What SEBRAE - SC does

SEBRAE-SC is the Santa Catarina state unit of SEBRAE (Serviço Brasileiro de Apoio às Micro e Pequenas Empresas), a Brazilian private non-profit institution of public-interest character established in 1972 and supervised by the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC). The organization's core function is to support micro and small Brazilian enterprises through consulting, training, and business development services, delivered via a national network organized into state-level units with a combined headcount of 5,001–10,000 employees. The institution was established by federal legislation and operates within a statutory mandate that no private rival can replicate.

SEBRAE-SC's product surface consists of three principal service lines: (i) management and operational consulting tailored to small businesses, (ii) training and capacity-building programs, and (iii) business development initiatives that connect entrepreneurs to markets, finance, and innovation ecosystems — exemplified by the SEBRAE Startups Award platform, which in 2025 recognized ventures such as NexAtlas (digital aviation planning). Beyond traditional SME advisory work, SEBRAE has been extending into circular-economy and sustainable-manufacturing engagements, including a partnership with Realce Indústria de Produtos Plásticos to operationalize recycling-based production and a cooperative-development program active across 18 municipalities in Bahia.

The business model is structurally distinct from a commercial enterprise: SEBRAE is funded by a statutory social contribution on payroll from contributing companies, not by fees paid by the micro and small businesses it serves. As a result, its "customers" in the classical sense are the entrepreneurs who receive subsidized services, while its revenue mechanics flow through mandatory employer contributions rather than market-priced contracts. The institution has no IPO or equity fundraising footprint and no disclosed M&A activity.

Name

SEBRAE - SC

Legal name

Sebrae

Website

https://sebrae.com.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

SEBRAE-SC is the Santa Catarina state unit of SEBRAE, a federally chartered Brazilian non-profit that delivers consulting, training, and business development services to micro and small enterprises across the region, funded through statutory employer social contributions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Brasilândia

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Core offering

SEBRAE-SC provides business consulting, training, and development programs designed to help micro and small business owners open, formalize, and grow their operations. The Santa Catarina state unit delivers entrepreneurship training, business formalization support, and consulting services as part of the nationwide Brazilian SME support network.

Product overview

SEBRAE (Serviço Brasileiro de Apoio às Micro e Pequenas Empresas) is a Brazilian institution that provides support, consulting, and business development services for micro and small businesses in Santa Catarina and across Brazil. SEBRAE offers programs to help entrepreneurs open, formalize, and grow their businesses through training, financial support, and business consulting services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SEBRAE Business Support Services Business consulting, training, and development programs designed to help micro and small business owners open, formalize, and scale their operations across Santa Catarina and Brazil.

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Realce Indústria de Produtos PlásticoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEBRAE partnered with Realce Indústria de Produtos Plásticos to support the company's transition to recycling and sustainable manufacturing. SEBRAE provided support in sourcing and sorting plastic waste operations, helping the company establish partnerships with four local cooperatives and manage plastic waste collection from 18 municipalities.
• NexAtlasflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNexAtlas, a startup from Minas Gerais, won the 2025 SEBRAE Startups Award for its digital aviation planning solution. SEBRAE has supported the startup ecosystem through this award program, which recognizes innovative startups with significant growth potential and strategic importance to the Brazilian entrepreneurial landscape.
• Four Local CooperativescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEBRAE helped establish partnerships between Realce Indústria de Produtos Plásticos and four local cooperatives. These cooperatives work with the company to source and sort plastic waste from 18 municipalities in Bahia, supporting the circular economy model.

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Endeavor Brasil: Brazilian non-profit supporting high-impact entrepreneurs through mentorship, networks, and acceleration programs. Comparable to SEBRAE in mission and target audience (Brazilian SMBs and entrepreneurs), but focused on high-growth ventures rather than micro/small business formalization.
• SEBRAE-SP: Sister state unit of SEBRAE serving São Paulo. Most directly comparable peer — same organizational structure, services, and mandate, but operating in Brazil's largest and most economically significant state.
• Instituto Euvaldo Lodi (IEL): Brazilian institution under CNI that supports industrial SMBs through internships, executive education, and consulting. Comparable to SEBRAE in offering business training and consulting services to Brazilian enterprises, though more focused on industrial firms.
• Junior Achievement Brasil: Non-profit delivering entrepreneurship and workforce readiness programs to young Brazilians. Comparable to SEBRAE in mission of fostering entrepreneurship, but focused on youth education rather than existing SMB owners.

Broad incumbents

• ApexBrasil: Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency supporting Brazilian companies, especially SMBs, in internationalizing their businesses. Comparable as a federally-backed institution serving Brazilian SMB development goals.
• BNDES (Brazilian Development Bank): Brazil's federal development bank providing financing and support to businesses of all sizes. Comparable to SEBRAE in being a federally-backed institution supporting SMB growth, but with a primary focus on credit rather than consulting and training.
• Sebrae (National): The national SEBRAE umbrella organization overseeing state units including SEBRAE - SC. Directly comparable in mission and service portfolio, but operates at a broader national scale rather than a single state.
• SENAI / SESI / SENAC (Sistema S): Brazilian 'Sistema S' institutions providing industry, social, and commercial training services funded through parafiscal contributions. Comparable to SEBRAE in governance structure, funding model, and training/education mission for Brazilian workers and businesses.

Regional players

• ACATE (Associação Catarinense de Tecnologia): Santa Catarina-based technology industry association supporting tech entrepreneurs and SMBs in the state. Comparable as a Santa Catarina-based organization fostering business growth, though focused specifically on the technology sector rather than general SMBs.
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): U.S. federal agency supporting SMBs through loans, contracts, counseling, and training. International analog to SEBRAE in mandate, scale, and government-backed SMB support mission, though U.S.-focused rather than Brazilian.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments19 records

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

Frequently asked questions about SEBRAE - SC