Madeira Friends Tech Lab — AI-Powered Innovation for Young Creators
A hands-on mentorship program empowering local talents aged 16–25 to design, prototype, and launch AI-powered apps.
"What we realised is simple: Madeira doesn't lack talent — it lacks opportunity, context, and access. The Tech Lab exists to connect our young people with the incredible international tech community already living on the island, and to turn that connection into real products, real confidence, and real futures built here, not abroad." — Luís Calado, Madeira Friends Co-Founder
Tech Lab will help accelerate Madeira's transformation from a tourist destination into a vibrant innovation hub — by turning bold ideas into working AI-native tools that solve real-world problems, from Madeira to the world.
Have you built things before? Got skills? Got time?
E-mail tech@madeirafriends.orgThis free, almost too good to be true, hands-on mentorship program will empower local talents aged 16–25 to design, prototype, and launch AI-powered apps using real-world tools like LLM APIs, mobile frameworks, and modern dev stacks.
The program is free of charge and all AI tool costs are covered by Madeira Friends.
Apply
We're looking for creative, proactive minds who:
With a burning desire to contribute to the island's progress, our community of experts is eager to work with the future generation and give-back.
Each team is matched with experienced mentors in AI, product design, digital marketing, and entrepreneurship from the Madeira Friends global network.
Students will work in fast-paced prototyping cycles focused on building LLM-based tools, smart apps, and real software — no passive lectures.
Top teams can access internships or keep evolving their ideas inside the Madeira Friends ecosystem.
Every edition of the Tech Lab produces real products built by talented young people aged 16–25. Guided by international mentors and powered by the latest AI tools, participants turn bold ideas into working software.
Participants don't just learn theory — they build working apps that solve real problems for Madeira and beyond.
In just a few weeks, teams go from a blank canvas to a fully functional AI-powered prototype, ready to showcase.
Moments from our workshops, events, and community sessions.
Real projects built by real participants — ideas born in Madeira, powered by AI.
A clear path from idea to launch — here's how the program works.
Meet fellow participants, form teams, and get introduced to AI tools, mentors, and the project brief.
Weekly hands-on workshops in Funchal at the Madeira Friends Hub — prototype, test, and iterate on your AI-powered app.
Regular sessions with experienced mentors in AI, product design, digital marketing, and entrepreneurship.
Showcase your app to an international audience — get feedback, recognition, and open doors for what's next.
Industry experts who volunteer their time to guide the next generation of builders.
Supported by institutions that believe in Madeira's future.
Click the "Apply" button below and complete a short, 5-question Google Form.
Accepted students join weekly hands-on workshops (in Funchal at the Madeira Friends Hub), regular mentor check-ins, and showcase their apps to an international audience at the end of the program.
ApplyMore info: tech@madeirafriends.org
