Entrepreneurship requires courage to make decisions, face challenges and transform ideas into opportunities. It is precisely this characteristic that will be addressed by the ‘Empretec Experience: Stories that Transform Business’, a meeting at the 2026 Entrepreneur Fair that will bring together Empretecs and entrepreneurs interested in developing entrepreneurial skills, sharing experiences and creating new connections. The program will be held on August 15th, from 10:15 am to 12:30 pm, at the Terezinha Jansen Auditorium. The meeting was designed to inspire and bring together people who believe in the power of entrepreneurship. In addition to Empretecos, the event is also open to anyone who wants to learn about the methodology, understand how it contributes to business development and be inspired by real stories of transformation. Developed by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), an organization of the United Nations (UN), Empretec is an international methodology aimed at developing the characteristics of entrepreneurial behavior. In Brazil, the program has been applied exclusively by Sebrae since 1993, through an intensive and experiential experience that encourages participants to develop essential skills to create, strengthen and expand their businesses. According to the manager of Territorial Entrepreneurship at Sebrae Maranhão, Hildenê Maia, Empretec Experience was created to bring together people who believe in entrepreneurship as a tool for transformation and create a space where real stories can inspire new journeys. "This meeting was born from a very simple, but very powerful idea: bringing together people who have the courage to undertake in common. The proposal is to bring together Empretecos and entrepreneurs to share stories, experiences and, above all, create connections that can generate new business opportunities." The Empretec Experience programming values ??stories of entrepreneurs who transformed their businesses with Empretec. Sebrae/Disclosure She highlights that Empretec goes beyond business management and promotes changes in the way each entrepreneur sees their own potential. "Empretec is a Sebrae solution that transforms not only the way entrepreneurs look at their business, but also the way they look at themselves. And, when we put these people together, we are able to further enhance this transformation." Roberta Mendes highlights that Empretec strengthened her confidence and boosted business growth. Sebrae/Disclosure Stories that inspire new businesses One of the most anticipated moments of the program will be the talk show mediated by journalist Árina Ribeiro, which will bring together invited entrepreneurs to share how Empretec influenced their personal and business trajectories. Reports show that the methodology goes beyond business management and also transforms the participants' attitude towards the challenges of entrepreneurship. For businesswoman Roberta Mendes, owner of the Cantinho do Bolo store, Empretec represented a change in mentality that directly reflected the company's growth. "After Empretec, I evolved a lot as a businesswoman and as a person. I started to be more objective in my decisions, more determined in the pursuit of my goals and I learned that taking risks is part of entrepreneurship, as long as they are calculated risks. Today I realize that a large part of the growth of my business is the result of this change in mentality." Karla Bianca states that Empretec expanded its strategic vision and strengthened business management. Sebrae/Disclosure Karla Bianca, owner of Kriar com K and Instituto Kasting, highlights that the program strengthened her planning capacity and expanded her strategic vision. "Empretec helped me see my business in a more strategic way, identify opportunities and understand that entrepreneurship requires initiative, planning and persistence. My expectation for this meeting is to meet people who have lived this experience, strengthen connections and build new partnerships." Businesswoman Kátia Lobo, partner at Pai e Filho Engenharia Climatização, says that she discovered Empretec on the recommendation of another businessman and that the experience confirmed her vocation for entrepreneurship. "Empretec enhanced skills that I already had and awakened others that are fundamental to leading the business. I came to understand the importance of well-defined processes, self-responsibility and planning so that the company can grow in a sustainable way. I look forward to sharing our journey and learning about other stories of transformation during the meeting." Kátia Lobo and Francisco Lobo emphasize that Empretec has strengthened its leadership and management of the company. Sebrae/Disclosure The end of the program will be marked by the tribute "Who makes Empretec happen in Maranhão", recognizing people who contributed to strengthening and disseminating the methodology in the state. The initiative reinforces Empretec Experience's purpose of celebrating stories that inspire new entrepreneurs and showing that great transformations begin when knowledge, attitude and connection go together. Connections that transform For Hildene Maia, the Empretec Experience also represents a moment to recognize those who make entrepreneurship happen in Maranhão and value stories that inspire other people to believe in their potential. "Maranhão has a huge entrepreneurial force. They are people who innovate, face challenges, create opportunities and drive the economy of their territories. The Empretec Experience is also a moment of recognition. We want to value those who make entrepreneurship happen and show that, behind each business, there is a story of courage, persistence and transformation", concludes the manager. About the Fair - The 2026 Entrepreneur Fair will be held by Sebrae from August 14th to 16th, at Multicenter Negócios e Eventos, in São Luís. The event will feature