What Rede Asta does

Rede Asta is a Brazilian non-profit social organization founded in 2005 and headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, with a secondary office in São Paulo. It transforms artisanal nano entrepreneurs — predominantly women — into viable small-business owners through three integrated pillars: structured business education (Escola de Negócios acceleration cohorts), market access (Asta Maps digital directory, fairs, Bemglô e-commerce partnership, and physical stores), and a peer support network of more than 15,000 registered micro entrepreneurs across hundreds of Brazilian municipalities. Documented outcomes include a 40% average income increase among Escola de Negócios graduates and R$20+ million in cumulative income generated for the network over 20 years of operation.

The technology backbone combines three components: Asta Maps, the first digital directory of Brazilian artisanal producers with filters for category, technique, geography, and inclusion attributes; the Plataforma Asta online learning environment delivering the Escola de Negócios curriculum over ~20 weeks with live classes, mentorship circles, and AI-tool modules; and an internal CRM registry (crm.redeasta.com.br) capturing participant demographics, CPF, and business data. A companion App Preço Asta supports artisan pricing decisions. The organization is B Corp certified and aligned with UN SDGs 4, 5, 8, 10, and 12.

Rede Asta operates a project-based nonprofit revenue model funded primarily through corporate social-investment partnerships with large companies — Novelis, Fundação Vale, BRK, Chevron, TAG, Vast Infraestrutura, Harald, and Trafigura Foundation among them — each sponsoring a territorial cohort. Programs are delivered free of charge to artisans, with engagement prizes of R$650 and seed-capital grants of R$1,000 via the EntusiAsta competition. Secondary revenue streams include marketplace commissions via Bemglô and philanthropic grants through Lei de Incentivo à Cultura. The organization has 11-50 employees, is led by co-founders Alice Freitas and Rachel Schettino, and counts actress Gloria Pires as institutional godmother.

Name

Rede Asta

Legal name

Rede Asta

Website

https://redeasta.com.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rede Asta is a Brazilian non-profit social organization that transforms women artisanal nano entrepreneurs into viable small-business owners via education (Escola de Negócios), digital market access (Asta Maps), and a 15,000+ member support network across hundreds of Brazilian municipalities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Enterprise Development Services

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Design & Maker Skills (Graphic Design, Calligraphy, Lettering) (EDAAAGAJ)

Keywords

• Artisan entrepreneurship training
• Social enterprise development
• Artisanal market access
• Nano entrepreneur support
• Women artisan networks

Headquarters

HQ city

Rio De Janeiro

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Corporate Social Investment Partnerships: Rede Asta operates as a nonprofit organization funded primarily through social investment partnerships with large corporations. Companies (Novelis, Vale, BRK, Chevron, TAG, Vast Infraestrutura, and others) pay Rede Asta to design and execute artisanal producer development programs in their territories. Programs include the Escola de Negócios (business school), Produções para Impacto (impact production projects), and Asta Cidades (territorial development). Revenue is project-based, tied to cohort size, program duration, and deliverables.
2. Online Sales & Market Access: Rede Asta facilitates sales for its network of nano entrepreneurs through e-commerce (Bemglô partnership with actress Gloria Pires), Asta Maps (digital visibility leading to sales), and physical fairs and markets (Mercado Local Asta, São Paulo kiosks). Revenue for the organization itself is indirect (program-related), though commercial facilitation commissions and marketplace exposure create value for the network.
3. Donations & Philanthropic Grants: Rede Asta receives donations and coordinates grant-based funding, including from Lei de Incentivo à Cultura (Ministry of Culture tax incentive program) enabling corporate sponsorship of cultural/educational projects. The Máscara+Renda pandemic response program (2020) generated R$11 million in income for 3,000 seamstresses via foundation and corporate grants.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Rede Asta operates social development programs that train women artisans as nano entrepreneurs, offering business education (Escola de Negócios), production engagements for partner brands (Produções para Impacto), and city-level expansion initiatives (Asta Cidades). The programs are delivered to artisans free of charge, funded by corporate partners, and supported by proprietary digital platforms (Asta Maps, Plataforma Asta, App Preço Asta) that connect the artisan network to market opportunities.

Product overview

Rede Asta is a social organization that offers a portfolio of programs and technology platforms to empower nano and small artisan entrepreneurs, primarily women. The core offerings include: (1) Escola de Negócios - an acceleration/education program with courses, mentoring, and live sessions; (2) Asta Maps - Brazil's first digital directory of artisan producers; (3) Produções para Impacto - impact-focused production projects like Máscara+Renda and Mulheres+Renda; (4) Asta Cidades - territorial economic development initiative; and (5) Plataforma Asta with the companion App Preço Asta - technology platforms connecting artisans to markets. The programs work together to provide education, market access, and a support network for artisan women to build sustainable businesses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Escola de Negócios Asta: Business school program for artisan women offering entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and seed capital
• Asta Maps
• Asta Cidades
• Máscara+Renda
• Mulheres + Renda

Products and services

• Escola de Negócios (Business School) Business education program that equips women artisans with entrepreneurship and management skills to formalize and grow their production operations. Cohort participation is free for artisans and is funded by corporate partners.
• Produções para Impacto (Productions for Impact) Production engagement program that connects Rede Asta's artisan network with corporate partner brands, channeling production orders and project-based work to artisans. Designed to provide market access for artisans while supplying partner-brand production capacity.
• Asta Cidades (Asta Cities) City-level program that extends Rede Asta's methodology into additional Brazilian cities, replicating the organization's education, market access, and support pillars locally. Used to scale impact beyond initial geographies, now spanning 13+ Brazilian cities.
• Asta Maps Proprietary digital directory of the Rede Asta artisan network, mapping artisans and their capabilities and enabling users to locate and engage with artisans within the program.
• App Preço Asta Application supporting Rede Asta artisans with pricing of their products, used as a practical tool within program participation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40% average income increase among Escola de Negócios graduates
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Novelis Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 July 2026Novelis (aluminum rolling and recycling company, subsidiary of Hindalco/Aditya Birla Group) is Rede Asta's strategic partner for the Escola de Negócios para Artesãs program. The partnership funds a 5-month acceleration program for 260 women artisans in Pará (Ananindeua, Belém) and São Paulo (Diadema, Santo André, São Bernardo do Campo, São Caetano do Sul, São José dos Campos, Pindamonhangaba, Taubaté). Novelis funds participant engagement prizes (R$650) and the program includes a capital seed competition (EntusiAsta, R$1,000 grants for 20 artisans). In the prior edition, 130 participants per cohort received R$650 in engagement prizes and R$1,000 capital seed grants.
• Fundação ValecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFundação Vale (Vale Foundation) was the primary partner in the Máscara+Renda pandemic response program (2020), which produced 8+ million masks with 3,000 seamstresses generating R$11 million in income. Fundação Vale also co-funded the Asta Cidades territorial development program, providing advanced formation to over 1,200 women and supporting the digitalization of their businesses.
• Vast InfraestruturamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVast Infraestrutura (Brazilian logistics infrastructure company focused on liquid movement and energy transition) sponsors a dedicated turma of the Escola de Negócios for artisans in Campos dos Goytacazes and São João da Barra, in the North Fluminense region of Rio de Janeiro. The partnership provides entrepreneurial formation to women already active in various artisanal segments.
• HaraldmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarald (reference chocolate company for confectionery) sponsors a dedicated turma of the Escola de Negócios for confectionery producers in four Brazilian capitals: Salvador, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, and São Paulo. The program supports women already working with artisanal confectionery to better organize their businesses.
• TAG (Transportadora de Gás do Brasil)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTAG (operator of Brazil's most extensive natural gas pipeline network) sponsors a multi-state turma of the Escola de Negócios across 10 states, reaching women artisans in Amazonas, Bahia, Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte, and Sergipe. The program uses Brazil's Lei de Incentivo à Cultura (Ministry of Culture tax incentive) for project structuring.
• BRK AmbientalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBRK (sanitation company) partnered with Rede Asta on the Mulheres+Renda program, targeting costureiras (seamstresses) in Paço do Lumiar and São José de Ribamar, Maranhão. 60 seamstresses were selected, each generating R$1,960 in income, producing 33,600 reusable absorbent pads distributed to 8,400 public school students. BRK also supported the Produções para Impacto program generating R$12,000 in capital seed.
• ChevronmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChevron (oil and energy company) funded multiple cohorts of the Escola de Negócios in the North Fluminense region of Rio de Janeiro, specifically supporting 20 productive groups in São João da Barra. Programs included 17 groups of artisans, 5 nuclei across the state, and 8 designers in co-construction of collections, totaling 310 hours of classes and 72 artisan participants in the referenced cohort.
• Instituto Center NorteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstituto Center Norte enabled the Escola de Negócios to reach neighborhoods in the North Zone of São Paulo City, aiming to form 70 entrepreneurs with business vision, management capacity, and access to facilitation tools.
• Prefeitura de São Paulo / SMDETcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRede Asta structured and operates the Mãos e Mentes Paulistanas program as part of São Paulo City Hall's public policy for artisan promotion. The program provides courses and activities (online and in-person) and stimulates market access, with 2,003 accredited artisans and artisans and 3 kiosks generating over R$100,000 in sales.
• Oficina MudaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRede Asta partnered with Oficina Muda to launch the Clube do Tecido, distributing surplus fabrics from major brands (otherwise destined for discard) to hundreds of Rio de Janeiro artisans. The initiative promoted circular economy and generated over R$1 million in income for 140 artisans from 55 productive groups, while diverting 14 tons of textile waste.
• Rede Mulher EmpreendedoraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRede Asta supported the Rede Mulher Empreendedora's 'Heróis Usam Máscara' project, helping produce 3 million masks for healthcare workers via 400+ seamstresses.
• CRAB (Centro Sebrae de Referência do Artesanato Brasileiro)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRede Asta signed an institutional partnership with CRAB to work alongside the reference center for Brazilian artisanry, pursuing the recognition and professionalization that artisan work demands.
• MicrosoftminorOthersListed as a partner organization, Microsoft is visible in the partner logo section of Rede Asta's website, suggesting a partnership related to technology, digital tools, or capacity building for the organization's digital platforms.
• AccentureminorOthersListed as a partner organization in the Rede Asta partner logo section, suggesting a potential consulting or digital transformation partnership.
• L'Oréal BrasilminorOthersListed as a partner organization in the partner logo section, suggesting a cosmetics industry or beauty-sector collaboration.
• Instituto RiachuelominorOthersListed as a partner organization in the partner logo section, representing the retail/fashion sector social investment arm.
• Instituto Coca-Cola BrasilminorOthersListed as a partner organization in the partner logo section.
• EletrobrasminorOthersListed as a partner organization in the partner logo section, representing the energy sector.
• EnelminorOthersListed as a partner organization in the partner logo section, representing the energy sector.
• C&AminorOthersListed as a partner organization in the partner logo section.
• Porto SudesteminorOthersListed as a partner organization; Porto Sudeste is a port operator in Rio de Janeiro that has supported Rede Asta's school programs.
• YaraminorOthersListed as a partner organization in the partner logo section, representing the agricultural sector.
• TranspetrominorOthersListed as a partner organization in the partner logo section, representing the logistics/energy sector.
• NoveliscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNovelis Inc. is a leading aluminum solutions provider and world's largest aluminum recycler, operating in South America with facilities in Pindamonhangaba and Santo André, São Paulo. In South America, Novelis employs approximately 1,600 professionals and achieved revenue of R$14 billion in FY23. The company has 720,000 tonnes/year rolling capacity and 500,000 tonnes/year recycling capacity.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Artemísia: Brazilian social business incubator that supports early-stage social enterprises with capacity building, mentorship, and impact scaling. Directly comparable as a Brazil-based social business support organization with a similar target audience of impact-driven entrepreneurs.
• Novica: Global online marketplace dedicated to artisan-made products with a social impact mission of empowering artisans worldwide. Comparable focus on artisan market access and storytelling, though operates as a B2C marketplace rather than a training/social enterprise.
• Gerando Falcões: Brazilian social impact organization operating in favelas with education, entrepreneurship, and economic development programs. Comparable as a Brazilian impact organization with strong corporate partnerships and a focus on community-level economic transformation.
• Aliança Empreendedora: Brazilian nonprofit social enterprise that delivers training, mentorship, and micro-entrepreneur development programs. Directly comparable to Rede Asta's mission of empowering small entrepreneurs through structured education and network support in Brazil.

Broad incumbents

• Etsy: Global online marketplace for handmade and vintage goods. Comparable product category (handmade/artisan goods) but operates at global scale with a generalized marketplace model rather than Rede Asta's cohort-based training and impact focus.
• Ashoka: Global network supporting leading social entrepreneurs via fellowships and capacity building. Comparable mission of empowering social entrepreneurs, though operates at a global scale and at a more elite, individual entrepreneur level rather than grassroots nano entrepreneurs.
• SEBRAE: Brazilian federal service for supporting small and micro businesses with training, consulting, and market access. Comparable target audience (micro/small entrepreneurs) but operates as a government-backed entity with vastly greater scale and resources than Rede Asta.
• Instituto Natura: Brazilian foundation backed by Natura &Co that invests in education, social entrepreneurship, and women empowerment. Comparable as a larger, well-funded Brazilian institution with overlapping women-entrepreneurship and impact themes, though it operates as a corporate foundation rather than a grassroots social enterprise.

Emerging players

• Yunus Social Business: Global organization promoting Muhammad Yunus's social business model with funding and incubation for social enterprises. Comparable in social business philosophy and impact orientation, though focused on venture-stage social enterprises rather than grassroots artisan training.

Regional players

• Avina Foundation: Latin American foundation focused on sustainable development and social impact across the region. Comparable regional focus on Latin American social development, though operates at a macro policy/grantmaking level rather than direct artisan training.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@redeastaoficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/redeasta
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rede-asta
• Instagraminstagram.com/rede_asta
• Xx.com/rede_asta

Compliance1 record

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 Rede Asta