InterGen Innovators

Learn. Hack. Intern.

Join our unique Intergenerational Program to bridge the tech industry generation gap. Dive into AI and VR, connect with mentors, and collaborate on innovative solutions to solve problem in AgeTech. Whether you’re a student or a senior, gain hands-on experience and valuable insights with industry mentors. Intergenerational internship opportunities are available.

Be part of this transformative journey by joining as a mentor to guide and inspire participants with your expertise.

Mission

  • Connect. Share. Learn.
  • We provide a community to build intergenerational connections for mutual learning: entrepreneurs and young tech minds join forces with senior wisdom and skills.
  • We aim to help close the generational gap in the region’s fast-growing cloud, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR).
  • Reintegrating retirees to the workforce for purposeful lives, income, student success, and business growth.

Why Join

  • Gain hands-on experience in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR) through collaborative projects.
  • Connect with mentors and learn valuable industry insights.
  • Secure intergenerational internship opportunities.

Testimonials

Majority of the participants have landed internships or advisory roles after completing the workshop.

Shab Madina, Retiree

“After retiring from Hewlett-Packard, I joined the InterGen Innovators program to explore AI, despite feeling unsure about modern tools. The thoughtfully designed program not only helped me master platforms like ChatGPT but also reignited my passion for innovation through intergenerational collaboration. Now, I use my managerial experience and new AI skills to mentor startups—an opportunity made possible by InterGen Innovators’ commitment to lifelong learning and community empowerment.”

Maria Efstratiades, Retiree

“I love this project. I learned new skills and it was fun working with the students. I would be interested in participating in additional projects such as this project either as a mentor or a participant. Thank you for the opportunity.”

Gabrial Bain, Working Professional

“Really enjoyed the course and the projects as well as being able to use the tools was great in learning in a hands on way! I definitely picked up a lot of cool stuff that I can tell you will make me for sure implement much more AI in my day to day life and professional life

Tam Do, Student

“I don’t have any background in tech, there was a lot of learning from this program..”

Salil Apte, Student

“It is a good initiative – i liked the weekly meetings and breakout sessions.”

Swarna Bindu Muddigari, Student

“I learnt many new things from this six-week program. Thank you for the opportunity.

6-Day Bootcamp

  Requires 3–4 hours of self-paced learning and a 1-hour call over the first 5 days, followed by a 6–7 hour hackathon and pitch session on Day 6.  
 
 

Day 1 : Kickoff & Team Building

Forming intergenerational pairs to learn together, bridging generational gaps, and creating connections.

Day 2-5: Learning

Learn: basics of AI and machine learning, prompt engineering, image generation, and chatbots.

Day 6: Hackathon & Quick Pitch

One week for building a project in intergenerational pairs. Present creation in front of judges. May earn internships.

6-Week Workshop

A brief look at our program structure. For more details, check out our Skilling page. 

Week 1 : Kickoff & Team Building
March 13th 2025

Forming intergenerational pairs to learn together, bridging generational gaps, and creating connections.

Week 2-5: Learning
March 20- April 10, 2025

Learn one of two tracks: AI and Machine Learning or Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality. 

Week 6: Hackathon & Quick Pitch
April 17, 2025

One week for building a project in intergenerational pairs. Present creation in front of judges. May earn internships.

Meet Our Program Manager

Farheen Taquee

Senior Program manager
Lantronix

Driven by a passion for innovation, Farheen is a seasoned Senior Program Manager who combines deep expertise in IoT with leadership in AI-powered solutions to revolutionize the automotive, healthcare, and engineering industries. With a strong foundation in electrical and computer engineering, she excels in managing cross-functional teams, streamlining processes, and delivering impactful, tech-forward results.

Meet Our Advisors

Yasmin Zahra Shah

Partner
360Ventures.AI
Yasmin Zahra Shah is a Board Member, Adviser, Executive Consultant, and Entrepreneur recognized for her unstoppable innovation and exceptional skills in Business/IT strategy, large-scale program management, and people management. With a diverse background spanning several industries, Yasmin excels in corporate strategy, management consulting, and technology leadership.

Annie Mathew

Asia Sales Director
Microsoft

Annie Mathew, also known as Annie Paul, is an innovative and entrepreneurial executive with decades of cross-industry experience in Asia. She is an expert in leading technology adoption and transformation initiatives that enhance revenue, customer satisfaction, and productivity. Annie is a visionary and inclusive leader, known for building and mentoring high-performing teams and driving social impact. She serves as a board member of healthcare and startup non-profits and is a sought-after advisor and speaker for industry and government.

Neha G.

Senior AI Engineer
Microsoft
Neha is an AI Leader with over 14 years of experience in developing customer-focused products that transform businesses through optimal use of data and AI. Passionate about technology’s positive impact, she advocates for underrepresented groups and women’s empowerment through mentorship. She enjoys challenging herself, once launching a medical device company in three days after winning a startup challenge.

Arletty Pinel

Founder
Genos Global Consulting
Arletty Pinel is a globally recognized authority in translational innovation, specializing in bridging health, social development, and technology. As a silver economy evangelist, social entrepreneur, and angel investor, she is an influential figure in promoting longevity and the silver economy, particularly through her creation of E-Silver, an awarded community-based silver economy ecosystem. Arletty is also the organizer of the Iberoamerican Silver Economy Forum and leads the “Who says it’s too late?” campaign against ageism, actively promoting solutions across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Farah Bandukwala

Director Enterprise Architecture  USPS

Frequently Asked Questions

InterGen Innovators is a groundbreaking 6-week intergenerational program designed to bridge the tech industry generation gap. Students and seniors work side by side to learn about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR), collaborate on solving real-world problems, and create innovative solutions in AgeTech. The program combines education, mentorship, and practical experience to foster mutual understanding and skill-building across generations.

Our partnerships with tech giants help us keep our program free.

The program is ideal for:

  • Students: Individuals eager to learn AI, VR, and other emerging technologies while gaining hands-on experience and mentorship from industry leaders and seniors.

Seniors: Retirees or those transitioning into the next phase of life, looking to embrace new challenges, learn cutting-edge technology, and mentor younger generations.

Participants will learn:

  • The basics of AI, machine learning, and prompt engineering.
  • How to use cutting-edge tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Gemini, and Claude.
  • Practical applications of VR using tools like Unity and Unreal Engine.
  • How to collaborate across generations to solve real-world problems.

Asynchronous learning will require 4-5 hours per week, and synchronous learning will meet for 1 hours every week online to review what has been learned, host Q&A sessions, and engage in discussions with experts in the field. These meetings will generally meet on Thursdays from 5-6pm PST. The last week of the program will require 20 hours of work for the Hackathon and Quick Pitch presentation. 

The program runs over six weeks and includes:

  • Week 1: Orientation and Team Building
    • Participants are paired in intergenerational teams, setting goals and building connections.
  • Weeks 2-5: Learning Tracks
    • Explore AI and VR concepts, tools, and practical applications through weekly sessions.
  • Week 6: Hackathon and Quick Pitch
    • Teams develop innovative projects and pitch their solutions to a panel of judges for internship opportunities.

Participants benefit from:

  • Certification: Receive an industry-recognized certificate in AI and VR upon completion.
  • Internships: Gain access to intergenerational internship opportunities with AgeTech startups, corporations, and industry partners.

Mentorship: Work with expert mentors to develop technical and professional skills.

Students are integral to the program, bringing fresh perspectives and a willingness to learn. They:

  • Acquire in-demand skills in AI and VR.
  • Collaborate with seniors to develop innovative solutions.
  • Gain mentorship from industry experts and seniors with years of wisdom and experience.

Seniors bring their wisdom, life experience, and mentorship skills to the program. They:

  • Learn cutting-edge technologies to embrace the next chapter of their lives.
  • Serve as mentors and collaborators, guiding students in solving real-world problems.
  • Reintegrate into a dynamic workforce by contributing to AgeTech innovations.

Participants will:

  • Gain hands-on experience with the latest AI and VR tools.
  • Build meaningful intergenerational relationships.
  • Solve real-world AgeTech challenges and make a lasting impact.
  • Receive certificates that boost their resumes and career opportunities.
  • Compete in a hackathon for prizes, internships, and recognition.

In the final week, participants collaborate in their intergenerational teams to develop an innovative solution. They pitch their projects to a panel of judges, including industry leaders and startup founders. Winning teams receive prizes, internship offers, and valuable recognition.

Each Thursday from 5–6 PM PST, participants attend virtual classes to review lessons, ask questions, and receive guidance from expert mentors. These sessions ensure everyone progresses effectively and stays engaged.

As technology evolves, it’s crucial to bring together the wisdom and experience of older generations with the creativity and innovation of younger ones. InterGen Innovators fosters collaboration that bridges this gap, creating solutions that benefit seniors, caregivers, and society at large.

Applications are open now for the next cohort. Visit [link] to apply and learn more about how you can join this transformative journey.

InterGen Innovators welcomes participants of all skill levels, ensuring everyone can learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully. The program fosters a supportive and collaborative environment where diverse perspectives are valued.

The program aims to:

  • Equip participants with cutting-edge skills in AI and VR.
  • Solve AgeTech challenges through intergenerational collaboration.
  • Empower seniors to reintegrate into the workforce and students to kickstart their careers.
  • Foster innovation and mutual learning across generations.

By 2050, the global senior population will reach 1.5 billion, creating an urgent need for innovative solutions in aging and caregiving. InterGen Innovators prepares participants to tackle these challenges by developing impactful AgeTech solutions that enhance the quality of life for seniors.

InterGen Innovators embodies VillageCore’s mission to “Connect. Share. Learn.” By uniting generations through technology, the program fosters mutual learning, promotes innovation, and bridges the generation gap in the fast-evolving tech industry.