I9.Açores winners join entrepreneurship mission to Madrid - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego

The projects that won first place in the various categories of the I9.Açores – Youth Academy for Innovative Ideas competition, organised by the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment through the Regional Directorate for Youth (DRJ), will participate in an entrepreneurship mission to Madrid, Spain.

“Entrepreneurship is not just about starting a business; it is about having the attitude, creativity and courage to do things differently, to make an impact and contribute to a better society. For this reason, we have decided to provide this experience outside the Region to an entrepreneurial ecosystem in Madrid, driven by new trends, creativity, innovation and success stories that will surely inspire young people,” stated Maria João Carreiro.

The Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment praised the “quality of the business ideas and innovation proposals submitted to I9.Açores,” pointing out that “there is a generation in the Azores ready to create, innovate and transform.” 

The fifth edition of I9.Açores kicked off on Monday, May 18, in Santa Cruz da Graciosa and ended this Thursday, May 21, with the participation of more than 95 young people and 45 business ideas from schools across the Region.

Following the two-day event, which included the presentation of ideas to the local community at the “Entrepreneurship Fair” and mentoring sessions with participants, the most innovative and impactful projects at each level of education – from Basic Education to Secondary education, including Vocational Education and Higher Education – were distinguished by a jury comprising leading figures from the business sector and the regional entrepreneurial community.

In the middle school category, the first place went to the “EcoMoldar” project from the Vila de Capelas Basic Education School. Second place went to the “Estrela Dourada” project from the Maia Basic Education School, and third place went to the “Ecokids – Sustainable Adventure” project from the Madalena Basic Education and Secondary School.

The “Emita cookies” project from the Lagoa Basic Education School was awarded an Honourable Mention.

In the junior high school category, the “Biopalha: Sustainable Mushrooms” project from the Graciosa Basic Education and Secondary School won first place. Coming in second place was the “Aromas da Faneca” project from the Santa Maria Basic Education and Secondary School, whilst third place was awarded to the “Azores in a box” project from the Jerónimo Emiliano de Andrade Secondary School.

An Honourable Mention was also awarded to the “Anonaí” project from the Rabo de Peixe Basic Education School.

In the Secondary Education category, the “Mar e Patas” project from the Flores Basic Education and Secondary School was the winning project. Second place was awarded to the “Ambitri” project from the Lajes do Pico Basic Education and Secondary School, and third place to the “Inhamélicas” project from the Jerónimo Emiliano de Andrade Secondary School.

The “Okayte” project from the Manuel de Arriaga Secondary School was awarded an Honourable Mention.

In the Vocational Education category, first place went to the “Lactose-free A2A2 milk and flavoured fresh cheese” project from MEP – Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Ponta Delgada Vocational School. Second place went to the “RaizMat” project from the Horta Vocational School, and third place to the “Green Gin” project from Ponte Norte – Ribeira Grande Education and Development Cooperative, CRL – Ribeira Grande Vocational School.

An Honourable Mention was also awarded to the “Carteflow” project developed by the Azores Training Centre.

In the Higher Education category, first place was awarded to the “Bio Spark” project developed by university students Miguel Santos and Samuel Pires Gonçalves.

This year, the I9.Açores jury included Catarina Ferreira, entrepreneur and creator of the “Louvre Michaelense” and “O Calheta Petiscaria” concepts; Lara Martinho, Director and Founder of Azores Book Hotel; Sérgio Nazaré, Chef and owner of two restaurants on the island of Faial; Flávio Tiago, Associate Professor with Aggregation at the University of the Azores; and João Pedro Machado, manager of Filnor, Lda.

The i9. Açores is the culmination of the work carried out throughout the school year as part of the Entrepreneurial Academy – School of Leaders. This programme aims to promote entrepreneurial skills among young Azoreans through informal educational pathways, using a learning-by-doing approach and programmes tailored to different educational levels and age groups.