million, from no selling expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016. This increase was primarily attributable to the consolidation of the results of operations of International School into our financial statements starting in January 2017, as a result of our acquisition of a controlling interest in International School on January 23, 2017, which increased our sales personnel expenses, and our sales and marketing and services expenses.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017 were R$48.9 million, an increase of R$16.3 million, or 49.9%, from R$32.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to:

(i)a R$9.9 million increase in corporate personnel expenses totaling R$24.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, mainly as a result of the consolidation of SAE and International School into our financial statements starting in June 2016 and January 2017, respectively, resulting in a 67.6% increase in our corporate personnel expenses due to the 37.3% increase in employees, from 603 employees in 2016, to 828 employees in 2017; and

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(ii)expenses related to the creation of our shared services center to centralize our administrative expenses across our business segments.

Operating profit

For the reasons discussed above, operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2017 was R$74.9 million, an increase of R$26.3 million, or 54.2%, from R$48.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Finance result

Finance result for the year ended December 31, 2017 was a finance cost, net of R$7.9 million, a change of R$53.2 million, or 117.3%, from a finance income, net of R$45.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, for the reasons described below.

Finance income. Finance income for the year ended December 31, 2017 was R$12.5 million, a decrease of R$34.6 million, or 73.4%, from R$47.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. This decrease was primarily attributable to the decrease in the fair value of our derivative financial instruments, comprised of the put and call options of our business acquisitions and investments in associates and joint ventures.

Finance costs. Finance costs for the year ended December 31, 2017 was R$20.4 million, an increase of R$18.6 million, from R$1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. This increase was primarily attributable to the increase in the expenses from accounts payable to selling shareholders and the fair value of our derivative financial instruments, comprised of the put and call options of our business acquisitions and investments in associates and joint ventures.

Share of loss of equity-accounted investees

Share of loss of equity-accounted investees for the year ended December 31, 2017 was a loss of R$0.7 million, as compared to a loss of R$1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, mainly attributable to a net loss as a result of our investment in WPensar, and a net loss in 2016 as a result of our investment in International School prior to our acquisition of a controlling interest in International School on January 23, 2017.

Profit before income taxes

For the reasons discussed above, profit before income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2017 was R$66.4 million, a decrease of R$26.5 million, or 28.5%, from R$92.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Income taxes

Income taxes expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017 was R$22.7 million, an increase of R$4.3 million, or 23.4%, from R$18.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in our taxable income and certain of our subsidiaries generated revenues above R$78 million in 2017 and in 2016 were taxed pursuant to the presumed profit regime, which tax rate is lower than the 34% statutory tax rate.

Profit for the year

As a result of the foregoing, profit for the year ended December 31, 20172020, was R$43.616.8 million compared to a decreaseloss of R$30.8 million, or 41.4%, from R$74.49.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.2019.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Free Cash Flow

For the Year Ended December 31,

    

2021

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

US$ millions(1)

R$ millions

Adjusted EBITDA(2)

 

77.2

 

430.9

 

381.1

 

209.4

 

142.0

Adjusted Net Income(3)

 

23.9

 

132.9

 

220.3

 

169.6

 

112.3

Free Cash Flow(4)

 

(33.5)

 

(186.9)

 

(15.2)

 

(61.7)

 

55.9

85

(1)For convenience purposes only, amounts in reais as of December 31, 2021, have been translated to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of R$5.581 to US$1.00, the commercial selling rate for U.S. dollars as of December 31, 2021, as reported by the Central Bank. These translations should not be considered representations that any such amounts have been, could have been or could be converted at that or any other exchange rate. See “—Exchange Rates” for further information about recent fluctuations in exchange rates.
(2)For a reconciliation between our Adjusted EBITDA and our profit for the year, see “—Reconciliations for Non-GAAP Financial Measures—Reconciliation between Adjusted EBITDA and Profit for the Year.”
(3)For a reconciliation of our Adjusted Net Income, see “—Reconciliations for Non-GAAP Financial Measures—Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income from Profit (Loss) for the Year.”
(4)For a reconciliation of our Free Cash Flow, see “—Reconciliations for Non-GAAP Financial Measures—Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow from Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities.”

Reconciliations for Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The following tables set forth reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income to our profit (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018, our most recent directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with IFRS, as well as reconciliations between Free Cash Flow and net cash flows from operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018, our most recent directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with IFRS. For further information on why our management chooses to use these non-GAAP financial measures, and on the limits of using these non-GAAP financial measures, please see “Presentation of Financial and Other Information—Special Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Reconciliation between Adjusted EBITDA and Profit for the Year

For the Year Ended December 31,

    

2021

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

US$ millions(1)

R$ millions

Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Profit (loss) for the year

 

(28.3)

 

(158.1)

 

16.8

 

(9.4)

 

(82.9)

(+/-) Income taxes benefit (expense)

 

(2.8)

 

(15.6)

 

22.3

 

(33.1)

 

(18.0)

(+/-) Finance result

 

50.3

 

280.9

 

96.8

 

98.8

 

162.2

(+) Depreciation and amortization

 

34.9

 

194.9

 

127.5

 

48.3

 

19.6

(+) Share of loss of equity-accounted investees

 

4.0

 

22.2

 

(0.4)

 

1.8

 

0.8

(+) Share-based compensation plan

 

15.8

 

87.8

 

69.8

 

67.0

 

60.3

(+) M&A expenses(2)

 

2.9

 

16.1

 

13.8

 

28.9

 

(+) Non-recurring expenses(3)

 

0.1

 

0.6

 

19.5

 

7.1

 

(+) Effects related to COVID-19 pandemic(4)

 

0.4

 

2.1

 

15.0

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

77.3

 

430.9

 

381.1

 

209.4

 

142.0

(1)For convenience purposes only, amounts in reais as of December 31, 2021, have been translated to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of R$5.581 to US$1.00, the commercial selling rate for U.S. dollars as of December 31, 2021, as reported by the Central Bank. These translations should not be considered representations that any such amounts have been, could have been or could be converted at that or any other exchange rate. See “—Exchange Rates” for further information about recent fluctuations in exchange rates.
(2)M&A expenses corresponds to the non-recurring expenses related to the acquisitions of the year, such as consulting and legal services (including International School arbitration legal services)
(3)Non-recurring expenses are related to consulting expenses for Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) first year implementation.

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(4)Expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which include mainly expenses related to health care in food and emotional health programs offered to the Company’s employees.

Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income from Profit (Loss) for the Year

For the Year Ended December 31,

    

2021

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

US$ millions(1)

R$ millions

Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Profit (loss) for the year

 

(28.3)

 

(158.1)

 

16.8

 

(9.4)

 

(82.9)

(+) Share-based compensation plan, restricted stock units and related payroll taxes (restricted stock units)

 

15.8

 

87.8

 

69.8

 

67.0

 

60.3

(+) Amortization of intangible assets from business combinations(2)

 

18.5

 

103.2

 

76.1

 

23.1

 

11.8

(+/-) Changes in fair value of derivative instruments(3)

 

(0.2)

 

(0.9)

 

(0.6)

 

(0.5)

 

(0.7)

(+/-) Changes in fair value of derivative instruments – convertible notes (4)

 

7.2

 

40.1

 

 

 

(+/-) Changes in accounts payable to selling shareholders(5)

 

15.7

 

87.8

 

20.3

 

89.4

 

130.4

(+) Share of loss of equity-accounted investees

 

 

 

(0.4)

 

1.8

 

0.8

(+) Foreign exchange effects on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

(0.2)

 

0.6

 

34.4

(+) Interest income (expenses), net(6)

 

12.8

 

71.4

 

67.1

 

41.2

 

9.8

(+/-) Tax effects(7)

 

(21.0)

 

(117.2)

 

(76.9)

 

(79.6)

 

(51.5)

(+) M&A expenses(8)

 

2.9

 

16.1

 

13.8

 

28.9

 

(+) Non-recurring expenses(9)

 

0.1

 

0.6

 

19.5

 

7.1

 

(+) Effects related to COVID-19 pandemic(10)

 

0.4

 

2.1

 

15.0

 

 

Adjusted Net Income(11)

 

23.9

 

132.9

 

220.3

 

169.6

 

112.3

(1)

For convenience purposes only, amounts in reais as of December 31, 2021, have been translated to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of R$5.581 to US$1.00, the commercial selling rate for U.S. dollars as of December 31, 2021, as reported by the Central Bank. These translations should not be considered representations that any such amounts have been, could have been or could be converted at that or any other exchange rate. See “—Exchange Rates” for further information about recent fluctuations in exchange rates.

(2)

Refers to the amortization of the following intangible assets from business combinations: (i) rights on contracts, (ii) customer relationships, (iii) educational system, (iv) trademarks, (v) non-compete agreement and (vi) software resulting from acquisitions. For further information, see note 14 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

(3)

Refers to (i) changes in fair value of derivative instruments—finance income, plus (ii) changes in fair value of derivative instruments—finance costs. For further information, see note 22 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

(4) Refers to changes in fair value of derivative instruments from put option to convert senior notes. For further information, see note 23 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

(5)

B.

Refers to changes in fair value of contingent consideration and accounts payable to selling shareholders—finance costs. For further information, see note 17 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

(6)

Liquidity

Refers to interest expenses related to accounts payable to selling shareholders from business combinations.

(7)

Refers to tax effects of current and capital resourcesdeferred tax recognized in statements of income applied to all adjustments to net income (which refers to tax effects of changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities recognized in profit or loss corresponding to financial instruments from acquisition of interests, tax benefit from tax deductible goodwill, share-based compensation and amortization of intangible assets).

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(8)

M&A expenses corresponds to the non-recurring expenses related to the acquisitions of the year, such as consulting and legal services (including International School arbitration legal services).

(9)

Non-recurring expenses are related to consulting expenses for Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) first year implementation.

(10)

Expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

(11)

Adjusted net income reflects the adjusted result of the business, excluding the effects of the special items described above. For purposes of the calculation of Adjusted Net Income for the year ended December 31, 2021, we have excluded the following adjustments that we applied to the calculation of Adjusted Net Income for prior periods: (i) Foreign exchange effects on cash and cash equivalents; (ii) share of loss of equity‑accounted investees and (iii) Interest income (expenses) linked to a fixed rate (we will maintain the adjustment for Interest income (expenses) that refers to adjustments by fair value). These adjustments will not be applied to the calculation of Adjusted Net Income going forward. We believe that eliminating these adjustments from our calculation of Adjusted Net Income for the year ended December 31, 2021 and going forward does not impact our investors’ ability to assess our results of operations. We have not retroactively restated Net Adjusted Income for the periods prior to 2021.

Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow from Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities

For the Year Ended December 31,

    

2021

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

US$millions(1)

R$millions

Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow

Net cash flows generated from (used in) operating activities

 

4.4

 

24.5

 

92.4

 

(7.6)

 

92.1

Acquisition of property and equipment

 

(10.8)

 

(60.1)

 

(10.8)

 

(11.0)

 

(6.9)

Acquisition of intangible assets

 

(27.1)

 

(151.3)

 

(96.8)

 

(43.1)

 

(29.4)

Free Cash Flow

 

(33.5)

 

(186.9)

 

(15.2)

 

(61.7)

 

55.9

(1)

For convenience purposes only, amounts in reais as of December 31, 2021, have been translated to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of R$5.581 to US$1.00, the commercial selling rate for U.S. dollars as of December 31, 2021, as reported by the Central Bank. These translations should not be considered representations that any such amounts have been, could have been or could be converted at that or any other exchange rate. See “—Exchange Rates” for further information about recent fluctuations in exchange rates.

B.    Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2018,2021, we had R$823.51,184.4 million in cash and cash equivalents and financial investments.investments (current). We believe that our current available cash and cash equivalents and financial investments and the cash flows from our operating activities will be sufficient to meet our working capital requirements and capital expenditures in the ordinary course of business for the next 12 months.

The following discussion of our liquidity and capital resources is based on the financial information derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report.

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Cash Flows

For the Year Ended December 31,

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

(in thousands of reais)

Cash Flow Data

 

  

 

  

 

  

Net cash flows generated from (used in) operating activities

 

24,496

 

92,351

 

(7,615)

Net cash flows used in investing activities

 

(1,493,992)

 

(479,676)

 

(631,442)

Net cash flows generated from financing activities

 

1,243,458

 

762,647

 

676,211

  For the Year Ended
December 31,
  2018 2017 2016
  (in thousands of reais)
Cash Flow Data      
Net cash flows from operating activities  92,124   62,650   41,237 
Net cash flows from (used in) investing activities  (780,964)  (77,269)  (24,921)
Net cash flows (used in) from financing activities  734,742   11,095   (12,641)

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Operating Activities

OurWe recorded net cash flows generated from operating activities increased toof R$92.124.5 million in 2018,2021, compared to net cash flows generated from operating activities of R$62.792.4 million in 2017, a 47% increase.2020. In 2017, it increased by 51.9%, from R$41.2 million in 2016. Our2021, our net cash flows generated from operating activities were positivelyaffected by: (i) adjustments for changes in our operating assets and liabilities amounted to a negative cash flow of R$299.1 million mainly due to R$184.5 million of accounts receivable, R$62.9 million of other assets which consists primarily of prepaid expenses, and R$62.2 million of inventories; and (ii) we paid income tax and social contribution in cash totaling R$72.6 million, R$20.3 million of interest paid on loans and financing and R$13.7 million of interest paid on accounts payable to selling shareholders.

We recorded net cash flows generated from operating activities of R$92.4 million in 2020, compared to net cash flows used in operating activities of R$7.6 million in 2019. In 2020, our net cash flows generated from operating activities were affected by the positive impact of our organic growth through the acquisition of new companies, in addition ofto adding new partner schools and an increase in up-sales of our solutions during the period, which was partially offset by increases in payments to suppliers and personnel expenses.

period.

Investing Activities

Our net cash flows from investing activities changed from net cash used in investing activities ofwas R$77.31,494.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2017,2021, compared to net cash used in investing activities of R$781.0479.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2018,2020, primarily due to the increase innet impact of purchases (maturities) of‎ financial investments of R$265.1 million and cash paid for the‎ acquisition of subsidiaries during the year of R$897.2 million‎, cash paid for additional investments and interests in 2018 as a resultother companies of R$125.2 million, and cash paid for the ‎acquisition of property and equipment and intangible assets of R$211.4 million.

Our net cash used in investing activities was R$479.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to net cash used in investing activities of R$631.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2019, primarily due to the impact of the net proceeds we received from our initial public offeringpurchase of financial investments of R$130.1 million and the amount paid in 2018. The net proceeds were invested in non-exclusive funds managed by highly rated financial institutions.acquisition of subsidiaries during this year of R$204.3 million.

Financing Activities

Our net cash flows used in investing activities increasedgenerated from R$24.9 million of net cash flows used in investing activities in 2016, to R$77.3 million of net cash flows used in investing activities in 2017, primarily due to the R$29.0 million we paid to acquire NS Educação Ltda. on September 28, 2017, the R$8.0 million we paid to acquire an interest in Geekie in 2017, the R$17.4 million applied in financial investments in 2017, and the R$5.3 million in property and equipment expenditures in 2017.

Financing Activities

Our net cash flows used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 20182021, was R$734.71,243.5 million, compared to R$11.1762.6 million in the year December 31, 2020, primarily due to borrowings to finance the acquisition of subsidiaries ‎of R$1,468.5 million and cash paid to repurchase the Company’s shares pursuant to the Share Repurchase Program of R$200.8 million‎.

Our net cash flows generated from financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2017,2020, was R$762.6 million, compared to R$676.2 million in the year December 31, 2019, primarily due to thenet proceeds from public offerings, which in 2020 was R$816.6 591.9 million and in 2019 was R$589.6 million. Additionally, in 2020 we received R$498.4 million from loans and financing, and R$97.6 million in net proceeds we received from our initial public offering in 2018.

Our net cash flows used in financing activities in 2016 was R$12.6 million, compared to a net cash flow from financing activities of R$11.1 million in 2017, primarily due to a capital increase of R$86.1 million in 2017, which was partially offset by a dividend payment of R$75.1 million in 2017.

2019.

Indebtedness

As of December 31, 2021, our total outstanding indebtedness was R$1,831.3 million.

On December 1, 2021, we issued US$150 million in senior notes convertible into our Class A common shares (US$100 million to Dragoneer, and US$50 million to General Atlantic), bearing interest at 8% per annum in fixed Brazilian reais and maturing on November 15, 2028. Each note will be convertible at the option of the holder into our Class A common shares at the agreed conversion rate, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of US$29 per share. The conversion price represents an approximately 65% premium to the trailing 30-day volume-weighted share price at the time of signing the investment agreements for the convertible notes. Dragoneer and General Atlantic will beneficially own approximately 5.6% and 2.8%, respectively, of our total shares (on an as converted basis for the convertible senior notes).

On November 11, 2021, Arco Educação, acting as guarantor, entered into an international loan agreement with Itaú Unibanco Nassau Branch, as lender, and Geekie, as borrower, in the amount of US$11.0 million. The loan accrues interest at a rate equal to 2.452% per annum and is repayable in equal quarterly installments from February 10, 2022, to October 28, 2024. We contracted swap

89

derivatives financial instruments to protect our exposure to the foreign currency risk, which changes the effective interest rate for this loan to 100% of the CDI rate + 1.7% per annum.

On August 25, 2021, we issued through our wholly owned subsidiary, Companhia Brasileira de Educação e Sistemas de Ensino S.A., R$900 million in debentures, bearing interest at the CDI rate plus 1.7% per annum and maturing on August 25, 2023.

On January 1, 2021, CBE acting as guarantor, entered into a lease agreement with HP Financial Services Arrendamento Mercantil S.A. and Geekie. In addition, on April 1, 2021, Arco Educação, acting as guarantor, entered into a lease agreement with HP Financial Services Arrendamento Mercantil S.A. and Geekie.

On July 1, 2020, we entered into a loan agreement with Banco Santander (Brasil) S.A. in the amount of R$100.0 million. The loan accrues interest at a rate equal to 100% of the CDI rate plus 2.7% per annum. The loan was repaid in December 2021.

On July 1, 2020, we entered into two loan agreements with Itaú Unibanco S.A. in the amount of R$100.0 million each, both loans maturing in January 2022 (single installment). The loans accrue interest at a rate equal to 100% of the CDI rate plus 2.7% per annum, payable in 17 installments, and were repaid in full on January 3, 2022.

As collateral for the payment of the remaining purchase price of Positivo Acquisition, on October 25, 2018, we had no outstanding indebtedness.have entered a bank guarantee with Banco Bradesco S.A. In accordance with the terms of such bank guarantee, 100% of the shares held by Arco Brazil in SAE and 20% of the shares held by Arco Brazil in CBE were assigned in guarantee (alienação fiduciária) to Banco Bradesco S.A.

On November 13, 2018, we have entered into a fiduciary agreement with Banco Safra S.A., as amended on December 3, 2020, to guarantee the payment due under the lease agreements of our São Paulo offices located at Rua Augusta 2840. For further information, see note 13 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Off-balance sheet arrangements

As of December 31, 2021, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Capital Expenditures

In the years ended December 31, 2018, 20172021, 2020 and 20162019 we made capital expenditures of R$36.2211.4 million, R$11.4107.6 million and R$7.254.1 million, respectively. These capital expenditures mainly include expenditures related to the acquisition of property and equipment and the acquisition of intangible assets. Our capital expenditures increased in 20182021 as compared to 20172020 mainly due to: (i) increased investments in educational technology as we prepare Arco solutions to (i) investments mademigrate to comply witha single technological backbone structure in the BNCC amounting toupcoming years in the amount of R$9.6 million43.7 million; (ii) acquisition of capitalized personnel expenses,software licenses and R$7.7 milliondevelopment of acquired content; (ii) the capitalization of payroll expenses within the EdTech team related to internally developed technology for our platform amounting tonew projects in R$5.343.6 million; and (iii) investmentsacquisitions for the development of R$3.1 millioneducational content in our Supplemental solution.

the 2021 school year of R$32.3 million.

We expect to increase our capital expenditures to support the growth in our business and operations. We expect to meet our capital expenditure needs for the foreseeable future from our operating cash flow and our existing cash and cash equivalents. Our future capital requirements will depend on several factors, including our growth rate, the expansion of our research and development efforts, employee headcount, marketing and sales activities, the introduction of new features to our existing products and the continued market acceptance of our products. We are monitoring our cash position and if needed acquisition of funds from financial institutions, private debit or public offerings will be timely analyzed.

 75On January 6, 2021, our Board of Directors approved the Repurchase Program to comply with management long-term incentive plan obligations. Pursuant to the Repurchase Program, we may repurchase up to 500,000 of our outstanding Class A common shares in the open market, based on prevailing market prices, or in privately negotiated transactions, over a period beginning on January 6, 2021, continuing until the earlier of the completion of the repurchase or January 6, 2023, depending upon market conditions. Our Board of Directors will review the Repurchase Program periodically and may authorize adjustments to its terms and size or suspend or discontinue the Repurchase Program. We expect to use our existing funds to fund repurchases made under the Repurchase Program.

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Additionally, our Board of Directors authorized our management to appoint J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, or JPMS, as our agent under the Repurchase Program to purchase securities on our behalf in the open market. Such purchases benefit from the safe harbor provided by Rule 10b-18, or Rule 10b-18, promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act. Accordingly, we shall not take, nor permit any person or entity under our control to take, any action that could jeopardize the availability of Rule 10b-18 for purchases of securities under the Repurchase Program.

C.Research and development, patents and licenses, etc.

The actual timing, number and value of shares repurchased under the Repurchase Program will depend on several factors, including constraints specified in the Rule 10b-18, price, general business and market conditions, and alternative investment opportunities. The Repurchase Program does not obligate us to acquire any specific number of shares in any period, and may be expanded, extended, modified or discontinued at any time.

As of the date of this annual report, we had purchased an aggregate of 1,818,779 Class A common shares for a total of approximately US$43.2 million under the Repurchase Program.

C.     Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, Etc.

See “Item 4. Information on the Company—D. Property, plant and equipment—Intellectual Property.”

D.Trend information

D.    Trend Information

For a discussion of trend information, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Underlying Trends.”

E.Off-balance sheet arrangements

E.    Critical Accounting Estimates

AsNot applicable.

F.    Tabular Disclosure of December 31, 2018, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

F.Tabular disclosure of contractual obligations

Contractual Obligations

The following is a summary of our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2018:2021:

  Payments Due By Period as of December 31, 2018
  Less than
1 year
 1 – 3 years 3 – 5 years More than
5 years
 Total
  (in thousands of reais)
Trade payables  14,845            14,845 
Operating leases  5,293   11,218   9,596   1,290   27,397 
Financial instruments from acquisition of interests(1)  51   3,009   22,037      25,097 
Accounts payable to selling shareholders  830   176,887   3,664      181,381 
Total  21,019   191,114   35,297   1,290   248,720 

Less than

3 to 12

1 to 5

More than

December 31, 2021

    

 3 months

    

 months

    

 years

    

 5 years

    

Total

Trade payables

 

103.3

 

 

 

 

103.3

Lease liabilities

 

6.0

 

14.1

 

22.9

 

0.1

 

43.1

Loans and financing

 

213.2

 

15.2

 

960.9

 

642.0

 

1,831.3

Derivative financial liabilities

223.6

223.6

Accounts payable to selling shareholders(1)

 

379.5

 

420.1

 

869.2

 

 

1,668.8

 

702.0

 

449.4

 

1,853.0

 

865.7

 

3,870.1

(1)

(1)Includes (i) an option

See note 16 to acquire the remaining 91.95% of the outstanding share capital of Geekie in May 2022 pursuant to the share purchase agreement dated as of December 8, 2016, as part of our acquisition of our current 8.05% interest in the share capital of Geekie, and (ii) an option to acquire the remaining 75% of the outstanding share capital of WPensar between July 10, 2020 and July 10, 2021.audited consolidated financial statements.

G.Safe harbor

See “Forward-Looking Statements.”

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ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

A.A.    Directors and senior management

We are managed by our board of directors and by our senior management, pursuant to our Articles of Association and the Cayman Islands Companies Law (as amended).

Act (As Revised) or the Companies Act.

Board of Directors

As of December 31, 2018,2021, our board of directors iswas composed of four members. By 2019, we expect the size of our board of directors to increase to fiveeight members. Each director holds office for the term, if any, fixed by the shareholders’ resolution that appointed him, or, if no term is fixed on the appointment of the director, until the earlier of

91

his or her removal or vacation of office as a director in accordance with the Articles of Association. Directors appointed by the board of directors hold office until the next annual general meeting. Our directors do not have a retirement age requirement under our Articles of Association.

On May 17, 2021, our board of directors appointed Paula Soares de Sá Cavalcante as a member of the board of directors. The appointment of Ms. Cavalcante, a member of Arco’s founding family, is part of a long-term succession plan for Mr. Oto de Sá Cavalcante and reinforces the family’s long-term commitment to our Company. The appointment of Ms. Cavalcante will be formally ratified at our annual meeting scheduled to take place on April 29, 2022.

We do not have any service contracts with our executive directors that provide benefits upon terminationthe general terms of employment.

their services and applicable compensation.

The following table presents the names of the current members of our board of directors.

Name

Age 

Date of birth

Position

Oto Brasil de Sá Cavalcante

72

05/27/1946

Chairman

Ari de Sá Cavalcante Neto

39

07/08/1979

Director

Martin Escobari

Paula Soares de Sá Cavalcante

47

Independent Director*

12/02/1982

Director

Alberto Menache

Beatriz Amary

45

07/16/1978

Independent Director*

Carla Schmitzberger

06/21/1962

Independent Director*

Edward Ruiz

04/10/1950

Independent Director*

Martin Escobari

12/03/1971

Independent Director

Stelleo Tolda

11/20/1967

Independent Director

*

*Member of our Audit Committee.

The following is a brief summary of the business experience of our directors. Unless otherwise indicated, the current business addresses for our directors is Rua Augusta 2840, 9th floor, suite 91, Consolação, São Paulo - SP, 01.305-000,01412-100, Brazil.

Oto Brasil de Sá Cavalcante is the Chairman of our board of directors, a position he has held since February 2018. Mr. Brasil de Sá Cavalcante has over 50 years’ experience in the education industry. In 2001, he founded Colégio Ari de Sá in Fortaleza, and has been the chairman of its board of directors since 2001. In 2013, he founded Faculdade Ari de Sá in Fortaleza, and has been its chief executive officer since 2013. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering fromUniversidade Federal do Ceará in Fortaleza.

Ari de Sá Cavalcante Neto is a member of our board of directors and our Chief Executive Officer, positions he has held since February 2018. He has been a member of the advisory committee at Colégio Ari de Sá since 2007. Mr. de Sá Cavalcante Neto was an associate at Ernst & Young from 1998 to 2000. He was the chief operating officer of Colégio Ari de Sá from 2001 to 2005 and was an associate at McKinsey & Company in 2006. He holds an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Paula Soares de Sá Cavalcante is a member of our board of directors, a position she has held since May 2021. Ms. Cavalcante previously worked at Deloitte in the auditing and mergers and acquisitions areas for four years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Fortaleza and a postgraduate degree in Finance from Insper.

Beatriz Amary is an independent board member, a position she has held since February 23, 2021. She is a partner focused on emerging markets at Amadeus Capital, a global technology investor. Before that, she was part of the team responsible for launching Actis, a global emerging markets investment fund, in São Paulo, leading investments in the consumer, retail, healthcare and education sectors in Latin America. Ms. Amary was responsible for the investments and held board member positions in CNA, an English Language Training company in Brazil, and Cruzeiro do Sul, an in-class and distance learning post-secondary education provider in Brazil. Prior to that, Ms. Amary worked in M&A at JP Morgan and Johnson & Johnson. Ms. Amary holds a degree from Fundação Getúlio Vargas in Brazil and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

92

Carla Schmitzberger is an independent board member, a position she has held since February 23, 2021. She was a vice-president at Alpargatas, owner of the Havaianas brand of sandals, for nearly 14 years, responsible for the internationalization of the business, the expansion of the brand to new product categories and the establishment of retail operations. Prior to that, Ms. Schmitzberger has worked for eight years at Citibank, holding the positions of Vice-President of Marketing and Products, Vice-President of Marketing and Head of Citibank Credit Cards Brazil. Ms. Schmitzberger also worked for 11 years at P&G and 2 years for Johnson & Johnson. Ms. Schmitzberger is currently an independent board member at Natura &Co and Lojas Marisa. Carla holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Cornell University.

Edward Ruiz is a member of our board of directors and the chair of our audit committee, positions he has held since July 2019. Mr. Ruiz is an American national with over 50 years of experience in public and private accounting. He has been a Certified Public Accountant in the United States since 1972. Edward retired from Deloitte in 2012, where he was an audit partner and member of Deloitte’s IFRS Specialist Group in Brazil. As Head of the Capital Markets group in Brazil, Edward advised companies on financial and regulatory reporting matters related to initial public offerings and secondary offerings in Brazil, the United States and European Capital Markets. Prior to Deloitte, he held executive positions in internal audit at JP Morgan and PepsiCo Inc. in the United States. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Pace University, New York City and has taken advanced courses related to an Executive MBA at FIA in São Paulo and governance courses at the Harvard Business School. Since his retirement, Mr. Ruiz has gained extensive board-level experience as a member and Audit Committee chair of several publicly traded companies in Brazil. Mr. Ruiz is currently a Board member and Audit Committee chair at Nexa Resources, a mining company listed on the New York Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange and with mining and smelting operations in Brazil and Peru.

Martin Escobari is a member of our board of directors, a position he has held since August 2018. He has been with General Atlantic since 2012, and is a member of its Executive Committee, is the Chair of its Investment Committee, and is the head of its Latin America business. Mr. Escobari serves on the board of directors of Empreendimentos Pague Menos SA, Invekra, S.A.P.I. de C.V. (d/b/a Laboratórios Sanfer, S.A. de C.V.), Grupo Axo, S.A.P.I. de C.V. and XP Investimentos, and has previously served on the boards of Ourofino Saude Animal Participações S.A., Sura Asset Management, Smiles S.A. Aceco TI ParticipaҫParticipações S.A., Grupo Linx and Decolar.com, Inc. Mr. Escobari co-founded submarino.com and was its chief financial officer from 1999 to 2007. He was an associate at the Boston Consulting Group (New York) from 1994 to 1996, an investment officer at the private equity firm GP Investimentos from 1998 to 1999, and a managing director at Advent International from 2007 to 2011. Mr. Escobari holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard College (Harvard University) and an MBA (George F. Baker Scholar) from Harvard Business School. He serves on the board of Primeira Chance, a scholarship program for gifted children in Brazil and is active with Endeavor Brazil, where he mentors young entrepreneurs. Mr. Escobari is also a member of the Brazil office of Harvard’s Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies.

Alberto MenacheStelleo Tolda is a member of our board of directors, a position he has held since August 2018. Currently, he is2020. He has been the Chief Operating Officer of MercadoLibre Inc. since April 1, 2009 and had previously served as a senior vice chairmanpresident and chief executive officeras a country manager of Linx S.A., or Linx,Brazil since 1999. Previously, Mr. Tolda worked at Lehman Brothers Inc. in the United States in 1999, and at Banco Pactual and Banco Icatu in Brazil, from 1996, 1997 and 1994 to 1996, respectively. Mr. Tolda holds an MBA from Stanford University, and a position he has held since November 2013. Prior to becoming vice chairmanmaster’s degree and chief executive officer, Mr. Menache held management positions at Linxbachelor’s degree in sales, marketing, human resources, IT and finance.mechanical engineering from Stanford University.

Board Diversity Matrix

Board Diversity Matrix (as of December 31, 2021)

Country of Principal Executive Offices:

Brazil

Foreign Private Issuer:

Yes (the Cayman Islands)

Disclosure Prohibited under Home Country Law:

No

Total Number of Directors:

8

 77

Did Not

Disclose

    

Female

    

Male

    

Non-Binary

    

Gender

Part I: Gender Identity

Directors

 

3

 

5

 

 

93

Part II: Demographic Background

Underrepresented Individual in Home Country Jurisdiction

 

LGBTQ+

Did not Disclose Demographic Background

Executive Officers

Our executive officers are responsible for the day-to-day management of our business and for implementing the general policies and directives established by our board of directors. We have a strong management team led by Ari de Sá Cavalcante Neto, our Chief Executive Officer, who has broad experience in the education industry. Many of theThe members of our management team have worked together as a team for many years. Our executive officers were appointed by our board of directors for an indefinite term.

The following table lists our current executive officers:

Name

Age 

Date of birth

Position

Ari de Sá Cavalcante Neto

39

07/08/1979

Chief Executive Officer

David Peixoto dos Santos

Roberto Otero

31

09/12/1988

Chief Financial Officer

Renata Ferraz de Toledo Machado

04/01/1980

Chief Operating Officer

Alexandre Nakamaru

07/29/1976

Accounting and Legal Officer

João Cunha Silva

32

10/27/1985

Chief OperatingProduct Officer

The following is a brief summary of the business experience of our executive officers. Unless otherwise indicated, the current business addresses for our executive officers is Rua Augusta 2840, 9th9th floor, suite 91, Consolação, São Paulo - SP, 01.305-000,01412-100, Brazil.

David Peixoto dos SantosRoberto Otero is our Chief Financial Officer, and our Vice President of Business Development, positionsa position he has held since March 2014.May 6, 2021, when he joined the Company. Prior to joining us, Mr. Peixoto dos SantosArco, he was an Executive Director of Bank of America Merrill Lynch, working as an Equity Research analyst at Credit Suisseleading the Education, Healthcare and Infrastructure sectors from November 20112009 to March 2014. He2021, with work experiences in both Sao Paulo and New York City. Mr. Otero has an extensive background in corporate finance, financial planning, investor relations and financial accounting. Mr. Otero holds a lawbachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Economics fromFundação Getulio Vargas (FGV-EAESP).

Renata Ferraz de Toledo Machado is our Chief Operating Officer, a position she has held since February 17, 2022. Ms. Machado joined Arco in September 2019 and is currently responsible for Arco’s Operations and Supply Chain area, and is also our People Executive Officer. Prior to joining Arco, Ms. Machado was an Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company, where for 5 years she held a leading role in projects related to digital transformation for the banking segment, projects related to bottom line operational improvements, and projects related to best organizational practices to accelerate the delivery of innovation and new products. Ms. Machado holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Universidade de São Paulo (USP), a master’s degree in Economics from Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV-EAESP)and participatedan MBA from the University of Chicago.

Alexandre Nakamaru is our Accounting and Legal Officer, a position he has held since May 6, 2021. Mr. Nakamaru joined Arco in June 2019 as Financial Officer. Mr. Nakamaru has 18 years of experience working at large multinational companies in Brazil (including Monsanto, AmBev and Natura), in audit roles at Deloitte and as the Chief Financial Officer of two private equity owned companies. Mr. Nakamaru holds a student exchange program at Yale University.

bachelor’s degree in business administration from Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado (FAAP) and a post-graduation degree in controllership from Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV-EAESP).

João Cunha Silva is our Chief OperatingProduct Officer, a position he has held since September 2, 2020. Mr. Cunha is currently our Chief Product Officer and Chief Executive Officer of SAS, one of our core business units, position held since 2018. Mr. Cunha joined Arco in January 2014.2011 and has occupied several positions since then, including as Arco’s Chief Operating Offer, from February 2018 to September 2020. Prior to joining us,Arco, Mr. Cunha Silva was an associate at Boston Consulting Group from January 2008 to September 2009. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer engineeringComputer Engineering fromUniversidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), in Campinas, São Paulo, and a certificate from the Executive Leadership Development program at Stanford University.

94

Family Relationships

Oto Brasil de Sá Cavalcante, our Chairman, is the father of Ari de Sá Cavalcante Neto, our Chief Executive Officer.Officer, and of Paula Soares de Sa Cavalcante, a member of our board of directors.

Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance

We have contracted civil liability insurance coverage for acts carried out by our directors and executive officers in the course of their duties.

B.B.    Compensation

Compensation of Directors and Officers

Key Executives

Under Cayman Islands law, we are not required to disclose compensation paid to our senior management on an individual basis and we have not otherwise publicly disclosed this information elsewhere.

Our executive officers, directors and management receive fixed, variable and variableshare-based compensation. They also receive benefits in line with market practice in Brazil.

Fixed Compensation

The fixed component of their compensation is set on market terms and adjusted annually. In general, approximately 32% of our management compensation is composed of a fixed component.

Variable Compensation

The variable component consists of cash bonuses and awards of shares (or the cash equivalent). Cash bonuses or paid to executive officers and members of our management based on previously agreed targets for the business. The variable compensation represents approximately 68% of our management compensation, 50% of which is connected to our corporate goals.

Share-based Compensation

Shares (or the cash equivalent) are awarded under our share options long-term incentive program, as discussed below. We believe that our Long-Term Incentive Plan enhances the dedication of our executives towards achieving our goals.

 78

Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) and Share-based Compensation

Restricted Shares Grant Plan

On April 30, 2019, our board of directors approved our restricted share long-term incentive program, or the “Restricted Shares Grant Plan.” The maximum number of shares that can be issued under the Restricted Shares Grant Plan may not exceed 5% of our share capital at any time. The Restricted Shares Grant Plan is administered by our board of directors and a designated committee (the “Restricted Share Plan Advisory Committee”).

Our and our controlled companies’ directors, officers, employees and professionals of any nature may participate in the Restricted Shares Grant Plan, which is composed of two underlying programs: (i) the regular program, pursuant to which we will grant restricted shares to the participant at no cost, subject to certain vesting and/or performance conditions (the “Regular Program”) and (ii) the matching shares program, pursuant to which we will match the number of Class A shares (at no additional cost to the participant) that were acquired by the participant at fair market value (“investment shares”), using the amounts received by the participant as a short term incentive and designated by our board of directors to be used as an investment in investment shares, provided certain vesting conditions are satisfied (the “Matching Program”).

95

Under the matching shares program, participants are required to (i) be employed or providing services to us through each vesting date, as set forth in the applicable award agreement and (ii) hold the investment shares through each vesting date. The vesting period may not exceed five years. In addition, upon each vesting date, a portion of the investment shares will become free of restrictions and the participant will be allowed to freely negotiate such shares. Under the regular shares program, the participant’s right to receive the restricted shares will be subject to the participant remaining continuously bound as our employee, officer, or director, as applicable, through each vesting, which may not exceed five years.

If a participant is dismissed by us with cause or voluntarily terminates his or her employment or service relationship with us, the participant will forfeit any right to the unvested shares. If the participant is dismissed by us without cause or by mutual agreement between us and the participant, the participant will be entitled to receive his or her vested shares and a pro rata amount of the granted and unvested shares, by reference to the vesting period in which the termination occurred and based on the number of days the participant was employed by us. In case of the participant’s death or permanent disability, the participant (or his or her heirs) will be entitled to receive all the granted shares, whether or not vested, which will be delivered upon termination of the original vesting period.

If our shares cease to be publicly traded or in an event of a change in our control, the vesting period of the granted shares will be accelerated, as applicable. In each such case, each participant may elect to (i) sell his or her granted shares at a price equal to the price at which the shares were sold in connection with the transaction resulting in the Company becoming privately owned or in a change of control, or (ii) remain a shareholder of the Company subject to the approval of the board of directors.

Awards of restricted shares and matching shares may be settled in shares or cash, as determined by our board of directors. The restricted shares and matching shares may not be pledged, assigned or transferred to third parties, without the prior approval of our board of directors. Participants in the Restricted Share Grant Plan will be subject to a two-year post-termination of employment or service noncompete and prohibition against soliciting our employees, service providers and customers. The Restricted Shares Grant Plan provides that the Company shall withhold a portion of the restricted shares units to comply with all taxes applicable to the delivery of the restricted shares units to the beneficiary.

As of March 31, 2022, we had 118,155 restricted shares units outstanding under the Regular Program and Matching Program.

Regular Programs

The Restricted Plan Advisory Committee approves the participants of each Regular Program, from time to time. The table below shows the grant date and market value on the grant date of the share units granted by us up to March 31, 2022, under the Regular Programs.

Grant Date

    

Regular Program*

    

No. of Unit Shares (up to)

    

Value per Unit Share

April 30, 2019

 

1st Program

 

‎542,760‎

R$

126.76

June 30, 2019

 

3rd Program

 

‎3,086‎

R$

192.19

October 15, 2019

 

2nd Program

 

‎37,929‎

R$

200.18

January 23, 2020

 

4th Program

 

‎13,000‎

R$

214.48

March 2, 2020

 

5th Program

 

‎36,673‎

R$

238.93

March 4, 2020

 

6th Program

 

‎13,164‎

R$

254.21

September 3, 2020

 

7th Program

 

‎3,600‎

R$

245.18

November 19, 2020

 

8th Program

 

‎6,648‎

R$

216.63

February 10, 2021

 

9th Program

 

‎70,320‎

R$

204.03

February 10, 2021

 

10th Program

 

‎1,838‎

R$

204.03

February 26, 2021

11th Program

‎1,836‎

R$

196.58

June 24, 2021

14th Program

107,770

R$

165.21

September 30, 2021

15th, 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th Program

872,750

R$

118.02

March 25, 2022

 

20th Program

 

2,900

R$

96.84

96

*The 12th and 13th Programs are the 1st and 2nd Matching Programs respectively, as described below.

All such shares will be available for sale by the beneficiaries annually, over three or four years, on each date of the anniversary of the IPO or March 31, depending on the program.

Matching Program

On February 26, 2021, our Restricted Shares Plan Advisory Committee approved our first Matching Program (12th Program). On June 1, 2021, our second Matching Program was approved (13th Program). The table below shows the grant date and market value on the grant date of the share units granted by us up to March 31, 2021, under the Matching Programs.

Grant Date

    

Matching Program

    

No. of Unit Shares

    

Value per Unit Share

February 26, 2021

 

1st Program

 

9,364

R$

196.58

June 1, 2021

2nd Program

476

R$

148.28

All such shares, including the investment shares acquired by the participants of the Matching Program, will be available for sale by the beneficiaries annually, over four years, on March 31 of each year.

LTIP I

Certain members of our management participate in our share option long-term incentive program, or the LTIP I. Beneficiaries under the LTIP I are granted rights to buy shares based on certain criteria. These rights vest in five equal annual installments starting one year after the beneficiary’s grant date, the earliest of which was on December 22, 2014, for a 10-year term expiring on December 22, 2024. If a beneficiary is dismissed by us, resigns, retires, suffers a permanent disability or dies, the portion of his or her rights under the LTIP I that has vested at that date will be satisfied, and the beneficiary will have a term of 90 days in the case of dismissal, resignation or retirement, or 180 days in case of death or permanent disability, to exercise any vested but unexercised options, but the non-vested portion will be canceled. If a beneficiary is terminated for cause, the non-vested portion will be immediately canceled, and all vested but unexercised options may be exercised by the beneficiary on the day of termination. In the case of transfer of the control of Arco, which is defined under the plan as a transfer of an equity interest of at least 50% plus one share of the capital stock of Arco, all unvested share options will automatically vest.

Any shares that are issued on a subsequent vesting date during the one year after our initial public offering will be subject to the remainder of that same lock-up period, expiring one year after the closing of our initial public offering. After the close of that one-year period, shares to be issued under the program will no longer be subject to a lock-up.

The maximum number shares that can be issued to beneficiaries under the LTIP I may not exceed 5% of our share capital at any time.

Following the completion of our initial public offering in September 2018, all the options of the LTIP I were migrated tocancelled and reissued by Arco and automatically vested, generating an expense in our consolidated statement of income (loss) of R$59,747 thousand in 2018 (compared to an expense of R$1,359 thousand in 2017 and an expense of R$2,043 thousand in 2016).

As of December 31, 2018, Arco had a total of 1,091,038 vested2019, all 1,091,039 share options (compared to 848,642 vested sharewere exercised by the beneficiaries and no additional options of EAS as of December 31, 2017 and 565,762 as of December 31, 2016). In January 2019, onewere granted under the LTIP I participant exercised his option to acquire 98,522 shares, which were delivered to the participant in February 2019 through a capital increase.I.

C.Board practices

C.    Board Practices

Committees of the Board of Directors

Our board of directors has onetwo standing committee: thecommittees: Audit Committee and Compensation Committee.

Audit Committee

The audit committee, which consists of Ari de Sá Cavalcante Neto, Martin EscobariEdward Ruiz, Beatriz Amary and Alberto Menache,Carla Schmitzberger, assists our board of directors in overseeing our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of our financial statements. In addition, the audit committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of our independent registered public accounting firm. Ari de Sá Cavalcante NetoEdward Ruiz serves as Chairman of the audit committee. The audit committee consists exclusively of members of our board of directors who are financially literate, and Alberto MenacheEdward Ruiz is considered an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the SEC. Our board of directors has determined that Martin EscobariEdward Ruiz, Beatriz Amary and Alberto MenacheCarla Schmitzberger dos Santos satisfy the “independence” requirements set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.

The audit committee is governed by a charter that complies with Nasdaq rules. The audit committee is responsible for, among other matters:

·the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of any auditor or accounting firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services;

·pre-approving the audit services and non-audit services to be provided by our independent auditor before the auditor is engaged to render such services;

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97

·reviewing and discussing with the independent auditor its responsibilities under generally accepted auditing standards, the planned scope and timing of the independent auditor’s annual audit plan(s) and significant findings from the audit;

·obtaining and reviewing a report from the independent auditor describing all relationships between the independent auditor and the Company consistent with the applicable PCAOB requirements regarding the independent auditor’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence;

·confirming and evaluating the rotation of the audit partners on the audit engagement team as required by law;

·reviewing with management and the independent auditor, in separate meetings whenever the Audit Committee deems appropriate, any analyses or other written communications prepared by the Management and/or the independent auditor setting forth significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements, including analyses of the effects of alternative IFRS methods on the financial statements; and other critical accounting policies and practices of the Company;

·reviewing, in conjunction with the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting;

·establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters; and

·approving or ratifying any related person transaction (as defined in our related person transaction policy) in accordance with our related person transaction policy.internal policies and applicable legislation; and

review, direct and supervise the actions of the Ethics Committee, which analyzes, investigates and take the proper measures in case of misconduct by any employee and breaches of the Company’s Code of Ethics and other internal policies.

The audit committee meets as often as it determines is appropriate to carry out its responsibilities, but in any event, meets at least four times per year.

Compensation Committee

D.

Our compensation committee was created on March 12, 2020, by our board of directors, and it is composed of two members, Edward Ruiz and Carla Schmitzberger.

Our compensation committee assists our board of directors in reviewing and approving the compensation structure, including all forms of compensation, relating to our directors and executive officers. The committee reviews the total compensation package for our executive officers and directors and recommends to the board of directors for determination the compensation of each of our directors and executive officers and will periodically review and approve any long-term incentive compensation or equity plans, programs or similar arrangements, annual bonuses, and employee pension and benefits plans. Our board of directors has determined that Edward Ruiz and Carla Schmitzberger satisfy the requirements set forth Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(d), which requires that a compensation committee consist entirely of independent directors.

Restricted Shares Plan Advisory Committee

Our restricted shares plan advisory committee was created on September 30, 2019, by our board of directors, and its composed by three members, Ari de Sá Cavalcante Neto, Renata Ferraz de Toledo Machado (our Chief Operating Officer) and Alexandre Shozo Nakamaru (our Accounting and Legal Officer), which assists the board of directors on matters regarding the Restricted Shares Grant Plan.

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D.    Employees

As of December 31, 2018, 20172021, 2020 and 2016,2019, we had 1,198, 8282,986, 2,746 and 6031,949 employees, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, 5902021, 553 of these employees were based in our offices in Fortaleza, 854 of these employees were based in our offices in Curitiba, 1,145 of these employees were based in our offices in São Paulo and 608434 were based in cities elsewhere in Brazil. As of December 31, 2018, 20172021, 2020 and 2016,2019, we had 122, 90495, 461 and 52362 sales professionals,consultants, respectively. References in this annual report to sales consultants are to our commercial team in the field. We also engage temporary employees and consultants as needed to support our operations.

We update the full-time personnel functions into 6 categories as described below:

Key Executives: Composed of Arco’s CEO, CFO, CPO, A&LO, Arco Plus CEO, COO, CTO, Positivo CEO and ESG Director;
Business Unit Directors: CEOs of Arco’s business units (Directors who report directly to Arco’s CEO have not been accounted in this category, but only as key executives);
Technology and Content Development: staff and management of our technology and content development teams;
Sales and Marketing: staff and management of our sales and marketing teams;
Customer support: staff and management of our customer support teams; and
General and Administrative: staff and management of our administrative teams.

The table below breaks down our full-time personnel by function as of December 31, 2021.

Number of 

Function

    

Employees

    

% of Total

Key Executives

 

9

 

0

%

Business Unit Directors

10

0

%

Technology and Content Development

 

892

 

30

%

Sales and Marketing

 

753

 

26

%

Customer Support

 

759

 

25

%

General and Administrative

 

563

 

19

%

Total

 

2,986

 

100

%

The table below breaks down our full-time personnel by function as of December 31, 2018:2021, 2020 and 2019:

Number of

Number of

Number of

Function Number of
Employees
 % of Total

    

Employees 2021

    

Employees 2020

    

Employees 2019

Management  26   2.2 

Key Executives

 

9

 

9

 

7

Business Unit Directors

 

10

 

5

 

2

Technology and Content Development  344   28.7 

 

892

 

902

 

722

Sales and Marketing  308   25.7 

 

753

 

799

 

541

Customer Support  238   19.9 

 

759

 

580

 

336

General and Administrative  282   23.5 

 

563

 

451

 

341

Total  1,198   100.0 

 

2,986

 

2,746

 

1,949

Our employees are represented by labor unions through collective agreements (convenções coletivas) they have with such labor unions. These collective agreements are renegotiated annually. We have not experienced any work stoppages, and we consider our relations with our employees to be good.

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None of our executive officers have entered into employment agreements directly with the Company. We do not have any service contractsAll the employment agreements of the executive officers were entered into with ourCBE. Those agreements are the sole agreement existing to regulate the executive directors that provide benefits upon termination of employment.officers’ activities.

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E.E.    Share ownership

The shares and any outstanding beneficially owned by our directors and officers and/or entities affiliated with these individuals are disclosed in “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—A. Major shareholders.Shareholders.

See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—B. Compensation—Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)” for information on our share option long-term incentive program.

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ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

A.Major shareholders

A.    Major Shareholders

The following table and accompanying footnotes presentspresent information relating to the beneficial ownership of our Class A common shares and Class B common shares as of December 31, 2018.

2021.

The number of common shares beneficially owned by each entity, person, executive officer or director is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under such rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares over which the individual has sole or shared voting power or investment power as well as any shares that the individual has the right to acquire within 60 days through the exercise of any option, warrant or other right. Except as otherwise indicated, and subject to applicable community property laws, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all common shares held by that person.

The percentages of beneficial ownership in the table below are calculated as of December 31, 20182021, on the basis of (i) 22,602,73729,450,551 Class A common shares outstanding, and 1,091,038 Class A common shares deemed outstanding and subject to options exercisable within 60 days, and (ii) 27,658,29027,400,848 Class B common shares outstanding. In addition to the shares detailed below, we have a total of 12,777,77728,346,059 Class A common shares outstanding that are publicly traded as of December 31, 2018.2021.

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Unless otherwise indicated below, the address for each beneficial owner is c/o Arco, Rua Augusta 2840, 9th9th floor, suite 91, Consolação, São Paulo - SP, 01.305-000,01412-100, Brazil.

  Shares Beneficially Owned as of December 31, 2018 % of Total
Voting Power(1)
  Class A Class B  
Shareholders Shares % Shares %  
5% Shareholders          
Ari de Sá Cavalcante Neto(2)  483,487   2.0%  8,297,485   30.0%  27.6%
Oto Brasil de Sá Cavalcante(3)     %  19,224,395   69.5%  64.0%
General Atlantic Arco (Bermuda), L.P.  9,725,235   41.0%     %  3.2%
Other Shareholders                    
Other Shareholders     %  136,410   *%  *%
Executive Officers and Directors                    
Ari de Sá Cavalcante Neto(2)  483,487   2.0%  8,297,485   30.0%  27.6%
Oto Brasil de Sá Cavalcante(3)          19,224,395   69.5%  64.0%
Alberto Menache(4)  99,725   *%     %  *%
All directors and executive officers as a group (6 persons)(5)  1,190,763   5.0%  27,521,880   99.5%  *%
Total  10,915,998   100.0%  27,658,290   100.0%  100.0%

Shares Beneficially Owned as of December 31, 2021

% of Total

 

Class A

Class B

Voting

 

Shareholders

    

Shares

    

%

    

Shares

    

%

    

Power(1)

5% Shareholders

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Oto Brasil de Sá Cavalcante(3)

 

 

 

18,966,953

 

69.2

%  

62.5

%

Ari de Sá Cavalcante Neto(2)

 

371,777

 

1.3

%  

8,297,485

 

30.3

%  

27.5

%

Other Shareholders

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Other Shareholders

 

 

 

112,710

 

*

 

*

Treasury

605,316

2.1

%

Executive Officers and Directors

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Oto Brasil de Sá Cavalcante(3)

 

 

 

18,966,953

 

69.2

%  

62.5

%

Ari de Sá Cavalcante Neto(2)

 

371,777

 

1.3

%  

8,297,485

 

30.3

%  

27.5

%

Paula Soares de Sá Cavalcante

*

*

*

João Cunha Silva

 

*

 

*

 

 

 

*

Roberto Rabello Otero

Alexandre Nakamaru

 

*

 

*

 

 

 

*

Martin Escobari

 

 

 

 

 

Stelleo Tolda

 

 

 

 

 

Edward Ruiz

 

*

 

*

 

 

 

*

Beatriz Amary

Carla Schmitzberger

All directors and executive officers as a group

 

560,762

 

1.9

%  

27,264,438

 

99.5

%  

89.8

%

*

*

Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1% of our issued and outstanding common shares.

(1)Percentage of total voting power represents voting power with respect to all of our Class A common shares and Class B common shares, as a single class. Holders of our Class B common shares are entitled to 10 votes per share, whereas holders of our Class A common shares are entitled to one vote per share. For more information about the voting rights of our Class A common shares and Class B common shares, see “Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and articles of association.”

(2)Indirectly owns Class B common shares through ASCN Investments Ltd. Includes 483,487 Class A common shares subject to options exercisable by Mr. de Sá Cavalcante Neto within 60 days.

(3) Indirectly owns Class B common shares through OSC Investments Ltd.

(3)(4)Indirectly owns Class AB common shares through Alfaco Holding Inc.OSC Investments Ltd.

(5)Includes 1,091,038 Class A common shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days.

The holders of our Class A common shares and Class B common shares have identical rights, except that our Founding Shareholders as holders of Class B common shares (i) are entitled to 10 votes per share, whereas holders of our Class A common shares are entitled to one vote per share (ii) have certain conversion rights and (iii) are entitled to maintain a proportional ownership interest by purchasing additional Class B common shares in the event that additional Class A common shares are issued. For more information see “Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and articles of association—Preemptive or Similar Rights” and “Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and articles of association —Conversion.” Each Class B common share is convertible into one Class A common share.

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B.B.     Related party transactions

Educational Agreement—International School Program

On August 2, 2016, Educadora ASC Ltda., or Educadora ASC, entered into an agreement with International School, pursuant to which International School agreed to (i) make available to Educadora ASC an educational platform that it developed, and (ii) supply to Educadora ASC the related materials, and Educadora ASC agreed to pay certain fees to International School in connection

101

therewith. The agreement expires on December 31, 2019. The net revenue from sales to Educadora ASC totaled R$2.71.1 million, R$2.9 million and R$3.53.2 million for the years ended December 31, 20182021, 2020 and 2017.2019.

Development and Promotion of Educational Materials Agreement

On August 29, 2014, Educadora ASC and Livraria ASC Ltda., or Livraria ASC, entities under common control of our controlling shareholder, entered into an agreement withSAS Desenvolvimento e Promoção de Material Didático, or SAS Material Didático, which was merged into CBE on January 2021, pursuant to which (i) SASMaterial Didático agreed to (a) make available to Educadora ASC and Livraria ASC an educational platform that it developed, and (b) supply to Educadora ASC and Livraria ASC the related materials, and (ii) Educadora ASC agreed to promote the educational platform and share its expertise in educational management with SAS Material Didático, and Educadora ASC and Livraria ASC agreed to pay certain fees to SAS Material Didáticoin connection therewith.

The agreement is for an initial term of 10 years and will be automatically renewed for an additional 5 years or 10 years respectively, should there be a change of control or initial public offering of EAS BrazilCBE or any of the companies in SAS’sSAS Material Didático’s economic group. The net revenue from sales to Educadora ASC totaled R$0.40.3 million, R$0.3 million and R$0.20.4 million for the years ended December 31, 20182021, 2020 and 2017,2019, respectively. The net revenue from sales to Livraria ASC totaled R$5.13.3 million, R$4.9 million and R$5.2 million for the years ended December 31, 20182021, 2020 and 2017,2019, respectively.

Loan Agreement Due to the merger of SAS Desenvolvimento (or Arco Ventures) with WPensar

EAS Brazil is partyCBE, on December 2020, the agreements with Educadora ASC and Livraria ASC were assigned to CBE as a loan agreement with WPensar inpart of the amountgroup reorganization. The values described herein for December 2020 consists of R$1.2 millionthe total net revenue, considering the sales for SAS Desenvolvimento and R$1.0 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The loan accrues interest at the Brazilian Sistema Especial de Liquidação e Custódia (SELIC) rate and matures in July 2020.

CBE.

Loan and Debentures Agreements with Geekie

On January 17, 2019, we entered into an agreement (the “Geekie Agreement”) with Geekie, our associatedsubsidiary company. Pursuant to the Geekie Agreement, we purchased 100,000 debentures issued by Geekie, each at par value R$100.00, totaling R$10 million. The debentures mature in June 2022 and bears interest at 110% of the CDI. The debentures are convertible at the option of Arco on maturity through the call and put option mechanism in our investment agreement with Geekie,CDI, as described in note 1110 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

In addition, and pursuant to the Geekie Agreement, we lent R$4.0 million to Geekie Partners S.A., the former controlling entity of Geekie. The loan is repayable in a single instalment in June 2022, bears interest at 110% of the CDI, and is secured by the shares of Geekie Partners S.A. in Geekie.

The transaction totaled R$14.0 million and its purpose was to support Geekie’s working capital needs.

On June 1, 2021, we lent R$5.5 million to Geekie, in accordance with the investment agreement executed on November 27, 2020. The loan is payable in a single instalment in June 2022, bears an interest of 110% of the CDI and is secured by the shares of Geekie Partners S.A. in Geekie.

LeaseInter Company Loan Agreements

We have entered into several intercompany loan agreements that have not yet matured in order to develop our activities, as described below:

Lender

Date of the Agreement

Total Principal Amount

Interest Rate

Maturity Date

Arco Educação

March 27, 2020

R$

5 million

100% of the CDI

March 27, 2023

Arco Educação

April 15, 2020

R$

11.5 million

100% of the CDI

March 27, 2023

Arco Educação

February 1st, 2021

US$

10 million

100% of the CDI

March 31, 2023

Arco Educação

March 31, 2021

R$

35 million

100% of the CDI

March 31, 2024

Companhia Brasileira

April 7, 2021

R$

35 million

100% of the CDI

March 31, 2023

Companhia Brasileira

April 13, 2021

R$

35 million

100% of the CDI

March 31, 2025

Arco Educação

August 23, 2021

US$

3 million

100% of the CDI

March 31, 2024

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Arco Educação

September 15, 2021

US$

10 million

100% of the CDI

March 31, 2026

Arco Educação

October 4, 2021

US$

10 million

100% of the CDI

March 31, 2024

Arco Educação

January 6, 2022

US$

10 million

100% of the CDI

March 31, 2026

Investment in Isaac

On July 28, 2014, OSC Empreendimentos Ltda., an entity under common control of our controlling shareholder,January 25, 2021, we entered into a lease agreementSeries B Ordinary Shares Purchase Agreement, among other ancillary and transactional documents, with SAS Desenvolvimento EducacionalINCO Limited, or INCO, the controlling entity of OISA Tecnologia e Serviços Ltda., or OISA (a company indirectly controlled by David Peixoto dos Santos, Arco’s former CFO), pursuant to which OSC Empreendimentos Ltda. agreedwe acquired 8,571,427 series B ordinary shares, equivalent to lease office space30% of the total stock capital of INCO, for a R$25million. INCO Limited provides financial assistance to SAS Desenvolvimento Educacional Ltda. inprivate schools.

In addition, on April 22, 2021, we and other investors entered into a Series A and Series A-1 Preferred Shares Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which we acquired 3,653,788 Series A Preferred Shares of INCO Limited, for R$33.2 million, with the city of Fortaleza. The agreementoption to acquire an additional 2,935,010 Series A-1 Preferred Shares, which was exercised on September 17, 2021 for an initial termamount of 2 years and was subsequently tacitly extended for an indefinite term.R$52.0 million.

AlthoughAs of March 31, 2022, INCO Limited had additional investments rounds in which we did not participate. As of the lease agreements indicated above were executed among related parties, pursuant to Law 8,245/1991, whenever a lease agreement’s term expires yet remains tacitly in force for an indefinite term, any party can terminate the lease agreement, upon a 30-day prior notice to the other party. If required to vacate the property, tenants may incur relocation costs and lossdate of revenue during relocation.

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See note 10 to the audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report, for further information.

we hold 47,375,702 shares of INCO Limited, equivalent to 25.06% of its total capital stock (22.43% on fully diluted basis) and made a total investment equivalent to R$110.3 million.

Sale of Escola de Aplicação São José dos Campos Ltda.

On January 2, 2019, we sold the shares we owned in Escola de Aplicação São José dos Campos Ltda. to its minority shareholders. The transaction price of R$3,741 thousand3.7 million will be paid in sixteen quarterly installments from January 2022 to October 2025, adjusted by the IGP-M.

On October 23, 2020, the buyers have anticipated the payment of the installments due in 2022 and the first installment of 2023. On February 26, 2021, the parties executed an amendment to the purchase agreement, which was agreed that the installments to be paid in 2021 will be adjusted by the IPCA. The purchase price was fully paid on August 23, 2021.

Indemnification Agreements

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. Pursuant to these agreements, we have agreed to indemnify and hold harmless each director and officer to the full extent permitted by applicable law in the event of any claim made against him or her in any proceeding due to the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of our company or served at our request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

In addition, under the terms of these agreements we have agreed to cover all expenses actually and reasonably incurred by each director and officer in connection with any such proceeding, with certain limited exceptions.

The indemnification extends to the beneficiary’s services as a director or officer prior to the date of the indemnification agreement as well as afterward. It continues after the beneficiary ceases to be a director or officer.

C.Interests of Experts and Counsel

C.    Interests of experts and counsel

Not applicable.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

A.A.    Consolidated statements and other financial information

Financial statements

See ‘‘Item“Item 18. Financial Statements,’’ which contains our audited financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS.

Dividends and Dividend Policy

We have not adopted a dividend policy with respect to future distributions of dividends. The amount of any distributions will depend on many factors such as our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, prospects and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors and, where applicable, our shareholders. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings, if any, to fund the development and expansion of our business and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

Subject to the Companies Law,Act, Arco’s shareholders may, by resolution passed by a simple majority of the voting rights entitled to vote at a general meeting, declare dividends (including interim dividends) to be paid to shareholders but no dividend shall be declared in excess of the amount recommended by the board of directors. The board of directors may also declare dividends. Dividends may be declared and paid out of funds lawfully available to Arco. Except as otherwise provided by the rights attached to shares and the Articles of Association of Arco, all dividends shall be paid in proportion to the number of Class A common shares or Class B common shares a shareholder holds at the date the dividend is declared (or such other date as may be set as a record date); but, (i) if any share is issued on terms providing that it shall rank for dividend as from a particular date, that share shall rank for dividend accordingly, and (ii) where we have shares in issue which are not fully paid up (as to par value) we may pay dividends in proportion to the amounts paid up on each share.

The holders of Class A common shares and Class B common shares shall be entitled to share equally in any dividends that may be declared in respect of Arco’s common shares from time to time. In the event that a dividend is paid in the form of Class A common shares or Class B common shares, or rights to acquire Class A common shares or Class B common shares, (1) the holders of Class A common shares shall receive Class A common shares, or rights to acquire Class A common shares, as the case may be; and (2) the holders of Class B common shares shall receive Class B common shares, or rights to acquire Class B common shares, as the case may be.

We have not declared or paid any dividends to our shareholders since our incorporation in the Cayman Islands on April 12, 2018. However, EAS Brazil,CBE, our principal operating company and the wholly-ownedwholly owned subsidiary of Arco Brazil at that time, paid significant dividends to the shareholders of EAS Brazil,CBE, including R$13.5 million in February 2016 and R$75.0 million in September 2017.

In addition, a dividend payment of R$10.5 million (based on EAS Brazil’sCBE’s net profit for the year ended December 31, 2017, and pursuant to the Brazilian Corporate Law which requires EAS BrazilCBE to pay a minimum dividend equal to 25% of its net profit for the year) which was declared by the management of EAS BrazilCBE was approved at the EASPSD Educação S.A. Shareholders’ Meeting and paid to the shareholders of EAS BrazilCBE on June 25, 2018. In addition, EAS BrazilCBE approved an additional dividend of R$74.5 million on June 7, 2018, which was paid to the shareholders of EAS BrazilCBE on June 25, 2018.

There was no distribution of dividends of CBE in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Certain Cayman Islands and Brazilian Legal Requirements Related to Dividends

Under the Companies LawAct and our Articles of Association, a Cayman Islands company may pay a dividend out of either its profit or share premium account, but a dividend may not be paid if this would result in the company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. According to our Articles of Association, dividends can be declared and paid out of funds lawfully available to us, which include the share premium account. Dividends, if any, would be paid in proportion to the number of common shares a shareholder holds. For further information, see “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation—Cayman Islands Tax Considerations.”

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Additionally, please refer to “Item 3. D. Risk Factors—Certain Factors Relating to Our Business and Industry—We depend on dividend distributions by our subsidiaries, and we may be adversely affected if the performance of our subsidiaries is not positive or if Brazil imposes legal restrictions on dividend distributions by subsidiaries.” Our ability to pay dividends is directly related to positive and distributable net results from our

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Brazilian subsidiaries. If, for any legal reasons due to new laws or bilateral agreements between countries, they are unable to pay dividends to Cayman Islands companies, or if a Cayman Islands company becomes incapable of receiving them, we may not be able to make any dividend payments in the future.

Legal proceedings

We are, and may be from time to time, involved in disputes that arise in the ordinary course of our business. Claims against us can be time-consuming, result in costly litigation, require significant management time and result in the diversion of significant operational resources.

In particular, weWe are subject to a number of judicial and administrative proceedings in the Brazilian court systems, including civil, labor and tax law claims and other proceedings. We recognize provisions for legal proceedings in our financial statements when (i) it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation, and (ii) a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. The assessment by our management of the likelihood of loss includes analysis by outside counsel of available evidence, the hierarchy of laws, available case law, recent court rulings and their relevance in the Brazilian legal system. Our provisions for probable losses arising from these matters are estimated and periodically adjusted by management. In making these adjustments, our management relies on the opinions of our external legal advisors.

As of December 31, 2018,2021, we had a provision for legal proceedings of R$131,000630 thousand recorded in our financial statements in connection with legal proceedings, based on the advice of our external legal counsel that the likelihood of loss in connection with such proceedings was notis probable. However, legal proceedings are inherently unpredictable and subject to significant uncertainties. If one or more cases were to result in a judgment against us in any reporting period for amounts that exceeded our management’s expectations, the impact on our operating results or financial condition for that reporting period could be material. See ‘‘Item“Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Certain Factors Relating to Our Business and Industry—Unfavorable decisions in our legal, arbitration or administrative proceedings may adversely affect us.”

Civil Matters

As of December 31, 2018,2021, we were partya defendant to approximately 1662 judicial and administrative proceedings of a civil nature for which we did not record any provision based on the advice of our external legal counsel that the likelihood of loss in connection with these proceedings was not probable. The civil claims to which we are a party generally relate to consumer claims, including those related to the early termination of certain of our agreements, among others. We believe these proceedings are unlikely to have a material adverse impact, individually, or in the aggregate, on our results of operations or financial condition.

In 2018,As of December 31, 2021, we were party to fourtwo administrative proceedingsproceeding of civil nature filed by each of the prosecutor’s offices in the StateStates of Ceará, in the State of Rio de Janeiro, in the Municipality of Lavras, State of Minas Gerais and in the State of Paraiba, for which the proceedingsMaranhão.

The proceeding in the State of Ceará and State of Rio de Janeiro are still under discussion as of December 31, 2018. Each proceeding stemsresults from a complaint filed by eitheron behalf of some students’ parents of students in one of our partner schools or by lawyers on behalf of students in one of our partner schools. Each complaint allegesalleging that the students in their respective partner schools are required to purchase our educational material only from suchthe partner schoolsschool in which the student is enrolled in at prices higher than those charged by certain of our other partner schools in the region, with no option to purchase such educational material at bookstores or other points of sale. In each of the proceedings in the State of Ceará and the State of Rio de Janeiro, weWe have filed our defenses,answers, which are currently under review.

RegardingThe proceedings filed by the proceedingprosecutor’s offices in the Statestate of Paraiba, weMaranhão, result from the questioning of students’ parents of some our partner schools in the region about the impossibility of using used books and acquiring access to our digital content without acquiring the full platform provided by us. We have already filed our defenseanswers, which are currently under review.

As both the proceedings are still ongoing and on November 19, 2018,at early stage, it is not possible to confirm the prosecutor’s office decided not to proceed withclaims that may be asserted against us, however the administrative proceeding as it did not identify any consumer rights violations. The parents did not appeal in the permitted period and the case was closed.

In the proceeding in the Municipality of Lavras, the prosecutor’s office analyzed the complaint along with the defenses presented and decided not to proceed with the administrative proceeding as it did not identify any consumer rights violations. The parents then filed an appeal, and on September 29, 2018, the prosecutor’s office decided not to proceed with the case as it did not identify any consumer rights violations.

To the extent theapplicable prosecutors’ offices decide to proceed with the administrative proceedings in the State of Ceará and in the State of Rio de Janeiro, they may file a public civil claim or require the parties to enter into a settlement agreement (Termo de Ajustamento de Conduta- TAC), requiring the partner schools to adjust theirits commercial practices as they relate to the sale of

105

educational material. As of DecemberMarch 31, 2018,2022, we cannot estimate the amount of any eventual fine or any claim for damages, or collective non materialnon-material damages that may be imposed on us as a result of these proceedings.

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this proceeding.

Labor Matters

As of December 31, 2018,2021, we were party to approximately 1020 labor-related judicial and administrative proceedings for which we did not record any provision based on the advice of our external legal counsel that the likelihood of loss in connection with these proceedings was not probable. In general, the labor claims to which we are a party were filed by former employees or third-party employees seeking our joint and/or subsidiary liability for the acts of our suppliers and service providers. The principal claims involved in these labor suits relate to overtime, salary equalization termination fees, and indemnities based on Brazilian labor laws. We believe these proceedings are unlikely to have a material adverse impact, individually or in the aggregate, on our results of operations or financial condition.

Tax and Social Security Matters

As of December 31, 2018,2021, we were party to 412 administrative tax and social security proceeding for which we did not record any provision based on the advice of our external legal counsel that the likelihood of loss in connection with this proceeding was not probable.

B.Significant changes

Request for Arbitration

None.On September 19, 2019, Mr. Ulisses Borges Cardinot, a 48.52% shareholder in our subsidiary, International School, filed a request for arbitration with the Center for Arbitration and Mediation of the Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada in Brazil against Arco Platform Limited, Companhia Brasileira de Educação e Sistemas de Ensino S.A. (formerly known as PSD Educação S.A. (until 2021), EAS Educação S.A (until 2020) and SAS Educação S.A. (until 2017)), or CBE, and Arco Educação S.A.

This request for arbitration purporting to assert Mr. Cardinot’s rights under the Investment Agreement (for more information regarding the Investment Agreement, see “Item 4.A. History and development of the company—Acquisitions and Investments—Acquisition of International School”) is still ongoing.

Mr. Cardinot has asserted that, among others, he is entitled to receive shares of Arco Platform and the purchase price due pursuant to the Investment Agreement is materially higher. On October 10, 2019, we filed our response to the request for arbitration, denying Mr. Cardinot’s claims and affirming that Arco Platform and Arco Educação cannot be parties to the arbitration since they are not parties to the Investment Agreement. On July 6, 2020, Arco Brazil, the Company and CBE filed their statements of defense. On August 10, 2020, Ulisses Cardinot filed his reply to the statements of defense. On September 14, 2020, Arco Brazil, the Company and CBE filed their rejoinders.

 87On November 29, 2021, the arbitration panel issued a partial award on the merits of the arbitration. The decision is under the ongoing review of financial and legal advisors of CBE and its calculation will be further discussed in the award phase of the arbitration proceeding. However, the arbitration panel decided that (i) Arco Platform and Arco Brazil are not subject to the terms of the Investment Agreement and, therefore, will not be part of the arbitration proceeding; (ii) Mr. Cardinot is not entitled to receive shares of Arco Platform; and (iii) the amount due by CBE will be calculated based on 10 times realized EBITDA for the school years of 2019 (first installment) and 2020 (second installment), both net of net debt, as determined in the Investment Agreement, consistent with the calculation methodology to estimate the provisioned amount in our balance sheet as reported.

The submissions had not caused a material impact on our assessment of the applicable liabilities or on the provisions made by us in the financial statements.

We are vigorously defending ourselves on the award phase of the arbitration proceeding. If an unfavorable decision were to occur, it could result in a material adverse impact on our financial position and results of operations in the period in which the decision occurs, or in future periods, and on the price of our Class A common shares.

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B.    Significant changes

None.

ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING

A.A.    Offering and listing details

Not applicable.

B.Plan of distribution

Not applicable.

C.Markets

On September 28, 2018, we completed our initial public offering. Subsequently, we completed a follow-on offering on: (i) October 24, 2019; (ii) June 4, 2020; and (iii) September 8, 2020. Our common shares have been listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market since September 26, 2018 under the symbol “ARCE.”

The table below presents, for the periods indicated, the high and low closing pricesB.    Plan of our Class A common shares on Nasdaq.

  Class A Common Shares
  High Low
  (U.S.$ per share)
MONTHLY PRICE HISTORY    
September 2018  25.59   22.23 
October 2018  24.00   20.20 
November 2018  24.50   20.50 
December 2018  24.80   17.68 
January 2019  26.47   20.35 
February 2019  27.47   22.41 
March 2019  32.29   23.43 
April 2019 (through April 15, 2019)

  33.42   31.30 

D.Selling shareholders

distribution

Not applicable.

C.    Markets

E.Dilution

For a description of our publicly traded common shares, see “—A. Offering and listing details.”

D.    Selling shareholders

Not applicable.

F.Expenses of the issue

E.    Dilution

Not applicable.

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Not applicable.

ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A.A.    Share capital

Not applicable.

B.B.     Memorandum and articles of association

Our shareholders adopted the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association included as Exhibit 3.1 to the Amendment No. 12 to our registration statement on Form F-1 (File no. 333-227007), filed with the SEC on September 12, 2018.

Share Capital

The Memorandum and Articles of Association authorize two classes of common shares: Class A common shares, which are entitled to one vote per share, and Class B common shares, which are entitled to 10 votes per share and to maintain a proportional ownership interest in the event that additional Class A common shares are issued. Any holder of Class B common shares may convert his or her shares at any time into Class A common shares on a share-for-share basis. The rights of the two classes of common shares are otherwise identical, except as described below. The implementation of this dual class structure was required by Oto Brasil de Sá Cavalcante and Ari de Sá Cavalcante Neto, our principal shareholders, as a condition of undertaking anthe initial public offering of our common shares. See “—Anti-Takeover Provisions in our Articles of Association—Two Classes of Shares.”

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As of December 31, 2018,2021, Arco had a total issued share capital of US$2,513.05,U.S.$2,842.57, divided into 50,261,02756,851,399 common shares.shares of a nominal or par value of U.S.$0.00005. Those common shares are divided into 22,602,73729,450,551, issued Class A common shares and 27,658,29027,400,848 Class B common shares.

Treasury Shares

As of December 31, 2018,2021, Arco had no605,316 shares in treasury.

Issuance of Shares

Except as expressly provided in Arco’s Articles of Association, Arco’s board of directors has general and unconditional authority to allot, grant options over, offer or otherwise deal with or dispose of any unissued shares in the company’s capital without the approval of our shareholders (whether forming part of the original or any increased share capital), either at a premium or at par, with or without preferred, deferred or other special rights or restrictions, whether in regard to dividend, voting, return of capital or otherwise and to such persons, on such terms and conditions, and at such times as the directors may decide, but so that no share shall be issued at a discount, except in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Law.Act. In accordance with its Articles of Association, Arco shall not issue bearer shares.

Arco’s Articles of Association provide that at any time that there are Class A common shares in issue, additional Class B common shares may only be issued pursuant to (1) a share split, subdivision of shares or similar transaction or where a dividend or other distribution is paid by the issue of shares or rights to acquire shares or following capitalization of profits, (2) a merger, consolidation, or other business combination involving the issuance of Class B common shares as full or partial consideration, or (3) an issuance of Class A common shares, whereby holders of the Class B common shares are entitled to purchase a number of Class B common shares that would allow them to maintain their proportional ownership interests in Arco (following an offer by Arco to each holder of Class B common shares to issue to such holder, upon the same economic terms and at the same price, such number of Class B common shares as would ensure such holder may maintain a proportional ownership interest in Arco pursuant to Arco’s Articles of Association). In light of: (a) the above provisions; (b) the fact that future transfers by holders of Class B common shares will generally result in those shares converting to Class A common shares, subject to limited exceptions as provided in the Memorandum and Articles of Association; and (c) the ten-to-one voting ratio between our Class B common shares and Class A common shares, means that holders of our Class B common shares will in many situations continue to maintain control of all matters requiring shareholder approval. This concentration of ownership and voting power will limit or preclude your ability to influence corporate matters for the foreseeable future. For more information see “—Preemptive or Similar Rights.”

Arco’s Articles of Association also provide that the issuance of non-voting common shares requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the of then-outstanding Class A common shares.

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Fiscal Year

Arco’s fiscal year begins on January 1 of each year and ends on December 31 of the same year.

Voting Rights

The holders of the Class A common shares and Class B common shares have identical rights, except that (i) the holder of Class B common shares is entitled to 10 votes per share, whereas holders of Class A common shares are entitled to one vote per share, (ii) Class B common shares have certain conversion rights and (iii) the holder of Class B common shares is entitled to maintain a proportional ownership interest in the event that additional Class A common shares are issued. For more information see “—Preemptive or Similar Rights” and “—Conversion.” The holders of Class A common shares and Class B common shares vote together as a single class on all matters (including the election of directors) submitted to a vote of shareholders, except as provided below and as otherwise required by law.

Arco’s Articles of Association provide as follows regarding the respective rights of holders of Class A common shares and Class B common shares:

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(i)Classclass consents from the holders of Class A common shares or Class B common shares, as applicable, shall be required for any variation to the rights attached to their respective class of shares, however, the Directors may treat any two or more classes of shares as forming one class if they consider that all such classes would be affected in the same way by the proposal;

(ii)the rights conferred on holders of Class A common shares shall not be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of further Class B common shares and vice versa; and

(iii)the rights attaching to the Class A common shares and the Class B common shares shall not be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of shares with preferred or other rights, including, without limitation, shares with enhanced or weighted voting rights.

As set forth in the Articles of Association, the holders of Class A common shares and Class B common shares, respectively, do not have the right to vote separately if the number of authorized shares of such class is increased or decreased. Rather, the number of authorized Class A common shares and Class B common shares may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares of such class then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the issued and outstanding Class A common shares and Class B common shares, voting together in a general meeting.

Preemptive or Similar Rights

The Class A common shares and Class B common shares are not entitled to preemptive rights upon transfer and are not subject to conversion (except as described below under “—Conversion”), redemption or sinking fund provisions.

The Class B common shares are entitled to maintain a proportional ownership interest in the event that additional Class A common shares are issued. As such, except for certain exceptions, if Arco issues Class A common shares, it must first make an offer to each holder of Class B common shares to issue to such holder, upon the same economic terms and at the same price, such number of Class B common shares as would ensure such holder may maintain a proportional ownership interest in Arco. This right to maintain a proportional ownership interest may be waived by the holders of a majority of the Class B common shares.

Conversion

The outstanding Class B common shares are convertible at any time as follows: (1) at the option of the holder, a Class B common share may be converted at any time into one Class A common share or (2) upon the election of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding Class B common shares, all outstanding Class B common shares may be converted into a like number of Class A common shares. In addition, each Class B common share will convert automatically into one Class A common share upon any transfer, whether or not for value, except for certain transfers described in the Articles of Association, including transfers to affiliates, transfers to and between the Founding Shareholders, their family members and their respective heirs and successors, trusts solely for the benefit of the shareholder or their affiliates, and partnerships, corporations and other entities exclusively owned by the shareholder or their affiliates and certain transfers to organizations that are exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Furthermore, each Class B common share will convert automatically into one Class A common share and no Class B common shares will be issued thereafter if, at any time, the total number of the issued and outstanding Class B common shares is less than 10% of the total number of shares outstanding.

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No class of Arco’s common shares may be subdivided or combined unless the other class of common shares is concurrently subdivided or combined in the same proportion and in the same manner.

Equal Status

Except as expressly provided in Arco’s Articles of Association, Class A common shares and Class B common shares have the same rights and privileges and rank equally, share ratably and are identical in all respects as to all matters. In the event of any merger, consolidation, scheme, arrangement or other business combination requiring the approval of our shareholders entitled to vote thereon (whether or not Arco is the surviving entity), the holders of Class A common shares shall have the right to receive, or the right to elect to receive, the same form of consideration as the holders of Class B common shares, and the holders of Class A common shares shall

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have the right to receive, or the right to elect to receive, at least the same amount of consideration on a per share basis as the holders of Class B common shares. In the event of any (1) tender or exchange offer to acquire any Class A common shares or Class B common shares by any third-party pursuant to an agreement to which Arco is a party, or (2) any tender or exchange offer by Arco to acquire any Class A common shares or Class B common shares, the holders of Class A common shares shall have the right to receive, or the right to elect to receive, the same form of consideration as the holders of Class B common shares, and the holders of Class A common shares shall have the right to receive, or the right to elect to receive, at least the same amount of consideration on a per share basis as the holders of Class B common shares.

Record Dates

For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of, or to vote at any general meeting of shareholders or any adjournment thereof, or shareholders entitled to receive dividend or other distribution payments, or in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other purpose, Arco’s board of directors may set a record date which shall not exceed forty (40) clear days prior to the date where the determination will be made.

General Meetings of Shareholders

As a condition of admission to a shareholders’ meeting, a shareholder must be duly registered as a shareholder of Arco at the applicable record date for that meeting and, in order to vote, all calls or installments then payable by such shareholder to Arco in respect of the shares that such shareholder holds must have been paid.

Subject to any special rights or restrictions as to voting then attached to any shares, at any general meeting every shareholder who is present in person or by proxy (or, in the case of a shareholder being a corporation, by its duly authorized representative not being himself or herself a shareholder entitled to vote) shall have one vote per Class A common share and 10 votes per Class B common share.

As a Cayman Islands exempted company, Arco is not obliged by the Companies LawAct to call annual general meetings; however, the Articles of Association provide that in each year the company will hold an annual general meeting of shareholders, at a time determined by the board of directors, provided that the board of directors of Arco has the discretion whether or not to hold an annual general meeting in 2018.2021. For the annual general meeting of shareholders, the agenda will include, among other things, the presentation of the annual accounts and the report of the directors. In addition, the agenda for an annual general meeting of shareholders will only include such items as have been included therein by the board of directors.

Also, Arco may, but is not required to (unless required by the laws of the Cayman Islands), hold other extraordinary general meetings during the year. General meetings of shareholders are generally expected to take place in São Paulo, Brazil, but may be held elsewhere if the directors so decide.

The Companies LawAct provides shareholders a limited right to request a general meeting and does not provide shareholders with any right to put any proposal before a general meeting in default of a company’s Articles of Association. However, these rights may be provided in a company’s Articles of Association. Arco’s Articles of Association provide that upon the requisition of one or more shareholders representing not less than one-third of the voting rights entitled to vote at general meetings, the board will convene an extraordinary general meeting and put the resolutions so requisitioned to a vote at such meeting. The Articles of Association provide no other right to put any proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings.

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Subject to regulatory requirements, the annual general meeting and any extraordinary general meetings must be called by not less than ten (10) clear days’ notice prior to the relevant shareholders meeting and convened by a notice discussed below. Alternatively, upon the prior consent of all holders entitled to receive notice, with regards to the annual general meeting, and the holders of 95% in par value of the shares entitled to attend and vote at an extraordinary general meeting, that meeting may be convened by a shorter notice and in a manner deemed appropriate by those holders.

Arco will give notice of each general meeting of shareholders by publication on its website and in any other manner that it may be required to follow in order to comply with Cayman Islands law, Nasdaq and SEC requirements. The holders of registered shares may

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be given notice of a shareholders’ meeting by means of letters sent to the addresses of those shareholders as registered in our shareholders’ register, or, subject to certain statutory requirements, by electronic means.

Holders whose shares are registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, which we expect will be the case for all holders of Class A common shares, will not be a shareholder or member of the company and must rely on the procedures of DTC regarding notice of shareholders’ meetings and the exercise of rights of a holder of the Class A common shares.

A quorum for a general meeting consists of any one or more persons holding or representing by proxy not less than one-third of the aggregate voting power of all shares in issue and entitled to vote upon the business to be transacted.

A resolution put to a vote at a general meeting shall be decided on a poll. An ordinary resolution to be passed by the shareholders at a general meeting requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes cast by, or on behalf of, the shareholders entitled to vote, present in person or by proxy and voting at the meeting. A special resolution requires the affirmative vote on a poll of no less than two-thirds of the votes cast by the shareholders entitled to vote who are present in person or by proxy at a general meeting. Both ordinary resolutions and special resolutions may also be passed by a unanimous written resolution signed by all the shareholders of our Company, as permitted by the Companies LawAct and our Articles of Association.

Pursuant to Arco’s Articles of Association, general meetings of shareholders are to be chaired by the chairman of our board of directors or in his absence the vice-chairman of the board of directors. If the chairman or vice-chairman of our board of directors is absent, the directors present at the meeting shall appoint one of them to be chairman of the general meeting. If neither the chairman nor another director is present at the general meeting within 15 minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the shareholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote may elect any one of the shareholders to be chairman. The order of business at each meeting shall be determined by the chairman of the meeting, and he or she shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts and things as are necessary or desirable for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, the establishment of procedures for the maintenance of order and safety, limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments on the affairs of the Company, restrictions on entry to such meeting after the time prescribed for the commencement thereof, and the opening and closing of the polls.

Liquidation Rights

If Arco is voluntarily wound up, the liquidator, after taking into account and giving effect to the rights of preferred and secured creditors and to any agreement between Arco and any creditors that the claims of such creditors shall be subordinated or otherwise deferred to the claims of any other creditors and to any contractual rights of set-off or netting of claims between Arco and any person or persons (including without limitation any bilateral or any multi-lateral set-off or netting arrangements between the company and any person or persons) and subject to any agreement between Arco and any person or persons to waive or limit the same, shall apply Arco’s property in satisfaction of its liabilitiespari passu and subject thereto shall, subject to the rights attaching to any share, distribute the property pari passu amongst the shareholders in proportion to the capital paid up at the commencement of the winding up on the shares held by them respectively.

Changes to Capital

Pursuant to the Articles of Association, Arco may from time to time by ordinary resolution:

·increase its share capital by such sum, to be divided into shares of such amount, as the resolution shall prescribe;

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·consolidate and divide all or any of its share capital into shares of a larger amount than its existing shares;

·convert all or any of its paid-up shares into stock and reconvert that stock into paid-up shares of any denomination;

·subdivide its existing shares or any of them into shares of a smaller amount, provided that in the subdivision the proportion between the amount paid and the amount, if any, unpaid on each reduced share shall be the same as it was in the case of the share from which the reduced share is derived; or

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·cancel any shares which, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person and diminish the amount of its share capital by the amount of the shares so canceled.

Arco’s shareholders may by special resolution, subject to confirmation by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands on an application by the Company for an order confirming such reduction, reduce its share capital or any capital redemption reserve in any manner permitted by law.

In addition, subject to the provisions of the Companies LawAct and our Articles of Association, Arco may:

·issue shares on terms that they are to be redeemed or are liable to be redeemed;

·purchase its own shares (including any redeemable shares); and

·make a payment in respect of the redemption or purchase of its own shares in any manner authorized by the Companies Law,Act, including out of its own capital.

Transfer of Shares

Subject to any applicable restrictions set forth in the Articles of Association, any shareholder of Arco may transfer all or any of his or her common shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or in the form prescribed by the Nasdaq or any other form approved by the Company’s board of directors.

The Class A common shares are traded on the Nasdaq in book-entry form and may be transferred in accordance with Arco’s Articles of Association and Nasdaq’s rules and regulations.

However, Arco’s board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, decline to register any transfer of any common share which is either not fully paid up to a person of whom it does not approve or is issued under any share incentive scheme for employees which contains a transfer restriction that is still applicable to such common share. The board of directors may also decline to register any transfer of any common share unless:

·a fee of such maximum sum as the Nasdaq may determine to be payable or such lesser sum as the board of directors may from time to time require is paid to Arco in respect thereof;

·the instrument of transfer is lodged with Arco, accompanied by the certificate (if any) for the common shares to which it relates and such other evidence as our board of directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer;

·the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of shares;

·the instrument of transfer is properly stamped, if required;

·the common shares transferred are free of any lien in favor of Arco; and

·in the case of a transfer to joint holders, the transfer is not to more than four joint holders.

If the directors refuse to register a transfer they are required, within two months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged, to send to the transferee notice of such refusal.

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Share Repurchase

The Companies LawAct and the Articles of Association permit Arco to purchase its own shares, subject to certain restrictions. The board of directors may only exercise this power on behalf of Arco, subject to the Companies Law,Act, the Articles of Association and to any applicable requirements imposed from time to time by the SEC, the Nasdaq, or by any recognized stock exchange on which our securities are listed.

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Dividend Rights

See “Item 8A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Dividends and Dividend Policy” for further information regarding dividend rights.

Appointment, Disqualification and Removal of Directors

Arco is managed by its board of directors. The Articles of Association provide that, unless otherwise determined by a special resolution of shareholders, the board of directors will be composed of four to 11 directors, with the number being determined by a majority of the directors then in office. There are no provisions relating to retirement of directors upon reaching any age limit. The Articles of Association also provide that, while Arco’s shares are admitted to trading on Nasdaq, the board of directors must always comply with the residency and citizenship requirements of the U.S. securities laws applicable to foreign private issuers.

The Articles of Association provide that directors shall be elected by an ordinary resolution of our shareholders, which requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes cast on the resolution by the shareholders entitled to vote who are present, in person or by proxy, at the meeting. Each director shall be appointed and elected for such term as the resolution appointing him or her may determine or until his or her removal or vacation of office in accordance with the Articles of Association.

Any vacancies on the board of directors that arise other than upon the removal of a director by resolution passed at a general meeting can be filled by the remaining directors (notwithstanding that they may constitute less than a quorum). Any such appointment shall be as an interim director to fill such vacancy until the next annual general meeting of shareholders.

Additions to the existing board (within the limits set pursuant to the Articles of Association) may be made by ordinary resolution of the shareholders.

Upon the completion of the offering, the board of directors will have in place an audit committee. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—C. Board practices—Committees of the Board of Directors—Audit Committee.”

Grounds for Removing a Director

A director may be removed with or without cause by ordinary resolution. The notice of general meeting must contain a statement of the intention to remove the director and must be served on the director not less than ten calendar days before the meeting. The director is entitled to attend the meeting and be heard on the motion for his removal.

The office of a director will be vacated automatically if he or she (1) becomes prohibited by law from being a director, (2) becomes bankrupt or makes an arrangement or composition with his creditors, (3) dies or is in the opinion of all his co-directors, incapable by reason of mental disorder of discharging his duties as director, (4) resigns his office by notice to us or (5) has for more than six months been absent without permission of the directors from meetings of the board of directors held during that period, and the remaining directors resolve that his or her office be vacated.

Proceedings of the Board of Directors

The Articles of Association provide that Arco’s business is to be managed and conducted by the board of directors. The quorum necessary for the board meeting shall be a simple majority of the directors then in office (subject to there being a minimum of two directors present) and business at any meeting shall be decided by a majority of votes. In the case of an equality of votes, the chairman shall have a casting vote.

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Subject to the provisions of the Articles of Association, the board of directors may regulate its proceedings as they determine is appropriate. Board meetings shall be held at least once every calendar quarter and shall take place either in São Paulo, Brazil or at such other place as the directors may determine.

Subject to the provisions of the Articles of Association, to any directions given by ordinary resolution of the shareholders and the listing rules of the Nasdaq, the board of directors may from time to time at its discretion exercise all powers of Arco, including, subject to the Companies Law,Act, the power to issue debentures, bonds and other securities of the company, whether outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability or obligation of our company or of any third-party.

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Inspection of Books and Records

Holders of Arco shares will have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of the list of shareholders or corporate records of the Company. However, the board of directors may determine from time to time whether and to what extent Arco’s accounting records and books shall be open to inspection by shareholders who are not members of the board of directors. Notwithstanding the above, the Articles of Association provide shareholders with the right to receive annual financial statements. Such right to receive annual financial statements may be satisfied by publishing the same on the company’s website or filing such annual reports as we are required to file with the SEC.

Register of Shareholders

The Class A common shares are held through DTC, and DTC or Cede & Co., as nominee for DTC, will be recorded in the shareholders’ register as the holder of our Class A common shares.

Under Cayman Islands law, Arco must keep a register of shareholders that includes:

·the names and addresses of the shareholders, a statement of the shares held by each member, and of the amount paid or agreed to be considered as paid, on the shares of each member;

·whether voting rights attach to the shares in issue;
the date on which the name of any person was entered on the register as a member; and

·the date on which any person ceased to be a member.

Under Cayman Islands law, the register of shareholders of Arco is prima facie evidence of the matters set out therein (i.e., the register of shareholders will raise a presumption of fact on the matters referred to above unless rebutted) and a shareholder registered in the register of shareholders is deemed as a matter of Cayman Islands law to haveprima facie legal title to the shares as set against his or her name in the register of shareholders. Once the register of shareholders has been updated, the shareholders recorded in the register of shareholders should be deemed to have legal title to the shares set against their name.

If the name of any person is incorrectly entered in or omitted fromHowever, there are certain limited circumstances where an application may be made to a Cayman Islands court for a determination on whether the register of shareholders, or if there is any default or unnecessary delay in entering onmembers reflects the register the fact of any person having ceased to be a shareholder of Arco, the person or member aggrieved (or any shareholder of Arco, or Arco itself) may apply tocorrect legal position. Further, the Cayman Islands Grand Court for ancourt has the power to order that the register of members maintained by a company should be rectified andwhere it considers that the Court may either refuse suchregister of members does not reflect the correct legal position. If an application or it may, if satisfied of the justice of the case, makefor an order for the rectification of the register.

register of members were made in respect of our ordinary shares, then the validity of such shares may be subject to re-examination by a Cayman Islands court.

Exempted Company

Arco is an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Law.Act. The Companies LawAct distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside of the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are essentially the same as for an ordinary company except for the exemptions and privileges listed below:

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·an exempted company does not have to file an annual return of its shareholders with the Registrar of Companies;

·an exempted company’s register of shareholders is not open to inspection;

·an exempted company does not have to hold an annual general meeting;

·an exempted company may issue shares with no par value;
an exempted company may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future taxation (such undertakings are usually given for 20 years in the first instance);

·an exempted company may register by way of continuation in another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands;

·an exempted company may register as a limited duration company; and

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·an exempted company may register as a segregated portfolio company.

“Limited liability” means that the liability of each shareholder is limited to the amount unpaid by the shareholder on the shares of the company (except in exceptional circumstances, such as involving fraud, the establishment of an agency relationship or an illegal or improper purpose or other circumstances in which a court may be prepared to pierce or lift the corporate veil).

Arco is subject to reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act, as applicable to foreign private issuers. Except as otherwise disclosed in this annual report, Arco intends to continue to comply with the Nasdaq rules in lieu of following home country practice.

Anti-Takeover Provisions in our Articles of Association

Some provisions of the Articles of Association may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of Arco or management that shareholders may consider favorable. In particular, the capital structure of Arco concentrates ownership of voting rights in the hands of the Founding Shareholders. These provisions, which are summarized below, are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of Arco to first negotiate with the board of directors. However, these provisions could also have the effect of discouraging others from attempting hostile takeovers and, as a consequence, they may also inhibit temporary fluctuations in the market price of the Class A common shares that often result from actual or rumored hostile takeover attempts. These provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in the management of Arco. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish transactions that shareholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.

Two Classes of Common Shares

The Class B common shares of Arco are entitled to 10 votes per share, while the Class A common shares are entitled to one vote per share. Since it owns of all of the Class B common shares of Arco, the Founding Shareholders currently have the ability to elect all directors and to determine the outcome of most matters submitted for a vote of shareholders. This concentrated voting control could discourage others from initiating any potential merger, takeover, or other change of control transaction that other shareholders may view as beneficial.

So long as the Founding Shareholders have the ability to determine the outcome of most matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, as well as the overall management and direction of Arco, third parties may be deterred in their willingness to make an unsolicited merger, takeover, or other change of control proposal, or to engage in a proxy contest for the election of directors. As a result, the fact that Arco has two classes of common shares may have the effect of depriving you as a holder of Class A common shares of an opportunity to sell your Class A common shares at a premium over prevailing market prices and make it more difficult to replace the directors and management of Arco.

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Preferred Shares

Arco’s board of directors is given wide powers to issue one or more classes or series of shares with preferred rights. Such preferences may include, for example, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges, enhanced voting powers and liquidation preferences.

Despite the anti-takeover provisions described above, under Cayman Islands law, Arco’s board of directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under the Articles of Association, for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of Arco.

Protection of Non-Controlling Shareholders

The Grand Court of the Cayman Islands may, on the application of shareholders holding not less than one-fifth of the shares of Arco in issue, appoint an inspector to examine the Company’s affairs and report thereon in a manner as the Grand Court shall direct.

Subject to the provisions of the Companies Law,Act, any shareholder may petition the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands which may make a winding-up order, if the court is of the opinion that this winding up is just and equitable.

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Notwithstanding the U.S. securities laws and regulations that are applicable to Arco, general corporate claims against Arco by its shareholders must, as a general rule, be based on the general laws of contract or tort applicable in the Cayman Islands or their individual rights as shareholders as established by Arco’s Articles of Association.

The Cayman Islands courts ordinarily would be expected to follow English case law precedents, which permit a minority shareholder to commence a representative action against Arco, or derivative actions in Arco’s name, to challenge (1) an act which is ultra vires or illegal, (2) an act which constitutes a fraud against the minority and the wrongdoers themselves control Arco, and (3) an irregularity in the passing of a resolution that requires a qualified (or special) majority.

Registration Rights and Restricted Shares

C.Material Contracts

Although no shareholders of Arco have formal registration rights, they or entities controlled by them or their permitted transferees will be able to sell their shares in the public market from time to time pursuant to an exemption from registration, subject to certain limitations on the timing, amount and method of those sales imposed by regulations promulgated by the SEC.

C.    Material contracts

See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions – Transactions—B. Related party transactions.” Except as otherwise disclosed in this annual report on Form 20-F (including the Exhibits), we are not currently, and have not been in the last two years, party to any material contract, other than contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business.

D.Exchange Controls

D.    Exchange controls

TheCaymanIslands currently has no exchange control restrictions.

E.    Taxation

E.Taxation

The following summary contains a description of certain Cayman Islands and U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our Class A common shares. It does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all the tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to purchase the Class A common shares, is not applicable to all categories of investors, some of which may be subject to special rules, anddoesnot address all of the Cayman Islands and U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to any particular holder. The summary is based upon the tax laws of the Cayman Islands and regulations thereunder and on the tax laws of United States and regulations thereunder as of the date hereof, which are subject to change.

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Prospective purchasers of our Class A common shares should consult their own tax advisors about the particular Cayman Islands and U.S. federal, state, local and other tax consequences to them of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our Class A common shares.

Cayman Islands Tax Considerations

The Cayman Islands laws currently levy no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty or withholding tax applicable to us or to any holder of Class A common shares. There are no other taxes likely to be material to us levied by the government of the Cayman Islands except for stamp duties which may be applicable on instruments executed in, or after execution brought within the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands. No stamp duty is payable in the Cayman Islands on transfers of shares of Cayman Islands companies except those which hold interests in land in the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is not party to any double tax treaties which are applicable to any payments made by or to our company. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands.

As a Cayman Islands exempted company with limited liability, we have received an undertaking as to tax concessions pursuant to Section 6 of the Tax Concessions Law (2018 Revision)Act (As Revised). This undertaking provides that, for a period of 20 years from the date of issue of the undertaking (April 16, 2018), no law thereafter enacted in the Cayman Islands imposing any taxes to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciation will apply to us or our operations.

Payments of dividends and capital in respect of our Class A common shares will not be subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands and no withholding will be required on the payment of a dividend or capital to any holder of our Class A common shares, nor will gains derived from the disposal of our Class A common shares be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporation tax.

There is no income tax treaty or convention currently in effect between the United States and the Cayman Islands.

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Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for U.S. Holders

In the opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell, theThe following summary describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our Class A common shares, but it does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular person’s decision to acquirehold such securities.

This summary applies only to U.S. Holders (as defined below) that hold our Class A common shares as capital assets for tax purposes. In addition, it does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant in light of a U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances, including alternative minimum tax consequences, the potential application of the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), known as the Medicare contribution tax, and tax consequences applicable to U.S. Holders subject to special rules, such as:

·certain financial institutions;

·insurance companies;

·real estate investment trusts or regulated investment companies;

·dealers or traders in securities that use a mark-to-market method of tax accounting;

·persons holding common shares as part of a hedging transaction, straddle, wash sale, conversion transaction or other integrated transaction or persons entering into a constructive sale with respect to the common shares;

·persons whose functional currency for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar;

·tax-exempt entities, including an “individual retirement account” or “Roth IRA”;IRA;”

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·persons that own or are deemed to own ten percent or more of our Class A common shares, by vote or value;

·persons holding our Class A common shares in connection with a trade or business conducted outside of the United States; or

·partnerships or other entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

If an entity that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our Class A common shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships holding our Class A common shares and partners in such partnerships should consult their tax advisers as to the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of the Class A common shares.

This discussion is based on the Code, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions, final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, all as of the date hereof, any of which is subject to change or differing interpretations, possibly with retroactive effect.

A “U.S. Holder” is a holder who, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is a beneficial owner of our Class A common shares and is:

·an individual that is a citizen or resident of the United States;

·a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state therein or the District of Columbia; or

·an estate or trust the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.

U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisersadvisors concerning the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of owning and disposing of our Class A common shares in their particular circumstances.

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This discussion assumes that we are not, and will not become, a passive foreign investment company (a “PFIC”), as described below.

Taxation of Distributions

As discussed under “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Dividends and Dividend Policy”, we do not currently intend to pay dividends. In the event that we do pay dividends, and subject to the discussion below under “—Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules”,Rules,” distributions paid on our Class A common shares, other than certain pro rata distributions of common shares, will be treated as dividends to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Because we do not maintain calculations of our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles, we expect that distributions generally will be reported to U.S. Holders as dividends. Subject to applicable limitations, dividends paid to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders may be eligible for taxation as “qualified dividend income” and therefore may be taxable at rates applicable to long-term capital gains so long as our Class A common shares are listed and trade on Nasdaq or are readily tradable on another established securities market in the United States. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisersadvisors regarding the availability of the reduced tax rate on dividends in their particular circumstances.

The amount of the dividend will generally be treated as foreign-source dividend income to U.S. Holders and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally available to U.S. corporations under the Code. Dividends will be included in a U.S. Holder’s income on the date of the U.S. Holder’s receipt of the dividend.

Sale or Other Disposition of Common Shares

Subject to the discussion below under “—Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules”,Rules,” for U.S. federal income tax purposes, gain or loss realized on the sale or other disposition of our Class A common shares will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder held the Class A common shares for more than one year. The amount of the gain or loss will

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equal the difference between the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Class A common shares disposed of and the amount realized on the disposition, in each case as determined in U.S. dollars. This gain or loss will generally be U.S.-source gain or loss for foreign tax credit purposes. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to various limitations.

Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules

A non-U.S. corporation will be a PFIC for any taxable year in which either (i) 75% or more of its gross income consists of “passive income,” or (ii) 50% or more of the average quarterly value of its assets consist of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, “passive income.” For this purpose, subject to certain exceptions, passive income includes interest, dividends, rents, and gains from transactions in commodities. A non-U.S. corporation will be treated as owning its proportionate share of the assets and earning its proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which it owns, directly or indirectly, more thanat least 25% (by value) of the stock.

Based on our current operations, income, assets and certain estimates and projections, including as to the relative values of our assets, we believe that we were not a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for our taxable year ended December 31, 2018.2021. However, because PFIC status depends on the composition of a company’s income and assets and the market value of its assets from time to time, there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for any taxable year. If we were a PFIC for any year during which a U.S. Holder holds our Class A common shares, we generally would continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to that U.S.

Holder for all succeeding years during which the U.S. Holder holds the Class A common shares, even if we ceased to meet the threshold requirements for PFIC status.

If we were a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder held our Class A common shares (assuming such U.S. Holder has not made a timely election described below), gain recognized by a U.S. Holder on a sale or other disposition (including certain pledges) of the Class A common shares would be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Class A common shares. The amounts allocated to the taxable year of the sale or other disposition and to any year before we became a PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income. The amount allocated to each other taxable year would be subject to tax at the highest rate in effect for individuals or corporations, as appropriate, for that taxable year, and an interest charge would be imposed on the tax on such amount. Further, to the extent that any distribution received by a U.S. Holder on its Class A common shares exceeds 125% of the average of the annual distributions on thesuch common shares received during the preceding three years or the U.S. Holder’s holding period, whichever is shorter, that distribution would be subject to taxation in the same manner as gain, described immediately above. If we are a PFIC in any year, certain elections may be

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available that would result in alternative tax consequences (such as mark-to-market treatment) of owning and disposing the Class A common shares. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers to determine whether any of these elections would be available and, if so, what the consequences of the alternative treatments would be in their particular circumstances.

In addition, if we were a PFIC or, with respect to a particular U.S. Holder, were treated as a PFIC for the taxable year in which we paid a dividend or for the prior taxable year, the preferential dividend rates discussed above with respect to dividends paid to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders would not apply.

If a U.S. Holder owns Class A common shares during any year in which we are a PFIC, the holder generally must file an annual report containing such information as the U.S. Treasury may require on IRS Form 8621 (or any successor form) with respect to us, generally with the holder’s federal income tax return for that year.

U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisersadvisors concerning our potential PFIC status and the potential application of the PFIC rules.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Payments of dividends and sales proceeds that are made within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries generally are subject to information reporting, and may be subject to backup withholding, unless (i) the U.S. Holder is a

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corporation or other exempt recipient or (ii) in the case of backup withholding, the U.S. Holder provides a correct taxpayer identification number and certifies that it is not subject to backup withholding.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against such holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle it to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the application of the U.S. information reporting and backup withholding rules.

Information with Respect to Foreign Financial Assets

Certain U.S. Holders who are individuals (and, under recent Treasury regulations, certain entities) may be required to report information on their U.S. federal income tax returns relating to an interest in our common shares, subject to certain exceptions (including an exception for common shares held in accounts maintained by certain U.S. financial institutions). U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the effect, if any, of this requirement on their ownership and disposition of the common shares.

F.Dividends and Paying Agents

F.    Dividends and paying agents

Not applicable.

G.Statement by Experts

G.    Statement by experts

Not applicable.

H.Documents on Display

H.    Documents on display

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, we are required to file reports and other information with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 20-F and reports on Form 6-K. You may inspect and copy reports and other information filed with the SEC at the Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internetinternet website that contains reports and other information about issuers, like us, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is www.sec.gov.

I.I.    Subsidiary information

Not applicable.

ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to market risks associated with foreign exchange and interest rates. In accordance with our policies, we seek to manage our exposure to these various market-based risks.

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We monitor market, credit and operational risks in line with the objectives in capital management, supported by the oversight of our Board of Directors, in decisions related to capital management and to ensure their consistency with our objectives and assessment of risks. Information relating to quantitative and qualitative disclosures about these market risks is described below.

Foreign Exchange Risk

Our results are not subjectThe Company’s exposure to significant fluctuations resulting from the effects of the volatility of any exchange rate.foreign currency risk. As of December 31, 2018,2021, we have cash and cash equivalents and financial investments and borrowings denominated in U.S. dollars in the amount of R$3.6 million.0.2 million and R$654.9 million, respectively. See note 27 to our audited consolidated financial statements for a sensitivity analysis of the impact of a hypothetical 10% change in the exchange rate variation on our cash and cash equivalents and financial investments as of December 31, 2021.

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Liquidity Risk

We regularly review the liquidity risk and maintain appropriate reserves, including bank credit facilities with first tier financial institutions. We also continuously monitor projected and actual cash flows and the combination of maturity profiles of the financial assets and liabilities.

The main requirements for financial resources used by us arise from the need to make payments for printing educational content, freight expenses, operating expenses, labor and social obligations and other operating disbursements. See “Item 5. F—Tabular disclosure of contractual obligations” for a table summarizing our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2021.

Financial Counterparty Risk

The financial counterparty risk arises from the possibility that we may incur losses due to the default of our counterparties. We adopt as practice the analysis of the financial and equity situation of our counter parts in order to control this risk.

Counterparty credit limits, which take published credit ratings and other factors into account, are set to cover our total aggregate exposure to a single financial institution. Exposures and limits applicable to each financial institution are approved by our treasury within guidelines approved by the board and are reviewed on a regular basis.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk represents the chance that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate due to changes in market interest rates. Our exposure to this risk relates primarily to our investments with floating interest rates. We are primarily exposed to fluctuations in CDI interest rates on financial investments. Our exposure to cash, bank deposits and cash equivalents and financial investments indexed to the CDI totaled R$819.53,209.4 million as of December 31, 2018.2021. See note 2527 to our audited consolidated financial statements for a sensitivity analysis of the impact of a hypothetical 10% change in the CDI on our cash and cash equivalents and financial investments as of December 31, 2018.

2021.

For further information on our market risks, see note 2527 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

A.    Debt securities

A.Debt securities

Not applicable.

B.    Warrants and rights

Not applicable.

C.    Other securities

Not applicable.

D.    American depositary shares

Not applicable.

B.Warrants and rights

Not applicable.

C.Other securities

Not applicable.

D.American Depositary Shares

Not applicable.

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PART II

ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

A.Defaults

No matters to report.

B.Arrears and delinquencies

No matters to report.

ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

A.A.    Material modifications to instruments

Not applicable.

B.B.    Material modifications to rights

Not applicable.

C.C.    Withdrawal or substitution of assets

Not applicable.

D.D.    Change in trustees or paying agents

Not applicable.

E.Use of Proceeds

E.    Use of proceeds

On September 25, 2018, the registration Statementstatement on Form F-1 (File No 333-7007) relating to our initial public offering of our class A common shares was declared effective by the SEC. On September 25, 2018, we commenced our initial public offering. On September 28, 2018 we closed our initial public offering, pursuant to which we issued and sold 12,777,777 Class A common shares. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Itau BBA USA Securities, Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated acted as the representatives of the underwriters in our initial public offering. The 12,777,777 registered Class A common shares were sold to the public at a price of US$17.50 per Class A common share, for an aggregate price of US$223,611,098 (R$895.2 million - which(which included the full exercise of the option to purchase additional shares by the underwriters). We incurred approximately US$6.6 million in expenses related to our initial public offering and paid approximately US$13.4 million in underwriting discounts and commissions.

On October 21, 2019, a shelf registration statement on Form F-3 (File No 333-234215) was declared effective by the SEC. On October 25, 2019, we filed with the SEC the final prospectus supplement related to our follow-on public offering of our class A common shares. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Itau BBA USA Securities, Inc. acted as the representatives of the underwriters in this offering. In connection with this offering, we issued and sold 3,450,656 Class A common shares and the selling shareholders offered and sold an additional 4,268,847 Class A common shares to the public at a price of US$43.00 per Class A common shares, for an aggregate price of US$331,938,629. We received net proceeds of US$143.9 million, after deducting USS$3.7 million in underwriting discounts and commissions. On November 26, 2019, an additional 661,112 Class A common shares were sold by General Atlantic Arco (Bermuda), L.P. following the exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares.

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On September 8, 2020, we filed with the SEC the final prospectus supplement (File No 333-234215) related to a public offering of our class A common shares. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Itau BBA USA Securities, Inc. acted as the representatives of the underwriters in our follow-on. In connection with the follow-on, we issued and sold 2,500,000 Class A common shares to the public at a price of US$44.80 per Class A common shares, for an aggregate price of US$112,000,000. We received net proceeds of US$109.8 million, after deducting USS$2.2 million in underwriting discounts and commissions.

ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

A.Disclosure Controls and Procedures

A.    Disclosure controls and procedures

We have evaluated, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure“disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act, as of December 31, 2018.2021. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based upon our evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were ineffectiveeffective as of December 31, 2018, due to the material weaknesses mentioned in item 3.D - Risk Factors,2021 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms, and that it is accumulated and communicated to our Management,management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

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B.B.    Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

This annual report does not include a report of management's assessment regardingon internal control over financial reporting due to a transition period established by rules

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate “internal control over financial reporting,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the SecuritiesExchange Act. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our chief executive officer and Exchangechief financial officer and effected by our Board of Directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatement. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management has assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021. In making its assessment of internal control over financial reporting, management used the criteria described in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission for newly public companies.(COSO).

C.Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm

A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

This AnnualAs indicated in the accompanying Report doesof Management on Arco Platform Limited’s Internal Control Over Financial Reporting included under Item 18 in this annual report on Form 20-F on page F-2, management’s assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include an attestationthe internal controls of MeSalva!, Eduqo, Edupass and P2D, which are included in the 2021 consolidated financial statements of the Company. Collectively, MeSalva!, Eduqo, Edupass and P2D constituted less than 3% of the Company’s total assets as of December 31, 2021 and less than 5% of the Company’s total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021.

C.    Attestation report of ourthe registered public accounting firm

The effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, has been audited by Ernst & Young Auditores Independentes S.S., an independent registered public accounting firm, due to a transition period established by rulesas stated in its report which is included under Item 18

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in this annual report on Form 20-F on page F-2. EY’s audit of internal control over financial reporting of the SEC for emerging growth companies.Company did not include an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of MeSalva!, Eduqo, Edupass and P2D.

D.Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

D.    Changes in internal control over financial reporting

There havehas been no changeschange in our internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this annual report on Form 20-F2021 that havehas materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 16. RESERVED

ITEM 16A. Audit committee financial expert

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

The audit committee, which consists of Ari de Sá Cavalcante Neto, Martin EscobariEdward Ruiz, Beatriz Amary and Alberto Menache,Carla Schmitzberger, assists our board of directors in overseeing our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of our financial statements. In addition, the audit committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of our independent registered public accounting firm. Ari de Sá Cavalcante NetoEdward Ruiz serves as Chairman of the audit committee. The audit committee consists exclusively of members of our board of directors who are financially literate, and Alberto MenacheEdward Ruiz is considered an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the SEC. Our board of directors has determined that Martin EscobariEdward Ruiz, Beatriz Amary and Alberto MenacheCarla Schmitzberger satisfy the “independence” requirements set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.For more information, see “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—C. Board Practices—Committees of the Board of Directors—Audit Committee.”

ITEM 16B. Code of EthicsCODE OF ETHICS

On September 11, 2018, our Board of Directors adopted a code of business conduct and ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) applicable to the board of directors and all employees of Arco. On November 21, 2019, our Board of Directors approved an amendment to the Code of Ethics applicable to the board of directors and all employees of Arco. An English translation of the Code of Ethics wasincluded in the 2019 annual report as Exhibit 14.1 to the Amendment No. 1 to our registration statement on Form F-1 (File no. 333-227007), filed with the SEC on September 12, 2018. 14.1.

Since its effective date on September 11, 2018, we have not waived compliance with or amended the Code of Ethics.Ethics.

ITEM 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and ServicesPRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Audit and Non-Audit Fees

The following table sets forth the fees billed to us by our independent registered public accounting firm during the years ended December 31, 20182021 and 2017.2020. Our independent registered public accounting firm was Ernst & Young Auditores Independentes S.S. for the years ended December 31, 20182021 and 2017, and KPMG Auditores Independentes for the years ended 2016 and 2015.2020.

  2018 2017
  (in thousands ofreais)
Audit fees (1)  7.898,1   88.4 
Audit related fees (2)  172.0    
Tax fees (3)  73.5   448.1 
All other fees (4)     60.0 
Total  8,143.7   596.5 

    

2021

    

2020

(in thousands of reais)

Audit fees(1)

 

7,266.4

 

10,291.6

Total

 

7,266.4

 

10,291.6

(1)“Audit Fees”fees” include fees for (i) the audit of ourthe annual consolidated financial statements, prepared in accordance with IFRS, as issued by the IASB and internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021; (ii) the audit of financial statements of the Company’s subsidiaries; (iii) the review of our interim financial statements for the three-month period ended March 31, 2021, for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2021 and (iii)for the preparation and issuance of comfort letters in connection with our initial public offering.nine-month periods September 30, 2021;

(2)“Audit-related fees” are fees billed for IPO readiness assessment.

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(3)“Tax fees”are fees billed for professional services for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

(4)”Other fees” were billed in 2017 for valuation services. There were no other fees in 2018.

ITEM 16D. Exemptions from the listing standards for audit committees

EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES

Under the listed company audit committee rules of Nasdaq and the SEC, we must comply with Exchange Act Rule 10A-3, which requires that we establish an audit committee composed of members of the Board of Directors that meets specified requirements. The composition of our audit committee complies with the requirements of Nasdaq rules.

ITEM 16E. PurchasesPURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

On January 6, 2021, our Board of equity securitiesDirectors approved the Repurchase Program, by which we may repurchase up to 500,000 of our outstanding Class A common shares in the issueropen market, based on prevailing market prices, or in privately negotiated transactions, over a period beginning on January 6, 2021, continuing until the earlier of the completion of the repurchase or January 6, 2023, depending upon market conditions. On March 31, 2021, our Board of Directors approved the increase of the share repurchase limit of our Repurchase Program to up to 2.5 million of our outstanding Class A common shares in the open market, based on prevailing market prices, or in privately negotiated transactions, over a period beginning on March 31, 2021. Our Board of Directors will review the Repurchase Program periodically and affiliated purchasersmay authorize adjustments to its terms and size or suspend or discontinue the Repurchase Program. We expect to use our existing funds to fund repurchases made under the Repurchase Program.

None.

    

    

    

Total Number of 

    

Maximum Value of 

 Shares Purchased 

 Shares that May 

as Part of Publicly 

 Yet Be Purchased 

Total Number of 

Average Price Paid 

Announced Plans

 Under the Plans or

 Shares Purchased

 per Share (US$)

 or Programs(1)

  Programs

January 2021

 

‎70,839‎

 

‎33.6778‎

 

‎70,839‎

 

‎429,161‎

February 2021

‎205,742‎

‎36.2643‎

‎205,742‎

‎223,419‎

March 2021

‎—‎

‎–‎

‎–‎

‎233,419‎

April 2021

362,621

27.9866

362,621

1,860,798

May 2021

‎–‎

‎–‎

‎–‎

1,860,798

June 2021

‎–‎

‎–‎

‎–‎

1,860,798

July 2021

‎–‎

‎–‎

‎–‎

1,860,798

August 2021

185,161

23.6687

185,161

1,675,637

September 2021

66,628

22.0991

66,628

1,609,009

October 2021

312,000

18.6670

312,000

1,297,009

November 2021

277,070

17.9247

277,070

1,019,939

December 2021

 

 

 

 

1,019,939

January 2022

66,153

20.1357

66,153

953,786

February 2022

232,565

19.5137

232,565

721,221

March 2022

 

40,000

 

18.2050

 

40,000

 

681,221

Total

 

1,818,779

 

23.7738

 

1,818,779

 

681,221

(1)The column includes all the shares repurchased as a part of the Repurchase Program announced on January 6, 2021, as further described above. As of the date of this annual report, we had purchased an aggregate of 1,818,779 Class A common shares for a total of approximately US$43.2 million under the Repurchase Program.

ITEM 16F. Change in registrant’s certifying accountant

CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

Not applicable.

ITEM 16G. Corporate governanceCORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Foreign Private Issuer Status

Nasdaq listing rules include certain accommodations in the corporate governance requirements that allow foreign private issuers, such as us, to follow “home country” corporate governance practices in lieu of the otherwise applicable corporate governance

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standards of Nasdaq. The application of such exceptions requires that we disclose each noncompliance with Nasdaq listing rules that we do not follow and describe the Cayman Islands corporate governance practices we do follow in lieu of the relevant Nasdaq corporate governance standard. As a foreign private issuer, we currently rely, and will continue to rely, on the foreign private issuer exemption with respect to the following rules:

·Nasdaq Rule 5605(b), which requires that independent directors comprise a majority of a company’s board of directors. As allowed by the laws of the Cayman Islands, independent directors do not comprise a majority of our board of directors.

·Nasdaq Rule 5605(e)(1), which requires that a company have a nominations committee comprised solely of “independent directors” as defined by Nasdaq. As allowed by the laws of the Cayman Islands, we do not have a nominations committee nor do we have any current intention to establish one.

·Nasdaq Rule 5605(d) & (e), which require that compensation for our executive officers and selection of our director nominees be determined by a majority of independent directors. As allowed by the laws of the Cayman Islands, we do not have (i) a nomination and corporate governance committeecommittee; or (ii) a remuneration committee that meets the requirements of Nasdaq Rule 5605(d) & (e), nor do we have any current intention to establish either.

Principal Differences between Cayman Islands and U.S. Corporate Law

The Companies LawAct was modeled originally after similar laws in England and Wales but does not follow subsequent statutory enactments in England and Wales. In addition, the Companies LawAct differs from laws applicable to U.S. corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the significant differences between the provisions of the Companies LawAct applicable to Arco and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.

Mergers and Similar Arrangements

The Companies LawAct permits mergers andor consolidations between two Cayman Islands companies and between Cayman Islands companies, and non-Caymanor between a Cayman Islands companies.

For these purposes, (a) “merger” means the merging of two or more constituent companies and the vesting of their undertaking, property and liabilities in one of such companies as the surviving company and (b) a “consolidation” meanscompany incorporated in another jurisdiction (provided that is facilitated by the combinationlaws of two or more constituent companies into a consolidated company andthat other jurisdiction).

Where the vesting of the undertaking, property and liabilities of such companies in the consolidated company. In order to effect such a merger or consolidation is between two Cayman Islands companies, the directors of each constituent company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation, which must then be authorized by (a) a special resolution of the shareholders of each constituent company; and (b) such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent

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company’s Articles of Association. No shareholder resolution is required for a merger between a parent company (i.e., a company that owns at least 90% of the issued shares of each class in a subsidiary company) and its subsidiary company. The planconsent of each holder of a fixed or floating security interest of a constituent company must be approved byobtained, unless the directorscourt waives such requirement. If the Cayman Islands Registrar of each constituent company and filedCompanies is satisfied that the requirements of the Companies Act (which includes certain other formalities) have been complied with, the Registrar of Companies togetherwill register the plan of merger or consolidation. Where the merger or consolidation involves a foreign company, the procedure is similar, save that with respect to the foreign company, the director of the Cayman Islands company is required to make a declaration as to: (1)to the solvencyeffect that, having made due enquiry, he is of the consolidated or surviving company, (2)opinion that the requirements set out below have been met: (i) that the merger or consolidation is bona fide andpermitted or not intended to defraud unsecured creditorsprohibited by the constitutional documents of the constituent companies; (3)foreign company and by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the foreign company is incorporated, and that those laws and any requirements of those constitutional documents have been or will be complied with; (ii) that no petition or other similar proceeding has been filed and remains outstanding and noor order made or resolution adopted to wind up or liquidate the company in any foreign jurisdiction, (4)(iii) that no receiver, trustee, administrator or other similar person has been appointed in any jurisdiction and is acting in respect of the constituentforeign company, its affairs or property (5)or any part thereof, (iv) that no scheme, order, compromise or similar arrangement has been entered into or made in any jurisdiction with creditors; (6) a listwhereby the rights of creditors of the assetsforeign company are and liabilities of each constituent company; (7) the non-surviving constituent company has retired from any fiduciary office heldcontinue to be suspended or will do so; (8) that the constituent company has complied with any requirements under the regulatory laws, where relevant; and (9) an undertaking that a copy of the certificate of merger or consolidation will be given to the members and creditors of each constituent company and published in therestricted.

Moreover, Cayman Islands Gazette.

Dissenting shareholders have the right to be paid the fair value of their shares (which, if not agreed between the parties, may be determined by the Cayman Islands’ court) if they follow the required procedures, subject to certain exceptions. Court approval is not required for a merger or consolidation which is effected in compliance with these statutory procedures.

In addition, there arelaw also has separate statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction andor amalgamation of companies, providedin certain circumstances, schemes of arrangement will generally be more suited for complex mergers or other transactions involving widely held companies, commonly referred to in the Cayman Islands as a “scheme of arrangement” which may be tantamount to a merger. In the event that a merger was sought pursuant to a scheme of arrangement (the procedure of which are more

126

rigorous and take longer to complete than the procedures typically required to consummate a merger in the United States), the arrangement in question is approved by a majority in number of each class of shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made, and who must in addition represent three-fourths in value of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting, or meetings convenedsummoned for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the terms of the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder would have the right to express to the court the view that the transaction should not be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it satisfies itself that:

·Arco is not proposing to act illegally or ultra viresbeyond the scope of its corporate authority and the statutory provisions as to majority vote have been complied with;

·the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question;

·the arrangement is such that may beas a businessman would reasonably approved by an intelligentapprove; and honest man of that class acting in respect of his interest; and

·the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies LawAct or that would amount to a “fraud on the minority.”

If a scheme of arrangement or takeover offer (as described below) is approved, any dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of United States corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares.

Squeeze-out Provisions

When a takeover offer is made and accepted by holders of 90.0% in value of the shares affectedto whom the offer is made within four months, the offeror may, within a two-month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares on the terms of the offer. An objection may be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but is unlikely to succeed unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith, collusion or collusion.inequitable treatment of the shareholders.

If the arrangement andFurther, transactions similar to a merger, reconstruction are thus approved, any dissenting shareholders would have no rights comparableand/or an amalgamation may in some circumstances be achieved through other means to appraisal rights, which might otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholdersthese statutory provisions, such as a share capital exchange, asset acquisition or control, through contractual arrangements, of U.S. corporations and allow such dissenting shareholders to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of their shares.

an operating business.

Shareholders’ Suits

ClassMaples and Calder (Cayman) LLP, our Cayman Islands counsel is not aware of any reported class action having been brought in a Cayman Islands court. Derivative actions are not recognizedhave been brought in the Cayman Islands but groups of shareholders with identical interests may bring representative proceedings, which are similar. However, a class action suit could nonetheless be brought in a U.S. court pursuant to an alleged violation of U.S. securities lawscourts, and regulations.

the Cayman Islands courts have confirmed the availability for such actions. In principle, Arco itself would normallymost cases, we will be the proper plaintiff in any claim based on a breach of duty owed to us, and as a general rule, whilst a derivative actionclaim against (for example) our officers or directors usually may not be initiatedbrought by a minority shareholdershareholder. However, based on behalfEnglish authorities, which would in all likelihood be of Arcopersuasive authority and be applied by a court in athe Cayman Islands, court, such shareholder will not be ableexceptions to continue those proceedings without the permission of a Grand Court judge, who will only allow the action to continue if the shareholder can demonstrate that Arco has a good case against the Defendant, and that it is proper for the shareholder to continue the action rather than the Company’s board of directors. Examples offoregoing principle apply in circumstances in which derivative actions would be permitted to continue are where:

which:

·a company is acting or proposing to act illegally or beyond the scope of its authority;

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·the act complained of, although not beyond the scope of itsthe authority, could be effected if duly if authorized by more than a simple majority vote that has notthe number of votes which have actually been obtained; and

·those who control the company are perpetrating a “fraud on the minority.”

A shareholder may have a direct right of action against us where the individual rights of that shareholder have been infringed or are about to be infringed.

127

Corporate Governance

Cayman Islands law restricts transactions between a company and its directors unless there are provisions in the Articles of Association which provide a mechanism to alleviate possible conflicts of interest. Additionally, Cayman Islands law imposes on directors’ duties of care and skill and fiduciary duties to the companies which they serve. Under Arco’s Articles of Association, a director must disclose the nature and extent of his interest in any contract or arrangement and following such disclosure and subject to any separate requirement under applicable law or the listing rules of the Nasdaq, and unless disqualified by the chairman of the relevant meeting, the interested director may vote in respect of any transaction or arrangement in which he or she is interested. The interested director shall be counted in the quorum at such meeting and the resolution may be passed by a majority of the directors present at the meeting.

Subject to the foregoing and our Articles of Association, our directors may exercise all the powers of Arco to vote compensation to themselves or any member of their body in the absence of an independent quorum. Our Articles of Association provide that, in the event a Compensation Committee is established, it shall be made up of such number of independent directors as is required from time to time by the Nasdaq rules (or as otherwise may be required by law). We currently have no intention to establish a Compensation Committee.

As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to follow home country practice in lieu of certain Nasdaq corporate governance rules, subject to certain requirements. We currently rely, and will continue to rely, on the foreign private issuer exemption with respect to the following rules:

·Nasdaq Rule 5605(b), which requires that independent directors comprise a majority of a company’s board of directors. As allowed by the laws of the Cayman Islands, independent directors do not comprise a majority of our board of directors.

·Nasdaq Rule 5605(e)(1), which requires that a company have a nominations committee comprised solely of “independent directors” as defined by Nasdaq. As allowed by the laws of the Cayman Islands, we do not have a nominations committee nor do we have any current intention to establish one.

·Nasdaq Rule 5605(d) & (e), which require that compensation for our executive officers and selection of our director nominees be determined by a majority of independent directors. As allowed by the laws of the Cayman Islands, we do not have (i) a nomination and corporate governance committeecommittee; or (ii) a remuneration committee that meets the requirements of Nasdaq Rule 5605(d) & (e), nor do we have any current intention to establish either.

Borrowing Powers

Arco’s directors may exercise all the powers of Arco to borrow money and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and uncalled capital or any part thereof and to issue debentures, debenture stock, mortgages, bonds and other such securities whether outright or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of Arco or of any third party.third-party. Such powers may be varied by a special resolution of shareholders (requiring a two-thirds majority vote).

Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers and Limitation of Liability

��

The Companies LawAct does not limit the extent to which a company’s Articles of Association may provide for indemnification of directors and officers, except to the extent that it may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Arco’s Articles of Association provide that we shall indemnify and hold harmless our directors and officers against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages, liabilities, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts incurred or sustained by such directors or officers, other than by reason of such person’s dishonesty, willful default or fraud, in or about the conduct of our company’s business or affairs (including as a result of any mistake of judgment) or in the execution or discharge of his duties, powers, authorities or discretions, including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by such director or officer in defending (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil, criminal or other proceedings concerning Arco or our affairs in any court whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere. This standard of conduct is generally the same as permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law for a Delaware corporation.

 106

128

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to Arco’s directors, officers or persons controlling the Company under the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

Directors’ Fiduciary Duties

As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a director of a Cayman Islands company is in the position of a fiduciary with respect to the company. Accordingly, directors and officers owe the following fiduciary duties to their companies(1) duty to act bona fidein good faith in what they considerthe director or officer believes to be in the best interests of the company as a whole; (2) duty to exercise their powers for the purposes for which they arethose powers were conferred and not for a collateral purpose; (3) directors should not improperly fetter the exercise of future discretion; (4) duty to placeexercise powers fairly as between different sections of shareholders; (5) duty to exercise independent judgment; and (6) duty not to put themselves in a position wherein which there is a conflict between their personal interests and their duty to the company. Accordingly, a director owes a company a duty not to make a profit based on his or her position as director (unless the company permits him or her to do so) and a duty not to put himself or herself in a position where the interests of the company conflict with his or hertheir personal interest or his or her duty to a third-party.interests. However, this obligation may be varied by the company’s Articles of Association, which may permit a director to vote on a matter in which he has a personal interest provided that he has disclosed that nature of his interest to the board of directors. With respect to the duty of directors to avoid conflicts of interest, Arco’s Articles of Association providesvary from the applicable provisions of Cayman Islands law mentioned above by providing that a director must disclose the nature and extent of his or her interest in any contract or arrangement, and following such disclosure and subject to any separate requirement under applicable law or the listing rules of the Nasdaq, and unless disqualified by the chairman of the relevant meeting, such director may vote in respect of any transaction or arrangement in which he or she is interested and may be counted in the quorum at the meeting.

In addition to the above, under Cayman Islands law, directors also owe a duty of care which is not fiduciary in nature. This duty has been defined as a requirement to act as a reasonably diligent person having both the general knowledge, skill and experience that may reasonably be expected of a person carrying out the same functions as are carried out by that director in relation to the company and the general knowledge skill and experience which that director has. As set out above, directors have a duty not to put themselves in a position of conflict and this includes a duty not to engage in self-dealing, or to otherwise benefit as a result of their position. However, in some instances what would otherwise be a breach of this duty can be forgiven and/or authorized in advance by the shareholders provided that there is full disclosure by the directors. This can be done by way of permission granted in the memorandum and articles of association or alternatively by shareholder approval at general meetings.

A director of a Cayman Islands company also owes to the company duties to exercise independent judgment in carrying out his functions and to exercise reasonable skill, care and diligence, which has both objective and subjective elements. Recent Cayman Islands case law confirmed that directors must exercise the care, skill and diligence that would be exercised by a reasonably diligent person having the general knowledge, skill and experience reasonably to be expected of a person acting as a director. Additionally, a director must exercise the knowledge, skill and experience which he or she actually possesses.

A general notice may be given to the board of directors to the effect that (1) the director is a member or officer of a specified company or firm and is to be regarded as interested in any contract or arrangement which may after the date of the notice be made with that company or firm; or (2) he or she is to be regarded as interested in any contract or arrangement which may after the date of the notice to the board of directors be made with a specified person who is connected with him or her, will be deemed sufficient declaration of interest. This notice shall specify the nature of the interest in question. Following the disclosure being made pursuant to Arco’s Articles of Association and subject to any separate requirement under applicable law or the listing rules of the Nasdaq, and unless disqualified by the chairman of the relevant meeting, a director may vote in respect of any transaction or arrangement in which he or she is interested and may be counted in the quorum at the meeting.

In comparison, under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders. This duty has two components: the duty of care and the duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself or herself of, and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction. The duty of loyalty requires that a director act in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. He or she must not use his or her corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interest of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by the shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties. Should such evidence

129

be presented concerning a transaction by a director, a director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction, and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation.

Shareholder Proposals

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a shareholder has the right to put any proposal before the annual meeting of shareholders, provided it complies with the notice provisions in the governing documents. The Delaware General Corporation Law does not provide shareholders an express right to put any proposal before the annual meeting of shareholders, but Delaware corporations generally afford shareholders an opportunity to make proposals and nominations provided that they comply with the notice provisions in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws. A special meeting may be called by the board of directors or any other person authorized to do so in the governing documents, but shareholders may be precluded from calling special meetings.

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The Companies LawAct provides shareholders with only limited rights to requisition a general meeting and does not provide shareholders with any right to put any proposal before a general meeting. However, these rights may be provided in a company’s Articles of Association. Arco’s Articles of Association provide that upon the requisition of one or more shareholders representing not less than one-third of the voting rights entitled to vote at general meetings, the board will convene an extraordinary general meeting and put the resolutions so requisitioned to a vote at such meeting. The Articles of Association provide no other right to put any proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings.

Cumulative Voting

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is not permitted unless the corporation’s certificate of incorporation specifically provides for it. Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the representation of minority shareholders on a board of directors since it permits the minority shareholder to cast all the votes to which the shareholder is entitled on a single director, which increases the shareholder’s voting power with respect to electing such director. As permitted under Cayman Islands law, Arco’s Articles of Association do not provide for cumulative voting. As a result, the shareholders of Arco are not afforded any less protections or rights on this issue than shareholders of a Delaware corporation.

Removal of Directors

The office of a director shall be vacated automatically if, among other things, he or she (1) becomes prohibited by law from being a director, (2) becomes bankrupt or makes an arrangement or composition with his creditors, (3) dies or is in the opinion of all his co-directors, incapable by reason of mental disorder of discharging his duties as director (4) resigns his office by notice to us or (5) has for more than six months been absent without permission of the directors from meetings of the board of directors held during that period, and the remaining directors resolve that his/her office be vacated.

Transaction with Interested Shareholders

The Delaware General Corporation Law provides that; unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be governed by this statute, it is prohibited from engaging in certain business combinations with an “interested shareholder” for three years following the date that this person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder generally is a person or a group who or which owns or owned 15% or more of the target’s outstanding voting shares or who or which is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and owned 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting shares within the past three years. This has the effect of limiting the ability of a potential acquirer to make a two-tiered bid for the target in which all shareholders would not be treated equally. The statute does not apply if, among other things, prior to the date on which the shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, the board of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder. This encourages any potential acquirer of a Delaware corporation to negotiate the terms of any acquisition transaction with the target’s board of directors.

Cayman Islands law has no comparable statute. As a result, Arco cannot avail itself of the types of protections afforded by the Delaware business combination statute. However, although Cayman Islands law does not regulate transactions between a company and its significant shareholders, it does provide that the board of directors owe duties to ensure that these transactions are entered into

130

bona fide in the best interests of the company and for a proper corporate purpose and, as noted above, a transaction may be subject to challenge if it has the effect of constituting a fraud on the minority shareholders.

Dissolution; Winding Up

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless the board of directors approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by shareholders holding 100% of the total voting power of the corporation. If the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors, it may be approved by a simple majority of the corporation’s outstanding shares. Delaware law allows a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board. Under Cayman Islands law, a company may be wound up by either an order of the courts of the Cayman Islands or by a special resolution of its members or, if the company resolves by ordinary resolution that it be wound up because it is unable to pay its debts as they fall due. The court has authority to order winding up in a number of specified circumstances including where it is, in the opinion of the court, just and equitable to do so.

 108

Under the Companies Law,Act, Arco may be dissolved, liquidated or wound up by a special resolution of shareholders (requiring a two-thirds majority vote). Arco’s Articles of Association also give its board of directors authority to petition the Cayman Islands Court to wind up Arco.

Variation of Rights of Shares

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of that class, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under Arco’s Articles of Association, if the share capital is divided into more than one class of shares, the rights attached to any class may only be varied with the written consent of the holders of two-thirds of the shares of that class or the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.

Also, except with respect to share capital (as described above), alterations to Arco’s Articles of Association may only be made by special resolution of shareholders (requiring a two-thirds majority vote).

Amendment of Governing Documents

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation’s certificate of incorporation may be amended only if adopted and declared advisable by the board of directors and approved by a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, and the bylaws may be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote and may, if so provided in the certificate of incorporation, also be amended by the board of directors. Under Cayman Islands law, Arco’s Articles of Association generally (and save for certain amendments to share capital described in this section) may only be amended by special resolution of shareholders (requiring a two-thirds majority vote).

Rights of Non-Resident or Foreign Shareholders

There are no limitations imposed by Arco’s Articles of Association on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on Arco’s shares. In addition, there are no provisions in the Articles of Association governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.

Handling of Mail

Mail addressed to us and received at our registered office will be forwarded unopened to the forwarding address, which will be supplied by us. None of us, our directors, officers, advisors or service providers (including the organization which provides registered office services in the Cayman Islands) will bear any responsibility for any delay howsoever caused in mail reaching the forwarding address.

131

ITEM 16H. Mine Safety DisclosureMINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

ITEM 16I. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS

Not applicable.

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132

PART III

ITEM

Item 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements

We have responded to Item 18 in lieu of this item.

ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements are filed as part of this annual report, see pages F-1 to F-77F-78 to this annual report.

ITEM 19. EXHIBITS

The following documents are filed as part of this annual report:

Exhibit No.

Exhibit

3.12.1

Description of Securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to our annual report on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227007) filed with the SEC on March 31, 2020).

3.1

Memorandum and Articles of Association of Arco.Arco (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Amendment No. 2 to our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227007) filed with the SEC on September 17, 2018).**

10.1

10.1

Form of indemnification agreement.agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227007) filed with the SEC on August 24, 2018).**

12.1

12.1

Certification pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of the Chief Executive OfficerOfficer.**

12.2

12.2

Certification pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of the Chief Financial OfficerOfficer.**

13.1

13.1

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of the Chief Executive OfficerOfficer.**

13.2

13.2

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of the Chief Financial OfficerOfficer.**

14.1

English translation of the Code of Ethics of Arco.**

21.1

List of subsidiaries.***

101.INS***XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH***

23.1

Consent of Ernst & Young Auditores Independentes S.S.*

101.SCH*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL***

101.CAL*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF***

101.DEF*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB***

101.LAB*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE***

101.PRE*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

*Filed herewith.

*Filed herewith

**Previously filed.

***As permitted by Rule 405(a)(2)(ii) of Regulation S-T, the registrant’s XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) information will be furnished in an amendment to this Form 20-F that will be filed no more than 30 days after the date hereof. In accordance with Rule 406T(b)(2) of Regulation S-T, such XBRL information will be furnished and not be filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, will be deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise will not be subject to liability under those sections.

 110

133

SIGNATURES

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

Arco Platform Limited

Date:

April 17, 2019

March 31, 2022

By:

By:

/s/ Ari de Sá Cavalcante Neto

Name:

Name:

Ari de Sá Cavalcante Neto

Title:

Title:

CEO

By:

/s/ David Peixoto dos Santos

Name:David Peixoto dos Santos

Arco Platform Limited

Title:

Date:

March 31, 2022

By:

/s/ Roberto Rabello Otero

Name:

Roberto Rabello Otero

Title:

CFO

 111

134

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting and for assessing the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.

Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer and effected by our board of directors, management and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

Due to its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatement. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Our management has assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based upon the criteria described in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

Based on this assessment and criteria, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2021 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms, and that it is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Our management’s assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of Me Salva! Cursos e Consultorias S.A. (“Me Salva!”), Quadrado Mágico Desenvolvimento e Licenciamento de Software S.A. (“Eduqo”), Desenvoolva – Educação, Treinamento e Consultoria Corporativa Ltda. (“Edupass”) and P2D Educação Ltda. (“P2D”), which are included in the 2021 consolidated financial statements of the Company. Collectively, Me Salva!, Eduqo, Edupass and P2D constituted less than 3% of the Company’s total assets as of December 31, 2021 and less than 5% of the Company’s total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021.

March 31, 2022

/s/ Ari de Sá Cavalcante Neto

/s/ Roberto Rabello Otero

Ari de Sá Cavalcante Neto

Roberto Rabello Otero

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Financial Officer

F-2

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of

Arco Platform Limited

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Arco Platform Limited (the Company)“Company”) as of December 31, 20182021 and 2017,2020, the related consolidated statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income, (loss), changes in equity and cash flows for each of the twothree years in the period ended December 31, 2018,2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated‘‘consolidated financial statements”statements’’). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 20182021 and 2017,2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the twothree years in the period ended December 31, 2018,2021, in conformitywith International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board - IASB.IASB.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated March 31, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.Company’s Management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB)PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management,Management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG

Auditores Independentes S.S.

We have servedThe critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) related to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgements. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the Company's auditor since 2017.

Fortaleza, Brazil

March 19, 2019

 F-2critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

F-3

KPMG Auditores IndependentesBusiness combinations - fair value of net assets acquired

Description of the Matter

The Company made certain acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2021, as disclosed in Note 4. The Company recorded these acquisitions as business combinations using the acquisition method, allocating the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including identifying intangible assets and contingent considerations, at their respective fair values. The significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the net assets acquired included discount rates and certain assumptions that form the basis of the forecasted results (e.g., revenue growth rates and operating profit margin). These significant assumptions are forward looking and could be affected by future economic and market conditions.

This matter was considered a critical audit matter in our audit due to the significant estimation required by management to determine the fair value of the net assets acquired.

How We Addressed the
Matter in our audit

We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of controls over the accounting process for business combinations including controls over management’s review of the significant assumptions described above.

To test the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired, we performed audit procedures that included, among others, evaluating the Company's selection of the valuation methodology, evaluating the methods and significant assumptions used by the Company's valuation specialist, and evaluating the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data supporting the significant assumptions and estimates. We involved our valuation specialists to assist with our evaluation of the methodology used by the Company and significant assumptions included in the fair value estimates. For example, we compared the significant assumptions to current industry, market and economic trends, to the assumptions used to value similar assets in other past acquisitions, to the historical results of the acquired business and to other guidelines used by companies within the same industry. We also evaluated the financial statements disclosures included in Note 4.

F-4

Goodwill impairment test

Description of the Matter

At December 31, 2021, the Company’s goodwill was R$ 1,950 million. As discussed in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements, goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually at the cash generating unit (CGU) level.

Auditing management’s annual goodwill impairment test is complex and highly judgmental due to the significant estimation required to determine the fair value of the cash generating units. In particular, the fair value estimate is sensitive to significant assumptions, such as changes in the weighted average cost of capital, revenue growth rate, operating margin and working capital, which are affected by expectations about future economic scenarios, particularly those in emerging markets.

How We Addressed the
Matter in our audit

We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of controls over the Company’s accounting process for the goodwill impairment test including controls over management’s review of the significant assumptions described above.

To test goodwill impairment our audit procedures included, among other, involving our valuation specialist to assist in evaluating the methodologies and key assumptions, including the estimated future gross margins, growth rate and the discount rate used in the valuation model. We also performed sensitivity analyses to understand the impact of reasonable changes in the key assumptions and compared those significant assumptions to the Company’s industry and economic trends. Our procedures also consisted of testing the mathematical accuracy of the forecasts in the impairment assessment model and confirm whether Management’s estimate of each CGU’s recoverable amount considering the value in use calculation was based on a discounted cash flow model. We agreed the forecast cash flows to board-approved budgets and market communications and assessed the accuracy of prior period forecasts. We also evaluated the Company’s disclosures in respect to its goodwill impairment assessment in Note 14.

Rua Desembargador Leite Albuquerque, 635

F-5

Accounts payable to selling shareholders

Description of the Matter

At December 31, 2021, accounts payable to selling shareholders amounted to R$ 1,669 million, as disclosed in Note 17. Those amounts arise from certain business combinations and investments in associates. The determination of the recorded amounts include the use of management assumptions about future business performance and interest rates.

Auditing accounts payable to selling shareholders was complex and required significant auditor judgement because of the high degree of subjectivity and judgment applied by management in the process of estimating the significant assumptions underlying the prospective financial information used in the determination of the recorded amounts. Those significant assumptions are forward looking and could be affected by future economic and market conditions.

How We Addressed the
Matter in our audit

We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of management controls over the Company’s determination of accounts payable to selling shareholders, including controls over management’s review of the significant assumptions used in the prospective financial information described above.

To test the account payable to selling shareholders, our audit procedures included, among others, involving our valuation specialists to assist in evaluating the methodologies and key assumptions, including the estimated future revenue, growth rate and the discount rate used to prepare the projected financial information. We also performed sensitivity analyses to evaluate the change in the liability amounts resulting from changes in those assumptions. We also compared those significant assumptions to market benchmarks and evaluated them against known general economic trends. We also evaluated the Company’s disclosures in Note 17.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG

Auditores Independentes S.S.

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2017.

Fortaleza, Brazil

March 31, 2022

Sala 501 e 502 - Aldeota

F-6

60150-150 - Fortaleza/CE - BrasilTable of Contents

Telefone +55 (85) 3307-5100

www.kpmg.com.br

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Arco Platform Limited

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income of Arco Platform Limited and subsidiaries (‘‘subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Company’’Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Arco Platform Limited (the Company and subsidiaries) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on the COSO criteria.

As indicated in the accompanying Report of Management on Arco Platform Limited's Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, management's assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of Me Salva! Cursos e Consultorias S.A. (“Me Salva!”), Quadrado Mágico Desenvolvimento e Licenciamento de Software S.A. (“Eduqo”), Desenvoolva – Educação, Treinamento e Consultoria Corporativa Ltda. (“Edupass”) and P2D Educação Ltda. (“P2D”), which are included in the related changes in equity2021 consolidated financial statements of the Company. Collectively, Me Salva!, Eduqo, Edupass and cash flowP2D constituted less than 3% of the Company’s total assets as of December 31, 2021 and less than 5% of the Company’s total revenues for the periodyear ended December 31, 2016. These consolidated2021. Our audit of internal control over financial statements are the responsibilityreporting of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to expressCompany also did not include an opinion on these consolidatedevaluation of the internal control over financial statements based on our audits.

reporting of Me Salva!, Eduqo, Edupass and P2D.

We conducted our auditsalso have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). (PCAOB), the Company’s consolidated statements of financial position as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), changes in equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes and our report dated March 31, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the consolidated financial statements are freerisk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of material misstatement. An audit includes examining,internal control based on a test basis, evidence supporting the amountsassessed risk, and disclosuresperforming such other procedures as we considered necessary in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation.circumstances. We believe that our audits provideaudit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

In our opinion,A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the consolidatedreliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements referredfor external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to above presentthe maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in allaccordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in

F-7

accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material respects,effect on the resultsfinancial statements.

Because of its operations and cash flow forinherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the period ended December 31, 2016risk that controls may become inadequate because of Arco Platform Limited and subsidiaries and its,changes in conformityconditions, or that the degree of compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG

Auditores Independentes S.S.

Fortaleza, Brazil

March 31, 2022

May 30, 2018

/s/ KPMG Auditores Independentes

 F-3

F-8

Arco Platform Limited

Consolidated financial statements

December 31, 2021

F-9

Arco Platform Limited

Consolidated statements of financial position

As of December 31, 20182021 and 20172020

(In thousands of Brazilian reais, unless otherwise stated)

  Notes 2018 2017
Assets            
Current assets            
Cash and cash equivalents  5   12,301   834 
Financial investments  6   806,789   83,009 
Trade receivables  7   136,611   94,936 
Inventories  8   15,131   18,820 
Taxes recoverable  9   11,227   5,112 
Other assets      6,091   7,329 
Total current assets      988,150   210,040 
             
Non current assets            
Financial instruments from acquisition of interests  14   26,630   12,511 
Deferred income tax  22   99,460   5,860 
Taxes recoverable  9   1,033   3,288 
Financial investments  6   4,370   199 
Other assets      2,286   1,295 
Investments and interests in other entities  11   11,862   12,654 
Property and equipment  12   13,347   9,079 
Intangible assets  13   187,740   175,483 
Total non current assets      346,728   220,369 
             
Total assets      1,334,878   430,409 

December 31,

December 31,

    

Notes

    

2021

    

2020

Assets

 

  

 

  

 

  

Current assets

 

  

 

  

 

  

Cash and cash equivalents

 

5

 

211,143

 

424,410

Financial investments

 

6

 

973,294

 

712,645

Trade receivables

 

7

 

593,263

 

415,282

Inventories

 

8

 

158,582

 

74,076

Recoverable taxes

 

9

 

38,811

 

19,304

Derivative financial assets

 

16

 

301

 

Related parties

 

10

 

4,571

 

9,970

Other assets

 

  

 

66,962

 

24,073

Total current assets

 

  

 

2,046,927

 

1,679,760

Non-current assets

 

  

 

  

 

  

Deferred income tax

 

24

 

321,223

 

236,903

Recoverable taxes

 

9

 

22,216

 

1,121

Financial investments

 

6

 

40,762

 

10,349

Derivative financial assets

 

16

 

560

 

Related parties

 

10

 

6,819

 

10,508

Other assets

 

57,534

 

22,239

Investments and interests in other entities

 

11

 

126,873

 

9,654

Property and equipment

 

12

 

73,885

 

26,087

Right-of-use assets

 

13

 

35,960

 

30,022

Intangible assets

 

14

 

3,257,360

 

2,549,637

Total non-current assets

 

  

 

3,943,192

 

2,896,520

Total assets

 

  

 

5,990,119

 

4,576,280

Liabilities

 

  

 

  

 

  

Current liabilities

 

  

 

  

 

  

Trade payables

 

  

 

103,292

 

40,925

Labor and social obligations

 

18

 

157,601

 

85,069

Taxes and contributions payable

 

  

 

7,953

 

9,676

Income taxes payable

 

  

 

37,775

 

44,731

Advances from customers

 

  

 

35,291

 

23,080

Lease liabilities

 

13

 

20,122

 

12,742

Loans and financing

 

15

 

228,448

 

107,706

Accounts payable to selling shareholders

 

17

 

799,553

 

656,014

Other liabilities

 

  

 

3,176

 

331

Total current liabilities

 

  

 

1,393,211

 

980,274

Non-current liabilities

 

  

 

  

 

  

Labor and social obligations

 

18

 

661

 

36,570

Lease liabilities

 

13

 

22,996

 

22,478

Loans and financing

15

1,602,879

203,413

Derivative financial liabilities

 

16

 

223,561

 

Provision for legal proceedings

 

28

 

1,398

 

1,366

Accounts payable to selling shareholders

 

17

 

869,233

 

1,130,501

Other liabilities

 

  

 

946

 

794

Total non-current liabilities

 

  

 

2,721,674

 

1,395,122

Total liabilities

 

  

 

4,114,885

 

2,375,396

Equity

 

19

 

  

 

  

Share capital

 

  

 

11

 

11

Capital reserve

 

  

 

2,203,857

 

2,200,645

Treasury shares

(180,775)

Share-based compensation reserve

 

  

 

90,813

 

80,817

Accumulated losses

 

  

 

(238,672)

 

(80,589)

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent

1,875,234

2,200,884

Non-controlling interests

Total equity

 

  

 

1,875,234

 

2,200,884

Total liabilities and equity

 

  

 

5,990,119

 

4,576,280

Liabilities      
Current      
Trade payables      14,845   3,918 
Labor and social obligations  16   15,888   8,719 
Taxes and contributions payable      2,555   1,079 
Income taxes payable      17,294   17,375 
Dividends payable  17   -   10,511 
Advances from customers      5,997   5,898 
Financial instrumvents from acquisition of interests  14   51   1,784 
Accounts payable to selling shareholders  15   830   14,936 
Other liabilities      428   5,454 
Total current liabilities      57,888   69,674 
Non-current            
Financial instruments from acquisition of interests  14   25,046   11,853 
Provision for legal proceedings  26   131   - 
Deferred income tax  22   1,378   80 
Accounts payable to selling shareholders  15   180,551   43,067 
Total non current liabilities      207,106   55,000 
Total liabilities      264,994   124,674 
             
Equity            
Share capital 17(a)  10   55,897 
Capital reserve  17(b)  1,089,505   160,682 
Earnings reserves      -   81,992 
Share-based compensation reserve  16(b)  67,350   7,053 
Accumulated losses      (86,687)  - 
Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent      1,070,178   305,624 
Non-controlling interests      (294)  111 
Total equity      1,069,884   305,735 
             
Total liabilities and equity      1,334,878   430,409 

The accompanying notes are part of the consolidated financial statements.

F-10

Arco Platform Limited

Consolidated statements of income

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

(In thousands of Brazilian reais, except earnings per share)

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

    

Notes

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

Net revenue

 

21

 

1,232,074

 

1,001,710

 

572,837

Cost of sales

 

22

 

(294,407)

 

(221,130)

 

(117,258)

Gross profit

 

 

937,667

 

780,580

 

455,579

Selling expenses

 

22

 

(496,298)

 

(372,269)

 

(199,780)

General and administrative expenses

 

22

 

(328,643)

 

(270,558)

 

(191,438)

Other income (expenses), net

 

 

16,673

 

(2,258)

 

(6,287)

Operating profit

 

 

129,399

 

135,495

 

58,074

 

 

 

  

 

  

Finance income

 

23

 

91,212

 

45,211

 

72,047

Finance costs

 

23

 

(372,086)

 

(142,013)

 

(170,855)

Finance result

 

23

 

(280,874)

 

(96,802)

 

(98,808)

 

 

 

  

 

  

Share of (loss) profit of equity-accounted investees

 

11

 

(22,182)

 

409

 

(1,800)

(Loss) profit before income taxes

 

 

(173,657)

 

39,102

 

(42,534)

Income taxes - income (expense)

 

 

 

  

 

  

Current

 

 

(65,609)

 

(87,379)

 

(46,850)

Deferred

 

 

81,183

 

65,057

 

79,953

 

24

 

15,574

 

(22,322)

 

33,103

Net (loss) profit for the year

 

 

(158,083)

 

16,780

 

(9,431)

(Loss) Profit for the year attributable to

 

 

 

  

 

  

Equity holders of the parent

 

 

(158,083)

 

16,780

 

(9,431)

Non-controlling interests

 

 

 

 

Basic (loss) earnings per share - in Brazilian reais

 

20

 

 

  

 

  

Class A

 

 

(3.18)

 

0.30

 

(0.18)

Class B

 

 

(3.18)

 

0.30

 

(0.18)

Diluted (loss) earnings per share - in Brazilian reais

 

20

 

 

  

 

  

Class A

 

 

(3.18)

 

0.30

 

(0.18)

Class B

 

 

(3.18)

 

0.30

 

(0.18)

The accompanying notes are part of the consolidated financial statements.

 F-4

F-11

Arco Platform Limited

Consolidated statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss)

changes in equity

For the years ended December 31, 2018, 20172021, 2020 and 20162019

(In thousands of Brazilian reais, except earnings per share)unless otherwise stated)

  Notes 2018 2017 2016
         
         
Net revenue  19   380,981   244,382   159,270 
Cost of sales  20   (80,745)  (58,517)  (41,324)
                 
Gross profit      300,236   185,865   117,946 
                 
Selling expenses  20   (113,270)  (65,314)  (40,317)
General and administrative expenses  20   (129,754)  (48,931)  (32,650)
Other income, net      4,856   3,299   3,606 
                 
Operating profit      62,068   74,919   48,585 
                 
Finance income  21   36,618   12,531   47,167 
Finance costs  21   (198,795)  (20,389)  (1,803)
Finance result  21   (162,177)  (7,858)  45,364 
                 
Share of loss of equity-accounted investees  11   (792)  (705)  (1,111)
                 
Profit (loss) before income taxes      (100,901)  66,356   92,838 
 Income taxes - income (expense)                
 Current      (26,553)  (31,010)  (12,961)
 Deferred      44,538   8,294   (5,482)
   22   17,985   (22,716)  (18,443)
                 
Profit (loss) for the year      (82,916)  43,640   74,395 
                 
Other comprehensive income for the year      -   -   - 
Total comprehensive income (loss) for the year      (82,916)  43,640   74,395 
                 
Profit (loss) attributable to                
Equity holders of the parent      (82,380)  44,255   75,129 
Non-controlling interests      (536)  (615)  (734)
                 
Basic earnings per share - in Brazilianreais  18             
Class A      (1.64)  0.88   1.49 
Class B      (1.64)  0.88   1.49 
Diluted earnings per share - in Brazilianreais  18             
Class A      (1.64)  0.85   1.44 
Class B      (1.64)  0.85   1.45 

Attributable to equity holders of the parent

Share-based

Share

Capital

compensation

Accumulated

Non-controlling

Total

    

capital

    

reserve

    

reserve

    

losses

    

Total

    

interests

    

equity

Balances at December 31, 2018

 

10

 

1,089,505

 

67,350

 

(86,687)

 

1,070,178

 

(294)

 

1,069,884

Change in accounting policy (IFRS 16)

 

(1,251)

(1,251)

(1,251)

Balances at January 1, 2019

 

10

1,089,505

67,350

(87,938)

1,068,927

(294)

1,068,633

Net loss for the year

 

(9,431)

(9,431)

(9,431)

Total comprehensive loss

 

(9,431)

(9,431)

(9,431)

Corporate reorganization

 

(36,624)

(36,624)

(36,624)

Tax benefit on tax deductible goodwill – reversion

 

(46,314)

(46,314)

(46,314)

Capital increase

 

1

13,829

13,830

13,830

Issuance of common shares in follow-on public offering

 

589,602

589,602

589,602

Share issuance costs

 

(18,223)

(18,223)

(18,223)

Non-controlling interest

 

294

294

Share-based compensation plan

 

33,043

33,043

33,043

Restricted stocks transferred

15,847

(15,847)

Balances at December 31, 2019

11

1,607,622

84,546

(97,369)

1,594,810

1,594,810

Net profit for the year

16,780

16,780

16,780

Total comprehensive income

16,780

16,780

16,780

Issuance of common shares in follow-on public offering

591,898

591,898

591,898

Share issuance costs

(16,291)

(16,291)

(16,291)

Restricted stock transferred

17,416

(17,416)

Shared-based compensation plan

13,687

13,687

13,687

Balances at December 31, 2020

11

2,200,645

80,817

(80,589)

2,200,884

2,200,884

The accompanying notes are part of the consolidated financial statements.

F-12

Arco Platform Limited

Consolidated statements of changes in equity

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

(In thousands of Brazilian reais, unless otherwise stated)

Share-based

Share

Capital

Treasury

compensation

Accumulated

    

capital

    

reserve

    

shares

    

reserve

    

losses

 

Total

Balances at December 31, 2020

 

11

 

2,200,645

 

 

80,817

 

(80,589)

2,200,884

Net loss for the year

 

 

 

 

 

(158,083)

(158,083)

Total comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

(158,083)

(158,083)

Share based compensation plan

 

 

 

 

33,184

 

33,184

Purchase of treasury shares

 

 

 

(200,751)

 

 

(200,751)

Investment shares transferred

 

 

16

 

1,877

 

(1,893)

 

Restricted stocks transferred

3,196

18,099

(21,295)

Balances at December 31, 2021

 

11

 

2,203,857

 

(180,775)

 

90,813

 

(238,672)

1,875,234

The accompanying notes are part of the consolidated financial statements.

 F-5

F-13

Arco Platform Limited

Consolidated statements of changes in equity

cash flows

For the years ended December 31, 2018, 20172021, 2020 and 20162019

(In thousands of Brazilian reais, unless otherwise stated)

  Attributable to equity holders of the parent    
           Earnings reserves                     
   Share capital   Capital reserve   Legal reserve   Retained earnings reserve   Share-based compensation reserve   Retained earnings   Total   

Non-

controlling interests

   Total equity 
                                     
Balances at January 1, 2016  48,517   81,914   2,196   49,032   3,120   -   184,779   4   184,783 
                                     
Profit (loss) for the year  -   -   -   -   -   75,129   75,129   (734)  74,395 
Total comprehensive income  -   -   -   -   -   75,129   75,129   (734)  74,395 
Dividends paid  -   -   -   (3,056)  -   -   (3,056)  -   (3,056)
Non-controlling interest increase  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   846   846 
Share-based compensation plan  -   -   -   -   2,043   -   2,043   -   2,043 
Legal reserve  -   -   3,756   -   -   (3,756)  -   -   - 
Minimum mandatory dividends  -   -   -   -   -   (17,843)  (17,843)  -   (17,843)
Earnings retention  -   -   -   53,530   -   (53,530)  -   -   - 
                                     
Balances at December 31, 2016  48,517   81,914   5,952   99,506   5,163   -   241,052   116   241,168 
                                     
Profit (loss) for the year  -   -   -   -   -   44,255   44,255   (615)  43,640 
Total comprehensive income  -   -   -   -   -   44,255   44,255   (615)  43,640 
Dividends paid  -   -   -   (57,210)  -   -   (57,210)  -   (57,210)
Capital increase  7,380   78,768   -   -   -   -   86,148   -   86,148 
Non-controlling interest increase  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   610   610 
Share-based compensation plan  -   -   -   -   1,890   -   1,890   -   1,890 
Legal reserve  -   -   2,213   -   -   (2,213)  -   -   - 
Minimum mandatory dividends  -   -   -   -   -   (10,511)  (10,511)  -   (10,511)
Earnings retention  -   -   -   31,531   -   (31,531)  -   -   - 
                                     
Balances at December 31, 2017  55,897   160,682   8,165   73,827   7,053   -   305,624   111   305,735 

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

Operating activities

 

  

 

  

 

  

Net (loss) profit before income taxes

 

(173,657)

 

39,102

 

(42,534)

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) profit before income taxes to cash generated from operations

 

  

 

  

 

  

Depreciation and amortization

 

194,885

 

127,455

 

48,314

Inventory reserves

 

26,778

 

7,453

 

8,476

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

26,610

 

34,684

 

17,392

Loss on sale/disposal of property and equipment and intangible

 

908

 

4,277

 

3,499

Fair value change in financial derivatives

 

37,291

 

(562)

 

(473)

Changes in accounts payable to selling shareholders

 

87,820

 

20,330

 

89,403

Share of loss (profit) of equity-accounted investees

 

22,182

 

(409)

 

1,800

Share-based compensation plan

 

70,127

 

36,333

 

33,043

Accrued interest on loans and financing

57,245

19,862

1,002

Interest accretion on acquisition liability

 

121,611

 

68,379

 

42,206

Income from financial investments

 

(25,930)

 

(13,388)

 

(45,797)

Interest on lease liabilities

 

4,795

 

3,036

 

1,489

Provision for legal proceedings

 

(149)

 

587

 

120

Provision for payroll taxes (restricted stock units)

 

235

 

(2,997)

 

8,333

Foreign exchange loss

 

1,772

 

(188)

 

555

Changes in fair value of step acquisitions

 

 

307

 

(3,708)

Gain on changes of interest of investment

 

(14,022)

 

 

(3,286)

Other financial cost/revenue, net

 

(1,276)

 

(2,315)

 

(2,362)

 

437,225

 

341,946

 

157,472

Changes in assets and liabilities

 

  

 

  

 

  

Trade receivables

 

(184,472)

 

(108,087)

 

(136,407)

Inventories

 

(62,212)

 

(18,161)

 

(14,637)

Recoverable taxes

 

(39,199)

 

3,152

 

(8,494)

Other assets

 

(62,802)

 

(14,087)

 

(16,035)

Trade payables

 

52,915

 

3,886

 

8,455

Labor and social obligations

 

(6,640)

 

7,239

 

15,950

Taxes and contributions payable

 

(2,590)

 

1,147

 

1,951

Advances from customers

 

11,665

 

(2,981)

 

19,997

Other liabilities

 

(5,724)

 

(1,420)

 

(268)

Cash generated from operations

 

138,166

 

212,634

 

27,984

Income taxes paid

 

(72,564)

 

(95,053)

 

(34,747)

Interest paid on lease liabilities

 

(3,294)

 

(2,100)

 

(852)

Interest paid on investment acquisition

(13,700)

(187)

Interest paid on loans and financing

(20,275)

(13,423)

Payments for contingent consideration

(3,837)

(9,520)

Net cash flows generated from (used in) operating activities

 

24,496

 

92,351

 

(7,615)

Investing activities

 

  

 

  

 

  

Acquisition of property and equipment

 

(60,078)

 

(10,822)

 

(10,991)

Payment of investments and interests in other entities

 

(125,273)

 

(32,628)

 

(41,853)

Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired

 

(795,905)

 

(204,286)

 

(798,885)

Payments of accounts payable to selling shareholders

(101,286)

Acquisition of intangible assets

 

(151,318)

 

(96,827)

 

(43,102)

(Purchase) maturity of financial investments

 

(265,132)

 

(130,113)

 

277,389

Loans to related parties

 

5,000

 

(5,000)

 

(14,000)

Net cash flows used in investing activities

 

(1,493,992)

 

(479,676)

 

(631,442)

Financing activities

 

  

 

  

 

  

Capital increase

 

 

 

13,830

Capital increase proceeds from public offering

 

 

591,898

 

589,602

Share issuance costs

 

 

(16,291)

 

(18,897)

Purchase of treasury shares

(200,751)

Payment of lease liabilities

 

(15,729)

 

(8,510)

 

(4,407)

Payment to owners to acquire entity’s shares

(193,954)

(1,733)

(928)

Financial derivatives

185,409

Loans and financing

 

1,490,065

 

200,912

 

97,011

Loans and financing costs

 

(21,582)

 

(3,629)

 

Net cash flows from financing activities

 

1,243,458

 

762,647

 

676,211

Foreign exchange effects on cash and cash equivalents

 

12,771

 

188

 

(555)

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(213,267)

 

375,510

 

36,599

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

 

424,410

 

48,900

 

12,301

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

 

211,143

 

424,410

 

48,900

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(213,267)

 

375,510

 

36,599

The accompanying notes are part of the consolidated financial statements.

 F-6

F-14

Arco Platform Limited

Consolidated statements of changes in equity

For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

(In thousands of Brazilian reais, unless otherwise stated)

  Attributable to equity holders of the parent    
           Earnings reserves                     
   Share capital   Capital reserve   Legal reserve   Retained earnings reserve   Share-based compensation reserve   Accumulated losses   Total   

Non-

controlling interests

   Total equity 
                                     
Balances at December 31, 2017  55,897   160,682   8,165   73,827   7,053   -   305,624   111   305,735 
Change in accounting policy (Note 2.4)  -   -   -   -   -   (4,307)  (4,307)  -   (4,307)
Balances at January 1, 2018  55,897   160,682   8,165   73,827   7,053   (4,307)  301,317   111   301,428 
                                     
Loss for the year  -   -   -   -   -   (82,380)  (82,380)  (536)  (82,916)
Total comprehensive loss  -   -   -   -   -   (82,380)  (82,380)  (536)  (82,916)
Corporate reorganization  (55,890)  63,444   (8,165)  (73,827)  -   -   (74,438)  -   (74,438)
GA Holding – tax benefit on tax deductible goodwill  -   46,314       -   -   -   46,314   -   46,314 
Capital increase – Alfaco  -   3,091       -   -   -   3,091   -   3,091 
Issuance of common shares in initial public offering  3   895,179       -   -   -   895,182   -   895,182 
Share issuance costs  -   (79,205)      -   -   -   (79,205)  -   (79,205)
Non-controlling interest  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   131   131 
Share-based compensation plan  -   -       -   60,297   -   60,297   -   60,297 
                                     
Balances at December 31, 2018  10   1,089,505   -   -   67,350   (86,687)  1,070,178   (294)  1,069,884 

The accompanying notes are part of the consolidated financial statements.

 F-7

Arco Platform Limited

Consolidated statements of cash flows

For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

(In thousands of Brazilian reais)

 2018 2017 2016
       
Operating activities            
Profit (loss) before income taxes  (100,901)  66,356   92,838 
Adjustments to reconcile profit (loss) before income taxes            
Depreciation and amortization  19,594   14,288   5,757 
Inventory reserves  7,252   4,481   4,533 
Allowance for doubtful accounts  9,588   5,227   5,613 
Residual value of property and equipment and intangible assets disposed  138   664   8 
Financial instruments from acquisition of interests  (659)  6,657   (31,682)
Changes in accounts payable to selling shareholders  130,378   -   - 
Share of loss of equity-accounted investees  792   705   1,111 
Changes in fair value of step acquisitions  -   (1,184)  - 
Share-based compensation plan  60,297   1,890   2,043 
Accrued interest  8,704   11,179   101 
Provision for legal proceedings  131   -   - 
Foreign exchange loss  34,435   -   - 
  169,749  110,263  80,322
Changes in assets and liabilities            
Trade receivables  (57,020)  (24,347)  (13,641)
Inventories  (3,563)  (8,914)  (8,312)
Taxes recoverable  (3,807)  (2,777)  (2,608)
Other assets  (2,254)  (320)  (2,777)
Trade payables  10,256   (1,512)  211 
Labor and social obligations  7,169   3,081   2,277 
Taxes and contributions payable  1,476   553   (521)
Advances from customers  99   3,950   (1,639)
Other liabilities  (3,342)  (654)  2,970 
             
Cash generated from operations  118,763   79,323   56,282 
             
Income taxes paid  (26,639)  (16,673)  (15,045)
Net cash flows from operating activities  92,124   62,650   41,237 
             
Investing activities            
Acquisition of property and equipment  (6,854)  (5,314)  (1,591)
Payment of investments and interests in other entities  (2,000)  (19,900)  (7,300)
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired  (14,756)  (28,347)  (32,657)
Acquisition of intangible assets  (29,403)  (6,047)  (5,563)
Financial instruments from acquisitions of interests  -   -   (2,900)
Financial investments  (727,951)  (17,361)  25,797 
Other  -   (300)  (707)
Net cash flows used in investing activities  (780,964)  (77,269)  (24,921)

Financing activities

 

            
  Capital increase  3,091   86,148   - 
  Capital increase - proceeds from initial public offering  895,182   -   - 
  Share issuance costs  (78,531)  -   - 
  Dividends paid  (85,000)  (75,053)  (13,487)
  Others  -   -   846 
Net cash flows from (used in) financing activities  734,742   11,095   (12,641)
             
 Net foreign exchange difference  (34,435)  -   - 
             
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  11,467   (3,524)  4,358 
             
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year  834   4,358   3,675 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year  12,301   834   683 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  11,467   (3,524)  4,358 

The accompanying notes are part of the consolidated financial statements.

 F-8

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Expressed in thousands of Brazilian reais, unless otherwise stated

1Corporate information

1    Corporate information

Arco Platform Limited (“Arco”) and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) is a holding company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands on April 12, 2018.2018, whose shares are publicly traded on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations Payments exchange (NASDAQ) under the ticker symbol “ARCE”. Arco and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the Company. Arco became the parent company of Arco Educação S.A. (“Arco Brazil”) through the completion of thea corporate reorganization described below.

and initial public offering in 2018. Arco Brazil is the holding company of EASthe operating subsidiaries, including Companhia Brasileira de Educação e Sistemas de Ensino S.A. (“EAS”CBE”) and its subsidiaries,, which provides educational content from basic to secondary education (“K-12 curriculum”). The Company’s principal administrative office is located at 2840 Rua Augusta, 9th Floor, Consolação, São Paulo, Brazil.

Since 2015, the Company has been investing in technology and its printed methodology has evolved to an educational platform, capable of delivering the entire K-12 curriculum content.

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The Company offers a complete pedagogical methodology using technology features to deliver educational content to improve the learning process. The Company’s activities also comprise the editing, publishing, advertising and sale of educational content for private schools.

The Company has an asset-light, highly scalable business model that emphasizes operational efficiency and profitability. Arco operates through long-term service contracts with private schools. These contracts generally have terms of validity ranging from one to five years, pursuant to which educational content is provided in printed and digital format to private schools. The revenue is driven by the number of enrolled students at each customer using the solutions and the agreed upon price per student per year, all in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in each contract. As a result, the Company benefits from high visibility in its net revenue and operating margin, which is calculated by dividing the operating profit by net revenue over a given period.

These consolidated financial statements were authorized for issue by the Board of Directors on March 31, 2022.

1.2    Significant events during the year

(a)Internal restructurings

Change of corporate name of subsidiary

On April 19, 2019.2021, according to a resolution approved by the Board of Directors and registered at the Board of Trade of Ceará, the corporate name of the subsidiary PSD Educação S.A. was changed to Companhia Brasileira de Educação e Sistemas de Ensino S.A.

Corporate restructuring

CorporateOn January 1,2021 the Company started a corporate reorganization through the incorporation of Arco Ventures S.A. by Companhia Brasileira de Educação e Sistemas de Ensino S.A.

On July 1, 2021, the Company continued the corporate reorganization through the incorporation of Barra Américas Editora Ltda., Distribuidora de Material Didático Desterro Ltda., and initial public offeringSAS Sistema de Ensino Ltda.e SAS Livrarias Ltda. by Companhia Brasileira de Educação e Sistemas de Ensino S.A.

On October 1, 2021, the Company completed the corporate reorganization for the year, through the incorporation of Nave à Vela Ltda. by Companhia Brasileira de Educação e Sistemas de Ensino S.A.

These restructurings seek an operational improvement and generation of income tax savings from the tax deductible amortization of acquired goodwill and identified intangibles arising from the purchase of Positivo.

F-15

All incorporated companies were under common control of Arco and the incorporated assets and liabilities of the respective companies were recorded at their carrying amounts. There were no tax effects resulting from the incorporation.

Cancelation of treasury shares

As of December 31, 2017, EAS’ shareholders were Saspar Participações Ltda. (“SASPAR”)November 1, 2021, the Company had repurchased an aggregated amount of 1,172,991 Class A Common Shares under the Repurchase Program previously approved by the Board of Directors. On that date, the Company canceled 750,000 Treasury Shares with the approval of the Board of Directors.

(b)Financial transactions

Issuance of debentures

In August 2021, the Company issued non-convertible debentures through its subsidiary Companhia Brasileira de Educação e Sistemas de Ensino S.A., consisting of 900,000 debentures with a unitary value of R$1.00, in the total amount of R$900,000 (with transaction costs in the amount of R$ 8,550). The purpose of this issue is to pay the amount due on the COC and Dom Bosco acquisition. See Note 15 for further information.

Investment from Dragoneer and General Atlantic Holding Participações

On November 30, 2021, Arco signed agreements led by affiliates of Dragoneer Investment Group LLC (“Dragoneer”), which have committed to make a US$100 million strategic investment, and General Atlantic Partners (Bermuda) J, L.P. (“General Atlantic”), which has committed to make a US$50 million strategic investment, through the purchase of convertible senior notes, subject to customary closing conditions. The full amount committed was received by the Company on November 30, 2021. See Note 15 for further information.

Loan agreement

On November 11, 2021, the subsidiary Geekie entered into a loan agreement in the amount of US$ 11,020 thousand with an interest rate of 2.452% p.a. Additionally, Geekie entered into swap contracts with the lender, swapping the original interest rate to CDI + 1.7208%, avoiding any exchange risk. See Note 15 for further information.

(c)Acquisition of interests in other entities and business combinations

Acquisition of additional shares of Geekie

On January 20, 2021, Arco acquired an additional 1.36% interest in Geekie’s share capital through a capital increase of R$4,000, increasing its total interest to 57.42%.

Investment in INCO Limited (“INCO”)

On January 25, 2021, the Company acquired 8,571,427 series B ordinary shares of INCO, a company that provides financial and administrative services to private schools, equivalent to 30.0% of the total capital stock for R$25,000.

On April 27, 2021, the Company invested R$ 33,195 in the entity and an additional R$ 53,523 on September 27, 2021, in new rounds of investments. See Note 11 for further information.

F-16

Acquisition of COC and Dom Bosco learning systems

On March 6, 2021, the Company announced that it entered into a definitive agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Pearson Education do Brasil Ltda. (“Pearson”) to acquire COC and Dom Bosco, two important K-12 learning systems in Brazil.

COC and Dom Bosco have over 50 years of academic track record in Brazil, serving over 800 partner schools and around 210 thousand students in all regions of the country, from pre-K to high school and pre-university. The brands have a strong presence in the Southeast region of Brazil, especially in the state of São Paulo.

Arco expects to accelerate the growth of COC and Dom Bosco by updating their content and technology, improving distribution and customer service capabilities, as well as to cross-sell supplemental solutions within the COC and Dom Bosco partner school base.

This transaction was approved by the Brazilian Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) in September 2021, and the transaction closing date occurred on October 1, 2021. as described in Note 4.

Acquisition of Me Salva!

On March 12, 2021, the Company announced that it had acquired 60% of the outstanding shares of Me Salva!, an entity founded in 2011 with an online educational solution to help students improve their ENEM scores and be admitted to the best universities in the country. The online solutions platform offers recorded and live video classes, comprehensive exercises, essay writing tools, assessment tests, 1-on-1 tutoring and personalized study plans. The remaining 40% will be acquired from the non-controlling interests in 2025 based on the enterprise value (as defined in the sale purchase agreement) of Me Salva! as of December 31, 2024.

This transaction expands Arco’s supplemental solutions portfolio to test prep and tutoring, with an estimated addressable market of R$5 billion and favorable growth prospects. The deal rationale relies on accelerating Me Salva!’s growth by leveraging Arco’s resources and strengthening Arco’s B2B2C winning factors with new digital capabilities. See Note 4 for further information.

Investment in Tera Treinamentos Profissionais Ltda. (“Tera”)

On April 9, 2021, Arco acquired a 23.43% interest in Tera for R$15,000 through the purchase of interest from minority shareholders and a capital increase.

Tera provides courses and training for professional and management development and additionally provides consulting services in project development, IT and marketing. See Note 11 for further information.

Acquisition of Quadrado Mágico Desenvolvimento e Licenciamento de Software S.A. (“GA Holding”Eduqo”)

On April 22, 2021, the Company entered into an agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) to acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of Eduqo, which provides educational services, acting specifically in the Learning Management System (LMS), for R$ 30,000, subject to price adjustments.

This transaction was approved by CADE in June 2021, and the transaction closing date occurred on July 1, 2021. See Notes 4 and 17 for further information.

Acquisition of Desenvoolva – Educação, Treinamento e Consultoria Corporativa Ltda. (“Edupass”)

On September 3, 2021, the Company entered into an agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) to acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of Edupass, which provides educational services, acting specifically as an “education as a benefit” platform. The Company connects educational institutions with companies and professionals, and currently has more than 75,000 courses linked with corporate education benefits to help employees in their career development.

F-17

The transaction was closed for R$ 5,000, with an additional earn out of R$ 11,254 to be paid in 2024. See Notes 4 and 17 for further information.

(d)    Information related to Covid-19 pandemic

In January 2021, the COVID vaccine began to be applied in Brazil. Vaccination started with the priority groups: health workers, the elderly, the disabled and indigenous villagers. Currently the vaccine is available to all the adult population in Brazil and children above the age of 5 years old, and the vaccination campaign has maintained a 73.99%rapid pace since its beginning.

After the holiday celebrations at the end of 2021, there was an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Brazil. During January 2022, state and 26.01% interestmunicipal governments took restrictive measures to contain a possible new wave of the virus. These measures have been relaxed as the number of cases decreased compared to the beginning of the year.

Currently, the Country presents an optimistic scenario and is believed to be closer to the end of the pandemic, since on average 90% of the Brazilian population over 18 years of age are vaccinated with at least the first dose, and about 70% of this target audience are fully vaccinated according to information from Brazilian health authorities.

The initial restrictive measures taken by Brazilian states and local authorities directly impacted the education industry by indefinitely postponing on-site school activities. Nonetheless, education was included in the essential activities list by some states in 2021, allowing private schools to conduct classes applying a hybrid model, with on-site and remote classes. The resumption of Brazilian economic activity is occurring in stages, with restrictions over some activities being gradually lifted, including restrictions for the education sector, in accordance with specific health and safety protocols. In person classes are returning but is occurring differently in each Brazilian state, according to their particular circumstances.

Notwithstanding the above, the Company did not suspend its common shares, respectively. GA Holdingactivities and, SASPAR do not have significant assets and liabilities, other than their respective investment in EAS.

On February 19, 2018,despite the gradual lifting of the restrictions by the authorities, most of its workforce continues to work remotely from home, except for part of the Company’s controlling shareholder SASPAR was merged by GA Holding, streamliningadministrative and distribution centers’ teams that are working on-site, in accordance with health and safety protocols and social distancing guidelines. The Company has made additional investments in IT and network infrastructure; incurred additional expenses for cleaning and disinfecting the shareholding structureinstallations; purchased alcohol and masks; funded COVID-19 tests and H1N1 flu vaccination campaigns with the objective of taking care of its employees, reducing the demand for care in health units and facilitating the diagnosis of COVID-19. The Company also delivered chairs, computers, and work kits to its employees. Additionally, to support partner schools, since the beginning of the pandemic, the Company has made available an integrated platform with daily live classes to all students, webinars, broadcast, and remote support to maintain student learning, while complying with social distancing measures.

The measures discussed above, including travel restrictions, were put in place to safeguard the health and safety of the Company’s employees, customers, and suppliers, but have not limited the Company’s ability to maintain its operations. In addition, these alternative working arrangements have not adversely affected financial reporting systems, internal control over financial reporting or disclosure controls and procedures.

The Company’s content production continues according to the scheduled curriculum calendar and the resulting entity was Arco Brazil. current educational material has been delivered to the schools according to their calendar for the year, enabling the Company to recognize revenues on these products.

With respect to the Company’s distribution and delivery capacity, which relies on third parties, the Company’s main suppliers did not raise any issues related to their ability to fulfill scheduled shipments or indicated the need to incur in any significant additional expenses.

As a result, as of this transaction, EAS became a wholly owned subsidiary of Arco BrazilDecember 31, 2021, the following events and transactions occurred during the shareholders of GA Holding and SASPAR became shareholders of Arco Brazil with the same percentage ownerships they held in EAS prior to the reorganization.

On April 12, 2018, Arco was incorporated in the Cayman Islands, for the purposes of its initial public offering (“IPO”). At the time of the incorporation, the Founding Shareholders (through OSC Investments Ltd. and ASCN Investments Ltd., both based in Cayman Islands) and General Atlantic Arco (Bermuda) L.P. (“GA Entity”) held 7,476,705 shares of Arco Brazil, which were all of the shares of Arco Brazil, and Arco Brazil holds all the shares of EAS, the principal operating company.

On September 14, 2018, the Founding Shareholders and the GA Entity contributed all of their shares in Arco Brazil to Arco. In return for this contribution, Arco issued 27,658,290 new Class B common shares to the Founding Shareholders and 9,725,235 new Class A common shares to the GA Entity in a one-to-five exchange for the shares of Arco Brazil contributed to Arco.

 F-9

On September 14, 2018, the director Alberto Menache and his spouse, Fabiana Menache, through Alfaco Holding Inc. (“Alfaco”), a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, and the shares of which Mr. and Mrs. Menache own 100%, purchased 99,725 Class A common shares of Arco, at a price equal to R$ 31.00 per share.

On September 28, 2018, Arco concluded its IPO of 12,777,777 Class A common shares (including pursuant to the exercise in full by the underwriters of their over-allotment option for 1,666,666 shares). The initial offer price was US$ 17.50 (R$ 71.00) per share. The shares are publicly traded on Nasdaq Global Select Market since September 25, 2018 under the symbol "ARCE”. The IPO proceeds including the exercise of the over-allotment option, amounted to approximately US$ 223,611 (R$ 895,182) and the share issuance costs totaled R$ 79,205.

period:

2Significant accounting policiesThe Company incurred additional expenses of R$2,071 during the year ended December 31, 2021, related to health care in food and emotional health programs offered to the Company’s employees.

F-18

The Company assessed the existence of potential impairment indicators and the possible impacts on the key assumptions and projections caused by the pandemic on the recoverability of long-lived assets and concluded that there are no indications that demonstrate the need to recognize a provision for impairment of long-lived assets in the consolidated financial statements.
The Company obtained rent concessions, regarding leased buildings, that occurred as a direct consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic and were accounted as if they were not lease modifications. Therefore, no changes occurred in the expected useful lives and residual values of properties and equipment. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the discount obtained was R$273.
The Company’s revenue for the school year ended September 30, 2021, was 9% below the ACV booking for the school year period starting in October of the previous year to September of the current year.

Given the uncertainty around the extent and timing of the future spread of COVID-19, the imposition of additional protective measures, or the relaxation of existing protective measures, it is not possible to accurately predict COVID-19’s general impact on the education industry in Brazil or to reasonably estimate its impact on Arco’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition, including, but not limited to:

2.1A decrease in the number of students, which may impact the expected amount of revenue.
An increase in bad debts due to the current economic scenario.
An adverse change in the fair value of financial instruments recognized on the Company’s books.
The need for renegotiation of loans and lease agreements to ensure the continued strength of the Company’s financial position.

Management will continue to monitor and assess the impact COVID-19 may have on the Company’s business operations, financial performance, financial position, and cash flows.

2    Significant accounting policies

2.1    Basis for preparation of the consolidated financial statements

The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for certain financial assets, derivative financial instruments and contingent consideration from business combinations that have been measured at fair value.

The corporate reorganization described in Note 1, was accounted for as a reorganization of entities under common control whereby Arco was created as a holding company of Arco Brazil and EAS. As a result, the assets and liabilities of Arco Brazil and EAS are carried at historical cost and there was no step-up in basis or goodwill, or other intangible assets recorded as a result of the corporate reorganization.

As a result, the consolidated financial statements prepared by the Company subsequent to the completion of the reorganization are presented “as if” EAS is the predecessor of the Company. Accordingly, these consolidated financial statements reflect: (i) the historical operating results of EAS prior to the reorganization; (ii) the consolidated results of the Company, Arco Brazil and EAS following the reorganization; (iii) the assets and liabilities of EAS at their historical cost; and (iv) the Company’s equity and earnings (loss) per share for all periods presented. The number of Class A and Class B common shares issued by Arco as a result of the reorganization is reflected retroactively to January 1, 2016, for purposes of calculating earnings (loss) per share for all prior periods presented.

Arco is a holding company itand considers the currency of the local environment of the operational companies in Brazil as its functional currency, as this is the environment which drives the dividend income it receives, which is its primary source of revenue.

 F-10

Therefore, the functional currency of the Company is the Brazilianreal and the consolidated financial statements are presented in Brazilianreais (“BRL” or “R$”). All amounts are rounded to the nearest thousand,thousands, except when otherwise indicated.

The consolidated financial statements provide comparative information in respect of the previous period.

2.2

2.2    Basis of consolidation and investments in associates and joint ventures

The consolidated financial statements comprise the financial statements of the Company, its subsidiaries and investments in associates as of December 31, 20182021 and 20172020 and for the years ended December 31, 2018, 20172021, 2020 and 2016.2019.

F-19

The table below is a list of the Company’s subsidiaries associates and joint venture:investments:

    Direct and indirect interest
NamePrincipal activitiesCountryInvestment type201820172016
Arco Educação S.A.HoldingBrazilSubsidiary100.0%- 
EAS Educação S.A.Educational contentBrazilSubsidiary100.0%100.0%100.0%
Barra Américas Editora Ltda.Educational contentBrazilSubsidiary100.0%100.0%100.0%
Distribuidora de Material Didático Desterro Ltda.Educational contentBrazilSubsidiary100.0%100.0%100.0%
Novagaúcha Editora e Livraria Ltda.Educational contentBrazilSubsidiary100.0%100.0%100.0%
SAS Sistema de Ensino Ltda.Educational contentBrazilSubsidiary100.0%100.0%100.0%
SAS Desenvolvimento Educacional Ltda.Educational contentBrazilSubsidiary100.0%100.0%100.0%
SAS Livrarias Ltda.Educational contentBrazilSubsidiary100.0%100.0%100.0%
SAE Digital S.A. (*)Educational contentBrazilSubsidiary100.0%100.0%70.0%
Escola de Aplicação São José dos Campos Ltda.Educational servicesBrazilSubsidiary69.6%69.6%51.0%
International School Serviços de Ensino, Treinamento e Editoração, Franqueadora S.A. (**)Educational contentBrazilSubsidiary51.5%51.5%40.0%
NS Ventures Participações Ltda. (***)Educational contentBrazilSubsidiary100.0%100.0%-
NS Educação Ltda.Educational contentBrazilSubsidiary100.0%100.0%-
WPensar S.A.Educational technologyBrazilJoint venture25.0%25.0%25.0%

Geekie Desenvolvimento de Softwares S.A.

 

Educational technologyBrazilAssociate8.05%6.5%6.5%

Principal

Investment

Direct and indirect interest

 

Name

    

activities

    

Country

    

type

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

 

Arco Educação S.A.

Holding

Brazil

Subsidiary

100.0

%  

100.0

%  

100.0

%  

Arce Participações Ltda.

Holding

Brazil

Subsidiary

100.0

%  

Companhia Brasileira de Educação e Sistemas de Ensino S.A.

 

Educational content

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

100.0

%  

100.0

%  

100.0

%  

Barra Américas Editora Ltda (a).

 

Educational content

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

100.0

%  

100.0

%  

Distribuidora de Material Didático Desterro Ltda. (a)

 

Educational content

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

100.0

%  

100.0

%  

SAS Sistema de Ensino Ltda. (a)

 

Educational content

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

100.0

%  

100.0

%  

Arco Ventures S.A. (a)

 

Educational content

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

100.0

%  

100.0

%  

SAS Livrarias Ltda. (a)

 

Educational content

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

100.0

%  

100.0

%  

SAE Digital S.A.

 

Educational content

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

100.0

%  

100.0

%  

100.0

%  

International School Serviços de Ensino, Treinamento e Editoração, Franqueadora S.A.

 

Educational content

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

51.5

%  

51.5

%  

51.5

%  

Nave à Vela Ltda. (a)

 

Educational content

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

51.0

%  

51.0

%

EEM Licenciamento de Programas Educacionais Ltda.

 

Educational technology

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

100.0

%  

100.0

%  

100.0

%

NLP Soluções Educacionais Ltda.

 

Educational content

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

100.0

%  

100.0

%  

100.0

%

WPensar S.A.

 

Educational technology

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

100.0

%  

100.0

%  

25.0

%  

Geekie Desenvolvimento de Softwares S.A.

 

Educational technology

 

Brazil

 

Subsidiary

 

57.4

%  

56.0

%  

37.5

%  

Studos Software Ltda.

Educational content

Brazil

Subsidiary

100.0

%

100.0

%

Escola da Inteligência Cursos Educacionais Ltda.

Educational content

Brazil

Subsidiary

60.0

%

60.0

%

Me Salva! Cursos e Consultorias S/A.

Educational content

Brazil

Subsidiary

60.0

%

Quadrado Mágico Desenvolvimento e Licenciamento de Software S.A.

Educational content

Brazil

Subsidiary

100.0

%

Desenvoolva – Educação, Treinamento e Consultoria Corporativa Ltda.

Educational content

Brazil

Subsidiary

100.0

%

P2D Educação Ltda.

Educational content

Brazil

Subsidiary

100.0

%

Bewater Ventures I GA Fundo de Investimento em Participações Multiestratégia

Private equity

Brazil

Investee

11.0

%

14.5

%

INCO Limited

Collection services

Cayman Islands

Investee

26.1

%

Tera Treinamentos Profissionais Ltda

Educational content

Brazil

Investee

23.4

%

(a)

(*)In 2016,

During the Company acquired 70% of SAE Digitalyear the entity was incorporated by Companhia Brasileira de Educação e Sistemas de Ensino S.A. and acquired the remaining 30% interest in October 2017, as described in Note 4.1.2 (a).

(**)In December 2015, the Company acquired 40% interest in International School and such investments was accounted for under the equity method through January 2017, when the Company acquired control and International School became a consolidated subsidiary of the Company. See Note 4.

(***)NS Ventures Participações Ltda. is a holding entity incorporated by the Company in 2017, with the purpose of acquiring other business.

Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Company obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Company loses control of the subsidiary. Control is achieved when the Company is exposed to, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee. Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Company obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Company loses control of the

 F-11

subsidiary. Assets, liabilities, income and expenses of a subsidiary acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date the Company gains control until the date the Company ceases control of the subsidiary.

Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring their accounting policies in line with the Company’s accounting policies. All intra-group assets and liabilities, equity, income, expenses and cash flows relating to transactions, and any unrealized income and expenses arising from intra-group transactions, are eliminated in full on consolidation.

A change in the ownership interest of a subsidiary, without a loss of control, is accounted for as an equity transaction. If the Company loses control over a subsidiary, it derecognizes the related assets (including goodwill), liabilities, non-controlling interest and other components of equity, whileand any resulting gain or loss is recognized in profit or loss.

Non-controlling interests in the results and equity of subsidiaries are shown separately in the consolidated statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss), changes in equity and financial position, respectively.

2.32.3    Summary of significant accounting policies

This note provides a description of the significant accounting policies adopted in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements in addition to other policies that have been disclosed in other notes to these consolidated financial statements. These policies have been consistently applied to all periods presented, unless otherwise stated.

F-20

a) Business combinations and goodwill

Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the consideration transferred, which is measured at acquisition date fair value, and the amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree. For each business combination, the Company elects whether to measure the non-controlling interests in the acquiree at fair value or at the proportionate share of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets. Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred and included in general and administrative expenses.

The Company determines that it has acquired a business when the acquired set of activities and assets include an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs.

The acquired process is considered substantive if it is critical to the ability to continue producing outputs, and the inputs acquired include an organized workforce with the necessary skills, knowledge, or experience to perform that process or it significantly contributes to the ability to continue producing outputs and is considered unique or scarce or cannot be replaced without significant cost, effort, or delay in the ability to continue producing outputs.

When the Company acquires a business, it assesses the financial assets and liabilities assumed for appropriate classification and designation in accordance with the contractual terms, economic circumstances, and pertinent conditions as of the acquisition date.

Any contingent consideration to be transferred by the acquirer is recognized at fair value at the acquisition date. Contingent consideration classified as an asset or liability that is a financial instrument and within the scope of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, is measured at fair value with the changes in fair value recognized in the statement of income (loss) in accordance with IFRS 9. Other contingent consideration that is not within the scope of IFRS 9 is measured at fair value at each reporting date with changes in fair value recognized in profit or loss.

 F-12

Goodwill is initially measured at cost (being the excess of the aggregate of the consideration transferred and the amount recognized for non-controlling interests and any previous interest held over the net identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed). If the fair value of the net assets acquired is in excess of the aggregate consideration transferred, the Company re-assesses whether it has correctly identified all of the assets acquired and all of the liabilities assumed and reviews the procedures used to measure the amounts to be recognized at the acquisition date. If the reassessment still results in an excess of the fair value of net assets acquired over the aggregate consideration transferred, then the gain is recognized in profit or loss.

After initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill acquired in a business combination is, from the acquisition date, allocated to each segment that areis expected to benefit from the combination.

Where goodwill has been allocated to a segment and part of the operation within that segment is disposed of, the goodwill associated with the disposed operation is included in the carrying amount of the operation when determining the gain or loss on disposal. Goodwill disposed in these circumstances is measured based on the relative values of the disposed operation and the portion of the segment unit retained.

The current Brazilian tax law allows the deductibility of the acquisition date goodwill and fair value of net assets acquired when a non-substantive action is takencorporate reorganization occurs after acquisition by the Company (i.e. when the Company merges or spinspins off the businesses acquired) and therefore. Until such action occurs, the tax and accounting basisbases of the net assets acquired are the same as of the acquisition date. In this regard, for the acquired businesses where the Company considers that it will with certainty merge the acquiree with the acquirer or another subsidiarydate and it will be entitled to the deductibility of the amortization or depreciation of the net assets acquired, no deferred income tax was recorded in these financial statements at acquisition date.

effects are recognized.

Certain acquired subsidiaries utilize the presumed profit regime as described in Note 22.b24.a) to calculate income taxes. Under this regime, there is no difference between the carrying amount and related tax basis of assets and liabilities and therefore no deferred income taxes were recorded in these financial statements at acquisition date or any subsequent periods. At this moment, the Company does not foresee a change in the tax regime utilized by these subsidiaries.

F-21

b) Investment in associates and joint venture

An associate is an entity over which the Company has significant influence. Significant influence is the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee but is not control or joint control over those policies.

A joint venture is a type of joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have rights to the net assets of the joint venture. Joint control is the contractually agreed sharing of control of an arrangement, which exists only when decisions about the relevant activities require the unanimous consent of the parties sharing control.

 F-13

The considerations made in determining significant influence or joint control are similar to those necessary to determine control over subsidiaries. The Company’s investments in its associate and joint venture are accounted for using the equity method.

Under the equity method, of accounting, the investment in an associate or a joint venture is initially recognized at cost, net of transaction costs.cost. The carrying amount of the investment is adjusted to recognize changes in the Company’s share of net assets of the associate or joint venture since the acquisition date. Goodwill relating to the associate or joint ventures is included in the carrying amount of the investment and is not tested for impairment separately.

The statement of income (loss) reflects the Company’s share of the results of operations of the associate or joint venture. In addition, when there has been a change recognized directly in the equity of the associate or joint venture, the Company recognizes its share of any changes, when applicable, in the statement of changes in equity.

Unrealized gains and losses resulting from transactions between the Company and the associate or joint venture are eliminated to the extent of the interest in the associate or joint venture.

The aggregate of the Company’s share of profit or loss of an associate and a joint venture is shown on the face of the statement of income (loss) outside operating profit and represents profit or loss after tax of the associate or joint venture.

The financial statements of the associate or joint venture are prepared for the same reporting period as the Company. When necessary, adjustments are made to bring the accounting policies in line with those of the Company.

After application of the equity method, the Company determines whether it is necessary to recognize an impairment loss on its investment in its associate or joint venture. At each reporting date, the Company determines whether there is objective evidence that the investment in the associate or joint venture is impaired. If there is such evidence, the Company calculates the amount of impairment as the difference between the recoverable amount of the associate or joint venture and its carrying value, and then recognizes the loss within share of profit (loss) of equity-accounted investees in the statement of income (loss).

c) Current versus non-current classification

The Company presents assets and liabilities in the statement of financial position based on current/non currentnon-current classification. An asset is current when it is:

·Expected to be realized or intended to be sold or consumed in the normal operating cycle;

·Held primarily for the purpose of trading;

·Expected to be realized within twelve monthstwelve-months after the reporting period; or

·Cash or cash equivalent unless restricted from being exchanged or used to settle a liability for at least twelve monthstwelve-months after the reporting period.

 F-14

All other assets are classified as non-current.

A liability is current when:

·It is expected to be settled in the normal operating cycle;

F-22

·It is held primarily for the purpose of trading;

·It is due to be settled within twelve monthstwelve-months after the reporting period; or

·There is no unconditional right to defer the settlement of the liability for at least twelve monthstwelve-months after the reporting period.

The terms of the liability that could, at the option of the counterparty, result in its settlement by the issue of equity instruments do not affect its classification.

The Company classifies all other liabilities as non-current.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are classified as non-current assets and liabilities.

d) Fair value measurement

The Company measures certain financial instruments such as, certainfinancial assets, financial investments, derivatives and derivativesfinancial liabilities at fair value at each balance sheet date.

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value measurement is based on the presumption that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability takes place either: (i) in the principal market for the asset or liability; or (ii) in the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market for the asset or liability.either.

in the principal market for the asset or liability; or
in the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market for the asset or liability.

The principal or the most advantageous market must be accessible by the Company.

The fair value of an asset or a liability is measured using the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, assuming that market participants act in their economic best interest.

A fair value measurement of a non-financial asset takes into account a market participant's ability to generate economic benefits by using the asset in its highest and best use or by selling it to another market participant that would use the asset in its highest and best use.

The Company uses valuation techniques that are appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data are available to measure fair value, maximizing the use of relevant observable inputs and minimizing the use of unobservable inputs.

All assets and liabilities for which fair value is measured or disclosed in the financial statements are categorized within the fair value hierarchy, described as follows, based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole:

·Level 1 — Quoted (unadjusted) market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 F-15

·Level 2 — Valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is directly or indirectly observable.

·Level 3 — Valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is unobservable.

For assets and liabilities that are recognized in the financial statements at fair value on a recurring basis, the Company determines whether transfers have occurred between levels in the hierarchy by re-assessing categorization (based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole) at the end of each reporting period.

At each reporting date, the Company analyzes the movements in the values of assets and liabilities which are required to be remeasured or re-assessed as per the Company’s accounting policies. For this analysis, the Company verifies the major inputs applied in the latest valuation by agreeing the information in the valuation computation to contracts and other relevant documents.

The Company also compares the change in the fair value of each asset and liability with relevant external sources to determine whether the change is reasonable.

F-23

For the purpose of fair value disclosures, the Company has determined classes of assets and liabilities based on the basis of the nature, characteristics and risks of the asset or liability and the level of the fair value hierarchy, as explained above. See Note 26 for further information.

e) Financial instruments – initial recognition and measurement

A financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a financial asset of one entity and a financial liability or equity instrument of another entity.

i)f) Financial assets

Initial recognition and measurement

Financial assets are classified, at initial recognition, as subsequently measured at amortized cost, fair value through other comprehensive income (OCI), and fair value through profit or loss.

The classification of financial assets at initial recognition depends on the financial asset’s contractual cash flow characteristics and the Company’s business model for managing them. With the exception ofExcept for trade receivables that do not contain a significant financing component or for which the Company has applied the practical expedient, the Company initially measures a financial asset at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs. Trade receivables that do not contain a significant financing component or for which the Company has applied the practical expedient are measured at the transaction price determined under IFRS 15.

In order forFor a financial asset to be classified and measured at amortized cost or fair value through OCI,other comprehensive income (OCI), it needs toshould give rise to cash flows that are ‘solely payments of principal and interest (SPPI)’ on the principal amount outstanding. This assessment is referred to as the SPPI test and is performed at an instrument level.

 F-16

The Company’s business model for managing financial assets refers to how it manages its financial assets in order to generate cash flows. The business model determines whether cash flows will result from collecting contractual cash flows, selling the financial assets, or both.

Purchases or sales of Financial assets classified and measured at amortized cost are held within a business model with the objective to hold financial assets that require delivery ofin order to collect contractual cash flows while financial assets classified and measured at fair value through OCI are held within a time frame established by regulation or convention inbusiness model with the market place (regular way trades) are recognized on the trade date, i.e., the date that the Company commitsobjective of both holding to purchase or sell the asset.collect contractual cash flows and selling.

Subsequent measurement

For purposes of subsequent measurement, financial assets are classified as: amortized cost or fair value through profit or loss. There isare no financial assets designated as fair value through OCI.

Financial assets at amortized cost

The Company measures financial assets at amortized cost if both of the following conditions are met:

• The financial asset is held within a business model with the objective to hold financial assets in order to collect contractual cash flows, and

• The contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding.

Financial assets at amortized cost are subsequently measured using the effective interest (EIR) method and are subject to impairment. Gains and losses are recognized in profit or loss when the asset is derecognized, modified or impaired.

The Company’s financial assets at amortized cost include trade receivables and certain financial investments.

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss include financial assets held for trading, financial assets designated upon initial recognition at fair value through profit or loss, or financial assets mandatorily required to be measured at fair value. Financial assets are classified as held for trading if they are acquired for the purpose of selling or repurchasing in the near term. Derivatives, including separated embedded derivatives, are also classified as held for trading unless they are designated as effective hedging instruments. Financial assets with cash flows that are not solely payments of principal and interest are classified and measured at fair value through profit or loss, irrespective of the business model.

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are carried in the statement of financial position at fair value with net changes in fair value recognized in the statement of profit or loss. This category includes derivative instruments.

 F-17

F-24

DerecognitionA derivative embedded in a hybrid contract, with a financial liability or non-financial host, is separated from the host and accounted for as a separate derivative if: the economic characteristics and risks are not closely related to the host; a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded derivative would meet the definition of a derivative; and the hybrid contract is not measured at fair value through profit or loss. Embedded derivatives are measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in profit or loss. Reassessment only occurs if there is either a change in the terms of the contract that significantly modifies the cash flows that would otherwise be required or a reclassification of a financial asset out of the fair value through profit or loss category.

Derecognition

A financial asset (or, where applicable, a part of a financial asset or part of a group of similar financial assets) is primarily derecognized (i.e., removed from the Company’s consolidated statement of financial position) when:

• The rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired; or

• The Company has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from the asset or has assumed an obligation to pay the received cash flows in full without material delay to a third party under a ‘pass-through’ arrangement-and either (a) the Company has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, or (b) the Company has neither transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, but has transferred control of the asset.

The rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired; or
The Company has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from the asset or has assumed an obligation to pay the received cash flows in full without material delay to a third party under a ‘pass-through’ arrangement-and either (a) the Company has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, or (b) the Company has neither transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset but has transferred control of the asset.

When the Company has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from an asset or has entered into a pass throughpass-through arrangement, it evaluates if, and to what extent, it has retained the risks and rewards of ownership. When it has neither transferred nor retained substantially all of the risks and rewards of the asset, nor transferred control of the asset, the Company continues to recognize the transferred asset to the extent of its continuing involvement. In that case, the Company also recognizes an associated liability. The transferred asset and the associated liability are measured on a basis that reflects the rights and obligations that the Company has retained.

Continuing involvement that takes the form of a guarantee over the transferred asset is measured at the lower of the original carrying amount of the asset and the maximum amount of consideration that the Company could be required to repay.

Impairment of financial assets

Further disclosures relating to impairment of financial assets are also provided in the following notes:

• Significant accounting estimates and assumptions - Note 3

• Trade receivables - Note 7

Disclosures for significant assumptions - Note 3
Trade receivables, including contract assets - Note 7

The Company recognizes an allowance for expected credit losses (ECLs) for all debt instruments not held at fair value through profit or loss. ECLs are based on the difference between the contractual cash flows due in accordance with the contract and all the cash flows that the Company expects to receive, discounted at an approximation of the original effective interest rate. The expected cash flows will include cash flows from the sale of collateral held or other credit enhancements that are integral to the contractual terms.

For trade receivables, the Company applies a simplified approach in calculating ECLs. Therefore, the Company does not track changes in credit risk, but instead recognizes a loss allowance based on lifetime ECLs at each reporting date. The Company has established a provision matrix that is based on its historical credit loss experience, adjusted for forward-looking factors specific to the debtors and the economic environment.

 F-18

The Company considers a financial asset in default when contractual payments are 180360 days past due. IfManagement considers this amount represents more than 5%period of maturity to be adequate considering the Company’s business model and the historical customer’s payment since the contracts are signed annually and during this period the Company can negotiate the payment of the total accounts receivable of a specific client,security reducing the entire balance, including the not overdue portion is included in the ECL.credit risk. However, in certain cases, the Company may also consider a financial asset to be in default when internal or external information indicates that the Company is unlikely to receive the outstanding contractual amounts in full before taking into accountconsidering any credit enhancements held by the Company. A financial asset is written off when there is no reasonable expectation of recovering the contractual cash flows.

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ii)

g) Financial liabilities

Initial recognition and measurement

Financial liabilities are classified, at initial recognition, as financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss, loans and borrowings, payables, or as derivatives, designated as hedging instruments in an effective hedge, as appropriate.

All financial liabilities are recognized initially at fair value and, in the case of loans and borrowings and payables, net of directly attributable transaction costs.

The Company’s financial liabilities include trade payables, loans and borrowings, financial instruments from acquisition of interests and accounts payable to selling shareholders.

Subsequent measurement

TheFor purposes of subsequent measurement, of financial liabilities depends on their classification, as described below:are classified in two categories:

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss
Financial liabilities at amortized cost (loans and borrowings)

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss include financial liabilities held for trading and financial liabilities designated upon initial recognition as at fair value through profit or loss.

Financial liabilities are classified as held for trading if they are incurred for the purpose of repurchasing in the near term. This category also includes derivative financial instruments entered into by the Company that are not designated as hedging instruments in hedge relationships as defined by IFRS 9. Separated embedded derivatives are also classified as held for trading unless they are designated as effective hedging instruments.

Gains or losses on liabilities held for trading are recognized in the statement of income (loss).

Financial liabilities designated upon initial recognition at fair value through profit or loss are designated at the initial date of recognition, and only if the criteria in IFRS 9 are satisfied.

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LoansFinancial liabilities at amortized cost (loans and borrowings

borrowings)

After initial recognition, interest-bearing loans and borrowings are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the EIReffective interest rate (EIR) method. Gains and losses are recognized in profit or loss when the liabilities are derecognized as well as through the EIR amortization process.

Amortized cost is calculated by taking into accountconsidering any discount or premium on acquisition and fees or costs that are an integral part of the EIR. The EIR amortization is included as finance costs in the statement of income (loss).

Derecognition

A financial liability is derecognized when the obligation under the liability is discharged or cancelled or expires. When an existing financial liability is replaced by another from the same lender on substantially different terms, or the terms of an existing liability are substantially modified, such an exchange or modification is treated as the derecognition of the original liability and the recognition of a new liability. The difference in the respective carrying amounts is recognized in the statement of income (loss).

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iii)

h) Offsetting of financial instruments

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount is reported in the consolidated statement of financial position if there is a currently enforceable legal right to offset the recognized amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, to realize the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously.

f)i) Derivative financial instruments

Initial recognition and subsequent measurement

The Company has derivative financial instruments from call andsuch as put options from acquisitions of subsidiaries, associatesinvestments and joint venture.forward currency swaps to protect its exposure to foreign currency risks. Such derivative financial instruments are initially recognized at fair value on the date on which a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured at fair value. Derivatives are carried as financial assets when the fair value is positive and as financial liabilities when the fair value is negative.

Any gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded directly to finance result.

g)j) Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of financial position comprise cash atin banks and on hand and short-term highly liquid financial investments with an original maturity of three months or less, whichthat are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.

For the purpose of the consolidated statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and short-term financial investments, as they are considered an integral part of the Company’s cash management.

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h)k) Inventories

Inventories are measured at the lower of cost andor net realizable value. The costs of inventories are based on the average cost method and include costs incurred on the purchase of inventories, editorial production costs and other costs incurred in bringing them to their current location and condition. Costs of purchased inventory are determined after deducting any discounts and recoverable taxes.

Educational content in progress is considered as inventories in progress and comprises the costs incurred to create unfinishedproduce educational content. This amount is measured based on the allocation of hours incurred by editorial production employees in the preparation of educational content.

The inventory reserve for educational material is calculated based on their expected net realizable value. Inventory reserve corresponds to a reserve for inventory obsolescence and is recorded in cost of sales. It is estimated based on the amount of educational materials from prior collections which are no longer used for sale.sale and educational materials which the Company expects will not be sold based on the actual sales. In determining the inventory reserve, the Company considers management’s current assessment of the marketplace, industry trends and projected product demand as compared to the number of units currently in stock.

i)l) Property and equipment

Property and equipment isare stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses, if any.

Subsequent expenditure is capitalized only if it is probable that the future economic benefits associated with the expenditure will flow to the Company.

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Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, as follows:

Machinery and equipment

10%

Vehicles

20%

Furniture and fixtures

10%

IT equipment

20%

Facilities

10%

Leasehold improvements

10%

20% to 30%33%

An item of property and equipment and any significant part initially recognized is derecognized upon disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected from its use or disposal. Any gain or loss arising on derecognition of the asset (calculated as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset) is included in the statement of income (loss) when the asset is derecognized.

The residual values, useful lives and methods of depreciation of property and equipment are reviewed at each financial year end and adjusted prospectively, if appropriate.

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j)m) Leases

The determination ofCompany assesses at contract inception whether an arrangement is (or contains) a lease is based on the substance of the arrangement at the inception of the lease. The arrangementcontract is, or contains, a leaselease. That is, if fulfilment of the arrangement is dependent oncontract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a specific asset (or assets) and the arrangement conveys a right to use the asset (or assets), even if that asset is (or those assets are) not explicitly specifiedperiod of time in an arrangement.

exchange for consideration.

Company as a lessee

The Company applies a single recognition and measurement approach for all leases, except for short-term leases and leases of low-value assets. The Company recognizes lease liabilities to make lease payments and right-of-use assets representing the right to use the underlying assets.

A lease is classifiedRight-of-use assets

The Company recognizes right-of-use assets at the inceptioncommencement date of the lease (i.e., the date the underlying asset is available for use). Right-of-use assets are measured at cost, less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, and adjusted for any remeasurement of lease liabilities. The cost of right-of-use assets includes the amount of lease liabilities recognized, initial direct costs incurred, and lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received. Unless the Company is reasonably certain to obtain ownership of the leased asset at the end of the lease term, the recognized right-of-use assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of its estimated useful life and the lease term, as a finance lease or an operating lease. A lease thatfollows:

Buildings

1 to 4 years

Equipment

1 to 4 years

If ownership of the leased asset transfers substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership to the Company at the end of the lease term or the cost reflects the exercise of a purchase option, depreciation is classified ascalculated using the estimated useful life of the asset. Right-of use assets are subject to impairment.

Lease liabilities

At the commencement date of the lease, the Company recognizes lease liabilities measured at the present value of lease payments to be made over the lease term. The lease payments include fixed payments (including in-substance fixed payments) less any lease incentives receivable, variable lease payments that depend on an index or a finance lease.

An operatingrate, and amounts expected to be paid under residual value guarantees. The lease ispayments also include the exercise price of a purchase option reasonably certain to be exercised by the Company and payments of penalties for terminating a lease, other thanif the lease term reflects the Company exercising the option to terminate. The variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or a finance lease. The Company does not have leases classified as a finance lease. Operating lease paymentsrate are recognized as an operating expense in the statementperiod on which the event or condition that triggers the payment occurs.

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In calculating the present value of lease payments, the Company uses the incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date if the interest rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable. After the commencement date, the amount of lease liabilities is increased to reflect the accretion of interest and reduced for the lease payments made. In addition, the carrying amount of lease liabilities is remeasured if there is a modification, a change in the lease term, a change in the in-substance fixed lease payments or a change in the assessment to purchase the underlying asset.

Short-term leases and leases of low-value assets

The Company applies the short-term lease recognition exemption to its short-term leases of properties (i.e., those leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less from the commencement date and do not contain a purchase option). It also applies the lease of low-value assets recognition exemption to leases of office equipment that are considered of low value. Lease payments on short-term leases and leases of low-value assets are recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

k)n) Intangible assets

Intangible assets acquired separately are measured on initial recognition at cost. The cost of intangible assets acquired in a business combination is their fair value at the date of acquisition. Following initial recognition, intangible assets are carried at cost less any accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses. Internally generated intangibles are not capitalized, and the related expenditure is reflected in profit or loss in the period in which the expenditure is incurred.

The Company capitalizes the costs directly related with the development of the educational platforms used to deliver content. These costs are substantially comprised of technology related services and payroll expenses, recorded as internally developed software in the educational platform accounting ledger. Development expenditure is capitalized only if the expenditure can be measured reliably, the product or process is technically and commercially feasible, future economic benefits are probable, and the Company intends to and has sufficient resources to complete development and to use or sell the asset. Otherwise, it is recognized in the statement of income (loss) as incurred. Subsequent toAfter initial recognition, development expenditure is measured at cost less accumulated amortization and any accumulated impairment losses.

Costs associated with maintaining internally developed software are recognized as an expense as incurred.

The useful lives of intangible assets are assessed as finite.

Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over the useful economic life and assessed for impairment whenever there is an indication that the intangible asset may be impaired. The amortization period and the amortization method for an intangible asset with a finite useful life are reviewed at least at the end of each reporting period. Changes in the expected useful life or the expected pattern of consumption of future economic benefits embodied in the asset are considered to modify the amortization period or method, as appropriate, and are treated as changes in accounting estimates. The amortization expense on intangible assets with finite lives is recognized in the statement of income (loss) in the expense category that is consistent with the function of the intangible assets.

 F-22

GainsAn intangible asset is derecognized upon disposal (i.e., at the date the recipient obtains control) or losseswhen no future economic benefits are expected from its use or disposal. Any gain or loss arising fromupon derecognition of an intangiblethe asset are measured(calculated as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset and are recognizedasset) is included in the statement of income (loss) when the asset is derecognized..

l)o) Impairment of non-financial asset

Further disclosures relating to impairment of non-financial assets are also provided in the following notes:

Disclosures for significant assumptions – Note 3
Property and equipment – Note 12
Intangible assets – Note 14
Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives – Note 14

F-29

The Company assesses at each reporting date,annually whether there is an indication that an asset may be impaired. If any indication exists, or when annual impairment testing for an asset is required, the Company estimates the asset’s recoverable amount. An asset’s recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s or CGU’s fair value less costs of disposal and its value in use. The recoverable amount is determined for an individual asset, unless the asset does not generate cash inflows that are largely independent of those from other assets or groups of assets. When the carrying amount of an asset or CGU exceeds its recoverable amount, the asset is considered impaired and is written down to its recoverable amount.

In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. In determining fair value less costs of disposal, recent market transactions are taken into account.considered. If no such transactions can be identified, an appropriate valuation model is used. These calculations are corroborated by valuation multiples, quoted share prices for publicly traded companies or other available fair value indicators.

The Company bases its impairment calculation on detailed budgets and forecast calculations, which are prepared separately for each of the Company’s CGUs to which the individual assets are allocated. These budgets and forecast calculations generally cover a period of five years. A long-term growth rate is calculated and applied to project future cash flows after the fifth year.

Impairment losses of continuing operations are recognized in the statement of income (loss) in expense categories consistent with the function of the impaired asset.

For assets excluding goodwill, an assessment is made at each reporting date to determine whether there is an indication that previously recognized impairment losses no longer exist or have decreased. If such indication exists, the Company estimates the asset’s or CGU’s recoverable amount. A previously recognized impairment loss is reversed only if there has been a change in the assumptions used to determine the asset’s recoverable amount since the last impairment loss was recognized. The reversal is limited so that the carrying amount of the asset does not exceed its recoverable amount, nor exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation, had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset in prior years. Such reversal is recognized in the statement of income (loss).

Goodwill is tested for impairment annually as at December 31 and when circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be impaired. SegmentAn operating segment is the lowest level within the Company at which the goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes and

 F-23

therefore impairment tests of goodwill have been carried out at each operating segment level. Impairment is determined for goodwill by assessing the recoverable amount of each operating segment to which the goodwill relates. When the recoverable amount is less than its carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized. Impairment losses relating to goodwill cannot be reversed in future periods.

m)p) Provisions

Provisions are recognized when the Company has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of past event, it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. The expense relating to a provision is presented in the statement of income (loss) net of any reimbursement, when applicable.

n)q) Cash dividend

The Company recognizes a liability to pay a dividend when the distribution is authorized, and the distribution is no longer at the discretion of the Company. The distribution is authorized when it is required to pay a dividend of the profit for the year in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association or is approved by the shareholders. A corresponding amount is recognized directly in equity.

o)r) Labor and social obligations

Labor and social obligations are expensed as the related service is provided. A liability is recognized for the amount expected to be paid if the Company has a present legal or constructive obligation to pay this amount as a result of past service provided by the employee and the obligation can be estimated reliably.

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p)

s) Share-based compensation

payments

Certain key executives of the Company receive remuneration in the form of share-based compensation, whereby the executives render services as consideration for equity instruments (equity-settled transactions).

Equity-settled transactions

The expenses of equity-settled transactions are determined by the fair value at the date when the grant is made using an appropriate valuation model. That expense is recognized in general and administrative expenses, together with a corresponding increase in equity (share-based compensation reserve), over the period in which the service and, where applicable, the performance conditions are fulfilled (the vesting period). The cumulative expense recognized for equity-settled transactions at each reporting date until the vesting date reflects the extent to which the vesting period has expired and the best estimate of the number of equity instruments that will ultimately vest. The expense or credit in the statement of income (loss) for a period represents the movement in cumulative expense recognized as at the beginning and end of that period.

 F-24

Service and non-market performance conditions are not taken into account when determining the grant date fair value of awards, but the likelihood of the conditions being met is assessed as part of the Company’s best estimate of the number of equity instruments that will ultimately vest. Market performance conditions are reflected within the grant date fair value. Any other conditions attached to an award, but without an associated service requirement, are considered to be non-vesting conditions. Non-vesting conditions are reflected in the fair value of an award and lead to an immediate expensing of an award unless there are also service and/or performance conditions.

No expense is recognized for awards that do not ultimately vest because non-market performance and/or service conditions have not been met. Where awards include a market or non-vesting condition, the transactions are treated as vested irrespective of whether the market or non-vesting condition is satisfied, provided that all other performance and/or service conditions are satisfied.

When the terms of an equity-settled award are modified, the minimum expense recognized is the grant date fair value of the unmodified award, provided the original vesting terms of the award are met. An additional expense, measured as at the date of modification, is recognized for any modification that increases the total fair value of the share-based payment transaction, or is otherwise beneficial to the employee. Where an award is cancelled by the entity or by the counterparty, any remaining element of the fair value of the award is expensed immediately through profit or loss.

The dilutive effect of outstanding options is reflected as additional share dilution in the computation of diluted earnings per share.

Cash-settled transactions

q)A liability is recognized for the fair value of cash-settled transactions. The fair value is measured initially and at each reporting date up to and including the settlement date, with changes in fair value recognized in employee benefits expense. The fair value is expensed over the period until the vesting date with recognition of a corresponding liability. The fair value is determined using a Black & Scholes model. The approach used to account for vesting conditions when measuring equity-settled transactions also applies to cash-settled transactions.

t) Revenue recognitionfrom contracts with customers

Revenue from sale of education content

PriorThe Company sells educational content to the adoption of IFRS 15, revenue wasprivate schools, which is delivered through printed and digital formats. Revenue from contracts with customers is recognized when control of the significant risks and rewards of ownership have beengoods or services are transferred to the customer and the collection ofat an amount that reflects the consideration is probable, net of returns and trade discounts, and there is no continuing management involvement with the educational content and the amount of revenue can be measured reliably. Upon the adoption of IFRS 15,to which the Company recognizes revenue when the performance obligation is satisfied,expects to be entitled, i.e., at the moment it delivers the content to private schools in printed and digital format.format when the Company fulfills its performance obligation, and the revenue from these contracts is recognized at a point of time.

F-31

Revenue is driven by the number of students enrolled in each school and is based on a value negotiated with each contract through the conditions contained in the terms of sales. The technology is provided solely in support of the best use of its content. Both printed and digital content are the same.

Printed content

The Company provides printed content capable of delivering the entire K-12 curriculum. The Company also provides digital content, including its features, is provided withand in this case, for the purpose of supporting the printed content, and it includes video lessons, online homework and assessments that are not customized and have no stand-alone value if used separately or outside of the main context. TheIn this context, the digital content and related features are an evolution from a totally printed methodology to a broader approach and will continue to evolve and change in the coming years but are currently still deeply entwined with the printed content.

Digital content

The Company has been investing in technology and has solutions provided only in digital content due to the evolution to an educational platform capable of delivering entire K-12 curriculum content in a digital format and it includes video lessons, online homework and assessments for the purpose of supporting the digital content.

The Company generates substantially all of its revenue from contracts that have an average term of threefrom one to five years, pursuant to which the Company provides educational

 F-25

content in printed and digital format to private schools. The Company’s revenue is driven by the number of enrolled students at each customer using the solutions and the agreed price per student per year, all in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in each contract. Each contract contemplates penalties ranging between 20% to 100% of the remaining total value of the contract in the event of termination. However, the content already delivered to the private schools is not returned to the Company unless the return conditions in the following paragraph are met.

Revenue recognition of digital content only consists in providing the digital content to the class/year to the school that will provide that to the students. The Company recognizes the revenue at a point of time, when the content is available to the students.

Pursuant to the terms of the contracts with the schools, they are required, by the end of November of each year, to provide the Company with an estimate of the number of enrolled students that will access the content in the next school year (which typically starts in February of the following year), allowing the Company to start the delivery of its educational content. Since the contracts with the schools allows product returns or increase in the number of enrolled students up to a certain limit, the Company recognizes revenue for the amount that is expected to be received based on past experience, assuming that the other conditions for revenue recognition are met. A right of return asset (and corresponding adjustment to cost of sales) is also recognized for the right to recover the goods from the customer.

The asset is measured at the former carrying amount of the inventory, less any expected costs to recover the goods and any potential decreases in value. The Company updates the measurement of the asset for any revisions to the expected level of returns and any additional decreases in the value of the returned products.

The Company may enter contracts with another party in addition to our customer. In making the determination as to whether revenue should be recognized on a gross or net basis, the contract with the customer is analyzed to understand which party controls the relevant good or service prior to transferring to the customer. This judgement is informed by facts and circumstances of the contract in determining whether the Company has promised to provide the specified good or service or whether the Company is arranging for the transfer of the specified good or service, including which party is responsible for fulfilment, has discretion to set the price to the customer and is responsible for inventory risk. On certain contracts, where the Company acts as an agent, only commissions and fees receivable for services rendered are recognized as revenue. Any third-party costs incurred on behalf of the principal that are rechargeable under the contractual arrangement are not included in revenue.

F-32

Revenue from services

The Company provides services related to school management for private schools and students, and technological solutions for communicating with students’ parents and a learning platform for students and teachers, which are delivered through monthly software licenses. Revenue from contracts with customers is recognized when the control of services is transferred to the customer for an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled for the exchange of services, that is, when it releases the license to use services. software for private schools.

The Company generates subscription revenue from the sale of user licenses, in which customers can use the services of online school management software. The services are sold directly to schools that bundle the subscription with their own services provided to end customers. The Company fulfills its performance obligation, and the revenue from these services is recognized on a straight-line basis during the subscription period.

Subscription revenue is driven by the number of students enrolled in each customer and is based on a value negotiated with each subscriber through the conditions contained in the terms of use.

Interest income

For all financial instruments measured at amortized cost, interest income is recorded using the EIReffective interest rate (EIR) method. The EIR is the rate that exactly discounts the estimated future cash receipts over the expected life of the financial instrument or a shorter period, where appropriate, to the net carrying amount of the financial asset. Interest income includes also gain from financial investments classified as financial assets at fair value through profit or loss. Interest income is included in finance income in the statement of income (loss).

Cost to obtain a contract

r)The Company incurs costs to obtain each sales contract and recognizes as an asset the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer if the entity expects to recover those costs. The incremental costs of obtaining a contract are those costs that an entity incurs to obtain a contract with a customer that it would not have incurred if the contract had not been obtained.

u) Taxes

Current income tax

Current income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid to the taxation authorities. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that are enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date.

Management periodically evaluates positions taken in the tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulations are subject to interpretation and establishes provisions where appropriate.

Deferred tax

Deferred tax is provided using the liability method on temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes at the reporting date.

Deferred tax liabilities are recognized for all taxable temporary differences, except:

 F-26

·When the deferred tax liability arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and, at the time of the transaction, affects neither the accounting profit nor taxable profit or loss;

·In respect of taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, associates and interests in joint venture, when the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences can be controlled and it is probable that the temporary differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

F-33

Deferred tax assets are recognized for all deductible temporary differences, the carry forward of unused tax credits and any unused tax losses. Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the deductible temporary differences, and the carry forward of unused tax credits and unused tax losses can be utilized, except:

·When the deferred tax asset relating to the deductible temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and, at the time of the transaction, affects neither the accounting profit nor taxable profit or loss;

·In respect of deductible temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, associates and interests in joint venture, deferred tax assets are recognized only to the extent that it is probable that the temporary differences will reverse in the foreseeable future and taxable profit will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilized.

The current Brazilian legislation allows the amortization of goodwill in at least 5 years, for tax purposes, in cases of merger, spin-off or incorporation. Thus, it is possible to have a tax benefit from goodwill in the incorporation, since it has been generated in the acquisition of interests from third parties.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow all or part of the deferred tax asset to be utilized. Unrecognized deferred tax assets are re-assessed at each reporting date and are recognized to the extent that it has become probable that future taxable profits will allow the deferred tax asset to be recovered.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the year when the asset is realized or the liability is settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date.

The Company offsets deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities if and only if it has a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets and current tax liabilities and the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority on either the same taxable entity or different taxable entities which intend either to settle current tax liabilities and assets on a net basis, or to realize the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously, in each future period in which significant amounts of deferred tax liabilities or assets are expected to be settled or recovered.

v) Treasury shares

 F-27

2.4Changes in accounting policies and disclosures

the Company’s own equity instruments.

2.4    Changes in accounting policies and disclosures

New and amended standards interpretations and amendments adopted by the Companyinterpretations

The Company applied for the first time IFRS 15Revenue from Contracts with Customersfirst-time certain standards and IFRS 9Financial Instruments without restating comparative information.

Other amendments, and interpretations apply for the first time in 2018, but do not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements.

IFRS 9Financial Instruments

IFRS 9Financial Instrumentsreplaces IAS 39Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurementwhich became effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 1, 2018, bringing together all three aspects of the accounting for financial instruments project: classification and measurement, impairment and hedge accounting.

2021 (unless otherwise stated). The Company has appliednot early adopted any other standard, interpretation or amendment that has been issued but is not yet effective.

Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Phase 2: Amendments to IFRS 9, prospectively, with the initial application date of January 1, 2018.

The effect of adopting IFRS 9 is, as follows:

Impact on the statement of financial position as of January 1, 2018:

Assets
Trade receivables(b)(5,757)
Tax effects1,450
Equity
Retained earnings(b)(4,307)

(a) Classification and measurement

Except for trade receivables, under IFRS 9, the Company initially measures a financial asset at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs.

Debt financial instruments are subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss (FVPL), amortized cost, or fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI). The classification is based on two criteria: the Company’s business model for managing the assets; and whether the instruments’ contractual cash flows represent ‘solely payments of principal and interest’ on the principal amount outstanding (the ‘SPPI criterion’).

The new classification and measurement of the Company’s debt financial assets are, as follows:

Debt instruments at amortized cost for financial assets that are held within a business model with the objective to hold the financial assets in order to collect contractual cash flows that meet the SPPI criterion. This category includes trade receivables.

 F-28

Other financial assets are classified and subsequently measured, as follows:

Financial assets at FVPL comprise derivative instruments which the Company had not irrevocably elected, at initial recognition or transition, to classify at FVOCI. This category would also include debt instruments whose cash flow characteristics fail the SPPI criterion or are not held within a business model whose objective is either to collect contractual cash flows, or to both collect contractual cash flows and sell.

The assessment of the Company’s business models was made as of the date of initial application, January 1, 2018. The assessment of whether contractual cash flows on debt instruments are solely comprised of principal and interest was made based on the facts and circumstances as at the initial recognition of the assets.

The main effects resulting from this reclassification are as follows:

Financial assets Fair value through profit and loss (FVPL) Loans and receivables Amortized cost
Balance at December 31, 2017 – IAS 39 *  49,197   142,292   - 
Reclassify financial investments
 
from loans and receivables to amortized cost
  -   (114,363)  114,363 
Reclassify financial investments
 
from loans and receivables to FVPL (*)
  27,929   (27,929)  - 
Balance at January 1, 2018 - IFRS 9  77,126   -   114,363 

(*) As a result of the implementation of IFRS 9 in 2018, the Company reclassified some financial investments from loans and receivables to FVPL as described on note 24. The fair value of those instruments did not differ from the amortized cost as of January 1, 2018.

The accounting for the Company’s financial liabilities remains largely the same as it was under IAS 39. Similar to the requirements of IAS 39, IFRS 9 requires contingent consideration liabilities to be treated as financial instruments measured at fair value, with the changes in fair value recognized in the statement of income (loss).

(b) Impairment

7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16

The adoption of IFRS 9 has changedamendments provide temporary reliefs which address the Company’s accounting for impairment losses for financial assets by replacing IAS 39’s incurred loss approachreporting effects when an interbank offered rate (IBOR) is replaced with a forward-looking expected credit loss (ECL) approach. IFRS 9 requiresan alternative nearly risk-free interest rate (RFR). The amendments include the Company to record an allowance for ECLs for all loans and other debt financial assets not held at FVPL.following practical expedients:

ECLs are based on the difference between the contractual cash flows due in accordance with the contract and all the cash flows that the Company expects to receive. The shortfall is then discounted at an approximation to the asset’s original effective interest rate.

A practical expedient to require contractual changes, or changes to cash flows that are directly required by the reform, to be treated as changes to a floating interest rate, equivalent to a movement in a market rate of interest;
Permit changes required by IBOR reform to be made to hedge designations and hedge documentation without the hedging relationship being discontinued;
Provide temporary relief to entities from having to meet the separately identifiable requirement when an RFR instrument is designated as a hedge of a risk component;

 F-29

F-34

For trade receivables, the Company has applied the standard’s simplified approach and has calculated ECLs based on lifetime expected credit losses. The Company has established a provision matrix that is based on the Company’s historical credit loss experience, adjusted for forward-looking factors specific to the debtors and the economic environment.

The Company considers a financial asset in default when contractual payment are 180 days past due. However, in certain cases, the Company may also consider a financial asset to be in default when internal or external information indicates that the Company is unlikely to receive the outstanding contractual amounts in full before taking into account any credit enhancements held by the Company.

The adoption of the ECL requirements of IFRS 9 resulted in increases in impairment allowances of the Company’s trade receivables. The increase in allowance resulted in adjustment to retained earnings. The impairment allowances for trade receivables as at January 1, 2018 is as follows:

Trade receivables
At December 31, 2017 – calculated under IAS 39(4,533)
Effects on the adoption of IFRS 9(5,757)
At January 1, 2018 – calculated under IFRS 9(10,290)

IFRS 15Revenue from Contracts with Customers

IFRS 15 supersedes IAS 11Construction Contracts, IAS 18Revenue and related interpretations and it applies to all revenue arising from contracts with customers, unless those contracts are in the scope of other standards. The new standard establishes a five-step model to account for revenue arising from contracts with customers. Under IFRS 15, revenue is recognized at an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer.

The standard requires entities to exercise judgement, taking into consideration all of the relevant facts and circumstances when applying each step of the model to contracts with their customers. The standard also specifies the accounting for the incremental costs of obtaining a contract and the costs directly related to fulfilling a contract.

The Company has applied IFRS 15 prospectively, with the initial application date of January 1, 2018 and the effects of adopting IFRS 15 are not material.

The Company sells educational content to private schools, which is delivered through printed and digital formats to private schools. The content for both printed and digital formats is the same, and there are no sales of only digital content or features to private schools. The content is delivered to private schools by transferring the printed books (i.e. the full content) together with a specific code that allows access to the platform. The digital content, including its features, is provided with the purpose of supporting the printed content, and it includes video lessons, online homework and assessments that are not customized and have no stand-alone value if used separately or outside of the main context. Use of the digital content is optional to the students, teachers and management of the private schools. The content, in both printed and digital formats, is sold as a bundle, as the formats are not designed or intended to be used independently

 F-30

and for this reason are not sold separately. In addition, the Company does not have any obligation to make updates, upgrades, or provide additional content in the platform. In relation to the benefits of the platform, the Company’s performance is satisfied when the educational content is delivered to schools, which only then receive the benefits in an irrevocable way.

(a) Sale of goods

The Company’s contracts with customers for the sale of educational content include one performance obligations. The Company has concluded that revenue from sale of educational content should be recognized at the point in time when control of the asset is transferred to the customer, i.e. on the delivery of the educational content. Therefore, the adoption of IFRS 15 did not have anThese amendments had no impact on the timing of revenue recognition.

(b) Advances received from customers

The Company receives short-term advances from its customers under the normal course of business, recognized upon the practical expedient as liabilities in the statement of financial position. As such, the Company does not adjust the consideration for the effects of a financing component in contracts, where the Company expects at contract inception, that the period between the time the customer pays for the education content and when the Company transfers the educational content to the customer will be one year or less.

(c) Presentation and disclosure requirements

As required for the consolidated financial statements of the Company. The Company intends to use the practical expedients in future periods if they become applicable.

Covid-19-Related Rent Concessions beyond 30 June 2021 Amendments to IFRS 16

On 28 May 2020, the IASB issued Covid-19-Related Rent Concessions - amendment to IFRS 16 Leases The amendments provide relief to lessees from applying IFRS 16 guidance on lease modification accounting for rent concessions arising as a direct consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic. As a practical expedient, a lessee may elect not to assess whether a Covid-19 related rent concession from a lessor is a lease modification. A lessee that makes this election accounts for any change in lease payments resulting from the Covid-19 related rent concession the same way it would account for the change under IFRS 16, if the change were not a lease modification. The amendment was intended to apply until 30 June 2021, but as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is continuing, on 31 March 2021, the IASB extended the period of application of the practical expedient to 30 June 2022.The amendment applies to annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 April 2021.

This amendment had an impact of R$ 273 on the consolidated financial statements of the Company disaggregated revenue recognized from contracts with customers into categories that depict howdue to the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. The Company also disclosed information about the relationship between the disclosure of disaggregated revenue and revenue information disclosed for each reportable segment. Refer to Note 19 for the disclosure on disaggregated revenue.discounts obtained.

New and amended standards and interpretationsStandards issued but not yet adopted

effective

The new and amended standards and interpretations that are issued, but not yet effective, up to the date of issuance of the Company’s consolidated financial statements are disclosed below. The Company intends to adopt these new and amended standards and interpretations, if applicable, when they become effective.

IFRS 16 - Leases

IFRS 16 was issued The Company is assessing the impact that changes in January 2016 and it replaces IAS 17Leases, IFRIC 4Determining whether an Arrangement containsthe standards will have in current practice, but does not expect a Lease, SIC-15Operating Leases-Incentives and SIC-27Evaluating the Substance of Transactions Involving the Legal Form of a Lease. IFRS 16 sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases and requires lesseessignificant or any impact to account for all leases under a single on-balance sheet model similar to the accounting for finance leases under IAS 17. The standard includes two recognition exemptions for lessees – leases

 F-31

of ’low-value’ assets (i.e., personal computers) and short-term leases (i.e., leases with a lease term of 12 months or less). At the commencement date of a lease, a lessee will recognize a liability to make lease payments (i.e., the lease liability) and an asset representing the right to use the underlying asset during the lease term (i.e., the right-of-use asset). Lessees will be required to separately recognize the interest expenseoccur on the lease liability and the depreciation expense on the right-of-use asset.

Lessees will also be required to remeasure the lease liability upon the occurrence of certain events (e.g., a change in the lease term, a change in future lease payments resulting from a change in an index or rate used to determine those payments). The lessee will generally recognize the amount of the remeasurement of the lease liability as an adjustment to the right-of-use asset.

IFRS 16 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019, requires lessees and lessors to make more extensive disclosures than under IAS 17. Early application is permitted, but not before an entity applies IFRS 15. A lessee can choose to apply the standard using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach. The standard’s transition provisions permit certain reliefs.

During 2018, the Company has performed a detailed impact assessment of IFRS 16. In summary the impact of IFRS 16 adoption in 2019 is expected to be, as follows:

Company’s financial statements:

Financial position
Property and equipment (right-of-use assets)20,595
Lease liabilities(22,908)
Net impact on equity(2,313)Amendments to IAS 1: Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current
Statement of income (loss)
Depreciation expense (included in administrative expenses)(4,803)
Finance costs(1,529)
Rental expense5,056
Profit (loss) forReference to the year(1,276)Conceptual Framework – Amendments to IFRS 3

Due to the adoption of IFRS 16, the Company’s lease expense in the operational result is expected to decrease, while the interest expense and depreciation are expected to increase, regarding this matter. This is due to the change in the accounting for expenses of leases that were classified as operating leases under IAS 17.

The Company intends to apply the modified retrospective transition approach and will not restate comparative amounts for the year prior to first adoption. Right-of-use assets for property leases will be measured on transition as if the new rules had always been applied. All other right-of-use assets will be measured at the amount of the lease liability on adoption (adjusted for any prepaid or accrued lease expenses).

IFRIC 23 - Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments

On June 7, 2017, the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRS IC) issued IFRIC 23, which clarifies how the recognition and measurement requirements of IAS 12 ‘Income taxes’, are applied where there is uncertainty over income tax treatments. IFRIC 23

 F-32

applies to all aspects of income tax accounting where there is an uncertainty regarding the treatment of an item, including taxable profit or loss, the tax bases of assets and liabilities, tax losses and credits and tax rates.

Management has assessed the new standard and does not expect any impacts on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

3Significant accounting estimatesOnerous Contracts – Costs of Fulfilling a Contract – Amendments to IAS 37
Property, Plant and assumptionsEquipment: Proceeds before Intended Use – Amendments to IAS 16
Disclosure of Accounting Policies (Amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2)
Definition of Accounting Estimates (Amendments to IAS 8)
Covid-19-Related Rent Concessions beyond 30 June 2021 (Amendment to IFRS 16)
Deferred Tax related to Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction (Amendments to IAS 12)
IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts

3    Significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions

The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities, and the accompanying disclosures. Uncertainty about these assumptions and estimates could result in outcomes that require a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets or liabilities affected in future periods. Accounting estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Revisions to estimates are recognized prospectively.

Other disclosures relating to the Company’s exposure to risks and uncertainties includes:

·Capital management – Note 25;27

·Financial instruments risk management – Notes 26 and policies – Note 25;27

·Sensitivity analyses disclosures – Note 25.27

F-35

Estimates and assumptions

The key assumptions about the future and other key sources of estimatedestimation uncertainty as of the reporting date that include a significant risk of a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year, are described below. The Company based its assumptions and estimates on parameters available when the consolidated financial statements were prepared. Existing circumstances and assumptions about future developments, however, may change due to market changes or circumstances that arise and that are beyond the Company’s control. Such changes are reflected in the assumptions where they occur.

Impairment of non-financial assets

Impairment exists when the carrying value of an asset or cash generating unit (“CGU”) or group of CGU exceeds its recoverable amount, defined as the higher of its fair value less costs of disposal and its value in use. The fair value less costs of disposal calculation is based on data available from binding sales transactions, conducted at arm’s length, for similar assets or observable market prices less incremental costs of disposing of the asset. The value in use calculation is based on a discounted cash flow model (“DCF” model). The cash flows are derived from the budget for the next five years and do not include restructuring activities to which the Company has not yet committed or significant future investments that will enhance the performance of the assets of the CGU being tested. The recoverable amount is sensitive to the discount rate used for the DCF model as well as to expected future cash-inflows and the growth rate used for extrapolation purposes. The Company determined that its operating segment is the cash generating unit.

 F-33

These estimates are most relevant to goodwill that are recognized by the Company. The key assumptions used to determine the recoverable amount for the different operating segments, including a sensitivity analysis, are disclosed and further explained in Note 13.14.

Inventory reserve

TaxesThe Company recognizes a provision for disposal of inventory considering materials from previous collections not sold and a prospective model to estimate the forecast of obsolescence of products from current collections. The applied model considers the historical data of non-realization of products to obtain the expected loss percentages. Any significant changes between the observed losses compared to the historical loss pattern impact the expected loss percentages estimated by the Company. See Note 8 for further information.

Provision for expected credit losses of trade receivables and contract assets

The Company uses a provision matrix to calculate ECLs for trade receivables and contract assets. The provision rates are based on days past due for customer. The provision matrix is initially based on the Company’s historical observed default rates. The Company calibrates the matrix to adjust the historical credit loss experience with forward-looking information.

The assessment of the correlation between historical observed default rates, forecast economic conditions and ECLs is a significant estimate. The amount of ECLs is sensitive to changes in circumstances and of forecast economic conditions. The Company’s historical credit loss experience and forecast of economic conditions may also not be representative of customer’s actual default in the future. The information about the ECLs on the Company’s trade receivables and contract assets is disclosed in Note 7.

Share-based payment

Estimating fair value for share-based payment transactions requires determination of the most appropriate valuation model, which depends on the terms and conditions of the grant. This estimate also requires determination of the most appropriate inputs to the valuation model including the expected life of the share option or appreciation right, volatility and dividend yield and making assumptions about them. For the measurement of the fair value of equity-settled transactions, the Company uses the Black & Scholes model. The assumptions and models used for estimating fair value for share-based payment transactions are disclosed in Note 18. b).

F-36

Taxes

Deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and unused tax credits from net operating losses carryforward to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the losses can be utilized. Significant management judgement is required to determine the amount of deferred tax assets that can be recognized, based upon the likely timing and the level of future taxable profits, together with future tax planning strategies.

The Company has R$ 10,427 (2017:12,902 (2020: R$ 4,451)4,380) of unrecognized unused tax loss carryforwards as of December 31, 20182021 related to a subsidiarysubsidiaries that has a history of losses. Such unused tax loss carryforwards do not expire and may not be used to offset taxable income of other subsidiaries of the Company. See Note 22.24 for further information.

Fair value measurement of financial instruments

When the fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities recorded in the statement of financial position cannot be measured based on quoted prices in active markets, their fair value is measured using valuation techniques including the DCF model. The inputs into these models are taken from observable markets where possible, but where this is not feasible, a degree of judgement is required to estimate fair values. Judgements include considerations of inputs such as liquidity risk, credit risk and volatility. Changes in assumptions relating to these factors could affect the reported fair value of financial instruments. See Note 2426 for further disclosures.

Contingent consideration, resulting from business combinations, is valued at fair value as of the acquisition date as part of the business combination. When the contingent consideration meets the definition of a financial liability, it is subsequently remeasured at each reporting date. This determination of fair value is based on discounted cash flows. The key assumptions taken into consideration are the probability of meeting each performance target and the discount factor (see Notes 46 and 2426 for additional information).

F-37

In the accounting

4    Business combinations and acquisition of SAE Digital S.A. (“SAE”), contingent consideration with an estimated fair value of R$ 4,200 was recognized as of the acquisition date and settled for the same amount in April 2017. There is no outstanding amount related to contingent consideration of SAE acquisition as of December 31, 2017 and 2018. See Note 4 for additional information about business combinations.

Any contingent consideration is classified as financial instruments from acquisition ofnon-controlling interests (see Note 14).

 F-34

Share-based payment

Estimating fair value for share-based payment transactions requires determination of the most appropriate valuation model, which depends on the terms and conditions of the grant. This estimate also requires determination of the most appropriate inputs to the valuation model including the expected life of the share option or appreciation right, volatility and dividend yield and making assumptions about them. For the measurement of the fair value of equity-settled transactions, the Company uses the Black & Scholes model. The assumptions and models used for estimating fair value for share-based payment transactions are disclosed in Note 16b.

4Business combinations and acquisition of non-controlling interests

The fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities as of the date of each acquisition was:

 Fair value as of the acquisition date
 2017 2016

Fair value as of the acquisition date

2021

 NS Educação International School SAE

    

Me Salva!

    

Eduqo

    

Edupass

    

P2D

Assets      

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Cash and cash and equivalents  1   689   5,000 

 

10,562

 

1,112

 

362

 

24,136

Trade receivables  -   10,576   5,890 

 

2,010

 

300

 

23

 

17,786

Inventories  -   1,837   - 

 

80

 

 

 

23,348

Taxes recoverable  -   173   - 

Recoverable taxes

 

7

 

50

 

 

1,175

Deferred taxes

 

 

 

 

3,137

Advance to employees

109

Other assets  -   470   - 

 

160

 

4

 

102

 

2,622

Property and equipment  -   323     

 

145

 

74

 

 

319

Right-of-use assets

 

112

 

270

 

 

Intangible assets  9,707   29,736   21,400 

 

12,022

 

9,097

 

3,702

 

168,187

  9,708   43,804   32,290 
            

 

25,098

 

10,907

 

4,189

 

240,819

Liabilities            

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Trade payables  -   (2,327)  - 

 

614

 

77

 

56

 

8,738

Labor and social obligations  -   (696)  - 

 

296

 

232

 

42

 

5,205

Taxes and contributions payable  -   (119)  - 

 

211

 

657

 

519

 

65

Income taxes payable  -   (410)  - 

Leases

 

112

 

270

 

 

Loans and financing

 

91

 

119

 

 

Advances from customers

322

22

202

Other liabilities  -   (340)  - 

 

2,263

 

4

 

 

6,113

  -   (3,892)  - 
Total identifiable net assets at fair value  9,708   39,912   32,290 
            

 

3,909

 

1,359

 

639

 

20,323

Net identifiable assets acquired at fair value

 

21,189

 

9,548

 

3,550

 

220,496

Goodwill arising on acquisition  28,826   27,598   20,365 

 

28,326

 

22,422

 

11,679

 

560,075

Purchase consideration transferred  38,534   67,510   52,655 

Purchase consideration

 

49,515

 

31,970

 

15,229

 

780,571

Cash paid  29,037   -   27,857 

 

15,779

 

15,097

 

2,000

 

788,985

Capital contribution  -   5,300   5,000 

 

10,000

 

 

 

Forward contract of non-controlling interest at acquisition  -   30,144   15,455 
Deferred payments  9,497   -   143 
Contingent consideration  -   -   4,200 
Fair value of previously held interest in a step acquisition  -   32,066   - 

Accounts payables to selling shareholders arising from acquisition (Note 17)

22,196

16,076

13,229

Retained payments

 

1,324

 

 

 

Price adjustment

217

797

(8,414)

Analysis of cash flows on acquisition:            

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Transaction costs of the acquisition (included in cash flows from operating activities)  (498)  (85)  (218)

 

(486)

 

(390)

 

(191)

 

(13,629)

Cash paid and subscribed capital net of cash acquired with the subsidiary (included in cash flows from investing activities)  (29,036)  689   (27,857)

 

(15,433)

 

(13,985)

 

(1,638)

 

(764,849)

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F-38

(a) International School Serviços de Ensino, Treinamento e Editoração, Franqueadora S.A. (“International School”)

��

    

2020

    

WPensar

    

Studos

    

Geekie

    

EI

Assets

Cash and cash and equivalents

 

378

 

191

 

7,796

 

14,492

Trade receivables

 

75

 

126

 

1,120

 

11,129

Inventories

 

 

 

8,333

 

4,419

Recoverable taxes

 

108

 

 

524

 

Deferred taxes

 

 

 

15,098

 

Advance to employees

 

 

 

 

11,484

Other assets

 

1

 

 

710

 

697

Property and equipment

 

172

 

39

 

2,592

 

843

Right-of-use assets

 

 

 

292

 

2,418

Intangible assets

 

6,192

 

5,996

 

36,328

 

238,825

 

6,926

 

6,352

 

72,793

 

284,307

Liabilities

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Trade payables

 

47

 

18

 

823

 

1,709

Labor and social obligations

 

385

 

79

 

21,584

 

3,097

Taxes and contributions payable

 

152

 

56

 

677

 

Income taxes payable

 

8

 

 

 

Leases

 

 

 

292

 

2,418

Loans and financing

 

 

 

8,836

 

Loans with related parties

 

1,285

 

 

10,885

 

Provision for legal proceedings

 

 

 

 

599

Advances from customers

 

100

 

27

 

269

 

Other liabilities

 

35

 

10

 

 

166

 

2,012

 

190

 

43,366

 

7,989

Total identifiable net assets at fair value

 

4,914

 

6,162

 

29,427

 

275,684

Goodwill arising on acquisition

 

18,994

 

13,371

 

158,552

 

219,715

Purchase consideration transferred

 

23,908

 

19,533

 

187,979

 

496,033

Cash paid

 

14,345

 

8,298

 

4,500

 

200,000

Forward contract of non-controlling interest at acquisition

 

 

 

115,222

 

291,413

Retained payments

 

3,586

 

11,235

 

 

Price adjustment

 

 

 

 

4,620

Fair value of previously held interest in a step acquisition

 

5,977

 

 

68,257

 

Analysis of cash flows on acquisition:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Transaction costs of the acquisition (included in cash flows from operating activities)

 

(115)

 

(275)

 

(762)

 

(6,510)

Cash paid and subscribed capital net of cash acquired with the subsidiary (included in cash flows from investing activities)

 

(13,967)

 

(8,107)

 

3,296

 

(185,508)

International School represented an opportunity forThe purchase price allocation is subject to change during the Company to enteringperiod of completion of the English as a second language and bilingual teaching market. The acquisition hasdetermination of the purpose to provide additional value-added contentfair value of intangible assets according to the Company’s customers. International School has a proprietary English content solution developed for in-school programs for private schools and a professional staff that is highly qualified to develop the product and provide support to International School’s customers.deadline defined by IFRS.

(a)

Me Salva! Cursos e Consultorias S/A (“Me Salva!”)

On December 21, 2015,March 10, 2021, the Company acquired 40%control of Me Salva!, by acquiring 60.0% of the outstanding shares on the acquisition date.

F-39

The purchase consideration transferred was R$ 49,515, comprised of:

For acquisition of 60%: (i) R$ 15,779 related to cash consideration paid on the acquisition date; (ii) R$ 10,000 capital contribution paid on the acquisition date; (iii) R$ 1,324 retained for the period of 5 years for any eventual inaccuracies in the fulfillment of the guarantees given in the purchase and sale agreement, which will be released in 5 annual installments; and (iv) R$ 217 determined as an “acquisition price adjustment.

For acquisition of remaining 40%: (i) R$ 22,196, representing the present value of the amount that will be paid in March 2025. Because the price is not fixed, the Company considers the payment as contingent consideration and the financial liability is measured at FVPL and no non-controlling interest has been recognized. The Company did not recognize deferred taxes related to the business combination because the tax basis and the accounting basis, including fair value adjustments, were the same at the date of the business combination.

Goodwill

The goodwill recorded on the acquisition was R$28,326 and it is expected to be deductible for tax purposes after the Company incorporates the acquiree. For the purposes of impairment testing, the goodwill has been allocated to the Supplemental operating segment.

The goodwill is primarily attributable to the expected synergies and other benefits from combining the assets and activities of Me Salva! with those of the Company. The goodwill paid is based on the Business Plan prepared for purposes of the acquisition, and the principal business assumptions used were considered by management as appropriate.

Transaction costs

Transaction costs of R$486 were expensed and are included in general and administrative expenses as of December 31, 2021.

(b)Quadrado Mágico Desenvolvimento e Licenciamento de Software S.A. (“Eduqo”)

On July 1, 2021, the Company acquired control of Eduqo, by acquiring 100% of the outstanding shares on the acquisition date.

Eduqo provides educational services, acting specifically in the Learning Management System (LMS) segment.

The purchase consideration transferred was R$31,970, comprised of: (i) R$15,097 cash consideration paid on the acquisition date; (ii) R$16,076 related to seller financing, representing the present value of fixed price that will be paid in two installments on each anniversary date of the transaction, and (iii) of R$797 determined as an acquisition price adjustment. See Note 17 for further information.

The Company did not recognize deferred taxes related to the business combination because the tax basis and the accounting basis, including fair value adjustments, were the same at the date of the business combination.

Goodwill

The goodwill recorded on the acquisition was R$22,422 and it is expected to be deductible for tax purposes after the Company incorporates the acquiree. For the purposes of impairment testing, the goodwill has been allocated to the Supplemental operating segment.

The goodwill acquired is primarily attributable to the expected synergies and other benefits from combining the assets and activities of Eduqo with those of the Company. The goodwill paid is based on the Business Plan prepared for purposes of the acquisition, and the principal business assumptions used were considered by management as appropriate.

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Transaction costs

Transaction costs of R$390 were expensed and are included in general and administrative expenses as of December 31, 2021.

(c)Desenvoolva – Educação, Treinamento e Consultoria Corporativa Ltda. (“Edupass”)

On September 3, 2021, the Company acquired control of Edupass, by acquiring 100% of the outstanding shares on the acquisition date.

Edupass connects education institutions with companies and professionals, helping employees in their career development.

The purchase consideration was R$ 15,229, comprised of: (i) R$ 2,000 cash consideration paid on the acquisition date; (ii) R$ 1,975 related to seller financing which will be paid in 2 installments on each anniversary of the transaction; and (iii) an additional earn-out of R$ 11,254, representing the present value of the amount that will be paid in 2024. Because the R$ 11,254 is not a fixed price but subject to a formula, the Company considers the payment as contingent consideration and the liability is measured at FVPL.

The Company did not recognize deferred taxes related to the business combination because the tax basis and the accounting basis, including fair value adjustments, were the same at the date of the business combination.

Goodwill

The goodwill recorded on the acquisition was R$ 11,679 and it is expected to be deductible for tax purposes after the Company incorporates the acquiree. For the purposes of impairment testing, the goodwill has been allocated to the Supplemental operating segment.

The goodwill acquired is primarily attributable to the expected synergies and other benefits from combining the assets and activities of Edupass with those of the Company. The goodwill paid is based on the Business Plan prepared for purposes of the acquisition, and the principal business assumptions used were considered by the administration as appropriate.

Transaction costs

Transaction costs of R$ 191 were expensed and are included in general and administrative expenses as of December 31, 2021.

(d)P2D Educação Ltda. (“P2D”)

On March 6, 2021, the Company announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire COC and Dom Bosco, two important K-12 learning systems in Brazil.

On October 1, 2021, Arco concluded the acquisition of 100% of the capital stock of P2D.

The purchase consideration was R$ 780,571, comprised of: (i) R$ 788,985 cash consideration paid on the acquisition date; and (ii) R$ 8,414 of price adjustments calculated after the acquisition, to be paid by Pearson, reducing the acquisition price. The price adjustment is under discussion between both parties and its payment is more likely to occur in the first semester of 2022.

The transaction was subject to customary closing conditions, including antitrust and other regulatory approvals. After the preliminary antitrust approval from Brazil’s Administrative Council for Economic Defense – CADE, which occurred on September 30, 2021, Arco closed the acquisition of P2D on October 1, 2021, becoming a subsidiary of Company.

The Company did not recognize deferred taxes related to the business combination because the tax basis and the accounting basis, including fair value adjustments, were the same at the date of the business combination.

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Goodwill

The goodwill recorded on the acquisition was R$ 560,075 and it is expected to be deductible for tax purposes after the Company incorporates the acquiree. For the purposes of impairment testing, the goodwill has been allocated to the Core operating segment.

The goodwill acquired is primarily attributable to the expected synergies and other benefits from combining the assets and activities of Edupass with those of the Company. The goodwill paid is based on the Business Plan prepared for purposes of the acquisition, and the principal business assumptions used were considered by the administration as appropriate.

Transaction costs

Transaction costs of R$ 13,629 were expensed and are included in general and administrative expenses as of December 31, 2021.

(e)WPensar S.A. (“WPensar”)

WPensar is a company engaged in the development and licensing of software, related to school management systems.

The Company bought, as a first step, a 25.0% stake in the entity in April 2015 for R$ 5,000, of which R$ 4,777 related to the consideration transferred as capital contribution and R$ 223 to the initial recognition of asymmetrical put and call options. Pursuant to the investment and share purchase agreement for the acquisition of WPensar, Arco purchased the remaining 75.0% on September 21, 2020.

The purchase consideration transferred was R$ 23,908, consisting of R$ 14,345 paid at the acquisition date, R$ 3,586 retained until September 30, 2021 as a guarantee for any losses and R$ 5,977 regarding the fair value of the previously held interest. At the date of acquisition, the carrying amount of the investment previously held interest was R$ 2,729, resulting in a gain in step acquisition of R$ 3,248. The amount will be released in a single installment, adjusted by Interbank certificates of deposit (CDI). On the due date, if there are no losses, the amount will be paid to the selling shareholders.

The Company did not recognize any deferred taxes related to the business combination because the tax basis and accounting basis, including fair value adjustments, were the same at the acquisition date.

Goodwill

The goodwill acquired on the acquisition was R$ 18,994 and is expected to be deductible for tax purposes after the Company merges the acquiree. For the purposes of impairment testing, the goodwill has been allocated to the Supplemental operating segment.

The goodwill recognized is primarily attributable to the expected synergies and other benefits from combining the assets and activities of WPensar with those of the Company. The goodwill paid is based on the Business Plan prepared for purposes of the acquisition, and the principal business assumptions used were considered by the administration as appropriate.

Transaction costs

Transaction costs of R$ 115 were expensed and are included in general and administrative expenses on December 31, 2020.

(f)Studos Software Ltda. (“Studos”)

On September 21, 2020, the Company acquired control of Studos, by acquiring 100% of the outstanding ordinary shares and voting sharesinterests.

Studos is a platform that contributes to enrich students’ learning and optimize teachers’ time, in addition to providing simplified management for coordinators.

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The purchase consideration transferred was R$ 19,533. The amount of R$ 12,300.8,298 was paid on the acquisition date and R$ 11,235 has been retained for the period of 2 years and is conditioned to the performance of the entity. The amount will be released in 2 annual installments.

The Company did not recognize deferred taxes related to the business combination because the tax basis and the accounting basis, including fair value adjustments, were the same at the date of the business combination.

Goodwill

The goodwill recorded on the acquisition was R$ 13,371 and it is expected to be deductible for tax purposes after the Company merges the acquiree. For the purposes of impairment testing, the goodwill has been allocated to the Supplemental operating segment.

The goodwill acquired is primarily attributable to the expected synergies and other benefits from combining the assets and activities of Studos with those of the Company. The goodwill paid is based on the Business Plan prepared for purposes of the acquisition, and the principal business assumptions used were considered by the administration as appropriate.

Transaction costs

Transaction costs of R$ 275 were expensed and are included in general and administrative expenses on December 31, 2020.

(g)Geekie Desenvolvimento de Softwares S.A. (“Geekie”)

Geekie Desenvolvimento de Software S.A. is an entity that provides technology for adaptive assessment and learning products and engages in the production, development and licensing of software tailored to the specific requirements of education sector customers.

In December 2016, the Company acquired a 6.54% interest in Geekie, Based on the agreement signed by Geekie’s shareholders, the Company exercised significant influence over the investment, as the Company: (i) had representation on the board of directors; (ii) participated in strategic decision making regarding all relevant matters; (iii) approved all products launched by Geekie; and (iv) provided essential technical information (Geekie’s products are based on the Company’s educational content). At that date, the Company entered into an agreement through which it had a call option, and the sellers had a put to acquireoption over the remaining 60% of the seller’s shares. The price would be calculated using adetermined by the greater of the multiple of 10xthe Company’s EBITDA related tofor 2021 multiplied by Geekie’s EBITDA, including any cash or debt; or 10 times Geekie’s EBITDA for 2021, less net debt. The put option could be exercised between the year ending Decemberperiod beginning on May 1, 2022, through May 31, 2019 and the call2022. Call and put options would be exercised betweenwere recorded at fair value, calculated through the multiple scenarios method – Monte Carlo. Any adjustment to the fair value was recognized as finance income (costs) in the statement of income (loss).

The amount to acquire the 6.54% interest of R$8,000 was paid in January 1, 20202017, of which R$4,000 was a capital contribution and April 30, 2020. The put and callR$4,000 was considered symmetrical but did not givepaid to the control over the remaining shares. selling shareholders.

The Company did not have at that time (i) power over the investee; (ii) exposure, or rights, to variable returns from its involvementagreed with the investee; (iii)selling shareholders that if in June 2018 the abilitycash and cash equivalents of Geekie were lower than a threshold of R$5,000, the Company would have to use its power over the investee to affectsubscribe capital in the amount of R$2,000.

On July 2, 2018, the investor's returns.extraordinary shareholders’ meeting authorized the acquisition of an additional 1.51% interest in the equity of Geekie, increasing the Company’s share from 6.54% to 8.05% through a capital increase of R$2,000. The capital increase was fully paid on July 3, 2018. The additional investment did not change the Company’s influence in Geekie and had the purpose to support Geekie’s working capital needs.

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On September 20, 2019, Arco acquired an additional 0.96% interest in the share capital of Geekie through a capital increase of R$1,218 increasing the Company’s total interest to 9.01%. On October 14, 2019, Arco acquired an additional 1.92% interest in the share capital of Geekie through a capital increase of R$2,500 increasing its total interest to 10.92%. In addition, on October 25, 2019, Arco acquired an additional 18.44% interest in the contract agreement establishedshare capital of Geekie from a minority shareholder for R$21,892 increasing its total interest to 29.36%. On November 15, 2019, Arco acquired an additional 1.17% interest in the share capital of Geekie through a capital increase of R$2,000 increasing its total interest to 30.53%. In December 2019, Arco acquired an additional 7.00% interest in the share capital of Geekie through a capital increase of R$4,282 and the purchase of minority shareholders for R$5,761 increasing its total interest to 37.53% as of December 31, 2019. On March 4, 2020, Arco acquired an additional 10.51% interest in the share capital of Geekie through the purchase of shares from minority shareholders in the amount of R$12.676, increasing its total interest to 48.04%. On July 06, 2020, Arco acquired an additional 4.62% interest in Geekie’s share capital from minority shareholders for R$5,782, increasing its total interest to 52.67%. Notwithstanding this acquisition, at that date, based on the Company would only have control over the remaining 60% shares when the option was exercised. As a consequence,existing shareholders ‘agreement the Company did not consolidatecontrol Geekie. On September 21, 2020, Arco acquired a 1.76% interest in the investmentshare capital of Geekie through a capital increase of R$4,500 increasing its total interest to 54.43%. On November 11, 2020, Arco acquired an additional 1.64% interest in International School and the put and call was accounted asGeekie’s share capital through a forward contracted marked at fair value. Ascapital increase of December 31, 2016, the investment was accounted for as an equity method investment and a goodwill of R$4,200 was recorded as part the investment.

4,500 increasing its total interest to 56.06%.

On January 23, 2017,November 27, 2020, the Company signed a new shareholders’ agreement and based on the new terms defined, on that date the Company acquired an additional 11.48% interestcontrol of Geekie. With the change in International School, through the capitalizationcomposition of advances for future capital increases amounting to R$ 5,300, thatthe Board of Directors the Company paid in cash in 2016. This resulted in the dilution of the other shareholders and increasing its ownership from 40%has power to 51.48% and also obtaining control of International School.decide on Geekie’s operations. The financial statements of International SchoolGeekie were consolidated from the date the Company acquired control and the acquisition was accounted for as a business combination.

On January 23, 2017, upon acquiring control20, 2021, Arco acquired an additional 1.36% interest in Geekie’s share capital through a capital increase of International School, the Company and the former controlling shareholder agreedR$4,000, increasing its total interest to amend the exercise dates of the call and put options originally issued in 2015. 57.42%.

The shareholders agreed that the put and call optionsentered a firm commitment on the 25%42,58% of the remaining interest held by the non-controlling shareholders will be exercisedexercisable until January 2023, because the terms are non-cancelable in the period between January 1, 2020 and April 30, 2020 and the put and call on the remaining 23.52% will be exercised in the period between January 1, 2021 and April 30, 2021.

Additionally, the exercise price was also amended as follows:

i)The exercise price for the 25% interest was determined to be 30% x 10 x EBITDA for the 2019 school year (that comprises the twelve-month period between October and September), discounting any debts, cash and the difference of the capital contribution made in the acquisition amount and also the amount that should have been contributed by the selling shareholder at the time of the acquiree’s capital increase (equivalent to R$ 3,180); and

 F-36

ii)The exercise price for the remaining 23.52% was determined to be 30% x 10 x EBITDA for the 2020 school year discounting any debts and cash values. ​

any way.

The terms of the optionsfirm commitment were assessed to determine as to whether or not they expose the Company to the risks and rewards associated with the actual ownership of such shares during the period of the optionfirm commitment contract. Because the terms of the put and call options are symmetrical, the Company concluded that it is virtually certain that either the parent or the non-controlling shareholder will exercise the option because it will be in the economic interests of one of them to do so.

The Company accounted for the call and put optionsfirm commitment under the anticipated-acquisition method, and the non-controlling interest subject to the put or call optionsthat is deemed to have been acquired at the date of acquisition of the control. Accordingly, upon obtaining control, the Company also consolidated the interest currently legally held by the non-controlling shareholder and recognized a financial liability that will be eventually settled when the put or callnon-cancelable firm commitment option is exercised.

The financial liability was recorded at the present value of the estimated amount payable to the non-controlling shareholder upon the exercise of the put or call options andfirm commitment discounted to present value using an estimated interest rate of 21.0%13.15%.

Goodwill

A business combination achieved in stages is accounted for using the acquisition method at the acquisition date. Goodwill is calculated at the date when control is acquired.

In order Any dividends payable to calculate goodwill, the previously heldnon-controlling shareholder will recorded as interest was remeasured to fair value at the acquisition date, and a gain was recognized in the statement of income in other operating income (expense) for an amount of R$ 1,184 at that date. The fair value of the previously held interest then forms one of the components that is used to calculate goodwill, along with consideration and non-controlling interest, less the fair value of identifiable net assets.

expense.

The purchase consideration transferred totaledamounted to R$ 67,510, which breakdown187,979, comprised of: (i) cash consideration in the amount of R$4,500 through capital contribution paid on the same month of acquisition; (ii) R$115,222 regarding a forward contract and (iii) R$68,257 regarding a fair value of previously held interest in a step acquisition.

At the date of acquisition, the carrying amount of the investment previously held interest was R$71,812, resulting in a loss in step acquisition of R$3,555. The exercise price is variable and conditioned to the performance of the entity and is based on multiples of 2022 ACV book value and revenue as follows:described in Note 17.i).

Goodwill

At acquisition date
Capitalization of advances for future capital increases5,300
Fair value of previously held investment32,066
Fair value of forward contract30,144
Consideration transferred67,510

 F-37

The table below demonstratesgoodwill recorded on the calculation of goodwill:

At acquisition date
Cash consideration and fair value of the forward contract35,444
Fair value of previously held investment32,066
Fair value of identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed(39,912)
Goodwill27,598

Goodwill arising on this acquisition was R$158,552 and it is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.purposes after the Company merges the acquiree. For the purposepurposes of impairment testing, the goodwill has been allocated to the Core operating segment.

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The goodwill acquired is primarily attributable to the expected synergies and other benefits from combining the assets and activities of Geekie with those of the Company. The goodwill paid is based on the Business Plan prepared for purposes of the acquisition, and the principal business assumptions used were considered by the administration as appropriate.

Transaction costs

Transaction costs of R$762 were expensed and are included in general and administrative expenses on December 31, 2020.

(h)Escola da Inteligência Cursos Educacionais Ltda. (“EI” or “Escola da Inteligência”)

On August 28, 2020, the Company announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Escola da Inteligência, the leading solution in social-emotional learning (SEL) in Brazil.

This transaction broadens Arco’s supplemental market presence by adding a strong brand to its portfolio. Arco believes there is a favorable market trend for SEL, pushed forward by the COVID-19 pandemic, and that EI is well positioned to capture this demand outside and within Arco’s school base.

The acquisition involves only the private sector business of Escola da Inteligência and under the terms of the transaction, Arco will acquire 100% of EI’s shares for R$496,034, of which R$200,000 was paid at closing, the amount of R$88,000 was paid in the second quarter of 2021, concluding the first stage of acquisition corresponding to 60% of EI’s shares. The remaining 40% of EI’s shares is estimated in R$208,150, subject to adjustments related to multiples of 2023 ACV book value plus cash generation multiplied by 40%. The amount will be paid in the second quarter of 2023.

The amount of R$ 4,620 was determined as an “acquisition price adjustment”, which was calculated based on the difference between net debt less the working capital and was paid to the selling shareholders in April 30, 2021.

The transaction was subject to customary closing conditions, including antitrust and other regulatory approvals. After the preliminary antitrust approval from Brazil’s Administrative Council for Economic Defense – CADE, which occurred on November 13, 2020, Arco closed the acquisition of EI on December 2, 2020, becoming a subsidiary of Company.

Goodwill

The goodwill recorded on the acquisition was R$219,715 and it is expected to be deductible for tax purposes after the Company merges the acquiree. For the purposes of impairment testing, the goodwill has been allocated to the Supplemental operating segment.

The goodwill acquired is primarily attributable to the expected synergies and other benefits from combining the assets and activities of Escola da Inteligência with those of the Company. The goodwill paid is based on the Business Plan prepared for purposes of the acquisition, and the principal business assumptions used were considered by the administration as appropriate.

TransactionsTransaction costs

Transaction costs of ​R$ ​85R$6,510 were expensed and are included in general and administrative expenses for the year endedon December 31, 2017.2020.

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MeasurementTable of fair valueContents

As of the acquisition date, the fair value of trade receivables acquired equals its carrying amount.

(i)Measurement of fair value

The valuation techniques used for measuring the fair value of separatelyseparate identified intangible assets acquired were as follows:

Asset acquired

Valuation technique


Entity

Asset acquired

Valuation technique

Me Salva!

Eduqo

Edupass

P2D

WPensar

Studos

Escola da Inteligência

Customer listrelationship

Multi-period excess earning method

The method considers the present value of net cash flows expected to be generated by customer relationship, by excluding any cash flows related to contributory assets. assets

Educational system

Me Salva!

Eduqo

Edupass

P2D

WPensar

Studos

Escola da Inteligência

Multi-period excess earning method
The method considers the present value of net cash flows expected to be generated by educational system, by excluding any cash flows related to contributory assets.
Trademarks

Relief-from-royalty method
The relief-from-royalty method considers the discount estimated royalty payments that are expected to be avoided as a result of the trademarks being owned. 

From the date of acquisition, International School contributed with R$ 25,382 of net revenue and with R$ 7,465 of profit before income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2017 to the Company. If the combination had taken place at the beginning of the year ended December 31, 2017, net revenue would have been R$ 244,426 and profit before income taxes for the Company would have been R$ 67,024.

 F-38

(b) NS Educação Ltda. (“NS Educação”)

On September 28, 2017, the Company acquired control of NS Educação Ltda. (“NS Educação”) by acquiring 100% of its shares. NS Educação is a private company which sells educational content under the trademark “Universitário”. NS Educação is a content provider to middle class private schools in Brazil and represented an opportunity for the Company to achieve a greater scale and improve its margin.

The purchase consideration transferred amounted to R$ 38,534, comprise by a cash consideration in the amount of R$ 29,037, which was paid on the date of acquisition and a deferred payment in the amount of R$ 7,302, which has been retained in an escrow account for the period of 5 years as a guarantee for the payment of any contingent liabilities that may arise. Any remaining balance will be transferred to the former owners of the acquired entity. The amount will be released in annually installments adjusted by the interest from Interbank certificates of deposit (“CDI”).

The equivalent of 5% of the original purchase price was determined as an "acquisition price adjustment", which was calculated based on the difference between the revenue from 2017 less the projected revenue for that year multiplied by 2.50. The purchase price adjustment totaled R$ 2,195.

Goodwill

Goodwill recorded on the acquisition is R$ 28,826 and it is expected to be deductible for tax purposes after the Company merges the acquiree. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill has been allocated to the Core operating segment.

Transaction costs

Transaction costs of R$ 498 were expensed and are included in general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Measurement of fair value

The valuation techniques used for measuring the fair value of separate identified intangible assets acquired were as follows:

Asset acquiredValuation technique
Customer listMulti-period excess earning method
The method considers the present value of net cash flows expected to be generated by customer relationship, by excluding any cash flows related to contributory assets.
Educational systemMulti-period excess earning method
The method considers the present value of net cash flows expected to be generated by educational system, by excluding any cash flows related to contributory assets.
TrademarksRelief-from-royalty method
The relief-from-royalty method considers the discount estimated royalty payments that are expected to be avoided as a result of the trademarks being owned.

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Non-compete agreement

With-and-without method

The With-and-Without method consists of estimating the fair value of an asset by the difference between the value of this asset in two scenarios: a scenario considering the existence of the asset in question and another, considering its non-existence.

From the date of acquisition, NS Educação had no revenue due to the implementation process and seasonality, and contributed with a loss before income taxes of R$ 1,050 for the year ended December 31, 2017. If the combination had taken place at the beginning of the year December 31, 2017, net revenue of the Company would have been R$ 258,848 and profit before income taxes for the Company would have been R$ 70,357.

(c) Acquisition of SAE

On June 27, 2016, the Company acquired control of SAE, a private company, through the acquisition of 70% interest, which represented 22,098,606 shares with a nominal value of R$ 1.00 per share. The investment in SAE added a new platform for the Company’s Core segment with a different pedagogical approach and different pricing point. This acquisition enabled the Company to serve a broader range of schools, allowing it to maximize its market reach and penetration. Thus, with the SAE solution, the Company started to offer a basic subscription solution focused on upper middle-income private schools.

Cash consideration

The amount of R$ 33,000 was paid in cash, of which R$ 5,000 was a capital contribution, R$ 27,857 was paid to the selling shareholders on the acquisition date, and R$ 143 in 2018.

Contingent consideration

The Company has agreed to pay to the selling shareholders additional consideration of R$ 210.00 (two hundred and ten reais) per additional student if SAE’s number of students on March 31, 2017 was higher than 70,000. The Company recorded R$ 4,200 as a contingent consideration, representing the fair value of the additional consideration at the date of acquisition, which was fully paid in April 2017.

Forward contract of remaining interest

The Company entered into an agreement to acquire the remaining 30% interest in SAE through symmetrical call and put options. The exercise period begins on June 27, 2019 and has no expiration date. The exercise price is calculated based on the following formula: 30% multiplied by 8x EBITDA of 2018 or the year before the exercise date, less any debts and cash and cash equivalents.

 F-40

The terms of the option contracts were assessed to determine whether or not they provide the Company with access to the risks and rewards associated with the actual ownership of the shares during the period of the contracts. In this case, as there is a symmetrical put and call options instrument, the Company considered that it is virtually certain that either party will exercise them because doing so will be in the economic interests of one of them.

The Company opted to account for the put and call options under the anticipated-acquisition method. Thus, the interest subject to the put or call options is deemed to have been acquired at the date of acquisition. Accordingly, the financial liability arising from the put or call option is included in the consideration transferred, eliminating the non-controlling interest of this acquisition.

The financial liability is recorded at the present value of the estimated amount payable to the non-controlling shareholder upon the exercise of the put or call options and discounted to present value using an estimated interest rate of 20.5%.

Transactions costs

Transaction costs of ​R$ 218 were expensed as incurred and are included in general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Goodwill

Goodwill recorded on the acquisition amounted to R$ 20,365 and it is expected to be deductible for tax purposes after the Company merges with SAE. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill has been allocated to the Core operating segment.

Fair value measurement

At acquisition date, the fair value of trade receivables acquired equals its carrying amount.

The valuation techniques used for measuring the fair value of separately identified intangible assets acquired were as follows:

Intangible assets acquiredValuation technique
Customer list

Me Salva!

Edupass

P2D

Geekie

Escola da Inteligência

Multi-period excess earning

Trademarks

Relief-from-royalty method

The method considers the present value of net cash flows expected to be generated by customer relationship, by excluding any cash flows related to contributory assets.

Educational systemMulti-period excess earning method
The method considers the present value of net cash flows expected to be generated by educational system, by excluding any cash flows related to contributory assets.
TrademarksRelief-from-royalties method
The relief-from-royaltiesrelief-from-royalty method considers the discount estimated royalty payments that are expected to be avoided as a result of the trademarkseducational platform being owned.

Me Salva!

Eduqo

Edupass

WPensar

Software

Replacement cost

The method considers the amount that an entity would have to pay to replace at the present time, according to its current worth.

Me Salva!

Eduqo

P2D

Educational platform

Replacement cost

The method considers the amount that an entity would have to pay to replace at the present time, according to its current worth.

Studos

Escola da Inteligência

Educational system

Relief-from-royalty method

The relief-from-royalty method considers the discount estimated royalty payments that are expected to be avoided as a result of the educational platform being owned.

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Acquisition of additional interest in SAE(j)Revenue and profit contribution

The individual net revenue and net income from the acquisition date through each period end for all business combinations are presented below:

    

December 31, 2021

    

Me Salva!

    

Eduqo

    

Edupass

    

P2D

Total net revenue

 

6,929

 

2,511

 

434

 

38,081

Net income (loss) before income taxes

 

(4,961)

 

988

 

(505)

 

7,497

2020

    

WPensar

    

Studos

    

Geekie

    

EI

Total net revenue

    

1,126

    

282

    

18,497

    

14,779

Net income (loss) before income taxes

 

(89)

 

(249)

 

(11,035)

 

10,429

On October 24, 2017,Total revenue and income (loss) before income taxes for the Company effectively acquiredare presented below assuming the remaining 30% interest inacquisitions had occurred at the voting shares of SAE based on negotiations with the non-controlling shareholder, for which a cash consideration of R$ 19,250 will be paid to the selling shareholders in 10 monthly equal instalments adjusted by the CDI. The difference between the cash consideration paid at this transaction and the fair value amountbeginning of the forward contract atyear:

    

2021

    

2020

Total net revenue

 

1,271,921

 

1,078,831

Net income (loss) before income taxes

 

(185,101)

 

32,208

This additional financial information is presented for informational purposes only and does not purport to represent what the momentCompany’s results of payment was recognized as a lossoperations would have been had it completed the acquisition on the date assumed, nor is it necessarily indicative of R$ 3,946the results that may be expected in the statement of income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2017 in finance costs.future periods.

5    Cash and cash equivalents

    

    

2021

    

2020

Cash and bank deposits

 

20,085

 

7,536

Bank deposits in foreign currency (a)

 

154

 

28,327

Cash equivalents (b)

 

190,904

 

388,547

 

211,143

 

424,410

5Cash and cash equivalents

  2018 2017
     
Cash and bank deposits  366   234 
Cash equivalents and bank deposits in foreign currency (a)  3,615   - 
Cash equivalents (b)  8,320   600 
   12,301   834 
(a)Short-term deposits (mainly IPO proceeds) maintained in U.S. dollar.

(b)Cash equivalents correspond to financial investments in Bank Certificates of Deposit (“CDB”) ofissued by highly ratedcredit-rated financial institutions. As of December 31, 2018,2021, the average interest on these CDB areCDBs was equivalent to 61.7% (2017: 94.1%90.4% (December 31, 2020: 95.4%) of the Interbank Certificates of Deposit (“CDI”). The average CDI rate during the year ended December 31, 2021 was 4,39% (December 31, 2020: 2,76%) These fundsfinancial investments are available for immediate use and have insignificant risk of changes in value.

6    Financial investments

F-47

    

    

2021

    

2020

Financial investments (a)

 

1,013,550

 

721,935

Financial investments in foreign currency

 

 

542

Other

 

506

 

517

 

1,014,056

 

722,994

Current

 

973,294

 

712,645

Non-current

 

40,762

 

10,349

6Financial investments

  2018 2017
     
Financial investments (a)  810,812   46,323 
Multimarket investment fund (b)  -   36,686 
Other  347   199 
   811,159   83,208 
Current  806,789   83,009 
Non-current  4,370   199

   

(a)Financial investments correspond mainly to investments in non exclusive fundsbank deposit certificates (CDB) and automatic applications, managed by highly ratedcredit-rated financial institutions. As of December 31, 2018,2021, the average interest on these funds areinvestments is equivalent to 100.9% (2017: 101.9%) of the CDI.

(b)Multimarket non exclusive investment fund corresponds to investments entered to achieve a fixed return of 102.1% (2017: 102.3%101.7% (2020: 101.3%) of the CDI. The fund is managed by a highly rated financial institution.average CDI rate during the year ended December 31, 2021 was 4,39% (December 31, 2020: 2,76)%.

 F-427    Trade receivables

7Trade receivables

    

2021

    

2020

From sales of educational content

 

676,787

 

475,507

From related parties (Note 10)

 

3,608

 

3,209

 

680,395

 

478,716

(-) Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

(87,132)

 

(63,434)

 

593,263

 

415,282

  2018 2017
     
From sales of educational content  146,114   96,025 
From related parties (Note 10)  3,916   3,444 
   150,030   99,469 
(-) Allowance for doubtful accounts  (13,419)  (4,533)
   136,611   94,936 

As of December 31, 20182021 and 2017,2020, the aging of trade receivables was as follows:

 2018 2017

    

    

2021

    

2020

Neither past due nor impaired  127,387   83,441 

 

567,490

 

360,737

        

Past due  22,643   16,028 

 

112,905

 

117,979

        

1 to 60 days  8,931   7,143 

 

15,383

 

26,206

61 to 90 days  3,868   2,508 

 

8,403

 

9,973

91 to 120 days  1,978   1,789 

 

10,347

 

10,528

121 to 180 days  3,173   1,280 

 

16,284

 

18,887

More than 180 days  4,693   3,308 

 

62,488

 

52,385

  150,030   99,469 

 

680,395

 

478,716

 F-43

TableThe Company reviews its bad debt provision at least twice a year following a detailed review of Contentsreceivable balances and historical payment profiles, and assessment of forward-looking risk factors. Management believes all the remaining receivable balances are fully recoverable.

The movement in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 20182021, 2020 and 2017,2019, was as follows:

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

Balance at beginning of the year

 

(63,434)

 

(30,051)

 

(13,419)

Additions

 

(26,610)

 

(34,684)

 

(17,392)

Receivables written off during the period as uncollectible

 

2,912

 

1,301

 

760

Balance at end of year

 

(87,132)

 

(63,434)

 

(30,051)

8    Inventories

F-48

    

2021

    

2020

Educational content

 

75,778

 

30,167

Educational content in progress (a)

 

71,314

 

37,276

Consumables and supplies

 

2,128

 

1,198

Inventories held by third parties

 

9,362

 

5,435

 

158,582

 

74,076

Balance at December 31, 2015(a)(2,002)
Additions
(5,613)
Receivables written off during the year as uncollectible2,229

Balance at December 31, 2016

(5,386)
Additions(5,227)
Receivables written off during the year as uncollectible6,080

Balance at December 31, 2017

(4,533)
Change in accounting policy – IFRS 9(5,757)
Balance at January 1, 2018(10,290)
Additions(9,588)
Receivables written off during the year as uncollectible6,459

Balance at December 31, 2018

(13,419)Costs being incurred to produce educational content. These costs include incurred personnel costs and third parties’ services for editing educational content and related activities (graphic design, editing, proofreading and layout, among others).

The increase in 2021 balances is mainly related to:

8InventoriesChange in the supply contract at our subsidiary Companhia Brasileira de Educação e Sistemas de Ensino S.A. While the previous contract provided for production in accordance with the Company's demand level (just in time), the current contract provides that the production of goods in accordance with the demand for materials for the entire next quarter; and
Increase from inventories of companies acquired in 2021.

  2018 2017
     
Educational content  8,335   8,494 
Educational content in progress (a)  6,205   10,060 
Consumables and supplies  286   33 
Inventories held by third parties  305   233 
   15,131   18,820 

(a) Costs being incurred to develop educational content. These costs include incurred personnel costs and third parties’ services for editing educational content and related activities (graphic design, editing, proofreading and layout, among others). Educational content is presented net of inventory reserve. The movement in the inventory reserve for the years ended December 31, 2018, 20172021, 2020 and 20162019 was as follows:

    

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

Balance at beginning of the year

 

(7,510)

 

(6,517)

 

(4,403)

Inventory reserve

 

(26,778)

 

(7,453)

 

(8,476)

Write-off of inventories against reserve

 

8,573

 

6,460

 

6,362

Balance at end of year

 

(25,715)

 

(7,510)

 

(6,517)

9    Recoverable taxes

    

2021

    

2020

Withholding Income Tax (IRRF) on financial investments (a)

 

3,079

 

2,027

Recoverable IRPJ and CSLL

 

11,400

 

8,573

Recoverable PIS and COFINS

 

44,097

 

7,250

Other recoverable taxes

 

2,451

 

2,575

 

61,027

 

20,425

Current

 

38,811

 

19,304

Non-current

 

22,216

 

1,121

Balance at December 31, 2015(a)(929)
Increase in inventory reserve(4,533)
Write-off of inventories against reserve4,389
Balance at December 31, 2016(1,073)
Increase in inventory reserve(4,481)
Write-off of inventories against reserve3,507
Balance at December 31, 2017(2,047)
Increase in inventory reserve(7,252)
Write-off of inventories against reserve4,896
Balance at December 31, 2018(4,403)Withholding income tax (IRRF) will be utilized to offset federal taxes payable.

 F-44

F-49

9Taxes recoverable

  2018 2017
     
Withholding Income Tax (IRRF) on financial investments  5,291   6,649 
IRPJ and CSLL recoverable  5,520   - 
PIS and COFINS recoverable  1,223   969 
Other taxes recoverable  226   782 
   12,260   8,400 
Current  11,227   5,112 
Non current  1,033   3,288 

Withholding income tax (IRRF) will be utilized to offset federal taxes payable.

10Related parties

10    Related parties

The table below summarizes the balances and transactions with related parties:

    

2021

    

2020

Assets

 

  

 

  

Trade receivables

 

  

 

  

Livraria ASC Ltda. and Educadora ASC Ltda. (a)

 

3,546

 

3,209

OISA Tecnologia e Serviços Ltda. (g)

62

3,608

3,209

Other assets

 

 

Arco Instituto de Educação (b)

1,373

1,373

Loans to related parties

 

  

 

  

Minority shareholders - Geekie (c)

 

4,571

 

4,361

OISA Tecnologia e Serviços Ltda. (d)

 

 

5,018

Minority shareholders - EI (e)

 

6,750

 

11,099

Former shareholders - Eduqo (f)

4

Former shareholders - Edupass (f)

65

 

11,390

 

20,478

Current

 

4,571

 

9,970

Non-current

 

6,819

 

10,508

Advances from customers

 

  

 

  

Livraria ASC Ltda. and Educadora ASC Ltda. (a)

 

9

 

150

 

9

 

150

Other liabilities

 

  

 

  

OISA Tecnologia e Serviços Ltda. (g)

 

258

 

469

 

258

 

469

  2018 2017  
Assets            
Trade receivables            
Livraria ASC Ltda. and Educadora ASC Ltda. (a)  3,916   3,444     
             
Other assets            
WPensar S.A. (b)  1,226   1,034     
   5,142   4,478     
             
   2018   2017   2016 
Net revenue            
Livraria ASC Ltda. and Educadora ASC Ltda. (a)  8,234   8,895   5,350 
             
Expenses            
ASC Empreendimentos Ltda. and OSC Empreendimentos Ltda. (c)  (13)  (21)  (21)

(a)SAS Desenvolvimento Educacional Ltda. and International School sell educational content to Livraria ASC Ltda. and Educadora ASC Ltda., entities under common control of the Company’s controlling shareholders. The transactions are priced based on contract price at the sales date.

(b) The amounts receivable from joint venture are monetarily indexed to the BrazilianSistema Especial de Liquidação e Custódia(SELIC) interest rate and have due date in July 2020.

(c) SAS Sistema de Ensino Ltda. had leased a facility from ASC Empreendimentos Ltda., which agreement was terminated in June 2018; SAS Livrarias Ltda. had leased a facility from OSC Empreendimentos Ltda., which agreement was also terminated in June 2018; and SAS Desenvolvimento Educacional Ltda. leases a facility from OSC Empreendimentos Ltda., which are entities under common control of the Company’s controlling shareholder.

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

Net revenue

 

  

 

  

 

  

Livraria ASC Ltda. and Educadora ASC Ltda. (a)

 

8,831

 

7,230

 

8,805

OISA Tecnologia e Serviços Ltda. (g)

226

4

9,057

7,234

8,805

 

  

 

  

 

  

Expenses

ASC Empreendimentos Ltda. and OSC Empreendimentos Ltda.

 

 

(1)

 

(8)

Finance income

 

  

 

  

 

  

WPensar S.A.

 

 

30

 

72

Minority shareholders - Geekie(c)

 

210

 

453

 

813

OISA Tecnologia e Serviços Ltda. (d)

19

18

Minority shareholders - EI (e)

336

18

 

565

 

519

 

885

 F-45

(a)Companhia Brasileira de Educação e Sistemas de Ensino and International School sell educational content to Livraria ASC Ltda. and Educadora ASC Ltda., entities under common control of the Company’s controlling shareholders. The transactions are priced based on contract price at the sales date. Sales price for these transactions are conducted at arm’s length, at similar observable market prices.

F-50

(b)Arco is a founding member of Instituto Arco de Educação (“Arco Instituto”), a non-profit association whose purpose is to support and encourage education through the generation of knowledge. The Company has amounts receivable from Arco Instituto arising from the reimbursement of expenses paid by Arco. The amounts are not subject to financial charges and the payment term is under negotiation between the parties.
(c)On January 17, 2019, the Company loaned R$ 4,000 to the current minority shareholders of Geekie, through a loan agreement with payment due in June 2022, interest of 110% of the CDI, and with their entire interest in Geekie’s shares as collateral to the transaction. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized R$210 of interest income. The transaction was intended to support Geekie’s working capital needs.
(d)On October 23, 2020, the Company loaned R$5,000 to OISA Tecnologia e Serviços Ltda. (“ISAAC”), an affiliate of the Company, at that date, and which a member of its key management personnel was a Director of the Company until October 9, 2020. The entity is developing a project to assist schools in financial and administrative management. The amount was paid in February 2021 and the Company recognized R$19 of interest income.
(e)Amount due from minority shareholders of Escola da Inteligência, with an interest rate of 100% CDI and maturing in May 2023. During the year, the Company recognized R$336 of interest income.
(f)Amount due from former shareholders of Eduqo and Edupass, which the payment is under negotiation between the parties. The amounts are not subject to financial charges.
(g)WPensar provides financial intermediation services to OISA. Amounts collected by WPensar are transferred to OISA net of the value of the service provided. As of December 31, 2021, the amount to be transferred to OISA is R$ 258, the amount of receivables from services is R$62 and during the year the recognized revenue from financial intermediation was R$226.

Key management personnel compensation

Key management personnel compensation comprised the following:

 2018 2017 2016
      

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

Short-term employee benefits  9,436   5,321   4,087 

 

60,845

 

39,628

 

13,732

Share-based compensation plan  59,747   1,359   2,043 
  69,183   6,680   6,130 

Restricted stock units

 

51,231

 

48,852

 

66,429

 

112,076

 

88,480

 

80,161

Compensation of the Company’s key management includes short-term employee benefits comprised by salaries, bonuses, labor and social charges, and other ordinary short-term employee benefits.

Certain executive officers also participate in the Company’s share-based compensation plan (Note 16b)18.b).

11Investments and interests in other entities

11    Investments and interests in other entities

(a)   Investments

Bewater Ventures I GA Fundo de Investimento em Participações Multiestratégia (“Bewater”)

WPensarOn July 24, 2020, the Company, through its subsidiary Companhia Brasileira de Educação e Sistemas de Ensino S.A. (“WPensar”CBE”)

In April 2015, acquired 9,670 Class B quotas of Bewater Ventures I GA Fundo de Investimento em Participações Multiestratégia, a fund managed by Paraty Capital. The Company paid R$9,670, corresponding to a total interest of 14.5% in Bewater. On February 2, 2021, Bewater carried out a new round of capital injection, in which the Company acquired a 25%an additional 27 class B quotas, resulting in an 11.1% interest of WPensar, a company engaged in the development and licensing of software, specifically, school management systems. The Company executed a shareholders’ agreement to share control of WPensar with the other shareholders, recognizing this investment as a joint venture. This investment helped the Company to identify new potential businesses, to enhance its overall growth strategy and to create synergies.

This investment is not a business combination since the Company did not acquire control of WPensar.

In addition, the Company has a call option to acquire the remaining 75% interest in WPensar with an exercise period beginning on July 10, 2020 through July 10, 2021. In addition, the other shareholders have a put option to sell their interest of 75% with an exercise period beginning on July 10, 2021 through July 10, 2022.

The exercise price for the put and call options is calculated by the average of the last three months of the EBITDA multiple that Arco’s stock is being traded, less net debt. If the Company exercises the call option, the settlement can be performed up to 50% in shares of EAS.

The call and put options were recorded at their fair value, calculated through the multiple scenarios method – Monte Carlo. Any adjustmentfund due to the fair value is recognized as finance income/costsdilution of its interest. On August 12, 2021, Bewater had a new round of investments, in the statement of income (loss).

 F-46

The Company paid an acquisition price of R$ 5,000 for the interest in WPensar, of which R$ 4,777 refers to the consideration transferred as capital contribution and R$ 223 to the initial recognition of the above said asymmetrical put and call options instrument.

Geekie Desenvolvimento de Softwares S.A. (“Geekie”)

In December 2016, the Company acquired a 6.54%an additional 16 class B quotas, resulting in an 11.0% interest in Geekie, an entitythe fund.

F-51

The fund made a minority investment in Group A, a company that provides technologyeducational solutions for adaptive assessmenthigher education. The investment in Bewater is measured at fair value through profit and learning productsloss.

INCO Limited (“INCO”)

On January 25, 2021, the Company entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with INCO Limited, or INCO, the controlling entity of OISA, a company that provides financial and engages inadministrative services to private schools, according to which 8,571,427 series B ordinary shares were acquired, equivalent to 30% of the production, developmenttotal stock capital of INCO, for a total amount of R$25,000. On April 27, 2021, Arco invested R$ 33,195, and licensing of software tailoredan additional R$ 52,035 on September 27, 2021, and now holds an 26.09% interest due to the specific requirementsdilution of education sector customers. its interest.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had a gain of R$ 14,022 resulting from the dilution of its interest in INCO’s equity. This amount is recognized in Other income (expenses) in profit and loss.

Based on the agreement signed by Geekie’s shareholders,agreement, the Company does not have control of INCO but exercises significant influence over the investment, asentity since it is one member of INCO’s Board of Directors.

Tera Treinamentos Profissionais Ltda (“Tera”)

On April 9, 2021, the Company: (i) has representationCompany entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with Tera Treinamentos Profissionais Ltda, a company that provides professional courses focused on the boarddevelopment of directors; (ii) participates on strategic decision making regarding all relevant matters; (iii) must approve all products launched by Geekie; and (iv) provides essential technical information (Geekie's products are baseddigital skills, according to which 8,234 shares were acquired, equivalent to 23,43% of the total stock capital of Tera, for a total amount of R$15,000. Based on the Company’s educational content).

The agreed amount of R$ 8,000 was paid in January 2017, of which R$ 4,000 was a capital contribution and R$ 4,000 was paid to the selling shareholders.

The Company agreed with the selling shareholders that if in June 2018 the cash and cash equivalents of Geekie are lower than a threshold of R$ 5,000,signed agreement, the Company willdoes not have to subscribe capital incontrol of Tera but exercises significant influence over the amount of R$ 2,000.entity.

On July 2, 2018, the extraordinary shareholders' meeting authorized the acquisition of additional 1.51% interest in the equity of Geekie, increasing the Company's share from 6.54% to 8.05% through a capital increase of R$ 2,000. The capital increase was fully paid on July 3, 2018. The additional investment did not change the Company's influence in Geekie and had the purpose to support its working capital needs.

In addition, the Company has a call option to acquire the remaining 91.95% in Geekie that can be exercised in the period beginning on May 1, 2022, through May 31, 2022. The selling shareholders have a put option to sell their 91.95% interest in Geekie that can be exercised during the same period. The exercise price is determined by the greater of:

·The multiple of the Company’s EBITDA for 2021 multiplied by Geekie’s EBITDA, including any cash or debt, or;

·10 times Geekie´s EBITDA for 2021, less net debt.

If the Company decides to exercise the option to acquire the remaining interest, the settlement may be performed in up to 50% in shares of EAS.

The call and put options were recorded at fair value, calculated through the multiple scenarios method – Monte Carlo. Any adjustment to the fair value is recognized as finance income (costs) in the statement of income (loss).

 F-47

(i)   Investments and interests in other entities

Reconciliation of carrying amount:

  International School Geekie WPensar Total
As of December 31, 2015  27,973   -   4,192   32,165 
Capital contributions  -   5,420   -   5,420 
Cash paid / payable to selling shareholders  -   4,000   -   4,000 
Advances for future capital increase *  5,300   -   -   5,300 
Share of loss of equity-accounted investees  (474)  -   (637)  (1,111)
As of December 31, 2016  32,799   9,420   3,555   45,774 
Share of profit (loss) of equity-accounted investees  (384)  (100)  22   (462)
Amortization of identified fair value  -   -   (243)  (243)
Consolidation on the acquisition of control  (32,415)  -   -   (32,415)
As of December 31, 2017  -   9,320   3,334   12,654 
Share of loss of equity-accounted investees  -   (695)  (97)  (792)
As of December 31, 2018  -   8,625   3,237   11,862 

2021

2020

    

INCO

    

TERA

    

Bewater

    

Total

    

Total

At beginning of the year

 

0

 

0

 

9,654

 

9,654

 

48,574

Capital contributions

 

110,230

 

15,000

 

43

 

125,273

 

14,170

Acquisition from a minority shareholder

 

 

 

 

 

18,458

Fair value on investment

106

106

(16)

Gain of changes in ownership

 

14,022

 

 

 

14,022

 

Share of loss of equity-accounted investees

 

(21,831)

 

(351)

 

 

(22,182)

 

409

Consolidation on the acquisition of control

 

 

 

 

 

(71,941)

At end of the year

 

102,421

 

14,649

 

9,803

 

126,873

 

9,654

Percentage of ownership

 

26.09

%  

23.43

%  

11.03

%  

  

 

  

* Advances for future capital increase is mandatorily converted into an investment in International School for a fixed amount of cash and a fixed number of shares.

(ii) Selected financial information for associates and joint ventures

  Geekie WPensar
December 31, 2018        
Current assets  5,215   1,625 
Non-current assets  12,174   1,414 
Current liabilities  7,681   286 
Non-current liabilities  -   1,170 
Equity  9,708   1,583 
Net revenue  11,084   3,965 
Costs and expenses (*)  (18,299)  (4,015)
Loss for the year  (7,215)  (50)
December 31, 2017        
Current assets  8,937   1,615 
Non-current assets  11,503   1,394 
Current liabilities  5,276   284 
Non-current liabilities  -   1,091 
Equity  15,164   1,634 
Net revenue  14,329   3,687 
Costs and expenses (*)  (15,865)  (3,598)
Profit (loss) for the year  (1,536)  89 
December 31, 2016        
Net revenue  15,601   2,470 
Costs and expenses (*)  (15,951)  (4,047)
Loss for the year  (350)  (1,577)

(*)Comprise costs, selling and administrative expenses, finance result, other expenses and income tax and social contribution.

 F-48

F-52

12Property and equipment

12    Property and equipment

Reconciliation of carrying amount:

  Machinery and equipment Vehicles 

Furniture and

 fixtures

 IT equipment Facilities 

Leasehold

 improvements

 Others Total
                 
Cost                                
As of December 31, 2015  478   191   764   1,440   88   2,745   -   5,706 
Additions  97   -   258   525   46   665   -   1,591 
Disposals  -   -   (2)  -   -   (6)  -   (8)
As of December 31, 2016  575   191   1,020   1,965   134   3,404   -   7,289 
Additions  219   -   583   1,021   121   983   2,387   5,314 
Business combinations  49   -   155   61   58   -   -   323 
As of December 31, 2017  843   191   1,758   3,047   313   4,387   2,387   12,926 
Additions  87   -   589   2,096   12   258   3,812   6,854 
Disposals  (34)  -   (51)  (63)  -   (7)  -   (155)
As of December 31, 2018  896   191   2,296   5,080   325   4,638   6,199   19,625 
                                 
Depreciation                                
As of December 31, 2015  (50)  (50)  (99)  (458)  (26)  (119)  -   (802)
Depreciation charge for the year  (53)  (37)  (86)  (305)  (11)  (296)  -   (788)
As of December 31, 2016  (103)  (87)  (185)  (763)  (37)  (415)  -   (1,590)
Depreciation charge for the year  (67)  (33)  (139)  (424)  (28)  (375)  (1,191)  (2,257)
As of December 31, 2017  (170)  (120)  (324)  (1,187)  (65)  (790)  (1,191)  (3,847)
Depreciation charge for the year  (84)  (24)  (203)  (740)  (35)  (484)  (878)  (2,448)
Disposals  -   -   -   17   -   -   -   17 
As of December 31, 2018  (254)  (144)  (527)  (1,910)  (100)  (1,274)  (2,069)  (6,278)
                                 
Net book value                                
As of December 31, 2017  673   71   1,434   1,860   248   3,597   1,196   9,079 
As of December 31, 2018  642   47   1,769   3,170   225   3,364   4,130   13,347 

    

Machinery

    

    

Furniture

    

    

    

    

    

and

and

IT 

Leasehold 

    

equipment

    

Vehicles

    

 fixtures

    

equipment

    

Facilities 

    

improvements

    

Others

    

Total

Cost

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

As of December 31, 2019

 

1,257

 

121

 

2,353

 

7,272

 

80

 

10,034

 

7,234

 

28,351

Additions

 

146

 

 

1,365

 

4,612

 

38

 

4,239

 

422

 

10,822

Disposals

 

(37)

 

 

(114)

 

(1,289)

 

 

 

(934)

 

(2,374)

Business combination

 

625

 

186

 

325

 

2,300

 

5

 

205

 

 

3,646

As of December 31, 2020

 

1,991

 

307

 

3,929

 

12,895

 

123

 

14,478

 

6,722

 

40,445

Additions

 

453

 

 

759

 

56,290

 

112

 

1,381

 

1,083

 

60,078

Disposals

 

(67)

 

 

(222)

 

(432)

 

 

 

(415)

 

(1,136)

Business combination

 

10

 

 

65

 

413

 

 

50

 

 

538

As of December 31, 2021

 

2,387

 

307

 

4,531

 

69,166

 

235

 

15,909

 

7,390

 

99,925

Depreciation

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

As of December 31, 2019

 

(221)

 

(100)

 

(379)

 

(1,395)

 

(26)

 

(2,225)

 

(2,677)

 

(7,023)

Depreciation charge for the period

 

(136)

 

(26)

 

(327)

 

(2,279)

 

(9)

 

(2,391)

 

(2,284)

 

(7,452)

Depreciation of disposals

 

104

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

 

117

As of December 31, 2020

 

(253)

 

(126)

 

(706)

 

(3,661)

 

(35)

 

(4,616)

 

(4,961)

 

(14,358)

Depreciation charge for the period

 

(391)

 

(72)

 

(478)

 

(4,529)

 

(16)

 

(4,419)

 

(2,021)

 

(11,926)

Depreciation of disposals

 

32

 

 

26

 

185

 

1

 

 

 

244

As of December 31, 2021

 

(612)

 

(198)

 

(1,158)

 

(8,005)

 

(50)

 

(9,035)

 

(6,982)

 

(26,040)

Net book value

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

As of December 31, 2019

1,036

 

21

 

1,974

 

5,877

 

54

 

7,809

 

4,557

 

21,328

As of December 31, 2020

 

1,738

 

181

 

3,223

 

9,234

 

88

 

9,862

 

1,761

 

26,087

As of December 31, 2021

 

1,775

 

109

 

3,373

 

61,161

 

185

 

6,874

 

408

 

73,885

The increase in the year ended December 31, 2021, is mainly due to purchase of IT equipment for subsidiary Geekie.

The Company assesses at each reporting date, whether there is an indication that a property and equipment asset may be impaired. If any indication exists, the Company estimates the asset’s recoverable amount. There were no indications of impairment of property and equipment as of and for the years ended December 31, 2018, 20172021, 2020 and 2016.2019.

 F-4913    Leases

The balance sheet shows the following amounts relating to leases:

    

2021

    

2020

Right-of-use assets

 

  

 

  

Properties

 

35,221

 

29,938

Machinery and equipment

 

739

 

84

 

35,960

 

30,022

    

2021

    

2020

Lease liabilities

 

  

 

  

Current

 

20,122

 

12,742

Non-current

 

22,996

 

22,478

 

43,118

 

35,220

F-53

13Intangible assets and goodwill

Set out below, are the carrying amounts of the Company’s right-of-use assets and lease liabilities and the movements during the period:

  Goodwill Rights on contracts Customer relationships Educational system 

Copyrights

 

 Software license Trademarks Educational platform Non compete agreement In Progress Total
                       
                       
Cost                                            
As of December 31, 2015  12,845   15,263   10,329   1,300   205   195   5,604   774   -   -   46,515 
Acquisitions  -   -   -   245   2,978   417   104   1,819   -   -   5,563 
Business combination  20,365   -   4,300   12,000   -   -   5,100   -   -   -   41,765 
As of December 31, 2016  33,210   15,263   14,629   13,545   3,183   612   10,808   2,593   -   -   93,843 
Acquisitions  -   -   2,016   -   1,925   603   -   1,503   -   -   6,047 
Disposals  -   -   -   (245)  (160)  -   (105)  (154)  -   -   (664)
Business combinations  56,424   -   6,400   23,356   -   178   8,412   -   1,097   -   95,867 
As of December 31, 2017  89,634   15,263   23,045   36,656   4,948   1,393   19,115   3,942   1,097   -   195,093 
Acquisitions  -   -   -   -   7,744   1,415   62   17,969   -   2,213   29,403 
As of December 31, 2018  89,634   15,263   23,045   36,656   12,692   2,808   19,177   21,911   1,097   2,213   224,496 
                                             
Amortization                                            
As of December 31, 2015  -   (809)  (797)  (239)  (55)  (33)  (647)  (30)  -   -   (2,610)
Amortization  -   (917)  (2,202)  (677)  (254)  (73)  (627)  (219)  -   -   (4,969)
As of December 31, 2016  -   (1,726)  (2,999)  (916)  (309)  (106)  (1,274)  (249)  -   -   (7,579)
Amortization  -   (1,041)  (1,925)  (5,211)  (1,012)  (167)  (1,396)  (1,224)  (55)  -   (12,031)
As of December 31, 2017  -   (2,767)  (4,924)  (6,127)  (1,321)  (273)  (2,670)  (1,473)  (55)  -   (19,610)
Amortization  -   (1,182)  (2,636)  (6,589)  (2,618)  (375)  (1,140)  (2,387)  (219)  -   (17,146)
As of December 31, 2018  -   (3,949)  (7,560)  (12,716)  (3,939)  (648)  (3,810)  (3,860)  (274)  -   (36,756)
                                             
Net book value                                            
As of December 31, 2017  89,634   12,496   18,121   30,529   3,627   1,120   16,445   2,469   1,042   -   175,483 
As of December 31, 2018  89,634   11,314   15,485   23,940   8,753   2,160   15,367   18,051   823   2,213   187,740 

Right-of-use

 assets – 

Lease 

    

Properties

    

Liabilities

As at January 1, 2020

 

21,631

25,857

Additions

 

12,391

12,391

Disposal

(253)

(244)

Lease modification (a)

 

2,080

2,080

Depreciation expense

 

(8,537)

Business combination

 

2,710

2,710

Interest expense

 

3,036

Payments of lease liabilities

 

(8,160)

Discounts on leases

(350)

Interest paid

 

(2,100)

As at December 31, 2020

30,022

 

35,220

Additions

22,146

22,146

Disposal

(334)

(329)

Lease modification (a)

200

200

Depreciation expense

(16,456)

Business combination

382

382

Interest expense

4,795

Payments of lease liabilities

(15,729)

Discounts on leases

(273)

Interest paid

(3,294)

As at December 31, 2021

 

35,960

 

43,118

Average annual depreciation rate 2020

27.5

%  

Average annual depreciation rate 2021

 

29.4

%  

  

 F-50(a) Refers to price adjustments that occur annually as defined in the lease agreements.

The Company entered into fiduciary agreements with Banco Safra S.A. in the amount of R$10,903 to guarantee payment due in the lease agreements of the São Paulo office. This financial agreement bears interest at the rate of 1.95% per annum. The lease payments are adjusted annually by the General Market Price Index (IGP-M).

The Company recognized rent expense from short-term leases and low-value assets of R$2,673 for the year ended December 31, 2021 (2020: R$2,329)

14    Intangible assets and goodwill

F-54

Software 

Rights on

Customer

Educational

license and

Educational

Non-compete

    

Goodwill

    

contracts

    

relationships

    

 system

    

Copyrights

    

development

    

Trademarks

    

platform

    

agreement

    

In Progress

    

Total

Cost

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

As of December 31, 2019

 

916,767

 

15,263

 

206,971

 

251,223

 

21,069

 

18,412

 

355,298

87,987

 

8,303

 

9,606

 

1,890,899

Acquisitions

 

 

 

 

 

8,131

 

22,127

 

3

 

51,262

 

431

 

14,873

 

96,827

Disposals

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

 

(94)

 

 

(4,607)

 

 

 

(4,704)

Acquisitions through business combinations

 

477,584

115,172

29,775

14

5,103

121,053

13,102

3,122

764,925

Transfer

 

 

 

 

 

249

 

(231)

 

 

22,604

 

 

(22,622)

 

As of December 31, 2020

 

1,394,351

 

15,263

 

322,143

 

280,998

 

29,460

 

45,317

 

476,354

170,348

 

11,856

 

1,857

 

2,747,947

Acquisitions (a)

 

 

 

 

 

7,914

 

43,569

 

101

 

75,516

 

985

 

23,233

 

151,318

Disposals

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9)

 

 

(252)

 

 

 

(261)

Acquisitions through business combinations

622,502

26,197

45,138

179

10,023

66,250

39,771

5,450

815,510

Finalization of price allocation (b)

(66,952)

(66,952)

Transfer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23,018

 

 

(23,018)

 

As of December 31, 2021

 

1,949,901

 

15,263

 

348,340

 

326,136

 

37,553

 

98,900

 

542,705

308,401

 

18,291

 

2,072

 

3,647,562

Amortization

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

As of December 31, 2019

 

 

(5,291)

 

(14,010)

 

(22,234)

 

(11,682)

 

(2,955)

 

(8,241)

 

(13,773)

 

(810)

 

 

(78,996)

Amortization

 

 

(1,527)

 

(24,227)

 

(26,941)

 

(6,421)

 

(6,789)

 

(19,074)

 

(35,072)

 

(1,947)

 

 

(121,998)

Amortization of disposals

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

2,681

 

 

 

2,684

As of December 31, 2020

 

 

(6,818)

 

(38,237)

 

(49,175)

 

(18,103)

 

(9,741)

 

(27,315)

 

(46,164)

 

(2,757)

 

 

(198,310)

Amortization

 

 

(1,735)

 

(35,368)

 

(33,682)

 

(8,031)

 

(16,561)

 

(26,559)

 

(66,970)

 

(3,236)

 

 

(192,142)

Amortization of disposals

 

 

 

 

 

 

11

 

 

239

 

 

 

250

As of December 31, 2021

 

 

(8,553)

 

(73,605)

 

(82,857)

 

(26,134)

 

(26,291)

 

(53,874)

 

(112,895)

 

(5,993)

 

 

(390,202)

Net book value

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

As of December 31, 2019

916,767

 

9,972

 

192,961

 

228,989

 

9,387

 

15,457

 

347,057

 

74,214

 

7,493

 

9,606

 

1,811,903

As of December 31, 2020

 

1,394,351

 

8,445

 

283,906

 

231,823

 

11,357

 

35,576

 

449,039

 

124,184

 

9,099

 

1,857

 

2,549,637

As of December 31, 2021

 

1,949,901

 

6,710

 

274,735

 

243,279

 

11,419

 

72,609

 

488,831

 

195,506

 

12,298

 

2,072

 

3,257,360

(a)

The acquisitions of the period are mainly due to the development of educational content from the 2021 school year, development of technology platforms for the supply of digital content, as well as licenses and software development for new projects.

(b)

Refers to the Geekie and EI purchase price allocation adjustment made upon completion of the calculation of the fair value of intangible assets in accordance with the period defined by IFRS 3. During the measurement period, the Company obtained new information about facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date, mainly related to the change in the projections used to define the purchase price allocation and recognized an adjustment in goodwill and accounts payable to selling shareholders to reflect the new information obtained.

(a)      Goodwill

The carrying amount of goodwill by operating segment was:

 2018 2017
    

    

2021

    

2020

Core  62,036   62,036 

 

1,474,166

 

918,091

Supplemental  27,598   27,598 

 

475,735

 

476,260

  89,634   89,634 

 

1,949,901

 

1,394,351

Impairment test for goodwill

The Company performed its annual impairment test on December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. The Company tests at least annually the recoverability of the carrying amount of each operating segment. The process of estimating these values involves the use of assumptions, judgments and estimates of future cash flows that represent the Company'sCompany’s best estimate.

F-55

Goodwill is monitored by management at the level of cash generating unit, which is the same of the two operating segments. The Core and Supplemental operating segments had an important cash flow improvement as they have increased their number of students and achieved greater scale that positively impact the gross margin.

The Company’s management estimates future gross margin based on past performance and its expectations of market developments. The discount rates used are pre-tax and reflect the specific risks associated with the segment being tested.

The value-in-use calculation is based on cash flow projections and financial budgets approved by management for a period of five years. Cash flows beyond the five-year period were extrapolated using an estimated growth rate. The growth rate does not exceed the average long-term rate for the industry. The fair valuevalue-in-use of the Core operating segment calculated for 20182021 was R$ 721,2713,695,227 (R$ 308,7672,372,829 in 2017)2020), and the carrying amount was R$ 265,607.2,849,081. The fair valuevalue-in-use of the Supplemental operating segment for 20182021 was R$ 195,0231,758,097 (R$ 98,5171,349,754 in 2017)2020), and the carrying amount was R$ 37,032.

853,142.

The fair valuevalue-in-use calculations were based on the discounted cash flow model and are based on the following assumptions for those segments:

Growth rate

 

Budget period

beyond budget

    

growth rate

    

period

    

Discount rate

 

    

2021

    

2020

    

2021

    

2020

    

2021

    

2020

 

Core

13.8

%  

9.2

%  

3.3

%  

3.2

%  

11.7

%  

11.1

%  

Supplemental

 

16.4

%  

17.3

%  

3.3

%  

3.2

%  

12.9

%  

12.4

%  

  Budget periodGrowth rate beyond budget periodDiscount rate
  Gross marginGrowth rate
  20182017201820172018201720182017
          
Core 78.8%55.8%21.1%20.5%4.0%7.0%15.7%14.8%
Supplemental 87.4%82.9%33.0%62.7%4.0%4.0%17.6%19.4%

Significant estimate: impact of possible changes in key assumptions

A decrease of 1,000 basis points in management estimated gross margin used in the value-in-use calculation for the Core operating segment as of December 31, 2018 (68.8% instead of 78.8%)2021 to 79.2%, would have not resulted in the recognition of an impairment

 F-51

of goodwill. Also, the Company performed the same sensitivity analysis for the Supplemental operating segment, a decrease to 85.9% and concluded it would have not resulted in the recognition of an impairment of goodwill.

In addition, an increase of 1,000 basis pointsto 11.1% in management’s estimated discount rate applied to the cash flow projections of the Core operating segment for the year ended December 31, 2018 (25.7% instead of 15.7%),2021, would have not resulted in the recognition of an impairment of goodwill.

Also, the Company performed the same sensitivity analysis for the Supplemental operating segment (27.6%(12.4% instead of 17.6%12.9%) and concluded it would have not resulted in the recognition of an impairment of goodwill.

There was no0 goodwill impairment for the years ended December 31, 2018, 20172021, 2020 and 2016.

2019.

(b)     Other intangible assets

Intangible assets, other than goodwill, are valued separately for each acquisition and are amortized during eachover their respective useful life.lives. The useful lives and methods of amortization of other intangibles are reviewed at each financial year end and adjusted prospectively, if appropriate.

The estimated useful lives of intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 20162021, are as follows:

Years

Years

Rights on contracts

10

Customer relationships

4

5 to 16

Educational system

3 to 10

Copyrights

3

Software license

2 to 85

Copyrights

Trademarks

3

10 to 20

Software license

Educational platform

5

3 to 10

Trademarks

Non-compete agreement

2 to 13

Educational platform3
Non-compete agreement5

F-56

For the years ended December 31, 2018, 20172021, 2020 and 20162019 there were no indicativesindicators that the Company’s intangible assets with definite lives might be impaired.

15    Loans and financing

    

Interest rate

    

Maturity

    

December 31, 2021

    

December 31, 2020

Bank loan

100% CDI + 2.7% pa

December/2021

100,395

Bank loan

100% CDI + 2.7% pa

January/2022

201,990

200,788

Bank loan

8.1% pa

March/2022

310

1,500

Bank loan

8.2% pa

May/2022

8,373

Debentures (a)

100% CDI + 1.7% pa

August/2023

919,703

Bank loan (b)

3.7% pa

October/2023

62

Bank loan (c)

3.8% pa

October/2023

90

Bank loan

3.8% pa

November/2023

49

63

Bank loan (d)

USD + 2.4% pa

October/2024

61,649

Convertible notes (e)

8.0% pa

November/2028

647,474

1,831,327

311,119

Current

228,448

107,706

Non-current

1,602,879

203,413

(a)This amount is related to issuance of debentures in August 2021 to pay the amount due on the COC and Dom Bosco acquisition and will be settled in a single installment on August 25, 2023. The debentures bear interest of 100% CDI + 1.7% per annum, which will accrue and will also be payable on August 25, 2023. The debentures are guaranteed by Arco Educação S.A.
(b)Loan acquired by Me Salva!, the Company’s subsidiary, for working capital. The amount is being paid monthly until October 2023 and bears interest at the rate of 3.7% per annum.
(c)Loan acquired by Eduqo, the Company’s subsidiary, for working capital. The amount is being paid monthly until October 2023 and bear interest at the rate of 3.8% per annum.
(d)On November 11, 2021, the subsidiary Geekie entered into a loan agreement in the amount of US$11,020 thousand, equivalent to R$ 60,000, with an interest rate of 2.452% per annum. Since the operation was contracted in U.S. dollars, the Company holds swap derivatives to protect its exposure to foreign currency risk, which changes the effective interest rate for this loan to 100% CDI + 1.7% per annum. The loan payments will be paid quarterly in 12 installments, until October 28, 2024.
(e)On November 30, 2021, the Company issued convertible senior notes in the amount of US$150,000 with a value per share of $1.00, equivalent to R$ 825,285. These notes mature in 7 years, on November 15, 2028, and bear interest at 8% per year fixed in Brazilian reais. While the interests are payable quarterly, the principal amount will be paid in a single installment at the mature date, both in cash in United States dollars equivalents to the amount in Brazilian reais at the payment date.

 F-52Each note can be converted at any time during the term of the contract, at the option of the holders, into Arco’s Class A common shares at the agreed conversion rate, which is equivalent to an initial price of US$ 29 per share. Dragoneer and General Atlantic will beneficially own approximately 5.6% and 2.8%, respectively, of the total shares of Arco (on an as-converted basis for the convertible senior notes). See Note 16 for further information.

The holders also have the right to require the Company to repurchase for cash, on any date on or after November 15, 2026, all or portion of the holders’ notes, at a repurchase price that is equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interests.

F-57

14Financial instruments from acquisition of interests

The Company determined that the convertible senior notes have an embedded put option to repurchase the convertible notes for cash. It is an embedded derivative that is not closely related to the contract host debt instrument, because the risks inherent in the derivative (equity risk) and the host are dissimilar. Therefore, the conversion option will be treated separately and classified as a derivative liability, see Note 16 for further information.

The host foreign currency debt will be measured subsequently at amortized cost, using the effective interest rate of 3.61% per annum, and thus is subject to foreign exchange changes.

The initial transaction costs that are directly attributable to the issuance of the convertible notes were measured at fair value together with the financial liability on initial measurement. The transaction cost totaled R$ 13,032, including legal counsels and advisors.

All financing arranged by Company is not subject to any financial covenants for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Set out below the movements during the year:

    

2021

    

2020

Balance at beginning of the year

 

311,119

 

98,561

Additions

 

1,599,880

 

502,063

Loan cost

 

(21,582)

 

(3,629)

Business combination

 

210

 

8,836

Interest expense

 

57,245

 

19,862

Interest paid

(20,275)

(13,423)

Payment of loans and financing

 

(109,815)

 

(301,151)

Exchange rate variation

14,545

Balance at end of year

 

1,831,327

 

311,119

16Derivative financial assets and liabilities

The breakdown of contingent consideration assets and liabilities and related derivative instruments from business combinations and acquisition of investments in associates and joint venturesfinancial derivatives is as follows:

  2018 2017
Assets        
Derivative financial instruments        
Investment in Geekie (Note 11)  23,346   8,906 
Investment in WPensar (Note 11)  3,284   3,605 
   26,630   12,511 
Current  -   - 
Non current  26,630   12,511 

Liabilities 2018 2017
Derivative financial instruments        
Investment in Geekie (Note 11)  (22,037)  (10,028)
Investment in WPensar (Note 11)  (3,006)  (1,720)
Deferred revenue in Escola de Aplicação São José dos Campos  (54)  (105)
   (25,097)  (11,853)
Contingent considerations and forward contract        
Investment in Geekie – contingent consideration (Note 11)  -   (1,784)
   -   (1,784)
   (25,097)  (13,637)
Current  (51)  (1,784)
Non current  (25,046)  (11,853)

2021

Assets

Financial derivatives

Swap Geekie (a)

 

861

861

Current

301

Non-current

560

15

Accounts payable to selling shareholders

2021

Liabilities

Financial derivative

Put option (b)

223,561

223,561

Current

Non-current

223,561

(a)On November 11, 2021, subsidiary Geekie entered into swap contracts to protect a foreign currency loan, with maturities between February 2022 to October 2024, which the active end receives, on average, dollar plus 2.452% per annum and in the liability position it pays, on average, CDI plus 1.7% per annum with fair value receivable of R$861.

F-58

(b)Dragoneer and General Atlantic have a put option to convert their investment in the Company’s senior notes into Class A shares of the Company. The fair value of the put option is calculated using the Black & Scholes method as of December 31, 2021.

The Company recognized an initial put option of US$32,995 separated from the fair value of the total compound financial instrument issued, comprising the senior notes and the put option. Any adjustment to the fair value is recognized as finance income/costs in the statement of income (loss). See Note 15 for further information.

17    Accounts payable to selling shareholders

The breakdown of the liabilities regarding balances of accounts payable from business combination and investments in associates is as follows:

 2018 2017

    

2021

    

2020

Accounts payable to selling shareholders        

 

  

 

  

Acquisition of SAE Digital S.A. (a)  -   (11,693)
Acquisition of International School (b)(a)  (174,410)  (36,630)

 

379,501

 

354,950

Acquisition of NS Educação Ltda. (c)(b)  (6,971)  (9,680)

 

6,126

 

5,724

  (181,381)  (58,003)

Acquisition of Escola em Movimento (c)

 

 

1,024

Acquisition of Nave à Vela (d)

 

 

21,941

Acquisition of Positivo (e)

 

754,451

 

903,428

Acquisition of WPensar (f)

3,605

Acquisition of Studos (g)

5,472

11,349

Acquisition of EI (h)

234,493

363,502

Acquisition of Geekie (i)

224,759

120,992

Acquisition of Me Salva! (j)

21,880

Acquisition of Eduqo (k)

18,145

Acquisition of Edupass (l)

23,959

 

1,668,786

 

1,786,515

Current  (830)  (14,936)

 

799,553

 

656,014

Non-current  (180,551)  (43,067)

 

869,233

 

1,130,501

(a)The amount payable is subject to an arbitration process and will be paid when the arbitration mentioned in Note 28 is completed. The amount payable is based on realized EBITDA for the 2019 and 2020 school years. During the year ended December 31, 2021 the Company recognized R$ 23,373 of interest. Based on the realized EBITDA for the 2019 and 2020 school years, the accounts payable increased by R$ 4,683 of adjustment during the year ended December 31, 2021.
(b)This amount was retained for any contingent liabilities that may arise, which will be released in annual installments until December 31, 2022. The amount is being adjusted based on the Interbank certificates of deposit (CDI) interest rate.
(c)The balance of December 31, 2020, was retained for any contingent liabilities that might arise. The amount was adjusted based on the Brazilian basic interest rate (SELIC).) and settled in 2021.
(d)The balance at December 31, 2020 is related to the 2 tranches for the acquisition of the remaining 49% interest in Nave payable until February 2022. The Company paid the second tranche in February 2021 and on the same date, as agreed between the Company and the minority shareholders, the parties decided to accelerate the last payment. Therefore, on December 31, 2021, the Company has a 100% interest in Nave. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized R$705 of interest.
(e)The amount represents the remaining of the acquisition price and will be paid annually in November over 4 years (10% payable 2022 and 30% payable in 2023 and 2024). The payment is secured by a guarantee letter through a chattel mortgage of 20% of CBE shares and 100% of SAE shares. The outstanding amount is updated by CDI. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized R$33,969 of interest.

F-59

(f)The amount represents 20% of the acquisition price and was retained for any eventual inaccuracies in the fulfillment of the guarantees given in the purchase and sale agreement. The amount was updated considering 100% of the Interbank certificates of deposit (CDI) calculated from the date of acquisition until the payment date, which occurred on December 31, 2021.
(g)The obligation is recognized at present value of the acquisition price using an estimated interest rate of 8,2% for the last installment due in September 2022.
(h)This amount is related to the acquisition of the remaining 40% interest in EI and will be paid in May 2023 subject to price adjustments. This amount is recorded at the present value using an estimated interest rate of 13.4% (13.1% in 2020).

On May 14, 2021, the Company concluded the first stage of the Escola da Inteligência acquisition with the payment of R$ 88,000, which added to the R$200,000 paid in December 2020, relates to the 60% of interest in the acquired business.

The last installment is payable on May 31, 2023, for 6 times EI’s ACV book value for 2023 plus cash generation and multiplied for 40%.

During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized R$31,215 of interest and the accounts payable decreased by R$3,473.

(i)(a)In 2017, the subsidiary NS Ventures Ltda. acquired 30% of SAE Digital S.A. The balance was paid in six instalments adjusted by CDI, fulfilling the obligation in June 2018.

(b)Upon acquiring control of International School, the shareholders entered into an agreement with put and call options over the remaining interest. Because the terms of the put and call options are symmetrical, the Company concluded that it is virtually certain that either the Company or the non-controlling shareholder will exercise the option because it will be in the economic interests of one of them to do so. The financial liability is recorded at the present value of the estimated amount payable to the non-controlling shareholder upon the exercise of purchasing of the put or call options and discounted to present valueremaining interest using an estimated interest rate of 17.6% (21.0 %13.7% (13.1% in 2017)2020).The exercise price will be calculated for 2 different contents (“Geekie One” and “Geekie Others”) and is determined by the greater of:

Geekie One: 8 times Geekie’s ACV book value for 2022 less net debt, multiplied by the remaining interest of sellers; or 0.65 times the multiple of the Company’s ACV book value for 2022, multiplied by Geekie’s ACV for 2022, less net debt, multiplied by the remaining interest of sellers. The amount is due on June 1, 2022.

Geekie Others: 8 times Geekie’s revenue for 2022 multiplied by the remaining interest of sellers; or 0.65 times the multiple of the Company’s ACV book value for 2022, multiplied by Geekie’s revenue for 2022, multiplied by the remaining interest of sellers. The amount is due on January 6, 2023.

During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized R$27,023 of interest and the accounts payable increased by R$80,744, mainly due to increase in expected ACV book value of Geekie One product for 2022, net of the variation of the net debt.

(j)The liability is composed of the present value of the balance payable for the remaining 40% interest in Me Salva!, plus the retained amount defined in the contract. The balance is recognized at present value, using a discount rate of 13.7%. The payment of the retained portion is in the amount of R$ 1,324 and will be made in 5 equal annual installments, commencing in June 2022. The payment of the second stage will be made in 2025 and the acquisition price of 40% is calculated based on the estimated 2024 revenue multiplied by 3, less net debt. During 2018year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized an interest expense of R$ 8,3512,227 and the accounts payable decreased by R$ 3,867.

(k)The liability is composed of interest. The amountthe present value of the balance payable is estimated based on projected EBITDA for the 2019outstanding installments for settlement of the 100% participation acquired from Eduqo, plus the price adjustments and 2020 school year.earn out amount defined in the contract. The balance is recognized at present value, using a discount rate of 14.3%. Payment of the outstanding installments in the amount of R$ 13,473 and the earn out of R$2,603 will be made in 2 equal annual installments, commencing in July 2022. The price adjustment of R$ 797 will be paid in a single installment in July 2022. During the fourth quarter of 2018,year ended December 31, 2021, the Company had a better visibility about next year´s ACV bookingsrecognized an interest expense of R$ 1,159 and its increase, it was necessary to perform a review on previous operations projections, that resulted in an increase on the projected

 F-53

(c)EBITDA. Based on the new projected numbers for 2019 and 2020, the accounts payable increased by R$130,378. In addition, there were changes 114.

F-60

(l)The liability is composed of the present value of the balance payable for the outstanding installments for settlement of the 100% participation acquired from Edupass, plus the earn out amount defined in the contract. The balance is recognized at present value, using a discount rate of 15.3%. The payment of the outstanding installments is in the amount of R$ 949, related to amounts receivable1,975 and payable towill be made in 2 equal annual installments, commencing in September 2022, while the former controlling shareholderpayment of International School, which affected the accounts payable to selling shareholders.earn out will be made in 2024, in the amount of R$ 11,254. The earn out is calculated based on the estimated 2023 revenue.

(d)This amount was retained as an escrow for any losses, which will be released in annual installments from December 31, 2018 to December 31, 2022.

16Labor and social obligations

18    Labor and social obligations

    

2021

    

2020

Bonuses (a)

 

30,789

 

31,046

Payroll and social charges

 

96,343

 

53,462

Payroll accruals

 

24,225

 

25,582

Other labor

 

6,905

 

11,549

 

158,262

 

121,639

Current

 

157,601

 

85,069

Non-current

 

661

 

36,570

(a) Variable remuneration (bonuses)

The Company recorded bonuses related to variable remuneration of employees and management in cost of sales, selling and administrative expenses in the amount of R$ 4,224,24,184, R$ 85018,989 and R$ 61814,519 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017,2021, 2020, and 2016,2019, respectively.

(b) Share-based compensation plan

Geekie Plan

ArcoGeekie has its own stock option plan that is granted to employees elected by Management and duly approved by the Board.

Members of the Company’s management participated in the EASThe first stock option plan was approved on December 19, 2017, with share-based compensation plan (EAS plan). As a result of Arco’s IPO,features to be settled in cash and not in equity. On November 27, 2020, the EAS plan migrated to Arco. The Company recognized the new equity instruments granted as replacement equity instruments for the cancelled equity instruments. As a consequence, the Company accounted for the grant of replacement equity instruments as modification of the original granted instruments. The incremental fair value granted is the difference betweenentity reassessed the fair value of the replaced equity instrumentsvested shares in the closing period and updated the liability against share-based compensation plan expenses, reducing the net assets acquired of the Geekie’s opening balance.

On December 1, 2020, after Geekie’s acquisition by Arco, the Company approved, new conditions for granting stock options in the total amount of 31,763 shares. The stock options are exercisable from the date of approval of the new grant agreement, with the vesting period on that date being considered fulfilled.

The new stock options plan is classified as cash settled since all Geekie’s employees have signed a mandatory contract to sell all the options to Arco at exercise date at the same price to be paid to non-controlling selling shareholders and liability is measured at fair value of the granted equity instruments, as of the date the replaced equity instruments were granted.

There were no share options forfeited, exercised and expired under the EAS plan. The Company has accounted for the migration of the plan as all remaining unvested options became vested due to the IPO and, therefore, as of December 31, 2018, all 1,091,039 options under the Arco plan are vested at the end of each reporting period until its effective settlement.

The exercise price of 11.13 (2017: 848,642 and 2016: 565,762 options under the EAS plan). The share-based compensation reserve was also affected by fair value adjustments at migration and the total impact on the consolidated statement of income (loss) was R$ 59,747.

The following table list the inputs to the model used for the Arco plan:

Dividend yield (%)2.41
Expected volatility (%)186.61
Risk-free interest rate (%)8.01
Expected life of share options (years)6.00
Weighted average share price (R$)12.67
Model usedBlack & Scholes

 F-54

All options granted became vestedto all beneficiaries is R$ 82.91 as result of the IPO. As consequence, the full impact of the actual plan has been recordeddetermined in the consolidated statementgrant agreements. The beneficiary has the maximum period for exercising the options is up to March 31, 2022, under penalty of income (loss) and in the share-based compensation reserve in equity.

International School plan

International School has its own share options plan, approved by its shareholders on August 4, 2017. International School granted 294,735 share options on its own shares in 2017 to selected key executives. The share options plan was designed to attract and retain key executives.

forfeiture.

The fair value of the shareplan is calculated using the same valuation method as the accounts payable to selling shareholders for the acquisition of the remaining interest. This payable amount was reclassified to current liabilities in 2021, since its due to 2022.

Although the valuation used in both calculations is the same, Arco recorded accounts payable to selling shareholders, and Geekie recorded stock options was estimated atfor employees who remained in the company after the acquisition without the possibility of liquidation in equity as labor and social obligations.

F-61

Restricted stock units

In 2019, the Company implemented a new share-based payment program called restricted stock units (“RSU”) of the holding company Arco Platform Limited for employees of the Company’s subsidiaries and members of the Board of Directors, which will be available for sale by the beneficiaries annually, on their anniversary dates, except for the members of the Board, whose shares are restricted for sale for one year after vesting.

The participant’s right to effectively receive ownership of the restricted shares will be conditioned on the participant’s continuance and performance as an employee, director, or director of any company in the business group from the grant date usinguntil vesting. If a participant leaves the Black & Scholes pricing model, taking into accountgroup or does not achieve the termsproposed performance goal, the participant will be entitled to receive his or her vested shares and conditions ona pro rata amount of the granted and unvested shares, by reference to the vesting period in which the share options were granted.

termination occurred and based on the number of days the participant was employed by us. The share options vesttotal amount will be calculated based on January 1, 2020the proposed goal multiplied by a rate between 80% and can be exercised from January 1, 2020 through April 30, 2020. The exercise price of120%. After the share options is R$1.37vesting period, the restricted shares have the same rights and is adjusted by the Brazilian General Price Index-Market (“IGP-M”) inflation rate. The Company accounts for the International School Planprivileges as an equity-settled plan.

any shareholder.

The following table illustratesreflects the number and movements of share options during 2017:

outstanding shares from the grant date until December 31, 2021:

Number of share options

Outstanding at January 1, 2017

-

Number of

Granted

294,735

restricted

Forfeited

(141,473)

stock units

Exercised-
Expired-

Outstanding at December 31, 20172020

161,231

Granted (a)

153,262

251,555

Vested (b)

(177,331)

Restricted stocks units transferred

(92,561)

Effectively forfeited

(710)

Outstanding at December 31, 2021

142,184

(a)

These shares granted are adjusted accordingly to a performance program, which can increase or reduce the number of shares that will be transferred after the vesting period.

(b)

Refers to the total number of shares whose vesting period was fulfilled as defined in the contract (anniversary date), but not yet transferred to the beneficiaries on December 31, 2021. Restricted Shares will be transferred to the participant only after the vesting period has been completed or in the event of contractual termination.

There were no share options granted, forfeited, exercised and expired inThe total compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2018.

The compensation expense recognized for the International School Plan in the statement of income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 20182021, including taxes and 2017social charges, was R$ 55051,231, (R$33,160 of principal and R$ 531, respectively.18,071 of taxes and contributions) net of estimated forfeitures. These awards are classified as equity settled.

F-62

The following table details the assumptions used to determine the fair value of these equity instruments was measured on the share options under the International School share option plans:grant date as follows:

Final

Unit

vesting

Total shares

Total shares

Total shares

Total shares

Average fair value at

value

Grant date (a)

    

date

    

Vesting period (% per year)

    

granted

    

cancelled

    

vested (b)

    

outstanding

    

grant date

    

average

30/04/2019

28/09/2021

3 years (33.33%)

542,760

(76,277)

(466,483)

68,800

126.76

30/06/2019

 

30/06/2020

1 year (100%)

1,543

(1,543)

 

319

 

206.66

30/06/2019

 

30/06/2020

1 year (100%)

1,543

(1,543)

 

274

 

177.71

15/10/2019

 

28/09/2021

3 years (33.33%)

37,929

(7,683)

(30,245)

 

7,593

 

200.18

23/01/2020

28/09/2022

3 years (33.33%)

13,000

(9,783)

3,910

2,788

214.48

02/03/2020

28/09/2022

3 years (33.33%)

36,673

(1,442)

(26,774)

10,279

8,762

238.93

04/03/2020

28/09/2021

3 years (33.33%)

13,164

(13,164)

3,346

254.21

03/09/2020

28/09/2022

3 years (33.33%)

3,600

(1,687)

(1,913)

883

245.18

19/11/2020

30/06/2022

1 year (100%)

3,562

(984)

(2,030)

1,781

772

216.63

19/11/2020

30/06/2021

1 year (100%)

3,086

(3,086)

669

216.63

10/02/2021

31/03/2023

3 years (33.33%)

8,400

(5,126)

5,275

1,723

205.11

10/02/2021

31/03/2024

4 years (20%, 20%, 30%, 30%)

50,200

(1,145)

(17,360)

35,738

10,296

205.11

23/02/2021

30/06/2022

1 year (100%)

1,838

(1,162)

1,838

366

198.87

26/02/2021

31/03/2024

4 years (20%, 20%, 30%, 30%)

9,366

(3,069)

5,728

1,841

196.58

15/04/2021

30/06/2022

1 year (100%)

1,836

(1,082)

1,836

291

158.28

01/06/2021

31/03/2024

4 years (20%, 20%, 30%, 30%)

475

(74)

(140)

276

70

148.28

24/06/2021

31/12/2021

1 year (100%)

89,808

(548)

(89,530)

14,837

165.21

30/09/2021

31/03/2024

4 years (20%, 20%, 30%, 30%)

5,000

(1,246)

3,522

590

118.02

30/09/2021

28/09/2023

3 years (33.33%)

3,000

(1,251)

1,761

354

118.02

30/09/2021

31/03/2024

4 years (20%, 20%, 30%, 30%)

4,000

(997)

2,817

472

118.02

30/09/2021

31/03/2025

4 years (20%, 20%, 30%, 30%)

75,000

(6,796)

66,031

8,852

118.02

30/09/2021

31/12/2021

1 year (100%)

3,107

(3,031)

367

118.02

30/09/2021

 

30/06/2022

1 year (100%)

1,543

(520)

1,392

182

 

118.02

30/09/2021

30/09/2021

1 year (100%)

167

(167)

20

118.02

Total

910,600

(89,840)

(688,041)

142,184

134,467

Date(a)The grant date is the date on which the entity and the counterparty (including employee) entered into a share-based payment agreement, that is, when the entity and the counterparty have a shared understanding of grantthe terms and conditions of the agreement.
(b)08/04/2017
Dividend yield (%)0.00%
Expected volatility (%)380.36%
Risk-free interest rate (%)8.62%
Expected lifeIncludes the number of share options (years)2.74
Weighted average share price (reais)Restricted Shares pro rata in relation to the vesting period not yet fulfilled, based on the grant date10.65
Model used

Black & Scholes

number of days the participant worked for the Company during such vesting period until the closing of these financial statements, whose Restricted Shares will be transferred to the participant only after the vesting period has been completed or in the event of contractual termination.

 F-55Matching program

17Equity

Class A shares (at no additional cost to the participant) that were acquired by the participant at fair market value (“investment shares”), using the amounts received by the participant as a short term incentive and designated by the Company’s board of directors to be used as an investment in investment shares, provided certain vesting conditions are satisfied.

a. Share capitalUnder the matching shares program, participants are required to (i) be employed or providing services to the Company through each vesting date, as set forth in the applicable award agreement and (ii) hold the investment shares through each vesting date. The vesting period may not exceed five years. In addition, upon each vesting date, a portion of the investment shares will become free of restrictions and the participant will be allowed to freely sell such shares.

All Class A shares, including the investment shares acquired by the participants of the Matching Program, vest over four years, on March 31 of each year.

As of December 31, 2018,2021, the Company transferred 9,841 investment shares under the Matching Program with an average price of R$ 192.2.

F-63

19    Equity

a.    Share capital

As of December 31, 2021, Arco’s share capital is represented by 50,261,02756,851,399 common shares of par value of US$ 0.00005 each, comprised by 27,658,290of 27,400,848 Class B common shares and 22,602,73729,450,551 Class A common shares.

December 31, 2020 shares outstanding

57,587,563

Restricted Stock Units Transferred (Note 18.b)

17,878

Restricted Stock Unit withheld (a)

(4,042)

Cancellation of shares repurchased

(750,000)

December 31, 2021 shares outstanding

56,851,399

(a)A portion of the shares was withheld to pay income taxes of the beneficiaries.

The Class B common shares are entitled to 10 votes per share and the Class A common shares, which are publicly traded, are entitled to one1 vote per share. The Class B common shares are convertible into an equivalent number of Class A common shares and generally convert into Class A common shares upon transfer subject to limited exceptions.

The dual class structure will exist as long as the total number of issued and outstanding Class B common shares is at least 10% of the total number of shares outstanding.

b.    Treasury shares

b. Capital reserveRepurchase program

Capital reserve includes additional paid in capital amounts relatedOn January 6, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program, or the Repurchase Program, to comply with management long-term incentive plan obligations. Pursuant to the difference betweenRepurchase Program, the subscription price that shareholders paid for theCompany may repurchase up to 500,000 of our outstanding Class A common shares and their nominal value.in the open market, based on prevailing market prices, or in privately negotiated transactions, over a period beginning on January 6, 2021, continuing until the earlier of the completion of the repurchase or January 6, 2023, depending upon market conditions.

On March 31, 2021, the Company approved to increase the share repurchase limit of its existing share repurchase program established on January 6, 2021. Pursuant to the increased repurchase limit, Arco may repurchase up to 2,500,000 million of its outstanding Class A common shares in the open market, based on prevailing market prices, or in privately negotiated transactions, over a period beginning on March 31, 2021, continuing until the earlier of the completion of the repurchase or January 6, 2023, depending upon market conditions.

c. DividendsThe following table reflects the movements of treasury shares repurchased until December 31, 2021:

Number of

restricted

stock units

As at December 31, 2020

0

Repurchase

 

1,480,061

Transferred – RSU’s program

(124,745)

Cancelled

(750,000)

As at December 31, 2021

605,316

As determined by the Brazilian Corporate Law, EAS is required to pay a minimum dividend amounting to 25% of the profit of the year. Any amount in excess to 25% must be maintained in equity and after approval by the shareholders, the dividends can be considered formally declared.

The table below provides the calculations of dividends for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

  2017 2016
Profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent
  44,255   75,129 
 (-) Legal reserve - 5%  (2,213)  (3,756)
Calculation basis for dividend distribution  42,042   71,373 
Minimum mandatory dividend - 25%  (10,511)  (17,843)
Additional dividends proposed  -   (57,210)
Total  (10,511)  (75,053)

On September 25, 2017, the extraordinary general shareholders’ meeting declared and approved the distribution of dividends for the year ended December 31, 2016 of R$ 75,053, which R$ 57,210 represented additional dividends and were registered in earnings reserve.

For the year ended December 31, 2017,2021, the Company recorded minimum mandatory dividendshas a total of R$ 10,511.605,316 of treasury Class A common shares with an average price of US$ 22.4.

 F-56

F-64

On June 29, 2018, the shareholders’ meeting of Arco Brazil approved a dividend distribution of R$ 85,000 which was paid on July 4, 2018.20    Earnings (loss) per share (EPS)

18Earnings (loss) per share (EPS)

Basic

Basic EPS is calculated by dividing profit (loss) attributable to the equity holders of the parent by the weighted average number of Class A and Class B common shares outstanding during the period.

Diluted

Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing profit (loss) attributable to the equity holders of the parent by the weighted average number of Class A and Class B common shares outstanding during the period plus the weighted average number of common shares that would be issued on conversion of all potential common shares with dilutive effects.

The following table reflects the profit (loss) attributable to equity holders of the parent and the share data used in the basic and diluted EPS computations:

 2018 2017
  Class A Class B Total Class A Class B Total
Profit (loss) attributable to equity holders of the parent  (37,047)  (45,333)  (82,380)  19,902   24,353   44,255 

2021

2020

2019

    

Class A

    

Class B

    

Total

    

Class A

    

Class B

    

Total

    

Class A

    

Class B

    

Total

(Loss) profit attributable to equity holders of the parent

 

(70,929)

 

(87,154)

(158,083)

 

8,534

 

8,246

 

16,780

 

(4,379)

 

(5,052)

 

(9,431)

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (thousand)  22,603   27,658   22,603   27,658         

 

22,300

 

27,401

 

49,701

 

28,357

 

27,401

 

55,758

 

23,938

 

27,614

 

51,552

Effects of dilution from:                        

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Share-based compensation plan (thousands)  -   -   931   -         

 

142

 

 

 

161

 

 

 

337

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share - R$  (1.64)  (1.64)  0.88   0.88         
Diluted earnings (loss) per share - R$  (1.64)  (1.64)  0.85   0.85         

Basic (loss) earnings per share - R$

 

(3.18)

 

(3.18)

 

  

 

0.30

 

0.30

 

  

 

(0.18)

 

(0.18)

 

  

Diluted (loss) earnings per share - R$

 

(3.18)

 

(3.18)

 

  

 

0.30

 

0.30

 

  

 

(0.18)

 

(0.18)

 

  

  2016
 Class A Class B Total
Profit attributable to equity holders of the parent  33,786   41,343   75,129 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (thousand)  22,603   27,658     
Effects of dilution from:            
Share-based compensation plan (thousands)  931   -     
Basic earnings per share - R$  1.49   1.49     
Diluted earnings per share - R$  1.44   1.45     

The number of Class A and Class B common shares outstanding was retrospectively adjusted due to the issuance of new shares as a result of the IPO and the corporate reorganization, described in Note 1.

 F-57

Diluted profit (loss) per share is calculated by the weighted average number of outstanding shares, in order to assume the conversion of all potential dilutive shares. Diluted earnings per share is calculated considering the instruments that may have a potential dilutive effect in the future, such as share-based payment instruments, using the treasury shares method when the effect is dilutive. However, due to the loss reported for the year ended December 31, 2018, these instruments issued have antidilutive effect and, therefore, were not considered in the computation of diluted loss per share.

19Revenue

21    Revenue

The Company’s net revenue is as follows:

 2018 2017 2016

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

Educational content  407,599   277,596   186,838 

 

1,218,687

 

998,373

 

570,292

Other  4,102   2,385   201 

 

17,237

 

4,534

 

2,820

Deductions            

Deductions:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Taxes  (264)  (154)  (6)

 

(3,850)

 

(1,197)

 

(275)

Returns and discounts  (30,456)  (35,445)  (27,763)
Net revenue  380,981   244,382   159,270 

 

1,232,074

 

1,001,710

 

572,837

   2018     2017  

2021

2020

2019

Segments Core Supplemental Total Core Supplemental Total

    

Core

    

Supplemental

    

Total

    

Core

    

Supplemental

    

Total

    

Core

    

Supplemental

    

Total

Type of goods or service            

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Educational content  299,203   77,940   377,143   216,661   25,425   242,086 

 

931,187

 

283,650

 

1,214,837

 

839,383

 

157,793

 

997,176

 

433,326

 

136,853

 

570,179

Other  3,828   10   3,838   2,296   -   2,296 

 

4,812

 

12,425

 

17,237

 

1,762

 

2,772

 

4,534

 

46

 

2,612

 

2,658

Total net revenue from contracts with customers  303,031   77,950   380,981   218,957   25,425   244,382 

 

935,999

 

296,075

 

1,232,074

 

841,145

 

160,565

 

1,001,710

 

433,372

 

139,465

 

572,837

Timing of revenue recognition                        
Transferred at a point in time  303,031   77,950   380,981   218,957   25,425   244,382 
Total net revenue from contracts with customers  303,031   77,950   380,981   218,957   25,425   244,382 

    2016  

Segments

 Core Supplemental Total
Type of goods or service      
Educational content  159,075   -   159,075 
Other  195   -   195 
Total net revenue from contracts with customers  159,270   -   159,270 
Timing of revenue recognition            
Transferred at a point in time  159,270   -   159,270 
Total net revenue from contracts with customers  159,270   -   159,270 

 F-58

F-65

The Company’s revenues from contracts with customers are all in Brazil.

The Company recognized impairment losses on trade receivables arising from contracts with customers, included under selling expenses in the statement of income (loss) of R$ 9,588,26,610, R$ 5,22734,684 and R$ 5,61317,392 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 20172021, 2020 and 2016,2019, respectively.

RevenuesRevenue Indirect tax benefits

TheAccording to Brazilian tax laws, the Company is not subjectedsubject to the paymenttaxation, with a zero tax rate, of the social integration program tax (Programa de Integração Social, or PIS) and the social contribution on revenues tax (Contribuição para o Financiamento da Seguridade Social, or COFINS) on the sale of books. The sale of printed and digital books is also exempt from the Brazilian municipal taxes and from the Brazilian value added tax (Imposto sobre Operações relativas à Circulação de Mercadorias e sobre Prestações de Serviços de Transporte Interestadual e Intermunicipal e de Comunicação, or ICMS).

 F-5922    Expenses by nature

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

Educational content material

 

(118,812)

 

(122,401)

 

(61,953)

Operations personnel

 

(39,358)

 

(24,731)

 

(12,500)

Inventory reserves

 

(26,778)

 

(7,453)

 

(8,476)

Freight

 

(24,831)

 

(16,452)

 

(14,569)

Depreciation and amortization

 

(55,873)

 

(35,007)

 

(15,311)

Other

 

(28,755)

 

(15,086)

 

(4,449)

Cost of sales

 

(294,407)

 

(221,130)

 

(117,258)

Sales personnel

 

(210,055)

 

(167,300)

 

(87,352)

Depreciation and amortization

 

(99,459)

 

(77,343)

 

(23,573)

Sales & marketing

 

(46,795)

 

(24,104)

 

(31,208)

Customer support

 

(89,200)

 

(53,893)

 

(30,755)

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

(26,610)

 

(34,684)

 

(17,392)

Real estate rentals

 

(820)

 

(965)

 

(1,728)

Other

 

(23,359)

 

(13,980)

 

(7,772)

Selling expenses

 

(496,298)

 

(372,269)

 

(199,780)

Corporate personnel

 

(96,626)

 

(74,437)

 

(53,443)

Third party services

 

(78,530)

 

(80,254)

 

(43,415)

Real estate rents

 

(1,802)

 

(1,623)

 

(2,613)

Travel expenses

 

(1,541)

 

(2,233)

 

(3,439)

Tax expenses

 

(7,324)

 

(7,341)

 

(2,331)

Software licenses

 

(7,411)

 

(5,909)

 

(1,487)

Share-based compensation plan

 

(88,198)

 

(69,846)

 

(66,978)

Depreciation and amortization

 

(39,553)

 

(15,105)

 

(9,430)

Other

 

(7,658)

 

(13,810)

 

(8,302)

General and administrative expenses

 

(328,643)

 

(270,558)

 

(191,438)

Total

 

(1,119,348)

 

(863,957)

 

(508,476)

The increase in expenses for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to the previous year, is mainly due to inclusion of the companies as mentioned in Note 4.

In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2021, the companies acquired last year contributed with R$ 39,172 (2020: R$ 8,004) of cost of sales and with R$ 114,343 (2020: R$ 27,135) of expenses. In the same period, the companies acquired in 2021 contributed with R$ 20,945 of cost of sales and with R$ 22,258 of expenses.

F-66

23    Finance result

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

Income from financial investments

 

43,845

 

2,263

 

18,443

Changes in fair value of financial investments (a)

 

13

 

17,111

 

28,886

Changes in fair value of financial derivatives (b)

 

1,699

 

16,147

 

18,599

Foreign exchange gains

 

20,551

 

1,930

 

1,745

Changes in accounts payable to selling shareholders (Note 17)

18,357

Interest income

 

4,656

 

4,721

 

1,042

Other

 

2,091

 

3,039

 

3,332

Finance income

 

91,212

 

45,211

 

72,047

Changes in fair value of financial derivatives (b)

 

(38,990)

 

(15,585)

 

(18,126)

Changes in accounts payable to selling shareholders (Note 17)

 

(106,177)

 

(20,330)

 

(89,403)

Interest in acquisition of investments (c)

 

(121,611)

 

(68,379)

 

(42,206)

Bank fees

 

(8,647)

 

(4,937)

 

(2,990)

Foreign exchange loss

 

(22,323)

 

(1,742)

 

(2,300)

Interest in lease liabilities

 

(4,795)

 

(3,036)

 

(1,489)

Interest on loans and financing

(57,245)

(19,862)

(1,002)

Other

 

(12,298)

 

(8,142)

 

(13,339)

Finance costs

 

(372,086)

 

(142,013)

 

(170,855)

Finance result

 

(280,874)

 

(96,802)

 

(98,808)

(a)20Expenses by natureRefers to gains on financial investments measured at FVPL.

  2018 2017 2016
Content providing  41,551   34,452   22,224 
Operations personnel  11,477   10,979   9,176 
Inventory reserves  7,252   4,481   4,533 
Freight  7,687   4,087   2,656 
Depreciation and amortization  5,869   3,161   464 
Other  6,909   1,357   2,271 
Cost of sales  80,745   58,517   41,324 
Sales personnel  49,041   26,721   16,598 
Depreciation and amortization  11,939   9,799   4,505 
Sales & marketing  17,931   9,319   6,078 
Customer support  17,274   8,173   4,054 
Allowance for doubtful accounts  9,588   5,227   5,613 
Real estate rentals  1,923   1,751   993 
Other  5,574   4,324   2,476 
Selling expenses  113,270   65,314   40,317 
Corporate personnel  39,382   24,633   14,700 
Third party services  14,269   7,814   5,160 
Real estate rents  3,429   1,625   1,327 
Travel expenses  2,891   2,034   615 
Tax expenses  2,858   1,716   1,256 
Software licenses  1,098   1,128   285 
Royalties  -   -   473 
Fines  -   -   2,390 
Share-based compensation plan  60,297   1,890   2,043 
Depreciation and amortization  1,786   1,328   788 
Other  3,744   6,763   3,613 
General and administrative expenses  129,754   48,931   32,650 
Total  323,769   172,762   114,291 

 F-60

(b)21Finance result

  2018 2017 2016
Income from financial investments  11,633   11,415   14,800 
Changes in fair value of financial investments  4,322   -   - 
Changes in fair value of derivative instruments (a)  19,839   258   32,233 
Foreign exchange gains (d)  138   -   - 
Other  686   858   134 
Finance income  36,618   12,531   47,167 
Changes in fair value of derivative instruments (a)  (19,180)  (6,915)  (203)
Changes in fair value of contingent consideration (a)  -   -   (348)
Changes in accounts payable to selling shareholders (b)  (130,378)  -   - 
Interest expenses (c)  (9,781)  (11,179)  (90)
Financial discounts granted  (1,911)  (1,266)  (449)
Bank fees  (1,390)  (310)  (163)
Foreign exchange loss (d)  (34,573)  -   - 
Other  (1,582)  (719)  (550)
Finance costs  (198,795)  (20,389)  (1,803)
Finance result  (162,177)  (7,858)  45,364 

(a)RefersAmount related to changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments, comprised of the put and call options from business acquisitions and investments in associates and joint ventures, as described in Notes 4put option to convert senior notes and 11.

(b)Refers to changeschange in the fair value of accounts payable to selling shareholders, comprised of the put and call options, as described inswap derivatives. See Note 15.26 for further information.

(c)Refer mainly, to interest expense on liabilities related to accounts payable to selling shareholders (Note 15).business combinations and investments in associates.

F-67

24    Income taxes

(a)(d)Reconciliation of income taxes expense

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

 

(Loss) profit before income taxes

 

(173,657)

 

39,102

 

(42,534)

 

Combined statutory income taxes rate - % (a)

  

34

%  

34

%  

34

%  

Expected income tax benefit (expense) at statutory rates

 

59,043

 

(13,295)

 

14,462

 

Reconciliation adjustments:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Share of profit (loss) of equity-accounted investees (b)

 

(7,542)

 

139

 

(612)

 

Effect of presumed profit of subsidiaries (c)

 

3,266

 

9,552

 

18,593

 

Permanent differences (d)

 

(22,648)

 

(7,427)

 

(1,714)

 

Stock option (e)

(12,569)

(6,986)

Other additions (exclusions), net

 

(3,976)

 

(4,305)

 

2,374

 

 

15,574

 

(22,322)

 

33,103

 

Current

 

(65,609)

 

(87,379)

 

(46,850)

 

Deferred

 

81,183

 

65,057

 

79,953

 

Income taxes benefit (expense)

 

15,574

 

(22,322)

 

33,103

 

Effective rate

 

9.0

%  

57.1

%  

77.8

%  

(a)On October 3, 2018,Considering that Arco Platform Ltd. is domiciled in Cayman and there is no income tax in that jurisdiction, the Company transferred US$ 210,000combined tax rate of 34% demonstrated above is the IPO proceeds fromcurrent rate applied to Arco Brasil S.A. which is the Cayman Islands to bank accountsholding company of all operating entities of Arco Platform, in Brazil. From September 30 to that date, the Brazilian real had an appreciation against the U.S. dollar, which resulted in a foreign exchange loss of R$ 34,143. These deposits are invested on first-line financial institutions in Brazil and are denominated in Brazilian reais. The remaining balance of net foreign exchange gains and loss refers to remaining cash equivalents denominated in U.S. dollars.

(b)22Income taxes

(a) Reconciliation of income taxes expense

  2018 2017 2016
     
Profit (loss) before income taxes  (100,901)  66,356   92,838 
Combined statutory income taxes rate - %  34%  34%  34%
   34,306   (22,561)  (31,565)
Income taxes at statutory rates            
Reconciliation adjustments:            
   Share of loss of equity-accounted investees (a)  (269)  (240)  (378)
   Effect of presumed profit of subsidiaries (b)  11,080   907   13,523 
   Permanent differences (c)  (26,097)  -   - 
   Other additions (exclusions), net  (1,035)  (822)  (23)
             
Income taxes benefit (expense)  17,985   (22,716)  (18,443)
             
Effective rate  (17.8)%  34.2%  19.9%

(a)Refers to the effect of 34% on the share of profit (loss) of investees for the year.

(c)(b)Brazilian tax law establishes that companies that generate gross revenues of up to R$78,000 in the prior fiscal year may calculate income taxes as a percentage of gross revenue, using the presumed profit income tax regime. The Company’s subsidiaries adopted this tax regime and the effect of the presumed profit of subsidiaries represents the difference between the taxation based on this method and the amount that would be due based on the statutory rate applied to the taxable profit of the subsidiaries.

 F-61

profit income tax regime. The Company’s subsidiaries adopted this tax regime and the effect of the presumed profit of subsidiaries represents the difference between the taxation based on this method and the amount that would be due based on the statutory rate applied to the taxable profit of the subsidiaries.

(d)(c)Refers mainly to permanentPermanent differences of non-deductible expenses fromexpenses.
(e)Related to the effect of 34% of Geekie’s share-based compensation plan and foreign exchange loss and others.expenses.

F-68

(b) Deferred income taxes

The changes in the deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

 2015 Profit or loss 2016 Profit or loss 2017 Change in accounting practice As of January 1, 2018 Profit or loss Equity 2018

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

Profit

Business

Profit

Business

    

2019

    

or loss

    

combination

    

2020

    

or loss

    

combination

    

2021

Deferred tax assets                                        

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

  

 

  

 

  

Tax losses carryforward  -   3,613   3,613   (6)  3,607   -   3,607   757   -   4,364 

 

16,283

 

48,481

 

 

64,764

39,565

 

 

104,329

Temporary differences                                        

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Financial instruments from acquisition of interests  722   269   991   6,888   7,879   -   7,879   51,287   -   59,166 

 

106,729

 

10,664

 

 

117,393

57,198

 

 

174,591

Other temporary differences  1,354   779   2,133   1,501   3,634   1,450   5,084   1,501   -   6,585 

 

29,325

 

2,392

 

15,098

 

46,815

14,917

 

3,137

 

64,869

Share base compensation  1,061   695   1,756   461   2,217   -   2,217   (2,217)  -   - 

 

7,960

 

(1,487)

 

 

6,473

3,904

 

 

10,377

Tax benefit from tax deductible goodwill (a)  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   46,314   46,314 

Tax benefit from tax deductible goodwill

 

14,888

 

(3,341)

 

 

11,547

(3,515)

 

 

8,032

Amortization of intangible assets  -   117   117   1,088   1,205   -   1,205   77   -   1,282 

 

6,673

 

10,148

 

 

16,821

5,340

 

 

22,161

Total deferred tax assets  3,137   5,473   8,610   9,932   18,542   1,450   19,992   51,405   46,314   117,711 

 

181,858

 

66,857

 

15,098

 

263,813

117,409

 

3,137

 

384,359

Deferred tax liabilities                                        

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

  

 

  

 

  

Financial instruments from acquisition of interests  -   (11,041)  (11,041)  (1,373)  (12,414)  -   (12,414)  (5,752)  -   (18,166)

 

(23,873)

 

14,642

 

 

(9,231)

 

 

(9,231)

Tax benefit from tax deductible goodwill

(15,678)

(15,678)

(38,219)

(53,897)

Other temporary differences  (169)  86   (83)  (265)  (348)  -   (348)  (1,115)  -   (1,463)

 

(1,237)

 

(764)

 

 

(2,001)

1,993

 

(8)

Total deferred tax liabilities  (169)  (10,955)  (11,124)  (1,638)  (12,762)  -   (12,762)  (6,867)  -   (19,629)

 

(25,110)

 

(1,800)

 

 

(26,910)

(36,226)

 

 

(63,136)

Deferred tax assets (liabilities), net  2,968   (5,482)  (2,514)  8,294   5,780   1,450   7,230   44,538   46,314   98,082 

 

156,748

 

65,057

 

15,098

 

236,903

81,183

 

3,137

 

321,223

                                        

Deferred tax assets  2,968       3,719       5,860       7,310           99,460 

 

156,748

 

  

 

  

 

236,903

  

 

  

 

321,223

Deferred tax liabilities  -       (6,233)      (80)      (80)          (1,378)

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

(a)Refers to the tax benefit generated from the goodwill in the acquisition of EAS interest by GA Holding.

 F-62

As of December 31, 2018,2021, the Company had unrecognized deferred income tax assets in the amount of R$ 3,545 (2017:4,387 (2020: R$ 1,006)1,489) with respect to tax loss carryforward. The net operating losses carried forward do not expire, however, their compensation is limited to 30% of the annual taxable income. The recognition of the deferred income tax assets is supported by the Company’s forecasts of the future profitability and historical results.

23Segment information

25    Segment information

Segment information is presented consistently with the internal reports provided to the Company’s main key executives and chief operating decision makers. They are responsible for allocating resources, assessing the performance of the operating segments, and making the Company’s strategic decisions.

The Executive Officers have defined the operating segments based on the reports used to make structured strategic decisions, which allow for decision-making based on these structures:

(i)Core: The Core Curriculum business segment provides solutions that address the Brazilian K-12 curriculum requirements through a personalized and interactive learning experience. Students access content in various formats, such as digital, video, print, and other audiovisual formats that are aligned with the daily curriculum of their classes;

(ii)Supplemental: The Supplemental Solutions business segment provide additional value-added content that private schools can opt, in addition to the Core Curriculum solution. Currently, the Company’s primary Supplemental product is an English as a second language (ESL) bilingual teaching program. Technological solutions for communication with the students’ parents, learning laboratories that use the methodology of maker culture, a platform of questions to students and teachers, a Learning Management System (LMS) platform, an educational as a benefit platform and content to develop socio emotional skills are also offered.

F-69

The Executive Officers do not make strategic decisions or evaluate performance based on geographic regions. Currently, the Company operates solely in Brazil and mainly all the assets, liabilities and results are allocated in Brazil. Also, based on the agreements signed with private schools as of December 31, 2018 and 2017,2021, none of the customers individually represented more than 5% of total revenue.

2021

    

Core

    

Supplemental

    

Total

Net revenue

 

935,999

 

296,075

 

1,232,074

Cost of sales

 

(228,474)

 

(65,933)

 

(294,407)

Gross profit

 

707,525

 

230,142

 

937,667

Selling expenses

 

(396,369)

 

(99,929)

 

(496,298)

Segment profit

311,156

130,213

441,369

General and administrative expenses

 

 

 

(328,643)

Other income (expenses), net

 

 

 

16,673

Operating profit

 

 

 

129,399

Finance income

 

 

 

91,212

Finance costs

 

 

 

(372,086)

Share of loss of equity-accounted investees

 

 

 

(22,182)

Loss before income taxes

 

 

 

(173,657)

Income taxes benefit

 

 

 

15,574

Net loss for the year

 

 

 

(158,083)

Other disclosures

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

177,564

 

17,321

 

194,885

Investments in associates and joint ventures

 

126,873

 

 

126,873

Capital expenditures

 

186,846

 

24,550

 

211,396

 F-63

2020

    

Core

    

Supplemental

    

Total

Net revenue

 

841,145

 

160,565

 

1,001,710

Cost of sales

 

(190,893)

 

(30,237)

 

(221,130)

Gross profit

 

650,252

 

130,328

 

780,580

Selling expenses

 

(309,816)

 

(62,453)

 

(372,269)

Segment profit

340,436

67,875

408,311

General and administrative expenses

 

 

 

(270,558)

Other income (expenses), net

 

 

 

(2,258)

Operating profit

 

 

 

135,495

Finance income

 

 

 

45,211

Finance costs

 

 

 

(142,013)

Share of loss of equity-accounted investees

 

 

 

409

Profit before income taxes

 

 

 

39,102

Income taxes expense

 

 

 

(22,322)

Net profit for the year

 

 

 

16,780

Other disclosures

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

118,416

 

9,039

 

127,455

Investments in associates and joint ventures

 

9,654

 

 

9,654

Capital expenditures

 

95,672

 

11,977

 

107,649

F-70

  2018
  Core Supplemental Total reportable segments Adjustments and eliminations Total
Revenue  303,031   77,950   380,981   -   380,981 
Cost of sales  (70,903)  (9,842)  (80,745)  -   (80,745)
Gross profit  232,128   68,108   300,236   -   300,236 
Selling expenses  (87,186)  (26,084)  (113,270)  -   (113,270)
Segment profit  144,942   42,024   186,966   -   186,966 
General and administrative expenses  -   -   -   -   (129,754)
Other income (expenses), net  -   -   -   -   4,856 
Operating profit  -   -   -   -   62,068 
Finance income  -   -   -   -   36,618 
Finance costs  -   -   -   -   (198,795)
Share of loss of equity-accounted investees  -   -   -   -   (792)
Loss before income taxes  -   -   -   -   (100,901)
Income taxes income  -   -   -   -   17,985 
Loss for the year  -   -   -   -   (82,916)
                     
Total assets  1,273,107   62,006   1,335,113   (235)  1,334,878 
Total liabilities  254,744   10,485   265,229   (235)  264,994 
                     
Other disclosures                    
Depreciation and amortization  17,997   1,597   19,594   -   19,594 
Investments in associates and joint ventures  11,862   -   11,862   -   11,862 
Capital expenditures  28,165   8,092   36,257   -   36,257 

 F-64

 2017
 Core Supplemental Total reportable segments Adjustments and eliminations Total
Revenue  218,957   25,425   244,382   -   244,382 

2019

    

Core

    

Supplemental

    

Total

Net revenue

 

433,372

 

139,465

 

572,837

Cost of sales  (54,317)  (4,200)  (58,517)  -   (58,517)

 

(97,513)

 

(19,745)

 

(117,258)

Gross profit  164,640   21,225   185,865   -   185,865 

 

335,859

 

119,720

 

455,579

Selling expenses  (56,318)  (8,996)  (65,314)  -   (65,314)

 

 

 

(199,780)

Segment profit  108,322   12,229   120,551   -   120,551 
General and administrative expenses  -   -   -   -   (48,931)

 

 

 

(191,438)

Other income (expenses), net  -   -   -   -   3,299 

 

 

 

(6,287)

Operating profit  -   -   -   -   74,919 

 

 

 

58,074

Finance income  -   -   -   -   12,531 

 

 

 

72,047

Finance costs  -   -   -   -   (20,389)

 

 

 

(170,855)

Share of loss of equity-accounted investees  -   -   -   -   (705)

 

 

 

(1,800)

Profit before income taxes  -   -   -   -   66,356 
Income taxes expense  -   -   -   -   (22,716)
Profit for the year  -   -   -   -   43,640 
                    
Total assets  408,321   24,658   432,979   (2,570)  430,409 
Total liabilities  118,304   8,940   127,244   (2,570)  124,674 
                    

Loss before income taxes

 

 

 

(42,534)

Income taxes benefit

 

 

 

33,103

Net loss for the year

 

 

 

(9,431)

Other disclosures                    

 

  

 

  

 

  

Depreciation and amortization  12,650   1,638   14,288   -   14,288 

 

43,854

 

4,460

 

48,314

Investments in associates and joint ventures  12,654   -   12,654   -   12,654 

 

48,574

 

 

48,574

Capital expenditures  7,183   4,200   11,383   -   11,383 

 

45,851

 

8,242

 

54,093

 F-65

  2016
  Core Supplemental Total reportable segments Adjustments and eliminations Total
Revenue  159,270   -   159,270   -   159,270 
Cost of sales  (41,324)  -   (41,324)  -   (41,324)
Gross profit  117,946   -   117,946   -   117,946 
Selling expenses  (40,317)  -   (40,317)  -   (40,317)
Segment profit  77,629   -   77,629   -   77,629 
General and administrative expenses  -   -   -   -   (32,650)
Other income (expenses), net  -   -   -   -   3,606 
Operating profit  -   -   -   -   48,585 
Finance income  -   -   -   -   47,167 
Finance costs  -   -   -   -   (1,803)
Share of loss of equity-accounted investees  -   -   -   -   (1,111)
Profit before income taxes  -   -   -   -   92,838 
Income taxes expense  -   -   -   -   (18,443)
Profit for the year  -   -   -   -   74,395 
                     
Other disclosures                    
Depreciation and amortization  5,757   -   5,757   -   5,757 
Capital expenditures  7,154   -   7,154   -   7,154 

Capital expenditures consist of additions of property and equipment and intangible assets. There were no0 inter-segment revenues in the years ended December 31, 2018, 20172021, 2020 and 2016.

2019.

Segment performance is evaluated based on segment profit and is measured consistently with profit or loss in the consolidated financial statements. General and administrative expenses, other income (expenses), net, finance result, share of profit (loss) of equity-accounted investees and income taxes are managed on a Company basis and are not allocated to operating segments.

Segment profit or loss excludes general and administrative expenses, other income (expenses), net, finance result, share of profit (loss) of equity-accounted investees and income taxes to demonstrate the results without the influence of shared service center expenses or significant items of income and expenses which may have an impact on quality of earnings such as restructuring costs, legal expenses, and impairments.

Segment assets, liabilities and results

There were no adjustments or eliminations in the profit or loss between segments. Segment assets and liabilities are measured in the same way as in the financial statements. These assets and liabilities are allocated based on the operations of the segment.

    

    

    

Total

    

Adjustments

    

reportable

and

    

Core

    

Supplemental

    

segments

    

eliminations

    

Total

As of December 31, 2021

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Total assets

 

5,637,667

 

378,520

 

6,016,187

 

(26,068)

 

5,990,119

Total liabilities

 

4,048,511

 

92,442

 

4,140,953

 

(26,068)

 

4,114,885

As of December 31, 2020

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Total assets

 

4,342,905

 

253,480

 

4,596,385

 

(20,105)

 

4,576,280

Total liabilities

 

2,316,545

 

78,956

 

2,395,501

 

(20,105)

 

2,375,396

All adjustments and eliminations are part of detailed reconciliations presented above.

(a) Reconciliations

(i)Segment profit

Segment profit excludes general and administrative expenses, other income (expenses), net, finance result, share of profit (loss) of equity-accounted investees and income taxes in order to demonstrate the results without the influence of shared

 F-66

F-71

service center expenses or significant items of income and expenses which may have an impact on the quality of earnings such as restructuring costs, legal expenses, and impairments.

There were no adjustments or eliminations in the profit or loss between segments.

24Financial instruments

26    Financial instruments

The Company holds the following financial instruments:

    

Assets at FVPL

    

Assets at amortized cost

    

Total

Financial assets

 Assets at FVPL Assets at amortized cost Total

December 31, 2018            

December 31, 2021

 

  

 

  

 

  

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

211,143

 

211,143

Financial investments

 

 

1,014,056

 

1,014,056

Trade receivables  -   136,611   136,611 

 

 

593,263

 

593,263

Financial investments  2,370   808,789   811,159 
Financial instruments from acquisition of interests  26,630   -   26,630 
Cash and cash equivalents  12,301   -   12,301 
  41,301   945,400   986,701 
            
  Assets at FVPL   Loans and receivables   Total 
December 31, 2017            
Trade receivables  -   94,936   94,936 
Financial investments  36,686   46,522   83,208 
Financial instruments from acquisition of interests  12,511   -   12,511 
Cash and cash equivalents  834   -   834 
  50,031   141,458   191,489 
            

Derivative financial assets

 

861

 

 

861

Related parties

11,390

11,390

Investments and interests in other entities

9,803

9,803

Other assets (Instituto Arco)

1,373

1,373

 

10,664

 

1,831,225

 

1,841,889

    

Assets at FVPL

    

Assets at amortized cost

    

Total

December 31, 2020

 

  

 

  

 

  

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

424,410

 

424,410

Financial investments

 

17,645

 

705,349

 

722,994

Trade receivables

 

 

415,282

 

415,282

Related parties

20,478

20,478

Other assets

9,654

9,654

 

27,299

 

1,565,519

 

1,592,818

Liabilities at 

    

Liabilities at FVPL

    

amortized cost

    

Total

Financial liabilities

December 31, 2021

 

  

 

  

 

  

Trade payables

 

 

103,292

 

103,292

Derivative financial liabilities

 

223,561

 

 

223,561

Accounts payable to selling shareholders (a)

 

867,264

 

801,522

 

1,668,786

Leases liabilities

 

 

43,118

 

43,118

Loans and financing

 

 

1,831,327

 

1,831,327

 

1,090,825

 

2,779,259

 

3,870,084

December 31, 2020

 

  

 

  

 

  

Trade payables

 

 

40,925

 

40,925

Accounts payable to selling shareholders (a)

 

861,385

 

925,130

 

1,786,515

Leases liabilities

 

35,220

 

35,220

Loans and financing

 

311,119

 

311,119

 

861,385

 

1,312,394

 

2,173,779

 F-67

(a)The Company measures at fair value through profit or loss the contingent consideration arising from business combinations in accordance with IFRS 3.
Financial liabilities Liabilities at FVPL Liabilities at amortized cost Total
December 31, 2018            
Trade payables  -   14,845   14,845 
Financial instruments from acquisition of interests  25,097   -   25,097 
Accounts payable to selling shareholders  -   181,381   181,381 
   25,097   196,226   221,323 
December 31, 2017            
Trade payables  -   3,918   3,918 
Financial instruments from acquisition of interests  13,637   -   13,637 
Accounts payable to selling shareholders  -   58,003   58,003 
   13,637   61,921   75,558 

The Company’s exposure to certain risks associated with the financial instruments is discussed in Note 25.

27.

The maximum exposure to credit risk at the end of the reporting period is the carrying amount of each class of financial assets mentioned above.

F-72

(a) Financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss

Financial investments

TheUntil December 31, 2020, the Company designated part of its financial investments as financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, related to multimarket investment fund which investments were entered to achieve 102.3%82.9% of the CDI. The Company designated these investments at fair value through profit or loss, given the swaps exist solely for the counterparty to deliver a fixed return on CDI. This investment was settled in 2021 and no other financial investment was recognized at fair value through profit or loss. See Note 6 for more details on the financial investments.

Derivative instruments

assets and liabilities

The Company acquired entities under business combinationsmaintains put options from investments and through the acquisition of interests in associates and joint ventures. The share purchase agreements contain put and call options and forward contracts thatswap derivatives to protect its exposure to foreign currency risk, specifically for loans contracts. These derivatives are also measured at fair value through profitand are presented as financial assets when the fair value results in a gain, and as financial liabilities when the fair value results in a loss. Any gains or loss.

losses from these derivatives are recognized directly in the income statement.

As of and for the years ended December 31, 2018, 20172021, 2020 and 20162019 none of the Company’s derivatives havehas been designated as hedges for accounting purposes.

(ii) Amounts recognized in profit or loss

Changes in fair values of financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss are recorded in finance income (costs)(expenses) in profit or loss (gain of R$ 659, loss861, gain of R$ 6,657562 and gain of R$ 31,682473 for the years ended in December 31, 2018, 20172021, 2020 and 2016,2019, respectively).

 F-68

(b) Recognized fair value measurements

(i) Fair value hierarchy

The table below explains the judgements and estimates made in determining the fair values of the financial instruments that are recognized and measured at fair value through profit or loss in the consolidated financial statements. To provide an indication about the reliability of the inputs used in determining fair value, the Company has classified its financial instruments into the three levels.

Assets and liabilities are measured and recognized at fair value as follows:

 Hierarchy 2018 2017

    

Hierarchy

    

2021

    

2020

Financial assets          

 

  

 

  

 

  

Cash and cash equivalents  Level 2   12,301   834 
Financial investments  Level 2   2,370   36,686 

 

Level 2

 

 

17,645

Derivative financial instruments  Level 3   26,630   12,511 
          

Derivative financial assets

 

Level 2

 

861

 

Investments at fair value

Level 1

9,803

9,654

Financial liabilities          

 

  

 

 

  

Derivative financial instruments  Level 3   25,097   13,637 

Derivative financial iliabilities

 

Level 3

 

223,561

 

Accounts payable to selling shareholders

 

Level 3

 

867,264

 

861,385

As of December 31, 20182021, and 2017,2020, the Company assessed the fair values of its financial instruments. This assessment does not indicate fair values significantly different from the carrying amounts. The estimated realizable values of financial assets and liabilities were determined based on available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies.

The Company’s policy is to recognize transfers into and transfers out of fair value hierarchy levels as at the end of the reporting period.

F-73

There were no transfers between levels for recurring fair value measurements during the financial statementsstatements’ periods presented herein.

(ii) Valuation techniques used to determine fair values

Specific valuation techniques used to value financial instruments include:

·the use of quoted market prices or dealer quotes for similar instruments;

·the fair value of derivatives is calculated with Black & Scholes; and

·the fair value of the remaining financial instruments is determined using discounted cash flow analysis.

All of the resulting fair value estimates are included in level 2 except for contingent consideration and certain derivative contracts, where the fair values have been determined based on present values and the discount rates used were adjusted for counterparty or own credit risk.

 F-69

If the inputs used to measure the fair value of an asset or a liability fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, then the fair value measurement is categorized in its entirety in the same level of the fair value hierarchy as the lowest level input that is significant to the entire measurement.

(iii) Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (level 3)

The following table presents the changes in level 3 items for the years ended December 31, 2018, 20172021, 2020 and 2016.2019

Recurring fair value measurements Financial instruments from acquisition of interests (assets) Financial instruments from acquisition of interests (liabilities)
Balance as of December 31, 2015  2,901   (20,474)
Acquisitions  8,851   (29,724)
Deferred revenue in Escola de Aplicação São José dos Campos  -   (201)
Disposals  (2,501)  - 
Gains/(losses) recognized in statement of income  11,359   20,323 
Balance as of December 31, 2016  20,610   (30,076)
Acquisitions  -   (364)
Disposals  (4,542)  19,852 
Deferred revenue in Escola de Aplicação São José dos Campos  -   51 
Losses recognized in statement of income  (3,557)  (3,100)
Balance as of December 31, 2017  12,511   (13,637)
Payment of capital increase in Geekie  -   2,000 
Deferred revenue in Escola de Aplicação São José dos Campos  -   50 
Gains (losses) recognized in statement of income (loss)  14,119   (13,510)
Balance as of December 31, 2018  26,630   (25,097)

Financial instruments

Financial instruments

Accounts payable to

Recurring fair value measurements

    

Assets

    

liabilities

    

selling shareholders

Balance as of December 31, 2018

 

26,630

 

(25,097)

 

(174,410)

Acquisition of Nave à Vela

 

 

 

(58,194)

Payment of acquisition of Nave à Vela

 

 

 

21,098

Changes in accounts payable to selling shareholders

 

 

 

(89,403)

Interest expense

 

 

 

(35,127)

Deferred revenue in Escola de Aplicação São José dos Campos Ltda.

 

 

54

 

Fair value held in step acquisitions

 

 

 

7,368

Gains (loss) recognized in statement of income

 

9,316

 

(8,897)

 

Balance as of December 31, 2019

 

35,946

 

(33,940)

 

(328,668)

Acquisitions

(478,209)

Payment

9,520

Changes in accounts payable to selling shareholders

 

 

 

(20,314)

Interest expense

 

 

 

(43,714)

Gains (loss) recognized in statement of income

 

(35,946)

 

33,940

 

Balance as of December 31, 2020

 

0

 

0

 

(861,385)

Acquisitions

(33,411)

Derivative liabilities

(185,409)

Payment

119,950

Changes in accounts payable to selling shareholders

 

 

 

(87,706)

Changes in fair value of derivatives

(38,152)

Interest expense

 

 

 

(71,664)

Finalization of price allocation (Note 14.b)

 

 

 

66,952

Balance as of December 31, 2021

 

 

(223,561)

 

(867,264)

(iv) Transfers between levels 2 and 3

In the years ended December 31, 2018, 20172021, 2020 and 2016,2019, the Company did not transfer any financial instruments from level 2 into level 3.

F-74

(v) Valuation processes

The finance department of the Company performs and reviews the valuations of items required for financial reporting purposes, including level 3 fair values. Discussions of valuation processes and results conform with the Company’s yearly reporting periods. Also, the Company hires specialists to measure fair value of certain financial assets and liabilities independently.

 F-70

The main level 3 inputs used by the Company are derived and evaluated as follows:

·Discount rates for financial assets and financial liabilities are determined using a capital asset pricing model to calculate a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risk specific to the asset.

·Risk adjustments specific to the counterparties (including assumptions about credit default rates) are derived from observable market data of credit risk grading.

·Earnings growth factors for unlisted equity securities are estimated based on market information for similar types of companies.

·Contingent consideration – expected cash outflows are estimated based on the terms of the business combinations and the entity’s knowledge of the business as well as how the current economic environment is likely to impact it.

25Risk

27    Risk

(a)  Financial risk management

The Company monitors market, credit, and operational risks in line with the objectives in capital management and counts with the support, monitoring, and oversight of the Board of Directors in decisions related to capital management and its alignment with the objectives and risks. The Company monitors the effectiveness of the Company’s risk management.

The sensitivity analyses in the following sections relate to the position as of December 31, 2018.2021.

Capital management

The Company’s objectives when managing capital are to:

·maximize shareholder value;

·safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern, so that it can continue to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders; and

·maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital.

In order to maintain or alter the capital structure, the Company may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to reduce debt.

No changes were made in the objectives, policies, or processes for managing capital during the years ended December 31, 2018, 20172021, 2020 and 2016.

 F-712019.

F-75

(i)  Foreign exchange risk

Exposure

The Company’s exposure to foreign currency risk as of December 31, 20182021 and December 31, 2017,2020, was as follows:

  2018 2017
Cash and cash equivalents (Note 5)  3,615   - 

    

2021

    

2020

Cash and cash equivalents (Note 5)

 

154

 

28,327

Financial investments

 

 

542

Loans and financing

 

(654,864)

 

The Company does not operate outside Brazil and does not have exposure to foreign exchange risk on commercial transactions, i.e., revenues or expenses. The IPO proceedings were received in U.S. dollar but are not expected to be maintained in such currency.

Sensitivity analysis

The sensitivity analysis as of December 31, 20182021, consider three scenarios of U.S. dollar exchange rate variation, as follows:

·Base scenario - exchange rate as of December 31, 20182021 of R$ 3.87425.5799 per US$ 1.00;

·Scenario I - a 10% increase in the U.S. dollar exchange rate to R$ 4.2616;6.1379; and

·Scenario II - a 10% decrease in the U.S. dollar exchange rate to R$ 3.4867.5.0219.

The table below set forth the sensitivity analysis as of December 31, 2018,2021, for the amount of cash and cash equivalents and financial investments of US$ 28 thousand and for US$ 117,361 thousand of convertible notes, both denominated in U.S. dollar of US$ 933 thousand:dollar:

Base scenario 

Scenario I 

Base scenario

Scenario I

Scenario II

Exchange rate: R$ 3.87425.5799

Exchange rate:
R$ 4.2616
6.1379

Exchange rate:
R$ 3.4867
5.0219

Finance income (costs)

-

R$ 362(65,472)

R$ (362)65,472

(ii)  Liquidity risk

Management of the Company has responsibility for mitigating liquidity risk. In order to achieve its goals, management regularly reviews the risk and maintains appropriate reserves, including bank credit facilities with first tier financial institutions. Management also continuously monitors projected and actual cash flows and the combination of the maturity profiles of the financial assets and liabilities.

The main requirements for financial resources used by the Company arise from the need to make payments for printing educational content, freight expenses, operating expenses, labor and social obligations, acquisition of interest in other entities and other operating disbursements.

 F-72

The table below summarizes the maturity profile of the Company’s financial liabilities based on contractual undiscounted amounts:

As of December 31, 2018  

 On demand Less than 3 months 3 to 12 months 1 to 5 years More than 5 years Total
Trade payables  -   14,845   -   -   -   14,845 
Financial instruments from
acquisition of interests
  -   13   38   25,046   -   25,097 
Accounts payable to selling
shareholders
  -   -   830   180,551   -   181,381 
   -   14,858   868   205,597   -   221,323 

Less

More

than 3

3 to 12

1 to 2

2 to 3

3 to 4

4 to 5

than 5

December 31, 2021

    

months

    

months

    

years

    

years

    

years

    

years

    

years

    

Total

Trade payables

 

103,292

 

 

 

 

103,292

Lease liabilities

 

6,018

 

14,104

 

16,972

 

4,620

1,005

349

50

 

43,118

Loans and financing

 

213,214

 

15,234

 

941,568

 

19,324

641,987

 

1,831,327

Derivative financial liabilities

223,561

223,561

Accounts payable to selling shareholders

 

379,501

 

420,052

 

540,470

 

307,836

20,690

237

 

1,668,786

 

702,025

 

449,390

 

1,499,010

 

331,780

21,695

586

865,598

 

3,870,084

 

As of December 31, 2017  

 On demand Less than 3 months 3 to 12 months 1 to 5 years More than 5 years Total
Trade payables  42   3,870   6   -   -   3,918 
Financial instruments from
acquisition of interests
  -   -   1,784   11,853   -   13,637 
Accounts payable to selling
shareholders
  -   -   14,936   43,067   -   58,003 
   42   3,870   16,726   54,920   -   75,558 

F-76

(iii)   Financial counterparty risk

This risk arises from the possibility that the Company may incur losses due to the default of its counterparties. To mitigate these risks, the Company adopts as practice the analysis of the financial and equity situation of its counterparties.

Counterparty credit limits, which take published credit ratings and other factors into account, are set to cover the Company’s total aggregate exposure to a single financial institution. Exposures and limits applicable to each financial institution are approved by our treasury within guidelines approved by the board and are reviewed on a regular basis.

(iv)   Interest rate risk

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. The Company’s exposure to the risk of changes in market interest rates relates primarily to the Company’s investments with floating interest rates. The Company is mainly exposed to fluctuations in CDI interest rates on cash equivalentsfinancial investments, related parties, accounts payable to selling shareholders and financial investments.loans and financing.

 F-73

Sensitivity analysis

The Company has a significant portion of its financial investments indexed to the CDI variation. According to the reference rates obtained from the website of the Brazilian Stock Exchange – B3 S.A. - Brasil, Bolsa, Balcão (“B3”) and projected for 12 months, as of December 31, 20182021, the CDI rate was 6.42%12.36%.

As of December 31, 2018,2021, the Company’s management estimated two scenarios of the CDI rates at +10% and -10%, which were used as a basis for the possible and remote scenarios, respectively. The table below shows a summary of the scenarios estimated by Management and the effect on profit before income taxes:

Exposure +10% -10%
   

December 31, 2021

    

Exposure

    

+10%  

    

-10%

Cash, bank deposits and cash equivalents8,686 56 (56)

 

210,989

 

2,608

 

(2,608)

Financial investments810,812 5,205 (5,205)

 

1,014,056

 

12,534

 

(12,534)

Accounts payable to selling shareholders

801,522

9,907

(9,907)

Related parties

11,390

141

(141)

Loans and financing

1,176,463

14,570

(14,570)

The Company has derivatives (calls and put options) on non-controlling interests in associates and joint ventures acquired. The fair value of these derivatives is calculated using multiple scenarios and intrinsic methods. The major inputs are: exercise price, exercise date, volatility and gross profit of the associates and joint ventures.

The Company performed evaluation of their fair value at the end of each year in order to account for any changes to it, as disclosed in Note 24.26. These derivatives, which are not publicly traded, have specific conditions that do not enable the Company to present a sensitivity analysis in relation to specific interest rates or market indexes. Also, these derivatives are part of the Company’s strategy to acquire companies directly related to its continuous growth and are considered by the Company as a deferred payment to the previous shareholders' of the acquirees.

Changes in liabilities arising from financing activities

 January 1, 2017 Cash flows Other December 31, 2017 Cash flows Other December 31, 2018
Dividends payable  17,843   (75,053)  67,721   10,511   (85,000)  82,266   - 

Change in

As of

    

    

December 31,

accounting

January

Cash

December

Cash

December

Cash

December

    

2018

    

practice

    

1, 2019

    

flows

    

Other

    

31, 2019

    

flows

    

Other

    

31, 2020

    

flows

    

Other

    

31, 2021

Leases

0

20,089

20,089

(5,259)

11,027

25,857

(10,610)

19,973

35,220

(19,023)

26,921

43,118

Loans and financing

0

97,011

1,550

98,561

183,860

28,698

311,119

1,448,208

72,000

1,831,327

Total  17,843   (75,053)  67,721   10,511   (85,000)  82,266   - 

0

20,089

20,089

91,752

12,577

124,418

173,250

48,671

 

346,339

1,429,185

98,921

 

1,874,445

 F-74

F-77

26Commitments and contingencies

28    Commitments and contingencies

(i)  Operating lease commitments – Company as a lessee

The Company has entered into operating leases for certain offices and facilities. These leases have a term of 2.5 to 10 years. The Company has the option, under some of its leases, to lease the assets for additional terms of 2.5 years.

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:

  2018 2017
     
Within one year  5,293   4,203 
After one year but not more than three years  11,218   6,386 
After three years but not more than five years  9,596   3,959 
More than five years  1,290   3,160 
Total  27,397   17,708 

(ii) Legal proceedings

The Company is party to labor and tax litigation in progress, which arise during the ordinary course of business. The provisions for probable losses arising from these matters are estimated and periodically adjusted by Management, supported by the opinion of its external legal advisors.

 Labor Taxes Total
      
Balance at December 31, 2017  -   -   - 

    

Civil

    

Labor

    

Taxes

    

Total

Balance at December 31, 2019

 

0

122

 

129

 

251

Additions  17   124   141 

 

564

108

 

137

 

809

Business combination

599

599

Reversals  -   (10)  (10)

 

(99)

(178)

 

(16)

 

(293)

Balance at December 31, 2018  17   114   131 

Balance at December 31, 2020

 

465

52

 

849

 

1,366

Additions

 

262

720

 

274

 

1,256

Business combination

4

4

Reversals

 

(393)

(479)

 

(356)

 

(1,228)

Balance at December 31, 2021

 

334

297

 

767

 

1,398

As of December 31, 2018,2021, the Company was party to lawsuits classified as possible losses totaling R$ 5,170 (2017:9,004 (2020: R$ 4,588)7,863), as shown below:

  2018 2017
     
Civil (a)  4,425   4,133 
Labor (b)  745   455 
Total  5,170   4,588 

    

2021

    

2020

Civil (a)

 

7,032

 

6,367

Labor (b)

 

1,972

 

1,496

Total

 

9,004

 

7,863

(a)The civil proceedings relate mainly to customer claims, including those related to the early termination of certain agreements, among others.others;

(b)The labor proceedings to which the Company is a party were filed by former employees or suppliers and third-party service providers’ employees seeking joint liability for the acts of the Company’s suppliers and service providers.

On September 19, 2019, Mr. Ulisses Borges Cardinot, the non-controlling shareholder in our subsidiary, International School, filed a request for arbitration with the Center for Arbitration and Mediation of the Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada in Brazil against Arco Platform Limited, Companhia Brasileira de Educação e Sistemas de Ensino S.A. and Arco Educação S.A. This request for arbitration purporting to assert the non-controlling shareholder’s rights related to both the form of payment (shares) and the calculation of the purchase price under the Investment Agreement is still ongoing.

 F-75On November 29, 2021, the arbitration panel issued a partial award on the merits of the arbitration. The decision is under the ongoing review of financial and legal advisors of the Company and its amount calculated will be further discussed in the award liquidation phase of the arbitration proceeding. However, the arbitration panel decided that (i) Arco Platform Ltd. and Arco Educação S.A. are not subject to the terms of the Investment Agreement, therefore, shall not be part of the arbitration proceeding; (ii) Mr. Cardinot will not be entitled to receive shares of Arco Platform; and (iii) the amount due by Companhia Brasileira de Educação e Sistemas de Ensino S.A. shall be calculated based on the 10 times realized EBITDA for the school years of 2019 (first installment) and 2020 (second installment), both net of net debt, as determined in the investment agreement, consistent with the calculation methodology to estimate the provisioned amount in our balance sheet as reported.

In light of the arbitration proceeding and based on IAS 37, the Company understands that the circumstances, risks and uncertainties of the arbitration must be taken into consideration in order to reach the best estimate of the liability. Contingencies should be reevaluated at each balance sheet date and adjusted to reflect the best current estimate.

F-78

27Transactions not involving cash

Based on the arbitration panel decision mentioned above, the Company has recorded the provision of the amount considered the amount due for the purchase price under the Investment Agreement payable to the non-controlling shareholder. The liability is calculated based on the realized EBITDA for the school years of 2019 (first installment) and 2020 (second installment), both, net of debts, as determined in the agreement. The school year is defined as the twelve-month period starting in October of the previous year to September of the mentioned current year. The first and second installments will be paid in the course of the arbitration. Based on realized numbers, the liability increased by R$ 4,683 in 2021 and was recorded as financial expense as described in Note 17.a). During the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized R$ 23,373 of interest related to the liability.

29    Transactions not involving cash

During the years ended December 31, 2018, 20172021, 2020 and 2016,2019, the Company carried out the following non-cash activities, which are not reflected in the statement of cash flows:

  2018 2017 2016
     
Share issuance costs – unpaid  674   -   - 
Tax benefit from tax deductible goodwill (Note 22b)  46,314   -   - 
Investing - accounts payable to selling shareholders  -   58,003   8,143 
Investing - derivative financial instruments  -   -   1,420 
Business combinations - derivative financial instruments  -   -   19,655 

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

Tax benefit from tax deductible goodwill

 

 

 

(46,314)

Investing - financial derivatives

 

 

 

14,597

Business combinations - financial derivatives

 

 

 

38,924

Lease (Note 13)

22,346

14,471

1,251

Forward contract (Note 4)

51,501

406,635

29,728

Retained payments from business combination (Note 4)

1,324

14,821

874,440

Capital contribution (Note 4)

10,000

Price adjustment from business combination (Note 4)

(7,400)

4,620

Acquisition from business combination (Note 4)

36,172

22,857

39,419

28Subsequent events

Sale

30    Subsequent events

Acquisition of Escola de Aplicação São José dos CamposPGS and Mentes do Amanhã

On February 3, 2022, Arco concluded the acquisition of following solutions from Pearson Education do Brasil Ltda.:

(i) PGS: a K-12 bilingual courseware and teaching methodology, previously known as Pearson Global School; and (ii) Mentes do Amanhã (“Mentes”): a K12 supplemental solution focused on 21st century skills (social-emotional learning, financial literacy and technology).

On January 2, 2019, the Company enteredThe purchase consideration consists of: (i) R$ 15,000 paid in an agreement to sell its shares of Escola de Aplicação São José dos Campos Ltda. to the minority shareholders,February 2022; and (ii) 1,5 x net revenue from sales until March 2022, which is part of the Company’s Core segment. The transaction price of R$ 3,741 will be receivedsettled until April 2022.

This transaction broadens Arco’s supplemental market presence by adding high-quality solutions with pricing complementary to its portfolio. Arco believes in 16 quarterly installments from January 2022the large potential for English as a Second Language and in the favorable market trends for 21st century skills. An even stronger portfolio better positions Arco to October 2025, adjusted by the IGP-M (Brazilian general market price index issued by the FGV – “Fundação Getúlio Vargas”). The balance of investments in Escola de Aplicação São José dos Campos Ltda. is negative in R$ 667, as of December 31, 2018.capture this demand outside Arco’s school base.

The transaction’s rationale was to remain efficient and to keep focus on our main businesses.

As of and for the year ended December 31, 2018, the main balances of Escola de Aplicação São José dos Campos Ltda., are as follows:

2018
Assets1,105
Liabilities2,065
Equity(961)
Net revenue4,387
Loss for the year(1,750)

Geekie transaction

Loan liquidation

On January 17, 2019,03, 2022, the Company entered into anpaid in full a loan agreement withthrough one of its associated company Geekie buying 100.00 debentures issued at same date at par valuesubsidiaries Arco Educação, in the amount of R$ 100.00 (a hundred reais) each, totaling R$ 10,000. The debentures are due201,883.

Shares repurchase

From January 1st, 2022, until March 31, 2022, the Company purchased an aggregate amount of 338,718 Class A common shares for a total of approximately US$ 6.6 million. This repurchase was made in June 2022 and bear interest of 110% ofaccordance with the CDI. The debentures are convertible at the option of Arco on maturity at the same mechanics of the call and put options presented in the investment agreement, as describedRepurchase Program mentioned in Note 11.19.

 F-76

On the same date, the Company lent R$ 4,000 to Geekie Partners S.A., the controlling shareholder of Geekie, through a mutual agreement with bullet payment in June 2022, interest of 110% of the CDI, and with their entire interest on Geekie’s shares as collateral to the transaction.

The total transaction totaled R$ 14,000 and has the purpose to support Geekie’s working capital needs.

***