Instituto Sigales

What Instituto Sigales does

Instituto Sigales is a privately held strategic branding and design consulting firm headquartered in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, with seven employees including two founding partners (Jeferson Sigales, CEO, and Nanda Fersula, COO). The firm was originally founded in 2003 as Studio Sigales and rebranded to Instituto Sigales at the end of 2023 after two years of internal preparation, reflecting a broadened service scope that now extends from creative execution into research, training, and strategic consulting. The offer is organized across three core units — Studio Criativo (visual identity, graphic design, social media management), ON DEMAND (customized consulting, R&D, training, mentorship, brand management), and BrandDIG (digital branding) — plus Agrobrand, a separate startup unit focused on value co-creation across the agrifood chain.

The firm's intellectual foundation rests on a codified Design Thinking methodology (Imersão, Definição, Ideação, Prototipação, Validação) combined with Neuromarketing and Strategic Design, supplemented by specialized modules in Food Design and Service Design. Underlying technical content is limited; the institute does not disclose a software platform or proprietary technology stack, and the methodology is delivered through human-led consulting engagements rather than productized tooling. The firm's academic ties — including the CEO's role as a researcher and doctoral candidate at FURG, a professorship at IFSul, and a gubernatorial appointment as Secretary of Development, Entrepreneurship and Innovation of Pelotas — provide research grounding and ecosystem access rather than technical differentiation.

Instituto Sigales generates revenue through project-based professional services engagements, with pricing quoted per engagement rather than via disclosed tiered pricing. Customer acquisition is sales-led, running through direct outreach via WhatsApp and email, complemented by a channel partnership with SEBRAE/RS's UNIO digital platform that offers up to 60% discounts to qualifying small businesses and rural producers in Rio Grande do Sul (annual revenue up to R$4.8 million). The disclosed customer base is exclusively small and medium businesses across food and beverage, retail, electronics, and technology services (e.g., Gusto, Vitrine Gaúcha, Voltizer, Agrega, Bain Marie, MaxiSoft), with no visible enterprise or anchor accounts. Content marketing via blog and newsletter, social media presence, and event leadership (notably World Creativity Day in Pelotas, April 2024) serve as top-of-funnel demand-generation channels.

Name

Instituto Sigales

Legal name

Instituto Sigales

Website

https://institutosigales.com.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Instituto Sigales is a 7-person Brazilian branding and design consulting firm based in Pelotas, RS. It serves SMBs via three units — Studio Criativo, ON DEMAND, and Agrobrand — delivering visual identity, strategic consulting, training, and agrifood branding grounded in Design Thinking and Neuromarketing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Brand Consulting Services

NAICS

Graphic Design Services (54143), Advertising Agencies (541810), Graphic Design Services (541430)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Advertising (7310)

akta.pro primary industry

Visual Identity & Brand Design Systems (BPAFAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Creative Concepting & Campaign Development (BPAFAEAD), Graphic Design & Visual Content Production (BPAFAIAC), Integrated Full-Service Creative Agencies (MPAAAAAA)

Keywords

• Branding consulting services
• Visual identity design
• Neuromarketing consulting
• Strategic brand planning
• Creative design studio

Headquarters

HQ city

Pelotas

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. ON DEMAND Professional Services: Custom consulting, training, mentorship, and research & development services contracted directly or via the UNIO-SEBRAE/RS platform. Services include brand management, strategic planning, service design, food design, neuromarketing training, and sensitization programs. Revenue is generated through project-based engagements with per-service or module-based pricing.
2. Studio Criativo Services: Creative studio services including visual identity design, graphic design, and social media management. These services are delivered as discrete projects or retainer arrangements, primarily to small and medium businesses seeking brand tangibilization.
3. Agrobrand Startup: Agrobrand is a startup of Instituto Sigales originating from an award-winning research project by CEO Jeferson Sigales, proposing a value co-creation model for the agro-food chain. It connects different ecosystem actors to generate collective value and drive sector competitiveness, representing a distinct revenue-generating initiative within the institute's portfolio.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Instituto Sigales is a strategic branding and consulting firm that delivers customized professional services to businesses through three units: Studio Criativo (visual identity, graphic design, brand management, and social media management), ON DEMAND (consulting, research and development, training, and mentorship), and Agrobrand (agrifood value chain innovation). Services apply Design Thinking and Neuromarketing methodologies to solve brand positioning, visual identity, consumer psychology, and strategic planning challenges for small and medium businesses primarily in Brazil.

Product overview

Instituto Sigales is a dynamic and innovative strategic consulting firm that operates through three main business units: Studio Criativo (creative arm for visual identity, graphic design, and social media management), ON DEMAND (customized solutions including consulting, research & development, training, and mentoring), and specialized sub-brands like Agrobrand and BrandDIG. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of brand strategy services including service design, branding, food design, strategic planning, and brand architecture, along with professional training programs in neuromarketing and strategic awareness. Founded by Jeferson Sigales and Nanda Fersula with over 20 years of experience, the institute focuses on inspiring people and developing businesses through strategies that leave a lasting mark.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Studio Criativo: The creative arm of Instituto Sigales, focused on brand tangibilization through visual identity design, graphic design, brand management, and social media marketing.
• ON DEMAND
• Agrobrand
• BrandDIG

Products and services

• Studio Criativo Creative arm of Instituto Sigales focused on tangibilizing brands through visual identity design, graphic design, brand management, and social media management for businesses seeking creative and visual brand solutions.
• ON DEMAND Customized solutions unit offering Research and Development, Consulting, Training, and Mentoring services for clients seeking personalized solutions aligned with their specific needs.
• Consultoria (Consulting) Specialized consulting covering branding, service design, food design, and strategic planning for businesses seeking expert guidance on brand and strategy development.
• Identidade Visual (Visual Identity) Visual identity design service creating and refining visual elements that define a brand's unique and memorable identity, including logo, color palette, and typography design.
• Design Gráfico (Graphic Design) Graphic design service bringing brand visual identity to life across all customer touchpoints, including print materials, packaging, and digital advertising.
• Gestão de Redes Sociais (Social Media Management) Social media management combining strategy and creativity to amplify brand presence digitally, adapting communication for each platform to effectively engage target audiences.
• Gestão de Marcas (Brand Management) Brand management service from development to market implementation, combining creativity and strategy to create and sustain strong brands with distinctive identity, including brand architecture and rebranding services.
• Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (Research and Development) Research and development service dedicated to transforming ideas into tangible reality through in-depth analysis and advanced techniques, bringing innovative and personalized solutions.
• Treinamento (Training) Training services offering immersive learning experiences in Strategy and Neuromarketing areas, including strategic awareness and neuromarketing tools, designed to empower professionals with practical skills and strategic insights.
• Mentoria (Mentoring) Personalized mentoring service focused on guidance and development of leaders and entrepreneurs, offering support and direction to help clients achieve their visions and objectives.
• Agrobrand A startup of Instituto Sigales originating from an award-winning research by CEO Jeferson Sigales, proposing a value co-creation model focused on the agrifood chain that connects different ecosystem actors to generate collective value and drive sector competitiveness.
• BrandDIG A sub-brand of Instituto Sigales focused on digital branding strategies and digital brand services for businesses.

Quantifiable outcome

• Companies investing in employee growth achieve 11% higher profitability and double talent retention rates (Gallup, 2022)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SEBRAE/RS (via UNIO Platform)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInstituto Sigales offers its services through the UNIO-SEBRAE/RS digital platform, which provides up to 60% discounts for qualifying small businesses (persona jurídica or rural producer CNPJ in Rio Grande do Sul with annual revenue up to R$4.8 million). This partnership enables the institute to reach a broader SMB client base and provides a structured, subsidized procurement channel for its professional services. Payment through the platform is accepted via credit card (up to 12 installments), bank slip (up to 4 installments), or PIX.
• World Creativity OrganizationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe World Creativity Organization appointed Instituto Sigales as the local leader for World Creativity Day in Pelotas in April 2024. The institute coordinated the 3-day event across the city, involving volunteers, inspirers, hosts, and sponsors, connecting Pelotas with 51 other Brazilian cities celebrating creativity and innovation.
• IFSul (Instituto Federal Sul-rio-grandense)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEO Jeferson Sigales is a professor at IFSul (Instituto Federal Sul-rio-grandense), and the institute's blog publishes content that may draw on academic research from this institutional affiliation. This relationship provides credibility and potential co-development opportunities for educational content.
• FURG (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEO Jeferson Sigales is a researcher at FURG (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande), where he is also pursuing a doctorate in Administration. His research trajectory informs the institute's methodologies on strategic design and smart cities, providing academic grounding for its consulting practice.
• Pelotas Parque TecnológicominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstituto Sigales is housed within TECNOSUL, part of the Pelotas Parque Tecnológico. The technology park serves as the institute's physical location for operations and event hosting (including the World Creativity Day launch meeting and the 'Gere valor e fortaleça teu negócio' lecture). The co-location reflects a strategic alignment with the local innovation ecosystem.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Interbrand: Global brand strategy and design consultancy with operations in Brazil. Comparable because it delivers brand strategy, visual identity, and brand architecture services to corporate clients, though at a much larger scale and with enterprise focus.
• FutureBrand: Global branding consultancy delivering brand strategy, visual identity, and brand experience work. Comparable because it operates in the same brand strategy/visual identity space as Instituto Sigales, though targeting larger enterprise clients.
• AlmapBBDO: One of Brazil's largest full-service advertising agencies. Comparable as a Brazilian creative agency offering integrated brand and advertising services, though at enterprise scale and focused on major corporate accounts rather than SMB.
• Landor & Fitch: Global branding and design consultancy with significant presence in Brazil. Comparable due to its focus on brand strategy, visual identity systems, and rebranding — directly overlapping with Instituto Sigales' core Studio Criativo services.
• DPZ&T: Major Brazilian advertising agency offering creative campaign development, brand strategy, and integrated marketing. Comparable for its Brazilian base and creative campaign/brand strategy focus, though significantly larger and enterprise-oriented.
• Pentagram: Global multidisciplinary design firm. Comparable in its design-led brand identity, visual systems, and creative consulting services, though operating at much larger scale and primarily serving enterprise clients.
• Siegel+Gale: Global strategic branding and design consultancy. Comparable because it delivers brand strategy, visual identity systems, and customer experience design — overlapping directly with Instituto Sigales' design thinking methodology.

Direct peers

• Tátil Design: Brazilian design and branding agency offering visual identity, brand strategy, and graphic design for SMB and mid-market clients. Comparable in service mix and Brazilian SMB target market to Instituto Sigales, though larger in scale.
• Box1824: Brazilian branding and consumer insights agency. Comparable due to its Brazil-based focus on brand strategy, consumer behavior understanding, and engagement with SMB to mid-market clients — overlapping with Sigales' Neuromarketing-driven approach.
• CBA B+G (Carioca Brand & Graphic): Brazilian branding and graphic design agency offering brand strategy, visual identity, and design services. Comparable due to its Brazil-based SMB/mid-market focus and overlapping service portfolio in branding and design — directly competing for similar client engagements.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institutosigales

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries4 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 Instituto Sigales