This week on the roundup: plans, spotlights, three practical Masterclasses, knowledge valorisation, important articles, optimizing circulation circuits, new houses, digital hubs in the Atlantic, shows and seminars, bottlenecks, achievements, anxiety, meaningful learning, heritage and hospitality, championships, challenges, panel conversations, mobile families, affirmations, ideas and transformation, mental bandwidth, new blogposts, catching up, proper washing, and more!

But first, here are the IPBN Highlights of the Week:

We welcomed everyone back by sharing our plan for the rest of the year.

In our latest Spotlight article, Mário Gago shares the story behind Pink Room, the thinking that drives their work, and why staying ahead of the AI curve is becoming essential for businesses everywhere. Click here to read more on our newest IPBN Spotlight.

We introduced our new IPBN ONLINE MASTERCLASSES series: September is shaping up to be a busy month for learning, with three practical Masterclasses coming up in the areas of growth, financial confidence, and AI and cybersecurity. Save the dates and register here!

Special Announcement - Wavemaker Business Creation Award Portugal. Organised by IPBN Partner, the University of Coimbra, with the support of IEFF – Figueira da Foz Sea and Industry Incubator, this initiative aims to promote knowledge valorisation and support the creation, consolidation, and growth of companies operating in the blue economy. The application deadline for the Wavemaker Business Creation Award, promoted by EIT Water and the Poul Due Jensen/Grundfos Foundation, has been extended until 9 September. 

Find out more about the eligibility criteria and submit your application by 9 September here. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by email at internationalnetworks@uc.pt.

Lastly, this is the final call for Futura Start-Up Pitch applications. Late applications for the Futura Start-Up Pitch Competition close Sunday, September 6, at 11:59 PM Irish time. If you know a great startup, founder, incubator, accelerator, university program, or innovation network, we would really appreciate you sharing the opportunity with them over the next few days. Check out the flyer image below for more information. The IPBN is a proud Partner of trhe conference this year. Check here for more information about the conference and the special discounted rate valid only to IPBN members. Don't miss this great opportunity!

And now...

IPBN Executive Partner Otonomee shared, "Getting your customer support operation ready for what AI demands. This is a good summary of some important articles highlighting good practices for adopting AI in CX and the importance of redesigning operations in order to benefit from the best combination of AI and human support. Read more about it here."

IPBN Executive Partner Konceptness posted, "In the area of health, each space has an impact on the quality of care provided. A Healthcare Fit-Out project goes far beyond the renovation of a space. It is about creating environments that are functional, safe and prepared to respond to the needs of health professionals, patients and visitors. In clinics, hospitals, pharmacies or other health spaces, a fit-out project allows you to optimize circulation circuits, improve the organization of spaces, integrate technical equipment, ensure compliance with legal requirements and create more comfortable and welcoming environments. Read all about it here."

IPBN Executive Partner TaxLibris has a new house for their Lisbon Office!

IPBN Executive Partner PwC Portugal shared, "The AI Power Shift is back with all the news you can't miss. The entry into force and impact of the AIOmnibus, explained by our experts, Submarine cables make Portugal one of the main digital hubs in the Atlantic—investment could reach €10 billion, NVIDIA invests $3.5 billion in Mediatek and negotiates to buy Hugging Face. Keep track of all the trends here."

IPBN Partner Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK invites IPBN members to the Free Moving to Portugal Show & Seminars in Dublin at the Herbert Park Hotel and Park Residence, Dublin 4, Tuesday 22 September  from1030 to 5pm followed by an Executive Networking Drinks at 5pm at the same place. Meet property, tax, legal, financial and lifestyle specialists and get practical answers about living, retiring or investing in Portugal. Whether you are exploring a permanent move, planning your retirement, looking for a property or considering an investment, the Moving to Portugal Show & Seminars will help you understand your options and take your next step with greater confidence. Register here for free here! 

IPBN member Clear Strategy says, "The bottlenecks aren't the problem, the excuses are. Any of these ones sound familiar? Looking to finally start seeing some results? We can help you there."

IPBN member IN2 Engineering shared a brilliant way to wrap up the IN2 Academy summer! "These photos were taken at our final post-Academy summer drinks, celebrating a fantastic few months with Ben, Rory, and Logan, who spent the whole summer with us as Academy students. It was great to recognise their hard work, enthusiasm, and contribution, and to celebrate everything they achieved along the way."

IPBN member Brian Shanahan posted his September 2026 Newsletter entitled, "Do you need extra cash flow?" Other articles: Selling Surplus Inventory - There is value in most things. Transforming Mindsets - Anxiety can be the biggest barrier. Understanding costs. Insurance matters. Country Profile: Armenia Is Factoring good?

IPBN member Martinhal Luxury resorts shared, "When our people grow, our hospitality grows with them. At Martinhal, we believe that some of the most meaningful learning happens when we step outside our usual environment, meet new people, and experience different perspectives. Earlier this year, members of our culinary team travelled to Goa, India, for an immersive professional development programme at the V M SALGAOCAR INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL HOSPITALITY, RAIA, our partner in India."

IPBN member Lisbon Heritage Hotels posted, "Voting for the Heritage Hotels of Europe Awards is now open, and Lisbon Heritage Hotels are proud to present their entries. Vote for your favourites and help us celebrate the heritage, hospitality, and unique character of Europe’s historic hotels here. Thank you for being part of our story!"

IPBN member Hyland Shipping recently handled the movement for 160 boats arriving in Dublin for the ILCA World Championships. They said, "The boats arrived across 8 containers, which were unloaded and stored until they were required for the event. From there, our team coordinated 8 truckloads to Carlisle Pier in Dún Laoghaire ahead of the championships. It was a sizeable operation involving our warehouse, transport and operations teams, with plenty of coordination needed from arrival right through to final delivery."

IPBN Academic Partner UE asked, "What if the biggest challenge for Portuguese tourism is no longer attracting tourists? It is from this question that João Paulo Rodrigues, director of the Degree in Tourism at the European University, reflects on the future of tourism in Portugal, in an opinion article published in OvarNews. After years of growth and international recognition, the challenge is now to find a new balance: between tourism and quality of life, growth and sustainability, visitors and communities."

This is exactly what we will be discussing in the 3rd panel conversations at the 5th edition of the IPBN Tourism conference, which will take place this year in the Algarve on October 22. Save the date! You can find the first details here and start registering.

IPBN member Global Citizen Solutions asked, "Spain or Portugal? What if the answer is both? Residency planning has often been framed around choosing the right jurisdiction. But for some internationally mobile families, the question is becoming more strategic: how can different jurisdictions serve different objectives? Explore our latest analysis on building a cross-border strategy across Iberia."

IPBN Academic Partner Joao Pinto shared, "As of 1 September, Católica Porto Business School became Católica Porto School of Business and Economics (Católica Porto SBE). This change reflects the School’s evolution and ambition, and more clearly expresses who we are and what we aspire to become. More than a new name, this change more clearly reflects the identity we have been building. It affirms Management and Economics as fundamental areas of our School and reinforces what we aspire to be: a unique and integrated School, where teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and engagement with practice come together to develop People and transform organisations and society."

IPBN Academic Partner Joao Esteves from Porto Business School posted, "A new space for leaders, ideas, and transformation. We have just inaugurated the ACA Auditorium at Porto Business School — a new space co-created with ACA to bring companies, leaders, faculty, and students even closer together. More than 170 m², natural light and about 100 seats — but, above all, a living space to debate, share knowledge, challenge perspectives and build new answers for organizations."

IPBN member Pedro Henriques stood on the VivaTech stage and told a room full of founders and investors the thing he believes most: the heaviest tax in Europe is the one nobody voted for. It's the form you fill out twice. He shared, "The office that sends you to another office. The signature that needs three more before it counts. None of it builds anything. It just eats your mental bandwidth and time you'll never get back. That's the drag on this continent. It's also the reason BRIDGE IN exists."

IPBN member Career Training Internships has a new Blogpost entitled, "Ireland Around the World: Movies, Music and Stories That Made Ireland Famous."

IPBN member Total Expo posted, "So many materials to choose from when building you exhibition stand. What would you go for?"  

IPBN member Salmon said, "Always a pleasure to be part of the IACT Treasury Management Conference. A great day to catch up with clients and familiar faces, meet new people, and talk all things treasury."

IPBN member re.store posted, "The most sustainable piece is often the one that lasts the longest because we take better care of it. Proper washing, careful drying, a minor repair, or simply correctly packaging a part can help extend its useful life and prevent it from being replaced ahead of time. At re.store®, we work to give a new life to materials that already exist, resulting in products that gain a new life while respecting the principles of the circular economy."