Barriers to Brazilian Startups’ Global Expansion

Jamil Ramsi Farkat Diógenes (), Ivan Bolis (), Sandra Naomi Morioka (), Aline Silva Mello Cesar () and Mateus Cecílio Gerolamo ()
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Jamil Ramsi Farkat Diógenes: Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo da Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV EAESP) and CEPID Bridge
Ivan Bolis: Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB)
Sandra Naomi Morioka: Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” da Universidade de São Paulo (ESALQ USP)
Aline Silva Mello Cesar: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos da Universidade de São Paulo (EESC USP)
Mateus Cecílio Gerolamo: Agência USP de Inovação (AUSPIN)

Chapter 9 in The Expanding Horizons of Business and Management, Volume I, 2026, pp 195-226 from Palgrave Macmillan

Abstract: Abstract Brazil has emerged as a key player in the global startup ecosystem, driving innovation and venture creation in Latin America. As internationalization becomes an essential strategy for business scalability, expanding beyond domestic markets has become a priority for Brazilian startups (BSs). However, multiple barriers hinder this process, slowing or even preventing their global expansion. This study significantly advances and updates the notably scarce body of knowledge on the internationalization barriers faced by Brazilian startups by offering a comprehensive, stakeholder-driven perspective. Using Leonidou’s (2004) framework as an analytical foundation, it systematically identifies and categorizes these barriers. Through in-depth interviews with 26 key stakeholders in the Brazilian startup ecosystem, 14 barriers were identified, with five particularly relevant: (i) “identifying foreign business opportunities,” (ii) “shortage of working capital,” (iii) “inadequate/untrained personnel,” (iv) “lack and/or inefficacy of home government assistance/incentives,” and (v) “different foreign customer habits/attitudes.” Recognizing these barriers is a crucial first step toward fostering solutions. Entrepreneurs can leverage the study’s findings and practical recommendations to gain a deeper understanding of these barriers, formulate strategic responses, and implement effective overcoming efforts.

Keywords: Brazilian startup ecosystem; Brazilian startups (BSs); developing economies; internationalization; Innovation-Driven Enterprises; born globals; stakeholder-driven analysis; global expansion; internationalization barriers; case research; Uppsala Model; International New Ventures Theory; Network Theory; Strategy Tripod; Effectuation Theory; multi-stakeholder perspective (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pal:pscchp:978-3-032-26496-1_9

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-26496-1_9

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