In recent years, Brazil has seen an impressive growth in the number of young entrepreneurs. Thisgivenwas found by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), the main research on entrepreneurship in the world.
In the latest edition, 2023, the study presented the evolution of entrepreneurship in Brazil and showed that men and young people predominate in the opening of new businesses (56% men versus 44% women). The rise of the youngest entrepreneurs reflects a growing trend and signals a profound change in the labor market and the country's economic dynamics.
According to 2024 data from Sebrae and the National Association of Studies in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management (Anegepe), Brazil currently has around 42 million entrepreneurs, a number that could more than double in the next three years. This expansion is fueled by a growing number of young people who are increasingly involved in the business world.
Qualification
According to the GEM survey, one of the factors that improved the sector's indicators in the country is qualification, changing the old scenario of entrepreneurship out of necessity to opening one's own business through qualification.
In practice, this means that young entrepreneurs can analyze the business before starting, and see the opportunities and challenges of the market. In addition to the training that many entrepreneurs already have, they also combine it with courses and other educational and free options offered by Sebrae and other entities, for example.
The case of Kadu Pires, a 39-year-old physical educator who transformed a fabric distribution company into a successful digital startup, exemplifies this growth well. With the creation of the Mais Criativo Club, Pires managed to save his own business from bankruptcy and at the same time reinvent work. With this transformation, the new brand was born, which is a collaborative platform for hundreds of small entrepreneurs in the textile sector.
To achieve such a feat, Kadu joined forces with the advertising executive Luiz Fernandes, 37 years old, who became a partner in the company. Together, they achieved a feat that places them among the young entrepreneurs mentioned in the research: in just six months, the startup reached a revenue of R$ 10 million and continues to expand its influence in the market.
Purpose and resilience
The success of Kadu and Luiz reflects a new trend: young entrepreneurs are standing out for their ability to innovate and, most importantly, adapt. The GEM research revealed that 77% of Brazilian entrepreneurs are motivated by the desire to make a difference in the world, and many of these young people see entrepreneurship as a way to positively impact their communities and local economies.
Partner of a fabric distributor since 2011 alongside his mother, Kadu saw the business plunge into an unprecedented crisis. The technological solution emerged as an idea to save the family business and hundreds of other small businesses in the craft sector from bankruptcy.
“The pandemic initially boosted demand for crafts, but ended up burdening many small entrepreneurs with inventory they couldn't sell.", explains Pires." According to the businessman, the profitable and new business proves that adaptation and innovation are the keys to success in the current market.
The success of young companies like Kadu's and Luiz's demonstrates the importance of support platforms for entrepreneurship, which offer creative and affordable solutions for small businesses. In addition to the Mais Criativo Club, there are a series of startups and initiatives that have contributed to the expansion of entrepreneurship among young Brazilians, providing the necessary tools and resources to turn ideas into reality.
The growth in the number of young entrepreneurs also demonstrates creativity, a characteristic of Brazilians, which now, more than ever, is seen in the business world. Stories like Kadu Pires's serve as inspirations for even younger youths who dream of having their own business, while also demonstrating how entrepreneurship is a great asset for sustainable economic growth.
