Campaign Launch and Credit Challenges Spotlight Women-Led Businesses in Brazil

On October 6, 2026, Caraguatatuba hosted the launch of "O Negócio Delas – Edição 2026," a campaign aimed at enhancing the visibility and opportunities for women-led businesses across five municipalities including Caraguatatuba, Ilhabela, São Sebastião, Ubatuba, and Paraibuna. Organized by Sebrae in partnership with the Caraguatatuba City Hall and Sicredi, the initiative promotes networking, sales, and collaboration among women entrepreneurs. The event, held at Espaço Morihya Eventos, aligns with major year-end sales periods and encourages connections among female business owners to boost market presence and economic impact.

Despite such initiatives, women-led businesses in Brazil face significant hurdles, particularly in accessing credit. On the National Day of Micro and Small Enterprises (October 5), Sebrae revealed that women lead over 41% of Brazil's small businesses but account for 44% of business closures, illustrating the challenge of business sustainability. Of the 4.96 million small businesses opened last year, 2.79 million closed, with female-owned enterprises disproportionately represented in closures.

A major obstacle identified is access to credit: only 30% of 109 billion reais allocated to micro and small enterprises was directed to women-led businesses. Ana Cláudia Badra Cotait, president of the Council of Women Entrepreneurs and Culture, emphasized the need to shift priorities from merely opening businesses to ensuring their survival through better financing options. She urged the National Congress to include this in the economic agenda. Alfredo Cotait Neto, president of the Confederation of Commercial and Business Associations of Brazil, highlighted the vital role small businesses play in Brazil's economy, underscoring the importance of supporting their continuity.

The "O Negócio Delas" campaign serves as both a platform to increase visibility and facilitate connections for female entrepreneurs, addressing part of the gap in support. Participation is free but requires registration due to venue capacity, focusing on MEI, ME, and EPP-registered women business owners. This combined focus on visibility and sustainable financing reflects a comprehensive effort to strengthen women-led enterprises in Brazil.