New Free Entrepreneurship Course in Pará and Shopee's Award Boost Female Brazilian Entrepreneurs

Two significant initiatives launched in Brazil aim to empower entrepreneurs, particularly women, and foster business growth across the country.

In Marabá, Pará, residents can enroll in a free entrepreneurship course offered under the 'Bora Pra Cima' program by the National Youth Secretariat. This practical course, beginning October 23, uses an accessible 10-step methodology for learning business fundamentals including product development, marketing, market research, and financial management. Beyond classes, participants benefit from 90 days of personalized consulting and receive a custom business plan and logo upon completion. Initially started in Belém, this program seeks to train 1,200 young entrepreneurs to bolster local economies.

Meanwhile, Shopee, in partnership with Rede Mulher Empreendedora (RME), launched the second edition of the 'Mulher do Ano Shopee' award on March 20, 2026. This initiative promotes female entrepreneurship within Brazilian e-commerce by recognizing 10 outstanding women sellers. Applications remain open until April 10, 2026. Winners receive cash prizes and Shopee advertisement credits, with the top award of R$7,000 plus R$10,000 in advertising credits. Shopee's Category Leader, Leila Carcagnoli, highlighted that women now represent 51% of active sellers on the platform, emphasizing their growing impact in digital commerce. Ana Fontes, CEO of RME, emphasized that the award supports women in building profitable, sustainable businesses.

These complementary efforts provide comprehensive support: from foundational education to recognition and resources for business scaling. The Shopee award selection process will conclude with an August ceremony in São Paulo, further spotlighting women's vital role in Brazil's entrepreneurial landscape.