MBA USP/Esalq

What MBA USP/Esalq does

MBA USP/Esalq is a private postgraduate Lato Sensu program portfolio offering 16 professional MBA specializations delivered 100% online with live classes and recorded content, coordinated by faculty from the University of São Paulo's Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (Esalq). The program is operationalized by Pecege — an institute that originated in 2003 as an Esalq extension group and became independent in 2013 — in partnership with Fealq and FUSP. Certificates are issued directly by USP, the only Brazilian university ranked in the QS World University Rankings top 110, anchoring the brand on institutional credibility that competing online MBAs cannot replicate.

The underlying technology stack combines an online learning management system (MBX) with live video streaming, recorded class libraries, an iOS/Android mobile application, a proprietary MyClass social network for student networking, and a Talk Show interaction system enabling live professor Q&A via Skype/Zoom. Skylar AI provides real-time captioning in Portuguese, English, and Spanish to support international accessibility. Six MBA tracks offer translated materials under an international plan, and the program reaches students in 80+ countries.

The business model rests on tuition-based revenue (R$100 registration plus 18 monthly installments of R$590 = ~R$10,720 per learner on the national plan, with 10% upfront discount or 22-installment extension), complemented by customized MBA In Company enterprise programs, a separate short-duration courses platform (essential.mbauspesalq.com), and partial/full scholarship modalities (30%, 70%, 100%). Distribution is hybrid: self-serve website enrollment with WhatsApp/inside-sales support for individuals, plus a B2B channel of 5,400+ corporate partnerships (convenios) offering employee discounts and progressive volume pricing. A referral program (Aluno Indica Aluno) and free mini-course funnel (including five AI-themed courses launched in 2026) feed top-of-funnel demand, while the 50,000+ alumni network and MBX annual experience event sustain post-graduation community engagement.

Name

MBA USP/Esalq

Legal name

MBA USP/Esalq

Website

https://mbauspesalq.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Postgraduate Education

NAICS

Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

MBA & Executive MBA Programs (EDAHAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Online Professional Schools (MBA/MPA/MPH/Etc.) (EDAHALAE)

Keywords

• Online postgraduate education
• Professional MBA programs
• Corporate training
• Distance learning
• Continuing education

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - National Plan: Core revenue stream from student tuition. National plan includes R$100 registration fee plus 18 monthly installments of R$590. Payment options include installment plan (22x) or 10% discount for upfront payment.
2. Corporate Training (MBA In Company): Customized postgraduate programs developed exclusively for enterprise clients. Companies receive preferential pricing, progressive discounts, and tailored curriculum to meet specific organizational needs.
3. Short Duration Courses: Separate catalog of short-format courses (essential.mbauspesalq.com) with certification from USP/Esalq, generating revenue from individual course enrollments with separate pricing structure.
4. Scholarship Programs: Partial (30%, 70%) and full (100%) scholarships funded through the bolsa program. While scholarships reduce direct revenue per student, they expand access and market reach while maintaining operational costs through selected enrolled students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

MBA USP/Esalq sells 100% online postgraduate Lato Sensu MBA programs (16 specializations including Agribusiness, Cybersecurity, Data Science & AI, Finance, Marketing, Compliance & ESG) coordinated by University of São Paulo/Esalq professors and operationalized by Pecege. Offerings include Professional MBAs, Short Duration Courses with USP/Esalq certification, Free Mini-Courses, customized MBA In Company programs for enterprises, and a Scholarship Program providing partial and full tuition coverage.

Product overview

MBA USP/Esalq is a portfolio of 16 postgraduate Lato Sensu MBA programs and supplementary course offerings, all delivered 100% online with live classes and coordinated by professors from USP/Esalq. The core product suite consists of Professional MBAs (including Agribusiness, Cybersecurity, Compliance & ESG, Data Science & AI, Software Engineering, Digital Business & AI, Finance, Business Management, Project Management, People Management, Sales Management, Marketing, School Management, Tax Management, Economics & Banking, and ESG & Sustainable Business), complemented by Short Duration Courses and Free Mini-Courses for ongoing professional development. Additional offerings include a Scholarship Program (partial/full tuition support), a Student Referral Program (Aluno Indica Aluno) with financial rewards, and MBA in Company custom enterprise training. The programs are operationalized by Pecege in partnership with Fealq, leveraging Skylar AI for real-time captioning to enable internationalization across PT-BR, EN-US, and ES-ES.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MBX (Master Business Experience): Annual networking and experience event for MBA USP/Esalq students featuring career events, lectures, and thematic encounters.

Products and services

• MBA em Agronegócios

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% online format with live classes and recorded content available until course end
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Chilli BeansminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership with Chilli Beans, the largest eyewear brand in Latin America, provides promotional gifts (branded glasses) as prizes in the 'Aluno Indica Aluno' referral program for the 2nd semester 2026 campaign. Collaboration transforms enrollment into a memorable experience.
• PecegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003Pecege originated as an extension group at Esalq/USP in 2003 and became an independent institute in 2013 with the mission to democratize knowledge for economic, social, and cultural development. It serves as the operational partner for MBA USP/Esalq, managing academic administration, student services, technology platforms, and marketing operations.
• Fealq (Fundação de Estudos Agrários Luiz de Queiroz)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation supporting the MBA USP/Esalq programs through partnership with Pecege for operationalizing the postgraduate courses coordinated by USP/Esalq professors.
• FUSP (Fundação de Apoio à Universidade de São Paulo)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport foundation for University of São Paulo that partners with Pecege in operating the MBA USP/Esalq programs, providing institutional backing for the postgraduate offerings.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Coursera (online degrees): Coursera partners with global universities to offer online degrees and certificates, including business master's programs. Represents international competition for the international student segment of MBA USP/Esalq's 80+ countries reach.
• USP PGSI (Pós-Graduação Presencial): USP's own on-campus graduate programs and broader PGSI offerings represent a different modality but share the same brand, certificate, and academic faculty pool. As USP expands its own online offerings, it could be both a partner and a competitor.
• edX (online master's programs): edX offers online master's degrees and MicroMasters in business and management from top global universities. Competes with MBA USP/Esalq for international working professionals seeking recognized credentials from prestigious institutions.

Direct peers

• Insper: Insper is a São Paulo-based private institution offering online and hybrid MBAs and executive education across finance, management, and technology. Competes head-to-head with MBA USP/Esalq for premium Brazilian professional learners.
• FIA (Fundação Instituto de Administração): FIA is a São Paulo business school specializing in online MBA and executive education programs. Offers similar Lato Sensu postgraduate programs targeting working professionals in Brazil — a direct competitor in catalog and delivery model.
• FGV Online (EAESP): FGV is Brazil's most established business school, offering online professional MBAs and specializations covering finance, marketing, and management. Directly competes with MBA USP/Esalq for the same working professional segment in Brazil and Latin America.
• PUC-RS Online (Pólus): PUC-RS is a Brazilian university with a large online Lato Sensu portfolio including professional MBAs. Operates a similar online-only delivery model with multiple vertical MBA programs and competes directly in the Brazilian professional education market.

Emerging players

• Alura: Alura is a leading Brazilian online professional education platform with business, technology, and soft-skills courses. While more technology-skewed, it competes for the same working professional wallet and increasingly offers management content overlapping with MBA USP/Esalq verticals.
• UNINTER: UNINTER is a major Brazilian distance-learning university offering postgraduate and MBA programs entirely online. While positioned more on access and affordability, it competes for the same remote professional learners across Brazil.

Regional players

• Fundação Bradesco / Escola Virtual: Fundação Bradesco's free Escola Virtual offers professional courses in Brazil with significant scale. While not an MBA competitor, it targets a similar demographic of working professionals seeking certification and development.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/mbauspesalq
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCDYYGdKY3_zOk3L0VBdx9XQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/mbauspesalq
• LinkedInbr.linkedin.com/school/mba-usp-esalq
• Instagraminstagram.com/mbauspesalq
• TikToktiktok.com/@mbauspesalq

Compliance1 record

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

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about MBA USP/Esalq