SAE Brasil

What SAE Brasil does

SAE Brasil is a non-profit professional association (associação sem fins lucrativos) founded in 1991 and headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil, serving as the Brazilian affiliate of SAE International. It operates as a knowledge platform for the Brazilian mobility industry, connecting automotive OEMs, aerospace firms, tier-1 suppliers, engineering professionals, academia, and government through technical events, publications, training, and student engineering competitions. The organization runs 9 regional sections spanning from Bahia to Rio Grande do Sul and reports over 6,000 individual members.

Its core product portfolio centers on the annual Congresso SAE BRASIL (33rd edition in 2026), a multi-track congress expected to draw roughly 2,500 attendees with 50+ corporate sponsors, alongside a family of student competitions collectively called Programas Estudantis: Fórmula SAE BRASIL (now in its 22nd edition covering combustion, electric, and hydrogen fuel cell prototypes), Baja SAE BRASIL (32nd edition with regional stages), the SAE BRASIL & Ballard Student H2 Challenge (5th edition, the world's first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle competition for university students), AeroDesign (28th edition), and EletroQuad (autonomous drones). Technical content is anchored by the SAE MOBILUS® global platform inherited from SAE International, which provides over 220,000 content items and 35,000+ standards, while SAE Brasil's own peer-reviewed papers receive DOI/ISSN indexing through SAE International's Global Mobility database.

Revenue is generated across five streams: annual individual membership subscriptions, Congress and event registrations plus sponsorship (Congress 2025 tickets started from R$ 80 and 50+ sponsor companies contributed), in-company and public technical courses (tribology, powertrain, distance learning), publications and content licensing (Revista EAA, symposium proceedings), and student competition administration. Strategic partners include Ballard Power Systems (H2 Challenge title sponsor), Toyota (Gold sponsor and Journalism Prize sponsor), Chevrolet, Mercedes-Benz, CNH, Bosch, Ford (venue partner for Tatuí test track), and industry associations SINDIPEÇAS, ABIMAQ, ANFAVEA, and ABIFER. The organization is governed as a non-profit with 11-50 staff and is led by President Claudio Castro.

Name

SAE Brasil

Legal name

SAE Brasil

Website

https://saebrasil.org.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SAE Brasil is a non-profit professional association founded in 1991 that serves as the Brazilian affiliate of SAE International, connecting automotive, aerospace, and mobility engineers, students, and companies through an annual congress, student engineering competitions, technical courses, and peer-reviewed publications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Engineering Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (813920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Motorsport Sanctioning Bodies (FIA/FIM/IMSA, etc.) (MPAKAFAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Motorsports Sanctioning Bodies & Governing Organizations (MPAKAGAD)

Keywords

• Mobility engineering association
• Student vehicle competitions
• Technical engineering courses
• Professional development events
• Automotive industry knowledge platform

Headquarters

HQ city

São Paulo

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Professional Membership Fees: Annual individual membership providing unrestricted access to professional development resources, networking opportunities, industry recognition, and discounted or free access to SAE Brasil events, courses, and publications. Multiple membership tiers are available.
2. Congress and Event Revenue: The annual Congress SAE BRASIL generates revenue through attendee registrations (with tickets starting from R$ 80 for the 2025 edition), sponsor fees, exhibitor booth sales, and sponsorship packages. Additional revenue comes from regional symposia (Powertrain, Hydrogen, Manufacturing, etc.) and the Jump Start hackathon-style competition.
3. Technical Courses and Training: Revenue from in-company training programs (Cursos In Company), educational consulting services, and public courses with scheduled agendas covering tribology, powertrain, and other mobility engineering topics. Course delivery includes both in-person and distance learning formats.
4. Publications and Content Licensing: Revenue from technical publications including the Revista EAA (engineering magazine), technical papers database access, and proceedings from symposia and the congress. Papers indexed in SAE International's Global Mobility database generate ongoing access revenue.
5. Student Competition Administration: Revenue partially generated through student competition management including registration fees, sponsorship coordination, and industry support. Entry for student competitions is free (no fee charged for work submission), with industry sponsors funding prize pools and technical infrastructure.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SAE Brasil is a non-profit professional association that operates as the Brazilian affiliate of SAE International, delivering technical events (annual Congresso SAE BRASIL, regional symposia on powertrain and hydrogen), student engineering vehicle competitions (Fórmula SAE BRASIL, Baja SAE, H2 Challenge, AeroDesign, EletroQuad), individual professional membership, and corporate training courses for the mobility industry.

Product overview

SAE Brasil operates as a non-profit association serving as 'A Casa do Conhecimento da Mobilidade Brasileira' (The House of Knowledge for Brazilian Mobility). The organization provides a comprehensive portfolio centered on knowledge dissemination, professional development, and student engineering competitions. Core offerings include the annual Congresso SAE BRASIL (mobility congress with multiple thematic tracks), the Programas Estudantis portfolio (Fórmula SAE BRASIL, Baja SAE BRASIL, AeroDesign, H2 Challenge, EletroQuad), technical papers and publications (Revista EAA), hydrogen industry symposium, powertrain symposium, TV SAE BRASIL video content, SAE4MOBILITY initiative, and the Observatório da Mobilidade research platform. The organization is affiliated with SAE International and connects industry, academia, government, and civil society in advancing mobility technology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Congresso SAE BRASIL
• Programas Estudantis SAE BRASIL (Student Competition Programs)
• Papers SAE BRASIL (Technical Papers Program)
• Exposição e Simpósio SAE BRASIL para a Indústria do Hidrogênio
• Simpósio SAE BRASIL de Powertrain
• Cursos SAE BRASIL (Technical Training Courses)
• SAE Brasil Individual Membership
• Revista EAA

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 2,500 attendees, 30+ panels, 150+ speakers, 70+ hours of content at Congress SAE BRASIL 2025
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• SAE InternationalflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAE Brasil is the official Brazilian affiliate of SAE International (founded 1905, USA, with Henry Ford, Orville Wright, and Thomas Edison among its founders). SAE International provides access to over 35,000 technical standards, 220,000+ content items on SAE MOBILUS®, global competition rules and frameworks, and a network of 138,000+ members across ~100 countries. SAE Brasil's technical papers, student competitions, and publications are part of the SAE International global ecosystem, with English-language papers receiving DOI and ISSN through SAE International's Global Mobility database.
• Ballard Power SystemscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBallard Power Systems is the title sponsor of the SAE BRASIL & Ballard Student H2 Challenge hydrogen fuel cell vehicle competition, providing technical support, mentorship, and brand association. This is the world's first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle student competition, launched in 2020.
• MiBI (Made in Brasil Integrado) – GE8 Cadeia do HidrogênioflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAE Brasil partners with the Made in Brasil Integrado initiative, specifically its Group of Study 8 (GE8) on the Hydrogen Chain, created by the Brazilian federal government in September 2021. The partnership involves collaboration with SINDIPEÇAS and ABIMAQ to foster hydrogen industry development in Brazil, with the 3rd Hydrogen Industry Exposition and Symposium being held at the Congress SAE BRASIL 2026.
• Chevrolet (General Motors do Brasil)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerChevrolet is a top sponsor (Patrocínio Premium) of SAE Brasil, participating in the Congress SAE BRASIL, student competitions, and event programs. The company contributes speakers to panels on electric vehicles, hybridization, and energy transition.
• Mercedes-Benz do BrasilflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerMercedes-Benz do Brasil is a top sponsor (Patrocínio Premium) of SAE Brasil, participating in Congress panels, technical symposia, and providing access to test tracks and facilities for student competitions. Nissan/IVECO Group is also associated through sponsorship categories.
• CNH (CASE IH, New Holland Agriculture)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerCNH is a top sponsor (Patrocínio Premium) of SAE Brasil and Host sponsor for the 2026 Congress SAE BRASIL. CNH executives (Rafael Miotto, President for Latin America; Gaston Diaz Perez, CEO Bosch; Fernando Yamaguti, Hyundai) participate in CEO panels and agro-mobility discussions. CNH and AGCO contribute executives to powertrain and agricultural machinery panels.
• Instituto Mauá de TecnologiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstituto Mauá de Tecnologia is a key academic partner, hosting student competition teams (Mauá Racing H2, which won the 4th H2 Challenge 2025 with the world's first hydrogen fuel cell Formula SAE), providing competition prizes (full scholarships for postgraduate courses), and participating in technical symposia. The institution is a recurring prize sponsor for student competition winners.
• SENAI CIMATECcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSENAI CIMATEC (Bahia) is both a competition participant (TEC H2 Racing team, 3rd place in H2 Challenge 2025) and a regional host for the Baja SAE Nordeste competition (19th edition, 2026). It is a key partner in SAE Brasil's geographic expansion and technical education initiatives.
• Ford Motor CompanyflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerFord Motor Company provides the Tatuí (SP) test track as the venue for the 5th SAE BRASIL H2 Challenge (2026) and the 22nd Fórmula SAE BRASIL competition (2026), enabling dynamic vehicle testing for student competition teams.
• Esporte Clube Piracicabano de Automobilismo (ECPA)minorOthersECPA in Piracicaba, SP hosts the Fórmula SAE BRASIL and SAE BRASIL & Ballard Student H2 Challenge competitions annually, providing its racing circuit for dynamic vehicle trials.
• Air Products, WEG, SEG Automotive, Siemens Automotive, Valeo, Swagelok/Tecflux, Alta Performance Garage (APG)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerThese companies form the H2 Challenge support ecosystem, providing technical sponsorship, mentorship to student teams, and industry expertise to the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle competition. WEG contributes electric powertrain expertise; Ballard provides fuel cell technology; Air Products supplies hydrogen handling knowledge.
• KPMG BrasilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAE Brasil partnered with KPMG on the 'Caminhos da Tecnologia no Agronegócio' research, which found that only 16% of Brazilian farmers have high-quality internet on their properties. KPMG's ESG leadership (Nelmara Arbex) contributes keynotes at Congress SAE BRASIL on climate crisis and COP30.
• SINDIPEÇAS (Sindicato da Indústria de Peças e Acessórios Automotivos)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSINDIPEÇAS is a founding partner of the MiBI hydrogen working group with SAE Brasil and ABIMAQ, and provides naming rights for technical session auditoriums at Congress SAE BRASIL (Sindipecas Auditorium). The association supports the hydrogen industry exposition and sectoral policy discussions.
• ABIMAQ (Associação Brasileira da Indústria de Máquinas e Equipamentos)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerABIMAQ is a partner in the MiBI hydrogen working group alongside SAE Brasil and SINDIPEÇAS, contributing to industry policy and hydrogen supply chain development discussions at Congress SAE BRASIL events.
• ABIFER (Associação Brasileira da Indústria Ferroviária)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerABIFER contributes to the railway panel at Congress SAE BRASIL, discussing high-capacity wagons, digital intelligence, and the role of railway transport in Brazilian logistics and mobility, with President Vicente Abate participating as a panelist.
• ANFAVEA (Associação Nacional dos Fabricantes de Veículos Automotores)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerANFAVEA is an institutional support partner of SAE Brasil symposia and Congress events, representing Brazil's automotive manufacturers in discussions on mobility, energy transition, and vehicle manufacturing policy.
• Toyota do BrasilflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerToyota is a Gold sponsor of SAE Brasil and sponsor of the 18th SAE BRASIL Journalism Prize (Prêmio SAE BRASIL de Jornalismo). CEO Rafael Chang serves as President of Congress SAE BRASIL 2025. Toyota contributes executive speakers on hybrid technology, fuel efficiency, and energy transition strategy.
• Bosch Latin AmericaflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerBosch is a Gold sponsor and institutional supporter of SAE Brasil, providing executives (CEO Gaston Diaz Perez) to CEO panels and technical speakers on powertrain, sustainability, and connectivity topics. Bosch supports the Hydrogen Industry Exposition as a supporting organization.
• FIT – Flextronics Institute of TechnologiesminorOthersFIT in Sorocaba, SP serves as the venue for the 24th SAE BRASIL Powertrain Symposium (May 2026), providing the conference facilities for 6 panels across 1.5 days covering powertrain electrification, alternative fuels, and manufacturing innovation.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• CLEPA (European Association of Automotive Suppliers): European automotive supplier industry association. Comparable as a non-profit, membership-driven industry association serving tier-1 and tier-2 suppliers, with parallel research, advocacy, and event programs aimed at the same OEM-supplier ecosystem that SAE Brasil convenes in Brazil.
• ANFAVEA (Associação Nacional dos Fabricantes de Veículos Automotores): Brazilian automotive manufacturers trade association and a direct institutional peer to SAE Brasil. Operates as an advocacy, data, and event platform for OEMs in Brazil and is an institutional support partner of SAE Brasil's Congress and symposia, overlapping in audience and policy remit on Brazilian mobility.
• FISITA (Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d'Ingénieurs des Techniques de l'Automobile): Global federation of automotive engineering societies that acts as an umbrella for national mobility engineering associations including SAE-style affiliates. Comparable as a higher-order neutral platform convening industry, academia, and government on mobility engineering topics.
• MEMA (Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association): US-based aftermarket and supplier trade association with comparable member-driven industry platform model, including events, technical standards engagement, and policy advocacy for the mobility supply chain ecosystem that overlaps with SAE Brasil's OEM and tier-1 audience.

Direct peers

• ABIMAQ (Associação Brasileira da Indústria de Máquinas e Equipamentos): Brazilian machinery and equipment industry association, co-founding partner with SAE Brasil of the MiBI GE8 hydrogen working group. Comparable as a Brazilian industry association convening industry, government, and academia on technology and policy topics, including mobility-adjacent machinery.
• SAE International: Global parent organization and most directly comparable peer. SAE International operates the global mobility engineering standards, the SAE MOBILUS® content platform (220,000+ items), and sanctions the Formula SAE / Baja SAE / AeroDesign competitions that SAE Brasil runs at the Brazilian national level under license.
• Formula Student Germany: Operator of the world's largest Formula Student competition at Hockenheim and other European venues. Directly comparable as a sanctioning body for student motorsport competitions; the most relevant international model for SAE Brasil's Fórmula SAE BRASIL program in terms of competition scale, team economics, and sponsor engagement model.
• SAE Argentina: National SAE affiliate in Argentina with similar structure: professional membership, regional events, student competition programs, and technical paper publications. Operates the same global competition brands (Fórmula SAE, Baja SAE) in its home market, making it the closest geographic peer to SAE Brasil.
• SINDIPEÇAS (Sindicato da Indústria de Peças e Acessórios Automotivos): Brazilian automotive parts industry association and formal strategic partner of SAE Brasil via the MiBI Hydrogen Chain working group. Operates in the same mobility ecosystem with comparable membership, advocacy, and event-driven business model, frequently co-hosting sessions at the Congress.

Regional players

• ABIFER (Associação Brasileira da Indústria Ferroviária): Brazilian railway industry association and a co-panelist with SAE Brasil at the Congress. Comparable as a Brazilian mobility-sector association operating on a member-driven, event-based model with government dialogue, though focused specifically on rail rather than broader mobility engineering.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SAE_BRASIL
• Facebookfacebook.com/curtirsaebrasil
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sae-brasil

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 SAE Brasil