Who We Are

IDEA, the Institute for Development and Innovation in Technology, is a leading research and innovation center based in Madeira, Portugal. As a member-driven association, we foster strong connections across diverse fields to develop transformative technological solutions. Our experienced team of experts specializes in digital transformation, creating cutting-edge solutions that advance industrial digitalization and cultivate people-centered communities. Through innovation and collaboration, we are building a more sustainable, connected, and intelligent future.

Our Mission

IDEA's mission is to drive research and innovation by applying digital technologies to key sectors, including health and well-being, sustainable smart cities, next-generation tourism, and maritime systems management. We are committed to developing cutting-edge solutions and forging strategic partnerships to achieve this.

Our Vision

IDEA envisions a future where digital technologies empower thriving communities and drive sustainable progress across all sectors. We strive to be a European leader in fostering impactful innovation, shaping a world where technology enhances human potential and addresses critical societal challenges.

Our Values & Impact

At IDEA, we do more than research - we translate it into tangible innovation to deliver real-world impact.

Our Fundamental Values:

• 💡 Innovation: Pioneering technology-driven solutions, constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible through agile R&D.
• 🤝 Collaboration: Actively engaging with key stakeholders like academia, industry, and government, maximizing collective intelligence and knowledge sharing.
• 🌱 Sustainability: Driving responsible and impactful digital transformation, prioritizing ethical AI, data privacy, and environmentally sound practices.
• 🏅 Excellence: Striving for excellence and continuous improvement to deliver real-world impact through cutting-edge research and development.

Our Real-World Impact:

• 🏆 Leading the Madeira Digital Health & Wellbeing initiative demonstrating our commitment to improving lives through digital innovation.
• 🏆 Deploying 2,500+ digital health devices and collection of over 6 million health observations showcasing the scale and impact of our work in healthcare.
• 🏆 European Leadership through active participation in major EU-funded projects (e.g., SMART BEAR, TeleRehab DSS, HOLOBALANCE) contributing to cutting-edge advancements on a European scale.