New Training and Research Initiatives Boost Support for Small Entrepreneurs Across Brazil
Brazil intensifies support for small entrepreneurs with new research insights and targeted training programs enhancing management and digital skills.
- • Research by the Federal Council of Administration identifies financial management and capital as main challenges for small businesses in Brazil.
- • Programa Empreendedores Braskem in Cubatão offers training and seed funding to local entrepreneurs to strengthen their businesses.
- • Casa Prospera organizes free digital workshops in Rio de Janeiro’s neighborhoods to empower peripheral entrepreneurs with technology and sales strategies.
- • Government and private sector collaborations aim to improve management skills and promote economic sustainability for small businesses.
Key details
Recent efforts in Brazil are intensifying to provide comprehensive support and training to small entrepreneurs, focusing on enhancing management skills, digital strategies, and financial accessibility.
The Federal Council of Administration (CFA) presented findings from a national research study conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Entrepreneurship (MEMP), revealing crucial insights into the practical needs of small business owners. According to the study, 51.1% of small businesses operate in the services sector, with financial management being the greatest challenge for 38% of entrepreneurs. High interest rates make financing difficult for 87.2% of respondents. The primary motivation for entrepreneurship remains autonomy, shared by 69.2% of participants. CFA's Director Júlio Rezende emphasized the urgent need for training programs to improve management skills, aiming to enhance the competitiveness of small businesses (315963).
Complementing this research, localized training initiatives have been launched. In Cubatão, the Prefeitura supports the Programa Empreendedores Braskem, offering 50 entrepreneurs the chance to attend a 10-session in-person course designed to build skills in business models, planning, sales, marketing, and financial management. The program culminates in a pitch competition awarding seed funding up to R$3,000 to the top three projects, aiming to foster economic autonomy and strengthen the local economy (315970).
In Rio de Janeiro’s Jacarezinho and Maré neighborhoods, Casa Prospera is conducting free digital strategy workshops facilitated by Instituto BR and SEBRAE-RJ. These workshops teach entrepreneurs how to leverage WhatsApp for sales, incorporate artificial intelligence, use Google Ads, and develop social media commerce strategies. Vinícius Wu from Instituto BR highlighted the critical barriers faced by peripheral entrepreneurs, such as limited banking access, with these workshops seeking to bridge knowledge gaps and promote sustainable income generation (315965).
Together, these initiatives reflect a concerted effort to empower Brazil's small business sector through research-driven policies and practical training opportunities tailored to regional needs and emerging digital tools. These programs are poised to improve management capacity, foster innovation, and sustain economic growth among small entrepreneurs nationwide.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
