BRICS 2026 aims to enhance its economic potential by conducting comprehensive audits of member nations’ entrepreneurial capabilities and mobilizing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for global competitiveness.
As BRICS prepares for its 2026 agenda, the focus is shifting toward a deeper understanding of the entrepreneurial landscape within its member nations. The initiative seeks to assess the true potential of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their readiness for global markets.
The first step in this national mobilization of entrepreneurialism is to stop merely hunting for startups and instead discover the existing entrepreneurial ecosystem. Many entrepreneurs have been operating for decades, weathering various economic challenges. This accumulated entrepreneurial capital is invaluable and should be recognized as the foundation for future growth rather than overlooked in favor of new startups.
BRICS has the scale necessary for significant economic impact, but it must also develop the competence of its SMEs. The Global SME Index from Expothon reveals a startling reality: simply counting SMEs is not enough. The bloc needs to identify which enterprises are genuinely exportable, scalable, and digitally prepared to compete on a global stage.
To achieve this, a national entrepreneurial census is essential. This census should go beyond mere numbers to uncover the identity of SMEs, their products, markets, longevity, export capabilities, and potential for growth. The Global SME Index serves as a critical tool for this audit, providing insights that can guide national strategies.
Moreover, it is vital to measure the mindset of the institutions involved in this mobilization. A job-seeker mentality differs significantly from an entrepreneurial job creator mindset, leading to divergent policies and outcomes. Institutions must evaluate their own operating mindsets to effectively support entrepreneurial growth.
Measuring competence is another crucial aspect. SME registration alone does not reflect the strength of an enterprise. Instead, it is important to assess factors such as management competence, product competitiveness, market knowledge, export readiness, digital capability, financial discipline, innovation capacity, and growth potential. This comprehensive evaluation will reveal the hidden capabilities within national statistics.
Recognizing the value of experienced entrepreneurs is also essential. Long-standing enterprises possess tacit knowledge that can be a tremendous asset. Rather than viewing these entrepreneurs as relics of the past, BRICS should engage them as valuable resources for knowledge and insight.
Additionally, the audit process must extend to the institutions designed to support entrepreneurs. It is crucial to determine whether these institutions are focused on fostering entrepreneurial performance or merely adhering to administrative processes. A job-seeker mindset cannot effectively mobilize the vast potential of existing entrepreneurs.
Global expansion is another priority. BRICS must identify enterprises capable of exporting and scaling internationally, integrating them into global value chains. If national SME strategies do not systematically identify future global enterprises, they will struggle to prepare for international competition.
To facilitate this, BRICS should focus on identifying the strongest enterprises within specific categories—5,000, 50,000, 100,000, or even 500,000—based on national capacity. This approach prioritizes productive potential over trendy startups, ensuring that the most capable enterprises are selected for support.
In the modern economy, digital management is essential. SMEs must operate digitally across markets, supply chains, finance, and customer interactions. As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes integral to global commerce, it is imperative that SMEs are not left behind, relying on outdated management systems.
Furthermore, the audit process must encompass the intangible qualities that contribute to entrepreneurial success. This includes assessing an entrepreneur’s tacit knowledge, ambition, market instinct, and ability to recognize opportunities. Entrepreneurs are not merely numbers on a balance sheet; they embody an invisible operating system that drives their enterprises.
Connecting existing entrepreneurial ecosystems to global markets and AI is vital. Proven enterprises must be supported in their efforts to export, digitize management, and access global knowledge. AI should not remain confined to elite technologies but should be deployed at scale to benefit the majority of the national economy.
The National Mobilization of Entrepreneurialism (NAME) initiative aims to streamline this process, transforming audits into actionable strategies. This includes identifying, measuring, segmenting, digitizing, upskilling, reskilling, and ultimately globalizing SMEs. The goal is to replace fragmented programs with a cohesive strategy that fosters continuous entrepreneurial development.
BRICS faces a critical test: it must move beyond announcing startup funds or incubators and instead focus on mobilizing existing entrepreneurs. The challenge lies in understanding and respecting the capabilities of a million existing entrepreneurs, removing barriers to their success, and connecting them to AI and global markets.
Ultimately, BRICS has the opportunity to redefine economic mobilization. A superpower economy cannot rely solely on large corporations; it requires a robust SME sector integrated with advanced technologies. The question remains: will BRICS merely support SMEs, or will it become the first major economic bloc to actively mobilize its entrepreneurial resources as engines of national power?
According to Expothon Worldwide, a Canadian think tank initiative, the national mobilization of entrepreneurialism protocols have been successfully implemented over the past decade, reaching numerous cabinet-level officials across various economies. This initiative emphasizes that risk-taking, rather than theoretical knowledge, is the key to fostering superpower economies.