About
Monique Evelle was born on 15 September 1994 in Salvador, Bahia. She is best known for launching two social‑innovation ventures: Desabafo Social, a lab that uses communication and education to generate income in underserved communities, and Inventivos, a platform that trains and invests in new Latin‑American founders. In 2023 she joined Shark Tank Brasil and became the youngest “shark” in Latin America, bringing a fresh perspective on business with purpose to the show’s 10th season.
Before Fame
Growing up in the Nordeste de Amaralina district, Monique is the daughter of a security‑guard father and a mother who worked as a domestic employee. Early exposure to inequality sparked her curiosity about ways to level the playing field. At 16 she organised school friends to form what later evolved into Desabafo Social. After high school she entered the Federal University of Bahia (2013‑2016), studying humanities and cultural policy while simultaneously running workshops on human‑rights advocacy. These campus sessions planted the seeds for the national network Desabafo Social would become.
Trivia
- Forbes Brazil Under 30 (2017). The magazine highlighted her work with Desabafo Social when she was only 23.
- Youngest shark. At 28 she took a seat on Shark Tank Brasil, a first for someone so young—and for a Black woman—in the Latin‑American versions of the franchise.
- LinkedIn Top Voices & Wired 50 Creatives. Professional networks and media outlets routinely list her among Brazil’s most influential voices in business and creativity.
- Author. Her 2019 book Empreendedorismo Feminino – Olhar Estratégico sem Romantismo demystifies running a company from a woman’s viewpoint without buzzwords or clichés.
- Google’s Black Founders Fund. Inventivos received backing from the fund in 2020, giving members access to capital, mentoring and a growing peer community.
Family Life
Monique often credits her parents for teaching resilience and resourcefulness. Although money was scarce, her mother’s encouragement pushed her to apply for scholarships and public‑school opportunities. In 2022 that support came full circle when her mother presented her with the Barra Mulher Award, a local honour that recognises women who advance social causes in Bahia. Family ties remain strong, and interviews suggest she still seeks her parents’ advice before major career moves.
Associated With
- Greta Thunberg – Both began campaigning as teenagers and have used digital platforms to mobilise youth for social change.
- João Appolinário, Carol Paiffer and José Carlos Semenzato – Veteran investors who share the Shark Tank Brasil set with her and occasionally co‑invest in pitches.
- Google for Startups – Its Black Founders Fund backs Inventivos, aligning Monique with a global network supporting under‑represented entrepreneurs.
- Nubank – In 2021 the digital bank invited her to serve as an innovation advisor, letting her shape programs that channel funds to Black‑led tech startups.
