I9.Azores - Youth Academy of Innovative Ideas brings together 161 participants in São Jorge - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Qualificação Profissional e Emprego

The I9.Açores - Youth Academy of Innovative Ideas, promoted by the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Vocational Training and Employment, through the Regional Directorate for Youth, begins tomorrow in the municipality of Velas, São Jorge Island, involving 161 participants, 32 schools, three Private Social Solidarity Institutions (IPSS) and young Azorean students from three Portuguese universities.

Until Friday, June 2, 46 teams across different education levels, including Vocational Schools and Higher Education, will be in competition to defend the projects and innovative ideas that they have created during the 2022/2023 school year in the context of Entrepreneurial Education - School of Leaders. This is an education programme for entrepreneurship in a school context that, in addition to the students, mobilises teachers, instructors and technicians. 

Eight young leaders and a jury composed of five members with acknowledged merit in the business from various islands also take part in this edition of I9.Açores. They will assess the students' projects submitted to the schools where they are integrated during the local ideas competition phase to select the regional participants. 

The projects in competition focus on thematic areas such as tourism, environment, culture, cuisine and sustainability, among others. Special emphasis will be given to the enhancement and innovation of traditional products and endogenous resources of the Azores, and the promotion of the Region.  

At the event, a Business Ideas Fair, designated as I9. Expo, will be held at the Velas Basic and Secondary School, where the teams will present their projects to the general public during the morning.

During the I9.Açores competition, which will take place at the Velas Municipal Auditorium, each of the 46 teams will pitch their idea, followed by the assessment of the judges.

The Bootcamp will also include several mentoring activities, workshops, motivational talks, moments of socialisation, and visits to the municipalities of Velas and Calheta.

The winners of each education category in the competition will carry out an Entrepreneurial Mission outside the Region, where they will have the opportunity to get to know different entrepreneurial ecosystems. The 2nd and 3rd places will also be awarded technological resources. 

The Regional Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Vocational Training and Employment, invested about 85 thousand Euros in the "Entrepreneurial Academy - School of Leaders" programme during this school year.