Brazil Sees 14% Surge in Small Business Registrations in 2026 Alongside Launch of Free AI Entrepreneurship Course

Brazil is witnessing a significant boom in entrepreneurship in 2026, with 3.6 million new businesses registered from January to July, marking a 14% increase compared to the same period in 2025. According to data from Sebrae based on Receita Federal figures, approximately 96.7% of these new enterprises are small-scale, comprising microentrepreneurs (MEIs), microenterprises (MEs), and small businesses (EPPs). MEIs constitute around 77% of all new registrations, reflecting the growing prominence of solo entrepreneurs in the Brazilian economy.

Small businesses continue to be a vital source of employment, accounting for 60% of all formal job creation nationally. The service sector led the surge, representing 65% of new business registrations, followed by commerce and industry at 20% and 8%, respectively. Regionally, the state of Ceará reported over 100,000 new small businesses, a 14.3% increase from 2025, while Amapá led MEI growth at 39%, with Maranhão and Rondônia also posting strong gains.

In tandem with this expanding small business landscape, the IFRS Campus Restinga has opened applications for a free 200-hour course titled "Innovative Businesses Supported by AI." Scheduled to commence on September 19, 2026, this program targets young people facing social vulnerability and aspiring entrepreneurs. The course combines entrepreneurship fundamentals with artificial intelligence tools, emphasizing accessible, no-code solutions for practical business problem-solving.

Participants aged 15 and above, including those currently studying or who have completed high school and vulnerable youth, can apply. Offering 25 spots, the course runs Monday to Thursday afternoons and provides a transportation and food stipend of R$5 per hour, up to R$1,000. The initiative forms part of the National Program for Access to Technical Education and Employment (PRONATEC) – Empreender, aiming to foster inclusive innovation and job creation.

Together, these developments illustrate Brazil’s dynamic growth in small-scale entrepreneurship bolstered by educational initiatives that employ technology to empower new generations of business owners. The challenge going forward involves consolidating these enterprises through credit access, training, and innovation to ensure their sustainability and ongoing contribution to the economy.