Across the globe, policymakers and ecosystem builders rely on GEM data to inform entrepreneurship programmes. Brazil stands out as a powerful example of how data-driven insight can lead to inclusive, real-world impact.
Despite women representing over half of Brazil’s population, they remain significantly underrepresented among business owners. GEM Brazil data revealed persistent gaps in women’s entrepreneurial participation, particularly in early-stage and established ventures, providing critical evidence for the need for targeted, gender-responsive support.
Drawing on these insights, SEBRAE - the long-standing sponsor of GEM Brazil - launched tailored initiatives such as the SEBRAE Delas Programme and the SEBRAE Business Woman Award to strengthen women’s skills, confidence, networks, and access to opportunity. The results have been substantial, with hundreds of thousands of women supported nationwide and growing recognition of women-led enterprises that combine economic impact with social and environmental value. This case illustrates how robust, segmented entrepreneurship data can move beyond analysis to inform concrete action, influence institutional strategy, and drive measurable impact for underrepresented groups.
Read the complete story in the GEM Brazil Policy Impact profile.
The photo above is from the 2024 DELAS Summit which brought together some 8,000 women for 16 hours of inspiring programming, with 100+ speakers and 300 exhibitors.