At the Ireland Portugal Business Network (IPBN), we chose partnerships as our guiding theme for 2025—not just as a concept, but as a commitment to action. Just six months into the year, that commitment is already bearing fruit.

From academic collaborations and enterprise connections to international conferences and cultural initiatives, the partnerships we’re building are creating tangible value for our members. They’re expanding the reach and impact of the network across both Ireland and Portugal and helping us deliver on our mission to connect the right people in the right places.

Here’s a look at the partnerships we’ve proudly forged and celebrated so far this year.

In February, we were delighted to announce a new academic partnership with Porto Business School, signed at the end of January. This agreement is focused on bringing Irish students and business leaders into conversation with Porto’s Innovation X Hub, where executive programs in tourism, sustainability, and artificial intelligence offer valuable opportunities for Irish businesses to learn and grow. With leadership from Vice Dean Luís Garrido Marques and the support of our IPBN Porto chair John Paul Prior, we are working to create stronger academic and business synergies between our two countries.

In March, our members in Porto had the chance to connect with a delegation from Invest Northern Ireland, thanks to the “Leadership Team Ambition to Scale” programme. This special lunch event at Porto Business School introduced client companies from NI to our network, laying the groundwork for a lasting relationship. We’re already planning a Members Meet Members event in Belfast for the second half of the year.

Another milestone was reached in June during our Dublin conference, when we formalized a partnership between the Guinness Enterprise Centre (GEC) and our Algarve-based partner, the Algarve Systems and Technology Partnership (STP). This initiative is focused on driving investment in industrial digitization and building strong innovation ecosystems in both regions. We were pleased to welcome Jessica Costa from Algarve STP to mark the occasion.

In February, we co-hosted a Members Meet Members networking event with our long-time academic partner, University College Dublin. The gathering, held at the UCD University Club Café, brought together business professionals, academics, and government representatives to explore collaboration opportunities. Notable attendees included H.E. Bernardo Lucena, Ambassador of Portugal to Ireland, and Luís Reis, Economic and Commercial Counsellor. This event reinforced our shared goal of bridging business and academic spheres for mutual benefit.

In June, we supported a visit from the Quantic School of Business and Technology, based in Washington, D.C., by helping coordinate a visit to United Lisbon Education Hub. The visit, organized with the help of IPBN member Prabha Rathinasabapathy, was a chance to introduce Quantic’s MBA students to one of Lisbon’s most forward-thinking education centers, and to explore potential long-term partnerships.

We also announced a major cultural partnership with the ART&TUR International Tourism Film Festival. As the largest event of its kind in the world, this year’s edition will be held in Fundão, Portugal, from September 9 to 12. Thanks to this partnership, the winning films will be showcased at our own 4th Annual Tourism Conference in Lisbon this autumn, giving our members exclusive insight into global tourism trends and creative work. Several members have already applied to the festival’s competition, along with the IPBN itself.

Lastly, we were honored to partner with the city of Coimbra for the 2025 edition of the Coimbra Invest Summit on July 3. The summit brought together leading figures from the Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra iParque, Instituto Pedro Nunes, and more. IPBN members joined the full-day event as part of an organized delegation, reinforcing our goal of fostering regional development and international collaboration in one of Portugal’s most dynamic cities.

Each of these initiatives reflects our belief that partnerships are not just a strategic theme for 2025—they are the core of what we do. By connecting people, promoting innovation, and opening new pathways for business, we are working to make this year a meaningful step forward for all our members.

To learn more about our ongoing partnerships and how to get involved, visit our Partners Page.