What Sebrae-PE does

Sebrae-PE is the Pernambuco state branch of Brazil's national Serviço Brasileiro de Apoio às Micro e Pequenas Empresas (Sebrae), a federal autonomous entity (autarquia federal) created in 1972 and operating in Pernambuco since 1994. Its core function is the provision of training, consulting, and development services to micro and small business owners across the state, with the statutory mandate of fostering SME competitiveness and formalization.

The organization operates with a workforce of between 1,001 and 5,000 employees and is headquartered in Recife. It does not market commercial technology products in the conventional sense; its "products" are programmatic services (training, advisory, and ecosystem programs). Its business model is funded primarily through federal allocations and contributions linked to the Simples Nacional simplified tax regime, rather than through direct commercial revenue from clients. As a public entity, it does not pursue venture funding, IPOs, or M&A.

Sebrae-PE is institutionally embedded in the Porto Digital innovation ecosystem in Recife, one of Latin America's largest technology parks, which grew from 2 to over 475 companies over 25 years and was recognized as the top emerging tech hub in Latin America for 2024-2025. This partnership anchors the entity's role in supporting technology-oriented and growth-stage SMEs in addition to traditional micro and small enterprises, and exposes it to an ecosystem whose international footprint expanded in October 2024 with a Portugal Outpost.

Name

Sebrae-PE

Legal name

Sebrae - Serviço Brasileiro de Apoio às Micro e Pequenas Empresas

Website

https://sebrae.com.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Sebrae-PE is the Pernambuco state branch of Brazil's national federal SME development agency, providing training, consulting, and ecosystem support to micro and small businesses across the state, anchored institutionally in the Porto Digital innovation ecosystem in Recife.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Small Business Development Services

NAICS

Management of Companies and Enterprises (5511), Professional Employer Organizations (56133)

SIC

Foreign Governments (8888), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional Employer Organization (PEO) / Co-Employment Services (BPACAHAB)

Keywords

• Small business support
• Entrepreneurship training
• Business formalization
• Business consulting
• Entrepreneurship development

Headquarters

HQ city

Brasilândia

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Core offering

Sebrae-PE is the Pernambuco state branch of the Brazilian federal entity Sebrae (Serviço Brasileiro de Apoio às Micro e Pequenas Empresas). It delivers advisory services, training, business formalization support, and market access programs to micro and small business owners. The organization's mandate is to help entrepreneurs open, formalize, and grow their businesses within Pernambuco state.

Product overview

Sebrae (Serviço Brasileiro de Apoio às Micro e Pequenas Empresas) is a Brazilian institution that supports micro and small businesses through advisory services, training, and business development programs. The source material indicates Sebrae's tagline emphasizes helping entrepreneurs 'Open, Formalize, and Grow Your Business' — covering business creation, formalization (legal structuring), and growth support services. No specific named products, modules, or platform architecture are detailed in the provided sources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Porto Digital Portugal OutpostcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Porto Digital opened a Portugal outpost in October 2024 to connect Brazilian startups to international markets. This strategic expansion enables Recife-based companies supported bySebrae-PE to access European markets and establish international connections. The Portugal outpost represents Porto Digital's commitment to bridging Brazilian innovation with global opportunities.
• Porto DigitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPorto Digital is the technology hub in Recife thatSebrae-PE works with to support startups and small businesses. Over 25 years, Porto Digital grew from 2 to 475 companies, representing one of Brazil's most successful tech ecosystem development stories enabled by public-private partnerships.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Endeavor Brazil: Private-sector non-profit that supports high-impact entrepreneurs in Brazil through mentorship, networks, and acceleration programs. Directly comparable target audience (Brazilian entrepreneurs/scale-ups) but uses a private philanthropy model rather than government-backed services.

Others

• SEBRAE (Federal): Parent organization of SEBRAE-PE and the federal entity coordinating all 27 state branches. Comparable as the umbrella body that defines SEBRAE-PE's mandate, funding model, and service portfolio, but operates at national rather than state level.
• Porto Digital: Recife-based tech hub and SEBRAE-PE's core strategic partner, grown from 2 to 475 companies over 25 years. Listed as a partner rather than competitor; relevant as the operational counterpart whose ecosystem success directly amplifies SEBRAE-PE's value proposition.

Broad incumbents

• ApexBrasil (Agência Brasileira de Promoção de Exportações e Investimentos): Brazilian federal agency promoting exports and attracting foreign investment, including programs that help small businesses internationalize. Comparable as a government-backed institution supporting Brazilian SME growth, particularly relevant given SEBRAE-PE's Portugal outpost partnership for international market access.
• SENAC (Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Comercial): Part of Brazil's 'S System' of parafiscal entities alongside SEBRAE, providing commercial/retail vocational training, professional development, and business support. Operates across all Brazilian states with a similar government-backed funding model, directly comparable in structure and target audience.
• SENAI (Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Industrial): Also part of the 'S System,' focused on industrial training, technical education, and support for industrial small businesses. Shares SEBRAE-PE's parafiscal funding mechanism, state-branch structure, and mission of supporting business formalization and growth.
• FGV (Fundação Getúlio Vargas): Brazil's leading think tank and business education institution, offering executive education, consulting, research, and economic analysis. Comparable through its training and consulting services to entrepreneurs and SMBs, though private/independent rather than government-backed.
• BNDES (Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social): Brazil's federal development bank providing financing, credit, and investment support to micro, small, and medium enterprises. Comparable as a government-backed institution channeling capital to small businesses in Brazil, though operating at much larger scale and via financial rather than advisory instruments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments1 record

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

Frequently asked questions about Sebrae-PE