The presence of women in leadership positions in the Brazilian innovation ecosystem is advancing, especially in strategic areas such as socio-environmental impact startups and deep tech companies. Data from Sebrae’s Startup Observatory indicate that women already represent 21% of leadership in startups focused on socio-environmental impact. In deep tech companies—companies based on science and advanced technology—the participation is even more significant: 43% of projects approved in Sebrae’s Catalisa ICT program are led by women, a percentage that remains high until the final stages of the initiative.
The information was released by Sebrae and is included in a study by Sebrae’s Startup Observatory. Despite the performance in more specialized segments, the overall picture still shows lower female participation in the Brazilian startup universe. According to data updated in February 2026 from Sebrae’s Startups Platform, they represent 18% of registered ventures—equivalent to 4,282 businesses with female presence in the corporate structure. The rate is similar to that identified by the Brazilian Association of Startups (ABStartups), which recorded 19% of female founders in 2024.
According to Fernanda Zambon, analyst at Sebrae Nacional’s Innovation Unit, the numbers indicate that the growth of female leadership in the sector depends on structured incentive initiatives.
“When there is an organized support environment, with training, mentoring, and market connections, female participation grows and becomes sustainable,” she states.
For the analyst, the challenge now is to advance toward a deeper transformation in the innovation ecosystem. “We are still below an ideal level of representation in the founding and formal partnership of startups. It’s not enough to expand entry into the ecosystem; we must ensure permanence, access to capital, strategic networks, and conditions for scaling,” points out Fernanda Zambon.
Another relevant finding from the study shows that 61% of startups led by women are in the early stages of development, between ideation and validation. Although this profile is similar to that observed in Brazilian startups as a whole, the transition to traction and growth phases is usually more difficult, especially in a more restrictive macroeconomic environment and in the face of historical barriers related to access to investment.
For Sebrae, increasing female representation in the innovation ecosystem also has a direct impact on economic development. “Startups with gender diversity show better governance and long-term performance indicators. Expanding this participation is a strategy for sustainable economic development,” emphasizes Fernanda Zambon.
Companies Led by Women Are Gaining Ground
In practice, this progress is already translating into high-impact initiatives led by entrepreneurs in different regions of the country. One example is T-Access, a startup based in Recife (PE), created to develop solutions focused on digital accessibility. The company works on platform evaluation, training, and development of inclusive technologies, after identifying difficulties faced by people with visual impairments in using software and digital environments.
The startup’s founder, Tarciana Katter, explains that the idea arose from tests conducted with screen readers. “When we started using screen readers in the tests, we realized there was a whole universe we weren’t seeing. That’s when we understood that there needed to be a real concern for inclusion,” she says.
For the entrepreneur, female leadership contributes to broadening the perspective on the impacts of innovative businesses. “Women have a very strong capacity for active listening; they can look at people and the business at the same time. We think about impact, the team’s psychological safety, and the transformation we want to generate,” she emphasizes.
Another example comes from the climate technology sector. The startup Compensai, based in São Luís (MA), was founded by Vilena Silva after more than two decades of experience in corporate environmental management and applied research in sustainability. The company developed a digital platform that simplifies the measurement, monitoring, reduction, and compensation of carbon emissions.
The solution was created based on internationally recognized standards, such as the GHG Protocol and ABNT PR 2060, with the aim of making the climate agenda more accessible also for small businesses.
“I’ve always believed that sustainability cannot be restricted to large corporations. Small businesses are what drive the Brazilian economy, and they need to be included in this agenda,” says Vilena.
The entrepreneur also highlights the importance of bringing scientific knowledge closer to the production sector. “Science needs to leave the laboratory and reach companies, communities, and public policies. And we, women from academia, are fully capable of building that bridge,” she concludes.
Source: brasil247.com