More than 900 participants join caravans heading to the 2026 Entrepreneur Fair

A true wave of business mobilization moves the roads of Maranhão. From Balsas, in the extreme south of the state, to the historic communities of the Western Coast, more than 900 small business owners, rural producers and creators of innovative solutions already have their bags packed. The destination is São Luís, where they will participate in the Entrepreneur Fair between the 14th and 16th of August, at Multicenter Negócios e Eventos. The articulation, organized by the Regional Units of Sebrae in Maranhão, guarantees free access to the event, bringing those who produce in the most distant municipalities closer to the biggest market opportunities in the country. The caravans include entrepreneurs from the regions of Açailândia, Bacabal, Balsas, Chapadinha, Grajaú, Imperatriz, Lençóis, Santa Inês, São Luís, Pinheiro, Presidente Dutra and Caxias. For those on the road, the trip represents a key turning point in revenue and market vision. The story of Joana Patrícia da Silva Assunção reflects this transformation. An entrepreneur in the plus size fashion segment in Balsas, in the south of the state, she travels around 800 kilometers to São Luís with the certainty that each kilometer turns into practical learning. Joana's relationship with the business world began precisely in a previous edition of the event, in 2024. At the time, without yet having her own company, she traveled driven only by curiosity and encouragement from acquaintances. Upon entering the exhibition pavilion and having contact with new technologies, management models and market trends, he saw the potential of the plus size market and decided to formalize his own brand. Two years later, she returns to the capital no longer as a spectator, but as an established businesswoman looking for new suppliers. "When I went for the first time, I didn't have a company yet. When I got there, I saw so many innovative ideas and practical solutions that I realized could change my life. That's where my desire to become an entrepreneur was born. Returning now is an essential opportunity to think outside the box, absorb new points of view and bring new innovations that will make my business grow even more. The learning is incomparable", highlights Joana. Caravan of entrepreneurs from Pinheiro in the last edition of the event, held in Balsas. Sebrae/Disclosure Businesses arriving from different regions In the exhibition arenas, record sales are also expected. Producer Aline Martins, resident of the Cumum quilombo, in Guimarães, 140 kilometers from São Luís, already knows the potential of the event and has strategically reinforced her production line. Aline is the name behind an artisanal factory of crunchy tapioca cookies, made from a traditional recipe passed down from generation to generation in her quilombo. The project, which started modestly, has now become the community's economic engine, generating direct income for 12 local women. Aline's trajectory at Feira follows the evolution of her own business. In the first participation, all stock was sold out on the first day of the event. In the following edition, she doubled production and saw the packages run out on the second day. For this year, she prepared a record stock to keep products available during the three days of the fair. The entrepreneur's participation also marks a change in her relationship with the event. After visiting the Fair as a visitor and later participating as an exhibitor, this year she will also be on stage as a panelist to share her experience as a quilombola entrepreneur. "I intend to increase the number of biscuit packages because this time, in addition to exhibiting and selling my products, I will participate as a panelist. I will take advantage of this opportunity to further promote my business and encourage other women. So I need to have stock for the three days", he explains. About the event The Entrepreneur Fair will be held from August 14th to 16th, in São Luís, with programming aimed at entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs. The event will feature lectures, workshops, experiences, business rounds and activities related to knowledge, innovation, connections and opportunities. Registration to participate in the event as a visitor remains open and can be done free of charge on the Sebrae website or on the Sympla platform by clicking here. The 2026 Entrepreneur Fair is co-hosted by the State Government and the Fiema System (SESI, SENAI and IEL), sponsored by the City Hall of São Luís, Vale and Ceape, in addition to the partnership of the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), Federation of Commerce of Goods, Services and Tourism of Maranhão (Fecomércio-MA), FAEMA/SENAR System, E-commerce Brasil, Safemed, Vitalmed, Lokcenter, Renew yourself, Work Waste, Miniverso, Savage 98 and Aromatiz Olfactory Marketing.