Connecting Studeges.nts & Startups Through Real Challen
Over the past few days, our space transformed into a hub of collaborative innovation. We were thrilled to host students from the Universidade da Madeira for two intensive editions of our Co-Create Lab: Academia & Startup. By bringing fresh academic perspectives to real-world startup hurdles, we saw firsthand the magic that happens when theory meets practice.
February 20th | The Tourism Edition 🌍
The first session kicked off on friday morning, focusing on one of Madeira’s most vital sectors – Tourism.
The turism students dived into a three-phase sprint:
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Phase 1: Startups presented specific, real-world industry challenges.
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Phase 2: Students and founders worked side-by-side in a one-hour co-creation marathon.
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Phase 3: The session concluded with rapid-fire pitches from the students, proving that fresh eyes can often find the most innovative paths forward.
February 24th | The Business & Management Edition 💼
The momentum continued on monday afternoon as we welcomed students from Management, languages, and business studies.
This “Business Edition” took a dive into operational and strategic scaling:
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Challenge Presentations: Startups shared a pitch of their pain points regarding management and business.
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Solutions Co-creation: .
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Pitch & Feedback: The day ended with the students presentations, showcasing creative solutions for business growth and market entry.

The Takeaway
These sessions are a testament to the talent brewing at the University of Madeira. By working on “Real Challenges,” students gain invaluable hands-on experience, while our startups benefit from diverse, unbiased insights.
A huge thank you to all the students and founders who participated. The future of the local ecosystem looks bright!
Take a look at our day HERE
