This year, we are expanding our mentoring efforts by continuing to support students from schools in Lisbon and teams formed by Celfocus employees' family members, while also mentoring young girls in Porto for the first time - further reinforcing our commitment to STEM education, diversity, and community impact.

The young participants in this edition come from diverse backgrounds but share a common goal: using technology to drive change. Guided by their mentors, they are currently in the training and ideation phase, defining the social challenges they want to solve - challenges that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

By working on these projects, the teams are learning how to identify problems, brainstorm innovative solutions, and translate their ideas into real-world applications.

For the young girls participating in Technovation Girls, this journey is about more than just learning how to code - it’s about discovering their potential and gaining the confidence to become future innovators. Through the program, they are developing problem-solving skills, learning to work in teams, and building the resilience needed to bring their ideas to life. By the end of the experience, they will have not only acquired technical knowledge but also the courage to take risks, the creativity to find solutions, and the leadership skills to make an impact in their communities.

For the mentors, this program is an opportunity to inspire and guide the next generation of women in STEM. Supporting these young minds through the challenges of ideation, development, and presentation is both a rewarding and transformative experience. Mentors refine their leadership and coaching skills while gaining a fresh perspective from the creativity and determination of their mentees. Beyond the technical guidance, they become role models - encouraging the girls to believe in themselves and showing them that they, too, can shape the future of technology.

As the competition progresses, teams will refine their projects, develop their digital solutions, and prepare their final submissions. With the May deadline approaching, participants will focus on coding, integrating AI (if applicable), and crafting their pitch presentations.

Celfocus continues to support the teams by providing mentorship, training sessions, and technical guidance to help them bring their ideas to life. Beyond the competition, our commitment is to empower these young innovators, ensuring they gain the skills and confidence to pursue careers in STEM.

Initiatives like Technovation Girls create lasting change by:

• Encouraging more girls to pursue STEM careers.
• Bridging the gender gap in technology and innovation.
• Fostering a culture of problem-solving and entrepreneurship.
• Giving young minds the tools to create real impact.

For many participants, this is their first step into the world of STEM, breaking barriers and defying stereotypes. They gain hands-on experience in coding, AI, and app development, but more importantly, they develop the confidence to take on challenges and believe in their potential. Whether they pursue careers in technology or not, the program equips them with a growth mindset and the courage to innovate - skills that are invaluable in any field. Mentors also grow by guiding the next generation, strengthening their leadership skills and being inspired by the creativity of their mentees.

Through initiatives like Technovation Girls, we’re shaping a future where technology is driven by diverse perspectives and fearless problem-solving.