Hackathon for a Cause: Build Something That Matters
Monday 9 November 2026
Starts 10:00 AM
Finishes 12:00 PM
Organized by Portugal Tech Week
Venue: Lisbon (register for location)
Address: Please contact the organizer for location details.
Lisboa
About this event
From 9 to 13 November, 351 Portuguese Startup Association and Brainstorm, the Portuguese ADHD Association, invite you to a hackathon with a purpose.
Instead of building technology for technology’s sake, you’ll work on a real challenge from people who live with ADHD every day, and turn your skills into something that could make a difference.
Supported by the Institute for Tomorrow.
The cause
Brainstorm supports people with ADHD and their families in Portugal. Their challenge will be revealed at the kickoff, and you’ll hear it straight from the people it matters to. Expect a challenge where smart technology and human-centred design have to work together.
Skills that will come in handy
Software development (frontend, backend or both) and comfort with APIs and third-party tools
AI and automation know-how, or the curiosity to learn on the go
UX and product design, especially for accessible, low-effort experiences
Product thinking: turning a messy problem into a clear solution
Storytelling and pitching, for a convincing Friday demo
Empathy and lived experience: knowing ADHD first-hand, or through someone close, is a real advantage
No need to tick every box. The best teams are mixed, and solo participants can be matched with teammates if they prefer.
Why it’s worth your week
Work on a problem with real human impact
Talk directly with Brainstorm and learn from lived experience
Practise building responsibly, with privacy, consent and user autonomy in mind
Get guidance from mentors and feedback from a jury at the final pitches
Meet people in Portugal’s tech and startup community who care about building with purpose
Prizes and partnerships
Wexio brings conversational AI tools, free platform access and AI credits for the hackathon, alongside technical and business mentoring. Teams can explore voice and chat-based interactions, knowledge bases and automated workflows, with potential follow-on commercial partnership opportunities for selected teams.
TESLA Venture Studio — Most Marketable Product Award: an in-kind prize valued at €25,000, offering a Market Development & Product-Market Fit Program. Support includes customer discovery and market validation, MVP and product-market fit testing, go-to-market strategy, and introductions to potential pilots, partners and investors across TESLA’s European and African hubs. The recipient will be selected using TESLA Venture Studio’s methodology.
Who can join
Everyone, from anywhere in Portugal. Developers, designers, product people, students, career changers, and anyone who cares about the cause. Take part onsite in Lisbon or fully online. Come with a team or come solo.
What you’ll build
A working prototype or demo and a short pitch. No finished product needed. Show a realistic user journey, and be clear about what works today and what is still an idea.
How the week works
Sat 7 Nov: Release of the study materials
Mon 9 Nov, 10:00–12:00: Kickoff and challenge presentation at the Portugal Tech Week Palace, also open online
Mon–Thu: Hybrid work, onsite or online, with mentors available to help
Thu 12 Nov, 21:00: Submit your results for pre-review
Fri 13 Nov, 17:30–20:00: Final pitches at the Palace, also open online
Where
Online from anywhere in Portugal
Onsite at the Portugal Tech Week Palace.
Both the kickoff and the final pitches can be followed online, so you won’t miss a moment wherever you are.
Spots are limited.
Register now and help build something that matters.
This page last updated Friday 6 November 2026 at 01:03.
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