The Brazilian innovation and entrepreneurship market moves billions and comprises more than80 thousandactive technology-based companies at different stages. Last year alone, investment volume in the sector exceeded tens of billions of reais, consolidating the so-called new economy as one of the country’s growth engines. But entrepreneurs realized thatcapital alone does not guarantee scale. The silent movement gaining strength in Brazil shows that the differentiator is no longer just equity, but rather models that combine money, strategy, governance, and connections. According to recently released data on startups, Brazil now has over14 thousand innovative companies, but70%of them state thata their biggest pain point isn’t access to money, but rather the lack of guidance to grow in a structured way. This movement aligns with a global trend: data shows that companies with strategic support beyond capital can grow up to3 times fasterthan those receiving only financial investment.
It is in this context that Equity Group has become a benchmark. Founded in September 2023, the holding company emerged from the partnership of João Kepler, Nílio Portella, Túlio Menê, and Gabriel Lopes. In less than two years, it has already consolidatedover 80 companies in its portfolio, operating in sectors like technology, events and education, finance, services, and franchising. Each sector is led by market experts, who provide not only resources but primarilystrategic guidanceto transform businesses. This model took shape at an event that brought together more than100entrepreneurs and business owners in an agenda dedicated to strategic alignment and accelerated growth. Together, these entrepreneurs achieved 30% growth in the last three months. The event also solidified Equity’s investment model, reinforcing a new market logic: predictable and sustainable growth only happens when capital and strategy go hand in hand. “What we’ve built is more than just investment: it’s a network of experts accelerating real results,” emphasizes João Kepler, CEO of Equity Group.
For Nílio Portella, partner at Equity Group, the differentiator lies precisely in this combination: “Companies have already understood that money without direction doesn’t solve the problem. What makes the difference is having someone who can turn investment into real growth. That’s why our model has attracted so many in such a short time: we’re not just capital, we’re the strategy to take businesses to the next level.” This shift in mindset extends beyond the startup ecosystem and reaches traditional sectors like healthcare, education, and franchising. Business owners who once sought only capital now rely onmodels offering close support, governance, and market intelligence. This shift shows how the new Brazilian economy is being reshaped: equity is no longer an end in itself, andgrowthemerges as the new investment model. “The secret lies in combining capital with practical intelligence to turn businesses into scalable ventures,” says Túlio Menê, partner at Equity Group. Gabriel Lopes, also a partner, concludes: “Our model proves that sustainable growth comes from the sum of strategy, governance, and execution.”
