In a world where entrepreneurship is growing every day, young Brazilians are increasingly interested in innovative companies, generally related to research and technology. These are the so-called startups. Business ideas of all kinds emerge, related to any field, especially newer areas that still have much to be explored, such as social networks, computing, games, etc. But what exactly is a startup?

First and foremost, it's important to avoid the obvious: not every new company fits this business model, did you know? In this post, we've outlined some reasons why higher education can help in the task of creating your own startup.

What are startups?

Besides innovation, a good way to define a startup is that it's a group of people seeking... a repeatable and scalable business model. This means being able to deliver the same product without modifications to each customer and being able to grow continuously without altering that business model.

Above all, however, a foundation based on innovation means that the startup always begins in a position of uncertainty. Its creation is almost always a risk, a maneuver without immediate guarantees of success. Therefore, it is usually based on more flexible contracts and lower maintenance costs, moving away from the more traditional business model.

It is through the development of strategies that a company grows and consolidates itself — and makes its investment worthwhile, of course. Its business model, once established, is highly profitable precisely because it is low-cost.

Furthermore, because it is often linked to new technologies, it is constantly renewing itself and becoming increasingly relevant today. Examples of Brazilian startups that have become worth more than 1 billion dollars (becoming "unicorns") are the Nubank and 99 Taxi apps (the latter was bought by a Chinese company in 2018).

Thus, we can see that the prospects are positive and attractive, especially for the younger segment of the population, which is more familiar with new technologies. Currently, young entrepreneurs (between 25 and 40 years old) dominate the startup sector, comprising more than 72% area. The field is fertile ground for professionals with great determination, energy, and innovative ideas.

But what does it take to start a startup? There are many factors that can make this task easier. However, one of the most important is a good education that contributes to your professional development. Far from being dispensable, this can make all the difference between a thriving entrepreneur and stagnation.

How can higher education help?

After clearing up some of your doubts about startups, you may be wondering what the process of creating your own company and starting your own business is like. It all begins with higher education. Therefore, we've outlined some points that will help you understand the importance of attending college for success on this journey.

Stand out from the competition

A large portion of Brazilian entrepreneurs lack formal education. In fact, out of the 8 million existing entrepreneurs, only 2 million have completed higher education. This represents a percentage of only 25% — meaning that less than half of these innovative professionals have a university degree.

In this context, it's clear that a higher education degree acts as a differentiator, preparing entrepreneurs for the market through education focused on technology and innovation. This gives you a significant advantage over your competitors. In a competitive market, it's always good to have differentiating factors in your favor, increasing your chances of achieving the best results.

Specialize knowledge

Creating a startup becomes easier if you have extensive knowledge of the area and market in which you intend to operate. A good higher education can provide this foundation. To that end, it's worthwhile to research programs that understand the need to stimulate entrepreneurial tendencies and, above all, know how to balance theory and practice. There are many courses currently dedicated to encouraging this. innovation and creativity.

Courses such as Production Engineering Business Administration, for example, has increasingly focused on preparing students to enter the job market with greater competence, providing knowledge in important areas such as finance, management, and marketing. Furthermore, a degree can enhance your leadership skills and help you discover strengths and weaknesses that can influence the growth of your business.

Establish contacts

Have you ever heard that having contacts is half the battle when it comes to succeeding in the professional market? The same is true when starting a company: networking This is very necessary. For many beginners, it can be difficult to find people who have something relevant to contribute to the mission. Therefore, it is necessary to establish contacts that are useful and efficient.

In this respect, a degree can help you connect with other entrepreneurs who can help you build your team or even find a partner. At university, you can participate in events related to your field of interest, lectures, workshops… the possibilities are endless.

Remember that it's impossible to create a business alone — and in higher education you'll have the chance to meet people who share similar interests and goals with you, who are also qualified for the market. It's hard to imagine a more conducive environment for establishing partnerships and finding mentors who can contribute with their experience.

Plan properly

Although the idea of founding a startup may seem very tempting, it's important to understand that it is, above all, an exercise in patience and resilience. A great deal of study and market analysis is necessary to found a business and make it a thriving and profitable company.

In this sense, higher education is the ideal time to begin this planning, providing ample opportunities to study growth techniques and technologies that will contribute to the future. It's good to take advantage of this time to ensure the success of your plans and seek practical steps for the foundation of your company.

These are just a few reasons to consider the importance of higher education in creating startups. It's worth emphasizing the importance of always researching and carefully examining your options to discover which course best suits your goals.

Did you enjoy the content and want to learn more about the relationship between the role of college and the ambitions of young entrepreneurs? Then take advantage of your visit to our blog to read about... entrepreneurship.