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Carulla Foundation was founded by José Carulla Soler, then owner of the Carulla chain of department stores, in 1962. For 47 years the foundation provided scholarships to thousands of low-income employees of the company.

In 2008, due to findings about the importance of the first years of life, the foundation decided to focus on promoting early childhood education in Colombia through its initiative AeioTu.

AieoTu offers high-end education services through direct contracting with the government. In addition, the Carulla Foundation provides 30% of the centres resources. The remaining costs are covered by cross-subsidization: one high-income child finances the education of two low-income children. AeioTu currently serves 700 low-income children across four centres and envisions replicating its model by developing self-sustainable franchise centers.