BLACK FEMALE ENTREPRENEURSHIP: A mapping of Startups in Brazil

Um mapeamento das Startups no Brasil

Abstract

Given the scarcity of studies on innovative black female entrepreneurship, this study aimed to identify and map startups founded or co-founded by black women in Brazil. The research, exploratory, descriptive, and quantitative in nature, used manual and systematic collection from secondary bases and innovation hubs, such as Abstartups, Distrito, Inventivos, and PretaHub. The procedure consisted of an individual analysis of public information about founders to identify the presence of black or mixed-race women. The results reveal: a) a low rate of startups led by black women in the country; b) a strong geographical concentration in the states of São Paulo and Bahia; c) that the majority of these companies participate in support or acceleration programs. The mapping provides a diagnosis of the current scenario, highlighting the urgency of public policies and private initiatives to reduce inequalities and strengthen the participation of these entrepreneurs in innovation ecosystems. Academically, the study stands out for its originality by establishing an unprecedented framework that intersects gender, race, and innovation in the Brazilian territory.