The Ireland Portugal Business Network was delighted to host the 3rd edition of our annual Innovation Conference, taking place on Thursday, 18 June 2026, from 9h to 13h at the Guinness Enterprise Centre in Dublin, followed by a light networking lunch.
This year’s theme, “Food, Health and Wellness” brought together industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers from Ireland and Portugal to explore how science, technology, and collaboration are shaping the future of food systems and human health.
Through a series of engaging panel discussions, the conference highlighted opportunities for cross-border partnership, innovation, and sustainable growth across the food and wellness sectors.
- Developing evidence-based nutritional solutions that enhance human health, performance, and longevity. Science-driven wellness for modern lifestyles, transforming the future of FoodTech and Health.
- From the land to the table - A panel conversation around bringing quality assured food to your table while making a real difference to those who produce it.
- Export development, business strategy, and international market entry for Food & Drink start-ups and SMEs.
It was a great opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with key players in the sector, from both countries, IPBN Executive Partners, and IPBN members on an important topic “Food & Health”.
The conference highlighted the work done on the above mentioned topics in Ireland and Portugal with guest speakers from both countries in order to develop partnership and cooperation between the two countries for a better future from an environmental, social, sustainable and economic aspects.
There was plenty of time to network.
Special thank you to our sponsors:
Revive Active - Founded in 2011, Revive Active is one of the most loved & most trusted brands in the Irish market. Revive Active offers a range of premium super supplements in convenient powdered form, designed to provide comprehensive support for people at every stage of life. You will be able to sample their products during the breaks.
Nick's Coffee - What began as a cozy shack in Ranelagh has now blossomed into a beloved local treasure with three coffee shops, between Dublin and Wicklow including a bustling bakery in Wicklow Town. You will be able to enjoy their products and service at the coffee break they are kindly offering- More info on the picture below.
The event was open to members and non members.
PROGRAMME
0830 Registration and Welcome coffee
0915 Welcome – Geoffrey Graham, Chair of the IPBN Board & Niamh Collins, General Manager, Guinness Enterprise Center
0930 Keynote Statement – Paul O'Connor, Founder & CEO at This is Seaweed Ltd. Paul is the Founder and CEO of Seaweed Ltd and is based at the NovaUCD Innovation and Research Center here in Dublin. Paul wll tell us about his real case study of Innovation and Sustainability. Two major themes for us at the IPBN.
1000 Panel 1 – Food Tech and Health – A panel conversation with guest speakers:
- Nicola Sainty – Revive active, Nutritional Therapist, Educator, Freelance tutor at The School of Health. The Galway Natural Health Company Revive Active commenced trading in July 2011 with a vision to design, develop, manufacture and market cutting edge health products.
- Paul O'Connor, Founder & CEO at This is Seaweed Ltd., Nova UCD
- Moderated by IPBN member Kayleigh-Ann Ní Mhaoilmhuire, Head of ESG, Lawler Sustainability
1045 Panel 2 – From the land to the table - Bringing quality assured food to your table while making a real difference to those who produce it. A conversation with:
- Cláudia Silva Mataloto– Cascais Food Lab
- Valerie McHugh & Nick Seymour from Nick's Coffee Co Ltd – LEO
- Margaret Dineen - Founder Blue Sky Food Consulting & Irish Food
Trade Connect Forum. - Moderated by Gerald Lennon, Entrepreneur & Food industry advisor with a career spanning
Kerry Group operations across Ireland, New Zealand, and China.
1130 Sponsors introduction – 5min Pitch each
1145 Coffee Break offered by Nicks Coffee Co Ltd
1215 Panel 3 – Food Chain Food & Drink – A Panel conversation about Export development, business strategy, and international market entry for Food & Drink start-ups and SMEs with IPBN members and guest speaker:
- Yvonne Scully – Food Entrepreneur, Business Angel Investor, and Export Development Consultant. Yvonne supports scaling Food & Drink companies through export-led growth, delivering expertise in business strategy and international market entry.
- Patrick FitzGerald, Founder and CEO of Beotanics Ltd and co-founder of Nativaland Lda and a Board Member of Bord Bia – The Irish Food Board
- Guillaume Hernoux - Digital Transformation Advisor – Food & Beverage Manufacturing.
- Moderated by IPBN member from the UAlg TEC Campus, Carlos Justino, Witf
1300 Networking with light lunch
1400 End
Book your place
18th June 2026
Anyone purchasing IPBN Member Tickets must have valid IPBN Membership on the day of the event. To purchase membership go to Join us. To check your membership status contact arnold.delville@ireland-portugal.com.
