What FIA Business School does

FIA Business School (legal name Fundação Instituto de Administração, CNPJ 44.315.919/0001-40) is a private, non-profit Brazilian higher education foundation founded in 1980 by professors of the University of São Paulo's Department of Administration. It operates an integrated three-pillar model of executive Education, applied Research, and Consulting, delivered from three physical units in São Paulo (Nações Unidas in Pinheiros and two units on Avenida Paulista) plus live-online (EAD ao vivo) and asynchronous (FIA Online) channels. The portfolio spans undergraduate degrees (Administration, Economics, International Relations), postgraduate programs, MBA offerings (Advanced, International, and partnership/async formats), a CAPES Grade 4 Professional Master's, a newly MEC-authorized doctoral program, extension courses, customized In-Company corporate training, and international immersions across 30+ partner universities including Harvard, Stanford, Cambridge, Bocconi, and UC Berkeley.

Revenue mechanics are tuition-driven across multiple price tiers (R$1,649/month to R$45,400 upfront for the flagship MBA Executivo Internacional), supplemented by corporate training and consulting contracts with private and public sector organizations. The technology stack is conventional EdTech: an LMS, a digital library with full CAPES portal access, an automated intelligent locker for book loans (Armário Inteligente), and 13 specialized Knowledge Centers (including Labdata for data analysis and PENSA for agribusiness research) that produce applied research and consulting outputs. Faculty is predominantly composed of USP PhDs, and the institution is governed by a Conselho Curador chaired by Adalberto A. Fischmann with Roberto Sbragia as Diretor Presidente.

FIA's competitive positioning rests on a credential stack that is rare in Latin America: AMBA accreditation since 2003, EFMD accreditation since 2023, BGA accreditation since 2024, QS 5 Stars, MEC Nota 5 for the Administration undergraduate, and the only Brazilian position in the QS Top 100 MBA worldwide ranking. The school claims 100,000+ alumni since its first MBA cohort in 1993 and has been named Brazil's #1 Executive MBA for six consecutive years (2020-2025). Headcount is in the 501-1000 range, and the institution is actively pursuing additional accreditations (EQUIS, AACSB) while expanding its academic portfolio through recent MEC authorizations.

Name

FIA Business School

Legal name

Fundação Instituto de Administração

Website

https://fia.com.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

FIA Business School is a São Paulo-based, USP-founded non-profit business school offering undergraduate, postgraduate, MBA, master's and doctoral programs, plus corporate training and consulting across Brazil with international immersion partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Education and Executive Training

NAICS

Business and Secretarial Schools (611410), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Undergraduate Business Schools (BBA/BSBA Programs) (EDAHAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online Professional Schools (MBA/MPA/MPH/Etc.) (EDAHALAE), Professional & Executive Short Courses (Non-Degree, International) (EDAIAIAH)

Keywords

• Business education services
• Executive MBA programs
• Corporate training
• Management consulting
• Higher education

Headquarters

HQ city

Brasil

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Undergraduate Education: Undergraduate degree programs in Administration, Economics, and International Relations offered in-person in São Paulo with international exchange options
2. Postgraduate Programs: Postgraduate courses offered in presencial, semipresencial, and live EAD formats, including specialization programs
3. MBA Programs: Advanced MBA, International MBAs, and partnership/async MBAs with international accreditations including AMBA, EFMD, and QS 5-star ratings
4. Master's and Doctorate: Professional Master's in Business Management (CAPES Grade 4) and doctoral programs with MEC authorization
5. Corporate Training (In Company): Customized educational solutions for organizations in private and public sectors, consulting services
6. International Immersions: International immersion programs with partnerships with global universities including Harvard, Cambridge, Stanford, and others
7. Extension Courses: Extension programs in presencial and EAD formats, including USP-FIA extension partnerships

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

FIA Business School is a Brazilian higher education institution delivering undergraduate degrees in Administration, Economics, and International Relations; postgraduate, MBA, master's, and doctoral programs; customized corporate training (In Company); and public/private management consulting. Educational programs are delivered in presencial, semipresencial, and live EAD formats across São Paulo campuses, while consulting and research serve both private and public sector organizations.

Product overview

FIA Business School is a Brazilian business education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational products across multiple formats: undergraduate degrees (Administration, Economics, International Relations), postgraduate programs (in-person, blended, and distance learning), MBA programs (Advanced, International, and partnership offerings), Master's and Doctoral degrees, extension courses, and customized corporate training. The institution operates through specialized Knowledge Centers covering areas such as Project Management, Data Analysis, Marketing, Finance, Agribusiness, Innovation, and Digital Technologies. Supporting services include a library, faculty development center (CAD), alumni network, and social projects. The school combines education, consulting, and research as three integrated pillars of activity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Programs (Graduação) Undergraduate degree programs in Administration, Economics, and International Relations combining academic excellence with practical application, real projects, internships, and international exchange opportunities. Delivered in-person at São Paulo campuses.
• Postgraduate Programs (Pós-Graduação) Postgraduate specialization programs in business administration offered in presencial, semipresencial, and live EAD (distance learning) formats, designed for professionals seeking advanced credentials.
• MBA Programs Master of Business Administration programs including Advanced MBA, International MBAs, and partnership/asynchronous MBAs, with accreditations from AMBA, EFMD, and QS 5-star ratings. Designed for executives and senior professionals.
• Master's and Doctorate Programs (Mestrado e Doutorado) Strict-sense graduate programs (Master's and Doctorate) in administration providing advanced academic research and scholarly training. The Professional Master's in Business Management holds CAPES Grade 4.
• Extension Courses (Extensão) Extension programs offered in in-person, distance learning, and USP-FIA partnership formats, providing continuing professional development opportunities across multiple subject areas.
• In Company Corporate Training Customized corporate training solutions delivered at client organizations, combining academic knowledge with market experience to develop leadership and management capabilities for private and public sector companies.
• Public and Private Consulting (Consultoria Pública e Privada) Consulting services for public and private sector organizations that translate business complexity into strategy, leveraging FIA's academic expertise and 13 specialized Knowledge Centers.
• International Immersions (Imersões Internacionais) International immersion programs providing exposure to global business environments and international academic experiences through partnerships with Harvard, Cambridge, Stanford, Bocconi, and other global universities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100,000+ alumni trained since 1993
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bentley UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020International academic partnership enabling student and faculty exchanges, joint programs, and collaborative research initiatives between the institutions.
• Università BocconicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership with one of Europe's leading business schools for exchange programs and academic collaboration in business education.
• University of California, BerkeleycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Exchange and collaboration partnership with UC Berkeley, one of the world's top public universities.
• University of CambridgecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020International partnership with Cambridge University enabling exchange programs and joint educational initiatives.
• Harvard UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership with Harvard University for international immersion and academic exchange programs.
• Stanford UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Academic partnership with Stanford University for student exchanges and international program collaboration.
• Vanderbilt UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020International partnership for exchange programs and academic collaboration.
• ISEG LisbonminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership with Lisbon School of Economics and Management for international exchange.
• European University Business SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Dual degree partnership enabling students to earn credentials from both institutions.
• Crummer Graduate School of Business, Rollins CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020International exchange partnership with Crummer Business School in Florida.
• The University of TampaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Academic exchange partnership with University of Tampa.
• Simon Fraser UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020International partnership for academic exchanges with Canadian university.
• Virginia Commonwealth UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Academic exchange partnership with VCU.
• Lingnan UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership with Hong Kong university for Asia-focused academic exchanges.
• Tongji UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Academic partnership with Tongji University for China-focused exchanges.
• MDI GurgaonminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership with Indian management institute for South Asia exchanges.
• Technion - Israel Institute of TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Academic partnership with Israeli technical university for technology-focused exchanges.
• IPADE Business SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership with Mexican business school for Latin American collaboration.
• Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Academic exchange partnership with leading Mexican private university.
• Universidad de PalermominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership with Argentine private university for Latin American exchanges.
• Pontificia Universidad Católica del PerúminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Academic exchange with Peruvian Catholic University.
• CESA - Colegio de Estudios Superiores de AdministraciónminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership with Colombian business school for Latin American exchange.
• Universidad EAFITminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Academic exchange with Colombian university.
• Universidade de São PaulocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Cooperation agreement with USP - FIA's founding institution. Facilitates joint academic programs, faculty exchanges, and shares best practices. USP is FIA's strategic partner for academic excellence.
• Universidade do PortominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Academic exchange partnership with University of Porto in Portugal.
• Universidade D CoimbraminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership with one of the oldest universities in the world for academic exchanges.
• Católica Porto Business SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership with Portuguese Catholic University business school.
• UCU - Universidad Católica del UruguayminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Academic exchange with Uruguayan Catholic University.
• Woxsen UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership with Indian university for Asia-Pacific exchanges.
• FIU BusinessminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership with Florida International University business school.
• Parque de Inovação Tecnológica São José dos CamposminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership with technology innovation park in São Paulo for research and technology transfer collaboration.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• IBMEC: Brazilian business school with multiple campuses, strong in postgraduate and corporate education. Overlaps with FIA on MBA and executive offerings for Brazilian professionals.
• ESPM: Brazilian school strong in marketing, management, and executive education. Direct competitor in the postgraduate and corporate training segment.
• Insper: São Paulo-based independent business school offering undergraduate, MBA, and executive education. Direct competitor in the same metro and target segment (working professionals and corporate training) as FIA.
• Saint Paul Escola de Negócios: São Paulo business school with strong executive education and MBA programs targeting mid-market and corporate clients. Direct competitor in the same city and price tier.
• PUC-Rio Business School: Rio-based Catholic university business school offering MBAs and executive education; another major Brazilian competitor for postgraduate business students.
• FGV EAESP (FGV São Paulo): FGV's São Paulo business school is the most direct Brazilian competitor, offering undergraduate, MBA, and executive programs with comparable AMBA/EFMD credentials. They compete head-to-head in the same São Paulo executive market.
• COPPEAD (UFRJ): One of Brazil's oldest and most respected business schools, attached to UFRJ. Comparable graduate-only business school with strong research credentials and MBA programs.

Broad incumbents

• IESE Business School: European (Barcelona) global business school with strong Latin American executive following. Competitor for the same Spanish/Portuguese-speaking executive segment FIA targets.
• London Business School: Triple-crowned global business school with strong executive MBA and Latin American student base. Represents the global standard FIA benchmarks against and competes with for senior executives.
• INSEAD: Global benchmark for executive MBA and executive education with triple-crown accreditation. As Brazilian executives increasingly study abroad, INSEAD competes for the same premium self-funded segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/FIABusinessSchool

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FIA Business School