Brazil Sees Nearly 14% Rise in Small Business Openings in 2026, Supported by Free Business Workshops

Brazil has experienced a significant surge in the establishment of small businesses in 2026, with 3.6 million new businesses registered from January to July, marking an almost 14% increase compared to the same period in 2025. This growth is predominantly made up of microentrepreneurs and small enterprises, which account for 96.7% of all new businesses, according to a study by Sebrae using data from the Federal Revenue Service.

The majority of these new ventures are microempreendedores individuais (MEI), which represent 77% of the total, followed by 19% microenterprises and nearly 4% small businesses. The states leading this expansion in MEI registrations include Amapá (39%), Maranhão (26.5%), and Rondônia (26.5%), while Mato Grosso do Sul (27%), the Federal District (23%), and Rondônia (21%) lead among micro and small companies. The Services sector showed the highest activity with 308,000 new companies in July alone, comprising 65% of new openings, followed by Commerce (20%) and Industry (8%).

Rodrigo Soares, president of Sebrae, emphasized the crucial role of small businesses in sustaining formal employment, noting they provide six in every ten formal job opportunities and spearhead new company creation. He highlighted the need for a business-friendly environment to foster growth and innovation among entrepreneurs.

Complementing this rise, the Ministry of Education, via the Federal Institute of Brasília (IFB), has opened registrations for free workshops at the School of Business and Social Development (Enedes). These workshops focus on professional development topics relevant to current business challenges, including artificial intelligence's role in careers, understanding tax reforms, and empowering women entrepreneurs through brand and business strategy training. Enedes provides hands-on activities and mentoring aimed at fostering innovation and technological adoption among small and larger organizations.

Together, the substantial increase in small business formation and the availability of targeted, free educational workshops illustrate a supportive ecosystem encouraging entrepreneurship and business development across Brazil in 2026.