Brazil entrepreneurship grows 14.3% with 3.93 million new small businesses

Entrepreneurship in Brazil grew by 14.3% between January and August 2026, with 3.93 million new small businesses opened, according to data from Sebrae. The Southeast region accounted for 50.9% of these new companies, followed by the South (18.4%) and Northeast (16.1%). While São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro led in absolute numbers, the state of Amapá saw the highest growth rate at 34.1% compared to the same period in 2025.

Further research by Sebrae indicates that 42.5 million Brazilians intend to start their own business within the next three years. Experts at the 2nd Empreender Forum noted that micro, small, and individual micro-entrepreneurs (MEIs) represent 24 million of the country's 25.4 million active CNPJs and generate 80% of formal jobs. However, challenges remain, particularly regarding access to credit. Renato Meirelles, president of Instituto Locomotiva, highlighted that while these businesses are vital for economic growth, small entrepreneurs often face higher interest rates and less favorable financing terms compared to large corporations.