ProChild CoLAB

What ProChild CoLAB does

ProChild CoLAB is a Portuguese private non-profit association recognized by FCT as a Collaborative Laboratory since November 2018, headquartered in Guimarães, Portugal. Its mission is to combat child poverty and social exclusion through a transdisciplinary scientific approach that combines social intervention with digital technology. The organization operates through two main R&D+I units (Social Intervention and Technological Development & Biology) and two knowledge transfer units (Academia ProChild for training and ProChild Data for observatory functions), structured around six thematic axes: Health and Well-being, Development and Education, Social Participation, Protection, Digital Technologies, and Biology and Development.

The organization runs a network of Living Labs (Protection, Health and Well-being, Pevidém, and Childcare operating across 8 crèches in 4 cities) that develop and validate intervention models through co-creation with municipalities, families, and professionals. Its technology stack includes the Horus Center data center, the ProChild Data observatory with Big Data infrastructure, ProChildForms for data collection, an SSO authentication service, and a Big Data Repository. AI/ML applications include machine learning algorithms for adoption matching at Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa and semantic data integration tools developed within the Health from Portugal (HfPT) consortium's Work Package 4 on data integration and sharing.

ProChild CoLAB operates a grant-based non-profit business model with no commercial pricing, funded through Portugal's Recovery and Resilience Plan (~€2.18M, 2023-2026), the European Social Fund (~€1.94M, 2019-2022), and the HfPT consortium (~€400K, 2021-2026). It serves a diverse stakeholder base including children and families (primary beneficiaries), public sector institutions, universities, private foundations, and social sector professionals across Portugal, with limited international research presence through five pan-European COST Action networks.

Name

ProChild CoLAB

Legal name

ProChild CoLAB Against Poverty and Social Exclusion – Association

Website

https://prochildcolab.pt

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Short description

ProChild CoLAB is a Portuguese non-profit collaborative laboratory that combines transdisciplinary research, Living Labs, digital tools, and machine learning to combat child poverty and promote children's welfare across municipalities in Portugal.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Child welfare research and social intervention services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720), Child and Youth Services (624110), Child and Youth Services (62411), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Maternal, Child & Family Health Program Funding (HLAJALAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning (MEL) & Reporting for Donor Programs (BPADAOAL), Developmental Screening & Assessment (0–5) (EDACAFAA), Donor Coordination, Monitoring & Evaluation (MEL) Programs (BPADABAN)

Keywords

• Child welfare research
• Social intervention programs
• Living lab methodology
• Data observatory services
• Professional training academy

Headquarters

HQ city

Guimarães

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

ProChild CoLAB is a Portuguese non-profit Collaborative Laboratory that conducts transdisciplinary scientific research, designs and operates social-intervention programs (Living Labs), and builds digital tools and data platforms to combat child poverty and social exclusion in Portugal. Its deliverables include validated intervention models, professional training, a child-welfare data observatory, decision-support systems, and digital infrastructure used by public institutions, academia, and private partners.

Product overview

ProChild CoLAB operates as a multi-platform organization offering a comprehensive suite of products and services at the intersection of child welfare and technology. The portfolio includes two major knowledge transfer platforms (Academia ProChild for training and ProChild Data for data observatory functions), specialized digital infrastructure (Horus Center data center and Big Data Repository), operational tools (ProChildForms, SSO), and Living Labs for applied research in protection, health, education, and community development. The organization also develops AI/ML applications including Machine Learning algorithms for decision support in social intervention contexts, particularly in child adoption matching. An advocacy component (Pacto para a Infância) complements the scientific and technological offerings through public engagement and policy initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ProChild Data Observatory A data observatory and decision-support system that aggregates, integrates and facilitates access to data and indicators on children's reality in Portugal, providing policymakers, professionals and organizations with evidence-based insights.
• Academia ProChild A training, development and scientific-knowledge-promotion platform offering catalog courses, customized training for partner entities, consulting services and learning programs for children, families, professionals, teams and institutions.
• Horus Center A state-of-the-art data centre enabling large-scale tests, simulations and prototyping of new technologies, supporting complex-system evaluation and innovation at the interface of technological development and social intervention.
• ProChildForms A digital platform for data collection and form management supporting ProChild CoLAB's research and intervention projects, ensuring fidelity in program implementation and facilitating intra/inter-team communication.
• Big Data Repository A Big Data infrastructure platform (Repositório Big Data ProChild) enabling high-speed, real-time data processing and interconnecting data from various sources and contexts related to children's welfare in Portugal.
• Living Lab Proteção (Protection Living Lab) A Living Lab developing and implementing integrated assessment and intervention models for the Child Protection System, including digitization platforms, desmaterialization tools and evidence-based guidelines for public-policy influence.
• Living Lab Saúde e Bem-Estar (Health and Well-being Living Lab) A Living Lab focused on action-research projects promoting children's physical and mental health (ages 0-10), developing prevention programmes and creating digital platforms and technological prototypes.
• Living Lab Pevidém A territorial Living Lab promoting children's rights through integrated social and urban practices, community-learning territories, and interdisciplinary interventions in disadvantaged communities.
• Living Lab de Creches (Childcare Living Lab) A Living Lab operating in 8 nurseries across Portugal (Guimarães, Porto, Aveiro and Lisboa), implementing the DEC (Development and Education in Nursery) professional-development model for quality pedagogical practices with children aged 0-3.
• Machine Learning for Adoption Matching Machine-learning algorithms developed to support decision-making in the adoption-matching process at Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa, optimizing the placement of children with adoptive families.
• Health from Portugal (HfPT) WP4 A health-technology research project contributing to data integration, interpretation and sharing through terminology servers, ontology frameworks, health dashboard development and data lake connectors, as part of the HfPT consortium.
• Pacto para a Infância (Pact for Childhood) A public petition initiative calling for children to be treated as a national priority in Portugal, structured around four pillars: social inclusion/combat of child poverty, prevention/protection, child participation in rights promotion, and policy coordination.

Quantifiable outcome

• Childcare Living Lab operating in 8 crèches across 4 Portuguese cities (Guimarães, Porto, Aveiro, Lisboa)
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature13 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HfPT Consortium (Health from Portugal)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 202188-member consortium aiming to position Portugal as a global hub for advanced health solutions. ProChild CoLAB participates as co-promoter in WP4 (Integration, Interpretation and Data Sharing), developing semantic data integration tools, clinical dashboard frameworks, and data lake connectors. Consortium total investment: €90M, with €70M EU incentive.
• Universidade do MinhocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2018Founding partner of ProChild CoLAB. Key entities involved include the School of Psychology, Institute of Education, School of Law, School of Economics and Management, Centre for Research in Psychology (CIPsi), Centre for Research in Child Studies (CIEC-UM), and JusGov-Uminho. Contributes academic expertise in child development, psychology, education, and law.
• Universidade do PortocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2018Academic partner contributing through the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences (FPCEUP) and Centre for Psychology at the University of Porto (CPUP). Provides expertise in psychology and educational sciences research.
• Universidade de CoimbracoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2018Academic partner contributing through the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences (FPCEUC), Centre for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention, and Centro de Estudos Sociais (CES) - a recognized Associated Laboratory.
• Universidade de AveirocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2018Academic partner contributing through CIDTFF (Centre for Didactics and Technology in Trainer Education) and ID+ (Research Institute in Design, Media and Culture).
• Faculdade de Psicologia da Universidade de LisboacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2018Academic partner contributing through CICPSI (Centre for Research in Psychological Science). Provides expertise in psychology and cognitive science at world-class level.
• Universidade Católica PortuguesacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2018Academic partner contributing through the Faculty of Education and Psychology, Católica Porto Business School/Faculty of Economics and Management (CPBS/FEG), Centre for Research for Human Development (CEDH), and Centre for Management and Economics Studies (CEGE).
• Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto (ISPUP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2018Academic partner contributing through ITR (Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health), providing public health expertise.
• Centro de Computação Gráfica (CCG/ZGDV)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 November 2018Non-profit technology institute providing scientific-technological capabilities and multidisciplinary R&D services. Contributes digital infrastructure expertise (Horus Center) and technology development.
• Câmara Municipal de GuimarãescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the oldest associates of ProChild CoLAB. Municipal government contributing to territorial projects including the Pevidém Territory of Learning and Living Lab, and monitoring of the 'Guimarães Cidade Amiga das Crianças' UNICEF program.
• Câmara Municipal de CascaiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal government partner contributing to community-based child welfare projects including the CoAction Against Adversity mental health program in Cascais municipality.
• Santa Casa da Misericórdia de LisboacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFive-century-old social institution of private law with public utility status. Key partner in child protection and adoption projects, including the ML-based matching system for adoption. Rui Godinho serves on ProChild CoLAB's Board.
• DST GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering and construction group (operating since 1940) active in sustainability and social responsibility. José Teixeira, DST's representative, serves as Chair of ProChild CoLAB's General Assembly.
• Fundação Vasco Vieira de AlmeidacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation focused on education for citizenship and human rights promotion. Fernando Resina represents the foundation on ProChild CoLAB's Board.
• Fundação Belmiro de AzevedocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation focused on education promotion, social inclusion, equality of opportunity, and biodiversity projects. Miguel Mota Freitas represents the foundation on ProChild CoLAB's Board.
• Irmãos RodriguesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily-owned textile manufacturer with over 35 years of experience, known for quality, transparency, and sustainability. Contributes corporate social responsibility expertise.
• F3M Information Systems S.A.coreTechnology or IntegrationOne of the largest Portuguese IT companies, specializing in vertical market software (social economy, optics, textile industry, health units). Provides technology development and implementation services for ProChild CoLAB digital platforms.
• Oeiras Valley / Câmara Municipal de OeirasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject supported by Câmara Municipal de Oeiras aimed at creating an innovation ecosystem, attracting technology companies and investments to the municipality.
• UNICEF PortugalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepresented by Beatriz Imperatori on ProChild CoLAB's Superior Council. Key international partner contributing to child rights advocacy and the 'Guimarães Cidade Amiga das Crianças' municipal program.
• EAPN Portugal (European Anti-Poverty Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepresented by Maria José Vicente on ProChild CoLAB's Superior Council. Contributes expertise in anti-poverty policies and social exclusion combat.
• Fundação Brazelton Gomes PedrocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepresented by João Gomes Pedro on ProChild CoLAB's Superior Council. Contributes expertise in child development and parenting support.
• Instituto de Apoio à CriançacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepresented by Matilde Sirgado on ProChild CoLAB's Superior Council. Contributes child welfare and protection expertise.
• COST Action CA19106 (Euro-CAN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean research network on Multisectoral Responses to Child Abuse and Neglect in Europe - Incidence and Trends. ProChild CoLAB participates in this pan-European COST Action.
• COST Action CA22111 (ENVIRO-DEV)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean consortium to determine how complex real-world environments influence brain development. ProChild CoLAB participates in this pan-European network.
• COST Action CA22114 (TREASURE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean research network on Maternal Perinatal Stress and Adverse Outcomes in the Offspring. ProChild CoLAB participates in this pan-European COST Action.
• COST Action CA18138 (Riseup-PPD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch, Innovation and Sustainable Pan-European Network in Peripartum Depression Disorder. ProChild CoLAB participates with projects BabiesduringCOVID and MomsDuringCOVID.
• COST Action CA18211 (DEVoTION)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerinatal Mental Health and Birth-Related Trauma: Maximising best practice and optimal outcomes. ProChild CoLAB participates in this pan-European COST Action.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Child Trends: US-based non-profit research organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and families through rigorous data, research, and policy analysis. Highly comparable to ProChild CoLAB as a non-profit research entity combining evidence generation, data observatories, and policy advisory work targeted at children's well-being.
• Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago: Research and policy center focused on child and family well-being, producing data-driven research used by public agencies, policymakers, and service providers. Directly comparable to ProChild CoLAB in missions (child welfare research), funding model (public-private grants), and outputs (data infrastructure, policy advisory, training programs).
• Centro de Estudos Sociais (CES) - University of Coimbra: Portuguese Associated Laboratory recognized by FCT conducting transdisciplinary research on social issues, including child welfare. Comparable as a Portuguese research collaborative closely tied to a founding university, with multi-stakeholder governance and public/mission-driven research focus.
• Bernard van Leer Foundation: Private foundation focused on early childhood development and well-being, funding research, evidence-based programs, and policy advocacy. Comparable to ProChild CoLAB as a child welfare-focused organization that combines grantmaking/funding activity, applied research, and policy advocacy for children aged 0 and up.
• UNICEF Office of Research - Innocenti: UNICEF's dedicated research arm producing comparative research on child well-being and rights across countries. Comparable to ProChild CoLAB given the shared focus on child welfare research, international policy influence, and child-welfare data, though operating at a multi-country rather than national scale.
• CIEC - Centro de Investigação em Estudos da Criança (University of Minho): University of Minho research centre dedicated to child studies, with overlapping academic founders and a shared focus on child development research. Directly comparable to ProChild CoLAB's research mandate and even has personnel overlap (CIEC-UM is a referenced partner).

Regional players

• European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN Portugal): Portuguese branch of the European Anti-Poverty Network, represented on ProChild's Superior Council. Comparable as a Portuguese NGO focused on anti-poverty advocacy, social inclusion, and policy influence, with overlapping themes (child poverty, social exclusion) though network-based rather than research-led.
• Junta de Freguesia de Pevidém / Município de Guimarães: Municipal partner of ProChild CoLAB running the Pevidém Territory of Learning and the Guimarães 'Cidade Amiga das Crianças' UNICEF program. Comparable as a regional local-government actor implementing child-friendly policies, though at a different scale and governance level.

Broad incumbents

• Centro de Computação Gráfica (CCG): Non-profit Portuguese technology institute providing R&D services across multiple sectors, and a core ProChild CoLAB partner that hosts the Horus Center digital infrastructure. Comparable as a collaborative lab structure with broad R&D services but classified as broader in scope than ProChild's child-welfare focus.
• Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian: Major Portuguese private foundation with broad programming in arts, education, science, and social development, and host of ProChild's 1st International Meeting. Comparable as a foundation partner with social welfare funding and convening function, though significantly larger and broader in scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCFKZ7d7vukUWOQ3CurDyRbw
• Facebookfacebook.com/ProChild-CoLab-Against-Child-Poverty-and-Social-Exclusion-1687168358082554
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/prochild-colab
• Instagraminstagram.com/prochild.colab

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ProChild CoLAB