This week on the roundup: unfortunate events, upcoming masterclasses, digital roadmaps, solidarity, launches, tourism revenue, conferences, nominations, web design, passion, branding, tee times, sponsorship, finalists, smooth delivery, navigation, savings, solutions, wealth, knowledge, representation, international talent, recognition, travel, invitations, and more!

But first, here are the IPBN Highlights of the month

We welcome you back with sad news. It is with profound regret that we mark the passing at the start of August of James Anthony Boyle — known to many as Tony, or simply “Boyler” — the founder and former Chairman of the Ireland Portugal Business Network. Tony passed away peacefully at the age of 73, leaving behind a legacy of courage, connection, and conviction. Read more about Tony here. 

Check all our upcoming and confirmed events online and in person starting September 19 from 10h to 11h with a compelling and practical online Masterclass with IPBN member Carlos Justino, entitled "Smart Growth on Social Media: Strategies, Trends and AI-Powered Automation.” Registration is open here.

And now...

IPBN Executive Partner Ardanis invites you to accelerate your organisation’s digital transformation with support from the IDA Ireland Business Development Programme. "Eligible companies can access substantial grant funding—up to €300,000—towards consulting costs to drive competitiveness, innovation, and growth. This IDA Digitisation grant offers funding to help organisations develop and deliver a strategic digital roadmap. Ardanis, approved on the IDA’s consultants’ panel, is here to guide your leadership team at every step–from defining strategic goals to mapping processes and developing your digital blueprint."

IPBN Partner Joana Apolonio ABC wants you to save the date: October 25, 2025. "The Algarve Biomedical Center is pleased to announce the 4th Edition of the Solidarity Walk and Run 'Mama em Movimento'. The event will take place on October 25th, 2025, starting at MAR Shopping Algarve in Loulé. This initiative aims to raise awareness about breast cancer prevention, while also supporting two vital institutions in the fight against cancer. All proceeds will be donated to AOA and LPCC-NRS. Registration will be open soon!" For more information, please contact Joana at: mamamovimento10@gmail.com.

From IPBN Partner Essential Business published a story: Revolut launches branch in Portugal with Portuguese IBAN. "In a bid to consolidate its position in the Portuguese market, the digital neo bank fintech Revolut is to open a branch in Lisbon offering Multibanco, IBAN PT services and interest on deposits." Also, they published another story that read, "Portugal set to make €30Bn in tourism revenues this year forecasts Secretary of State for Tourism. Tourism is one of the great drivers of the Portuguese economy, representing 11% of the country’s GDP, hosting 32 million tourists per year, spending a collective €80 million on overnight stays in hotels, holiday lets, bed and breakfast accommodation, and guest houses up and down the country, and bringing in revenues of almost €28Bn."

IPBN member Sam Marchetti of ConsortiaCo launched an AI Suite for B2B & Government Growth. He posted, "ConsortiaCo has launched three powerful AI toolkits to streamline business growth: 1. eTenders.AI – Draft winning tenders & grants in just 2 hours. 2. LeadHack.io – Generate high-quality B2B leads with precision targeting. 3. CFOx – Automate financial planning, governance & pricing models. These tools are available with up to €5,000 support via the LEO Digital for Business Scheme." Email sam@consortiaco.io for all the details.

On that note, the IPBN invites you to save the date: Oct 22 in the morning, followed by a light lunch. This will be the 4th edition of the IPBN Tourism conference, this year in Lisbon, which will be announced soon. 

IPBN member IN2 Engineering's tour of Trinity College Dublin with delegates from the BCO conference went very well. They posted, "This building showcases a number of engineering solutions from natural ventilation and simplified building systems to low-energy LED lighting. Post-handover, we continue to analyse the energy data to ensure the optimisation of outputs. Just some of the solutions and services provided by IN2, which make this building sustainable and unique."

IPBN member Career Training Internships is proud to share that they have been nominated in four categories at this year’s Cork Digital Marketing Awards. "It’s great to see our digital presence across the website and social platforms recognised. Huge credit to our small team doing big things!"

IPBN member FAmazing developed the Hotel Vitória's new website! According to the team, "It was designed to offer a fluid, elegant and user-centred digital experience. With intuitive navigation and a fully responsive design, we've made the booking process simple and straightforward — on any device. The result is an online presence that reinforces the hotel's identity and converts visits into bookings effectively." 

IPBN member Ronan Holohan shared, "I'm absolutely delighted to have been the interior architects and brand designers for this fantastic project. Creating a new vision for Eatzen with our fabulous client and a passionate and driven project team to make it all happen." 

IPBN member Alice Downing of Glandore said, "Attention Golfers! We are thrilled to invite you to book your tee time for the Annual Glandore Charity Golf Day in support of The Irish Youth Foundation. We have been working with the Irish Youth Foundation for a number of years now and continue to be impressed by the amazing work that they do for the youth across the island of Ireland. Every child deserves a fair shot. Date: Friday, August 29th 2025. Tee Times: 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM."

IPBN member ArcAirTech is delighted to be a corporate sponsor and exhibitor at the NRLA’s UK Housing Conference 2025! 5th November 2025. Exhibition Centre Liverpool. They posted, "We’ll also be hosting a breakout session on mould in homes, sharing real-world insights into preventing mould, improving air quality and protecting both tenants and properties. This one-day conference is packed with expert-led sessions on legislation, investment strategies, and more! plus valuable opportunities to connect with landlords, letting agents and property professionals from across the UK."

IPBN Partner Cork Chamber sent sincere congratulations to Cathal McSweeney and all of their friends and colleagues in Cork Chamber who have been nominated as finalists in the prestigious World Chambers Competition. "As one of only four finalists in the ‘Best Collaboration of Chambers, Business and Government’ category, Cork Chamber will present its project at the upcoming 14th World Chambers Congress in Melbourne this September, where winners will be announced."

IPBN member VMotion IT Solutions asked, "Why are companies switching to Jira Service Management? A new commissioned study by Forrester reveals the impact - and it’s big. $2.3 million in savings over three years. Improved collaboration. Enhanced visibility. And smoother service delivery flow. At VMotion IT Solutions, we see firsthand how Jira Service Management transforms operations - not just cutting costs, but empowering teams to work smarter across the entire service lifecycle. Explore with us the findings and see how you can benefit."

IPBN member Heritage Hotel Group posted, "Former Hotel do Imperio paying honour to its Architects. On August 13th, the birthday of Cassiano Branco, Hotel Britania invited to discover the "Architects' Room." Room 61 is a space dedicated to the architects who designed the Hotel Britania building, but also to all those who have stayed at this hotel from its inauguration in 1944 to the present day. Cassiano Branco designed this building in 1942, then called Hotel do Império. It was an innovative building, particularly in its interior, where an aparthotel-style solution was created: on the first floors, 30 small apartments with a living room, bedroom, and bathroom, and on the ground floor, a large hall with a reception, concierge, telephones, support facilities, and a garden. Find out more about the Heritage Group here."

IPBN member Tony Redondo, on August 18, shared that "the latest UBS Wealth Report shows that global wealth amounts to USD 471 trillion, with the USA contributing 35%, China 19%, Japan 4.5%, just ahead of the UK, Germany, and France. Europe, comprising the EU, UK, Switzerland, Norway, and Turkey, accounts for 22% with 80% of the world’s wealth divided between the USA, China, Europe, and Japan."

IPBN member GEOPALM shared, "Summer brought us international talent. Alex and Kinga came from Poland for a summer internship at GEOPALM- Engineering Consulting — and they left their mark! During these weeks, we shared knowledge, experiences and reinforced what we believe in: growing as a team is always the best way. GEOPALM® continues to have its doors open to training and innovation."

IPBN member Druid Sport posted that "Last week, a senior Druid Sport delegation: Diarmuid Crowley (CEO), Tim Crowley and Luís Duarte, travelled to Beijing to meet with our China team led by Barbara Zhang with colleagues Yin Hao, Yang Wang and Boyuan Xing, following our landmark appointment as the exclusive commercial representative of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) in China.

IPBN member Cheryl Smith is thrilled to share that Figs on the Funcho has been recognised by the World Luxury Travel Awards 2025 as offering a “one-of-a-kind, sustainable glamping experience in Portugal’s Algarve region!

IPBN member Quinta dos Vales said, "The work of an entire year in the vineyard comes together in just a few weeks of harvest. At Quinta dos Vales this is done by hand, with the effort of our dedicated team, carefully picking and working the grapes, from sunrise to sunset."

IPBN member Silvia Correia thanked the Rotaract Club Universidade do Porto for the invitation. "This is an invitation that I accepted with great pleasure because I will be able to talk about the impact of re.store in its 3 dimensions: People via social inclusion, Planet via material reuse, Pedagogy for change. Registration is open to the public."