For Founders & Business Owners

3 Best AI Courses for Entrepreneurs in Portugal

Most AI courses are built for developers or aspiring data scientists. But what if you're a founder, CEO, or business owner who just wants to use AI tools to work faster? Here are the three best options in Portugal for entrepreneurs who want practical skills, not theory.

Last updated: September 2026

1CoLab Lisbon — Claude AI for Business

In-person in Lisbon · Small cohorts · 1-2 day workshops · Beginner-friendly

CoLab Lisbon is purpose-built for entrepreneurs. Taught by Chelsea Rustrum — a 2× TEDx speaker and founder who's trained 200+ business owners — courses focus on immediate, practical results. No coding background required.

What you'll build:

AI automations that save hours per week
Custom AI agents for your specific business workflows
Content and marketing tools powered by Claude
Systems for client onboarding, research, and operations

Who's in the room: Founders, CEOs, executives, consultants, coaches, property developers, lawyers, doctors — people running real businesses who want an edge.

Why it's #1: The only AI course in Portugal specifically designed for non-technical business owners. Small cohorts (usually 8-15 people), premium venues, and you leave with working tools — not just knowledge. Rated 4.9/5.

See upcoming CoLab courses →

2Startup Lisboa — AI & Innovation Workshops

Startup-focused · Occasional workshops · Free or low-cost

Startup Lisboa occasionally hosts AI-focused workshops and events for their community of founders. These tend to be shorter (half-day or evening) and focus on how startups can incorporate AI into their products and operations.

What you'll learn:

AI strategy for early-stage startups
How to evaluate and implement AI tools
Case studies from Portuguese startups using AI

Best for: Early-stage startup founders who are already part of the Startup Lisboa ecosystem. Less hands-on than CoLab, but free/low-cost and good for networking.

3Executive AI Programs — NOVA, Católica, ISCTE

Academic · Part-time · Multi-week programs

Portuguese business schools offer executive education programs on AI and digital transformation. These are longer commitments (weeks to months) and focus more on strategy and management than hands-on tools.

What you'll learn:

AI strategy and organizational change
Managing AI projects and teams
Business cases and frameworks

Best for: Corporate executives who need academic credentials and have time/budget for longer programs. Less practical for founders who want to immediately use AI themselves.

What Entrepreneurs Actually Need from AI Training

❌ Not: Machine learning theory, Python coding, data science certifications

✓ Yes: How to use Claude/ChatGPT to draft emails, analyze documents, automate tasks

✓ Yes: Building simple automations that save 5-10 hours per week

✓ Yes: Hands-on practice with someone who can answer your specific questions

✓ Yes: A network of other business owners using AI

Ready to actually use AI in your business?

Join CoLab's next course.

Small cohorts. In-person in Lisbon. Built for founders and business owners. Leave with working AI tools.

See upcoming courses →