Brazil already has 91.3 million online shoppers, according to ABComm, and widely publicized projections from the sector indicate that the country should surpass 100 million by 2026. The sector continues to expand, generating R$ 204.3 billion in 2024 and expected to reach R$ 234.9 billion in 2025, according to ABComm data. This growth, combined with the advancement of social commerce and the popularization of digital tools and artificial intelligence, reduces barriers to entry and makes it simpler to transform ideas into real businesses, especially for those who wish to become entrepreneurs in 2026.
For Eduardo Schuler, CEO of Smart Consultoria , a company specializing in scaling businesses by combining strategy, technology, and AI , this convergence opens a rare window of opportunity. The executive states that there has never been so much individual execution capacity, so much access to information, and so much consumer openness to new brands. “The scenario has never been more favorable. The combination of speed, low cost, and powerful tools makes 2026 the best year in history for those who want to start a business,” he emphasizes.
Below, the expert details the ten pillars that make 2026 the best year in history to start a business:
1. Record-breaking drop in initial business costs.
The reduced cost of digital tools, sales platforms, and AI solutions eliminates barriers that previously prevented new entrepreneurs. According to Sebrae (GEM Brazil 2023/2024), digitalization has drastically reduced initial operating costs, especially in sectors such as services and digital retail. Today, it is possible to launch a brand with few resources and minimal infrastructure. “The initial investment has fallen to a level that democratizes market entry and opens up space for those with good execution,” says Shuler .
2. Artificial intelligence increasing individual productivity.
Studies by McKinsey & Company (Generative AI and the future of work report, 2023) indicate that generative AI can automate up to 70% of the activities currently performed by professionals, allowing a person to achieve results comparable to the work of entire teams. Automations, co-pilots, and intelligent systems expand operational capacity and accelerate launches. "Never has an individual produced so much alone," the expert emphasizes.
3. Brazilian consumers more receptive to new brands.
Research by NielsenIQ (Brand Disloyalty Study, 2023) shows that 47% of Brazilian consumers are willing to try new brands, driven by the search for better prices, authenticity, and proximity. For Schuler, this openness reduces the acceptance time of new products. "Brazilians are more curious and less loyal, which creates fertile ground for those who are starting out," he points out.
4. Social commerce consolidated as a sales channel.
Today, a significant portion of Brazilian purchases happen directly within social media. Brazil is the 3rd largest social commerce market in the world, and the sector is projected to grow by 36% by 2026, according to Statista (Digital Market Insights, Social Commerce 2024). For Schuler, this expansion creates the biggest shortcut in history for selling without a physical store. "It's the first time that selling within content has become the norm, not the exception," he points out.
5. Unlimited and free knowledge to learn and execute
The availability of free content, courses, and tutorials reduces the gap between intention and practice. In 2023, Sebrae registered more than 5 million enrollments in online courses, a historical record. For Schuler, this abundance accelerates the learning curve. "Today, nobody really starts from scratch; the repertoire is within everyone's reach," he states.
6. Bureaucratic simplification thanks to technology
Instant payments, digital banks, electronic signatures, and automation have made financial and operational management much more agile. The Business Map (MDIC) indicates that the average time to open a business in Brazil has fallen to 1 day and 15 hours, the lowest level ever recorded. “Routines that previously required long periods are now completed in minutes, and this completely changes the game for small businesses,” he analyzes.
7. Historic expansion of Brazilian e-commerce
The forecast of exceeding 136 million online consumers by 2026, according to Statista (Digital Market Outlook 2024), reveals the highest level of digital maturity ever recorded in the country. For Schuler, this means a market ready to absorb new solutions. “Demand exists, it is growing, and there is room for those who want to build a brand,” he states.
8. Lower psychological barrier for those who wish to become entrepreneurs
The growth of creators, mentors, and entrepreneurs sharing their behind-the-scenes experiences has made entrepreneurship more common and less feared. According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2023/2024, 53% of Brazilian adults say they intend to start a business, one of the highest rates in the world. “When everyone knows someone who has started, fear decreases and action increases,” he comments.
9. Faster execution and immediate validation.
The current speed allows for testing ideas, validating hypotheses, and adjusting offers in real time. The Webshoppers 49 report (Neotrust/NielsenIQ) indicates that small brands have gained ground precisely because they respond faster to consumer behavior, taking advantage of intelligent advertising tools, automation, and A/B testing. “The market has never been so agile, and this favors those who need to gain traction quickly,” he reinforces.
10. Unprecedented convergence between technology, behavior, and economy.
According to Schuler , the combination of low costs, open consumers, high demand, and powerful tools creates a rare alignment. Data from Statista, GEM, and Sebrae show that there has never been so much intention to start a business, so much digital demand, and so much accessible technology all at the same time. "It's a window of opportunity that simply didn't exist before. Whoever enters now will have a historic advantage," he concludes.
