Mato Grosso do Sul Boosts Small Businesses with Third Edition of MS Empreende Mais
Mato Grosso do Sul launches the third edition of MS Empreende Mais program to strengthen small businesses, with over 69,000 new companies opening in 2025 and strategic municipal support boosting local economies.
- • Small businesses account for 89% of enterprises in Mato Grosso do Sul.
- • The third edition of MS Empreende Mais launched to support small business development.
- • Cidade Empreendedora program supports 36 municipalities and 130,000 companies.
- • R$ 16.4 million invested to improve municipal business environments and training.
Key details
On February 2, 2026, the Government of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) launched the third edition of the MS Empreende Mais program, a focused initiative designed to empower small businesses and stimulate local economic development across the state. The event took place at Sebrae-MS in Campo Grande and was attended by Governor Eduardo Riedel, along with key officials including Jaime Verruck and Artur Falcette.
Small businesses represent a significant backbone in MS's economy, accounting for 89% of all enterprises. In 2025 alone, 69,387 new companies were formalized in the state, with small businesses comprising between 84% and 96% of these new registrations annually. Impressively, in just the first two weeks of 2026, 3,100 new companies opened, 98% of which were small businesses, reflecting the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit in the region.
Central to this latest edition of MS Empreende Mais is the Cidade Empreendedora program, which currently supports 36 municipalities and aims to assist approximately 130,000 companies across more than half of MS’s 79 municipalities. This program seeks to create a more favorable business climate through strategic actions like the Municipal Development Plan (PDM) and the Municipal Management Agreement. These tools enhance public management efficiency, attract investment, and improve the local business environment, especially in municipalities with lower Human Development Index (HDI) scores.
The program is backed by an investment of R$ 16.4 million and emphasizes workforce training to ensure small businesses can thrive amid evolving economic conditions such as deregulation and growing investment flows. Furthermore, the MS government, in collaboration with Sebrae-MS, has formed partnerships to promote innovation, sustainability, and inclusion. These efforts include supporting mothers of people with disabilities, quilombola and indigenous communities, and women entrepreneurs, thereby fostering diverse and inclusive economic growth.
Governor Riedel highlighted the importance of public management and strategic partnerships in creating a secure and nurturing environment for businesses, stating that these initiatives contribute significantly to strengthening the state's economy and its business culture. Jaime Verruck underscored the value of structured municipal development plans in supporting local entrepreneurial activity and overall economic progress.
With its comprehensive approach that combines technical assistance, financial support, and inclusive community engagement, the MS Empreende Mais program continues to be a key driver in bolstering Mato Grosso do Sul's entrepreneurial ecosystem and promoting sustainable municipal development.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (2)
Source comparison
Event date of MS Empreende Mais
Sources report different dates for the MS Empreende Mais event
semadesc.ms.gov.br
"The event took place on February 2, 2026."
agenciadenoticias.ms.gov.br
"The 3rd edition of MS Empreende Mais, held on February 2, 2025."
Why this matters: One source states the event took place on February 2, 2026, while the other claims it was held on February 2, 2025. This discrepancy affects the timeline of the program's development and its current relevance.