História da PROJETUS

Summary

Tito, the founder of Projetos Consultoria, shares the story of his entrepreneurial journey, from early failures in poker business ventures to discovering a passion for the third sector and public entrepreneurship. He reflects on his growth through hands-on experience, learning project management, and working with civil society organizations. Through persistence and strategic partnerships, Tito built a successful platform that connects businesses with social initiatives, executing numerous projects annually. Looking ahead, Projetos aims to grow and expand its reach, helping organizations nationwide with innovative collaborations.

Takeaways

• 🚀 The founder’s entrepreneurial journey began early, driven by a strong desire for independence and ownership rather than working to enrich others.
• 🎓 Although he started in advertising and communication, he left university to pursue entrepreneurship, leveraging his natural strength in communication throughout his career.
• 💥 His first major business attempt—a poker house—failed due to lack of regulatory knowledge, teaching a critical lesson about understanding the market before investing.
• 📉 Multiple early failures and financial losses played a key role in shaping his resilience, strategic thinking, and long-term vision.
• 🤝 A turning point came through exposure to the third sector via his mother, leading him to work with social projects and socio-educational programs for at-risk youth.
• 🌱 Teaching entrepreneurship in juvenile detention centers profoundly changed his perspective on privilege, purpose, and social impact.
• 📚 By studying legislation and the regulatory framework of the third sector, he identified a market opportunity in project design and management for civil society organizations.
• 🧠 Mentorship and self-education—especially through legislation—were essential in building technical expertise in project writing and public funding mechanisms.
• 🏆 Early success in winning large public grants validated the business model and demonstrated the power of combining communication skills with regulatory knowledge.
• 🧩 The creation of dynamic, accessible methodologies for project development differentiated his work from traditional, rigid market approaches.
• 💡 The brand 'Projetos' emerged from a clear market need, strong personal branding, and strategic use of design and communication.
• 📊 Growth was initially slow due to an "only paid on success" model, requiring financial discipline, patience, and the creation of a financial safety cushion.
• 🤝 Strategic partnerships and gradual team building enabled scaling through delegation and outsourcing, accelerating growth.
• 📈 Today, Projetos is a market leader, executing around 100 projects per year and holding a significant share of project registrations and financial volume in its sector.
• 🌍 The future vision includes supporting thousands of organizations, connecting businesses with civil society, and launching a national Third Sector Congress.

Q & A

What inspired Tito Santana to start his entrepreneurial journey?

Tito Santana was inspired to start his entrepreneurial journey because he preferred working for himself rather than enriching others. He wanted to create something of his own and believed in the potential of his efforts to create value for himself and others.

Why did Tito Santana leave his advertising course in college?

He left the advertising course near the end of his studies to pursue entrepreneurship. Tito had a strong desire to build something on his own and felt that working for himself would be more fulfilling than continuing in the traditional career path.

What business did Tito Santana initially venture into, and why did it fail?

Tito initially ventured into opening a poker house. However, the business failed because he didn’t fully understand the regulatory environment and legal aspects of the industry. This lack of preparation led to financial losses and eventually the closure of the poker house.

How did Tito Santana’s experience with his mother influence his path in the third sector?

Tito Santana was influenced by his mother’s work in the third sector, especially her involvement in audiovisual projects and social entrepreneurship. He saw an opportunity to apply his skills in entrepreneurship to support projects aimed at social impact and empowerment.

What was the first significant project Tito worked on in the third sector?

The first significant project Tito worked on was a social entrepreneurship workshop for young people in socio-educational units. Tito taught the workshop to youth who had committed crimes, which greatly impacted his perspective on privilege and the power of education and opportunity.

How did Tito Santana’s understanding of public sector funding evolve over time?

Tito's understanding of public sector funding evolved when he began studying the newly implemented regulatory frameworks, like the 'Marco Regulatório' (Regulatory Framework), which allowed for partnerships between the public sector and non-profit organizations. He learned how to navigate the regulatory environment and secure funding through public sector channels.

What role did mentorship play in Tito Santana’s development?

Mentorship played a crucial role in Tito's development. He learned key project management and proposal writing skills from his mentor, Claudio, who guided him in understanding the intricacies of the third sector. Tito also credits his success to other mentors like Eugênio Piedade and Hélio Rosa, who helped him build partnerships and navigate challenges.

What was the first major success that Tito Santana experienced in his entrepreneurial journey?

Tito's first major success came when he secured funding through a public sector grant for one of his projects. His success in passing a public sector project proposal worth 1.1 million reais marked a significant milestone in his career, giving him the confidence to continue pursuing projects in the third sector.

How did Tito Santana overcome the challenges of working with public sector institutions?

Tito overcame the challenges of working with public sector institutions by learning about the complexities of government contracts and funding. He also understood the difficulties of dealing with the bureaucracy and regulations but eventually found ways to navigate them through strategic partnerships and careful project management.

What is the future vision for the company ‘Projetos’?

The future vision for 'Projetos' is ambitious. By the end of 2025, Tito aims to help at least 2,000 organizations. Additionally, the company is working to connect the private sector with non-profit organizations to create impactful social projects. Tito also envisions executing a National Congress on the Third Sector as part of their long-term goals.