Each year, more women find in entrepreneurship a way to build their careers and transform their lives. In Brazil, one of the drivers of this movement is junior companies, formed by university students who offer consulting services at affordable prices. These organizations open doors for young women to develop their skills and stand out in the job market.
There are currently 1,612 junior companies in over 361 Brazilian universities. These non-profit associations offer services at reduced rates, charging only what is necessary to cover administrative and training costs. This facilitates access to entrepreneurship and prepares students for the job market, developing skills in management, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving.
Support for female entrepreneurship
Sebrae data from 2023 indicates that women already represent 34% of business owners in the country and are responsible for 48% of the new businesses started in recent years. These numbers highlight the importance of initiatives like junior companies, which support female entrepreneurship.
In the Junior Enterprise Movement, female participation is significant. In Brasil Júnior, for example, which represents the movement in the country, half of the Executive Board is composed of women. Participating in a junior company has proven to be an important differentiator in the job market. According to the Movement, students involved in these organizations have a four times higher employment rate than those who do not participate.
“Although there are still many challenges for women entrepreneurs, we have seen a growing number of young junior leaders committed to training, undertaking and transforming their realities and that of the country”, explains Elias Gabriel, CEO of Brasil Júnior. Success stories include Joice Toyota, founder of Vetor Brasil; Ianna Brandão, Director of Science of the City at the Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation of Fortaleza; and Fernanda Amorim, community management leader at the Estudar Foundation and former president of the Confederation of Junior Enterprises of Brazil.
Next month, Brasil Júnior will hold another edition of the country's largest junior entrepreneurship event, ENEJ – National Meeting of Junior Enterprises, which this year will take place from August 29 to September 1 in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina. The event aims to bring together over 4,000 junior entrepreneurs from across the country to further strengthen the Junior Enterprise Movement.
