This week on the roundup: ceremonies, experiences, horizons, balance, video mapping, platform launches, momentum, teamwork, internal training, programs, projects, processes, certifications, reforms, announcements, conversations, management, end of year musings, an IPBN Christmas card, and more!

But first, here are the IPBN Highlights of the Week

This is the last Roundup of 2025! We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a special thank you for making the network so interesting and dynamic. We sincerely hope we have been a valuable resource to all our members.

Don’t miss Ellis Dixon & Arnold Delville sharing their views of IPBN 2025 and looking ahead to 2026 in our latest Podcast. Listen to it here!

We shared the pictures of the networking lunch in the Algarve last Friday at the WELL Vale do Lobo. Thank you again for their hospitality and organisation. We’ll be back there for our annual Tourism Conference in October.

We shared the last Master Class of 2025 recording with our guest speakers from Innovation Hubs in Portugal who shared their views and plans for 2026. You can listen to it here and review all our Podcasts of 2025 on the IPBN Spotify channel.

And now...

IPBN Executive Partner Konceptness shared its Christmas Solidarity Campaign. "As part of its commitment to social responsibility, Konceptness is promoting a Christmas solidarity campaign, in support of SOS Children's Villages, with the collection of goods until December 17th. In Portugal, thousands of children live in situations of risk and neglect, often away from the public eye. Your support makes a difference."

IPBN Executive Partner PwC Portugal shared, "Last week, Turismo de Portugal held a ceremony to publicly recognise companies committed to sustainability, in the Grand Auditorium of the Champalimaud Foundation, in Lisbon. Claudia Coelho, Sustainability and Climate Change Partner at PwC, was a keynote speaker at the event, with an intervention dedicated to the theme: "Sustainability Reporting: simpler, faster, more strategic", highlighting the impact of sustainability reporting on the strategic positioning of companies in the face of new ESG challenges. The session "Tourism Companies 360º: From commitment to action. From action to recognition." was an opportunity to learn about results and good practices, and to reinforce Portugal's role as a reference in Europe." 

IPBN member INNOVATE360 has recently expanded its horizon towards FMCG setup and consultations. "My colleague/partner Gary has recently joined us and, with his 25 years of experience in FMCG handling 35 Million Euros worth of movement a year, we started this as a service for expats who wish to start factories, food manufacturing facilities, etc in Portugal. Contact us for more information!" 

IPBN member Swissquote Bank Europe posted, "What matters most when balancing freedom, passion, and financial independence? For Sam Fane, creator of the popular automotive YouTube channel Seen Through Glass, it’s about flexibility and control. With Swissquote Bank Europe, he applies the same mindset to investing. Leveraging tools like the LombardLoan and our powerful digital platform, Sam is able to stay agile—seizing opportunities while continuing to fuel his creative pursuits. Discover Sam’s full story in our series The Decision Makers."

IPBN member OCUBO shared, "This Christmas, light brings stories to life at Clérigos Tower. The façade of Porto’s most iconic tower is transformed through the original video mapping show “The Little Prince and the Christmas Star”, a poetic journey of light, colour and emotion for all ages. A creation and production by OCUBO, offered by the Irmandade dos Clérigos and Associação dos Comerciantes do Porto, with the support of Turismo Porto e Norte and Ágora - Cultura e Desporto do Porto."

IPBN member ConsortiaCo is doing some exciting work at eTenders.AI this week as they prepare for their new platform launch in January. "Our AI-driven insights have already captured this interesting trend. Since 1 December, 310 public tenders have been issued with a combined value of €2.47 billion, compared with €516 million for the same period last year. B2G and the public sector are one of the most stable and consistent markets, particularly for SMEs seeking predictable pipelines and long-term opportunities. If you want to stay ahead of insights like these, we’ll be releasing our December Analysis shortly, highlighting key trends, priority tender areas, and practical insights to help strengthen your hashtag#B2G strategy. Sign up for free here!" 

IPBN member Overcast HQ posted, "Creativity slows down when ideas, clips, and context get lost along the way. Our latest blog explores why creative momentum depends on being able to find, reuse, and build on what already exists — and how better video intelligence keeps everything moving forward. Read the full blog here!"

IPBN member Emma Olohan is incredibly proud to share that Minding Creative Minds has been awarded the All Star Business Awards Accreditation for 2026 from the All-Ireland Business Foundation! "This recognition is the result of dedicated teamwork and a shared commitment to supporting Ireland's creative community."

IPBN Academic Partner Sofia Almeida shared a new study about the Metaverse strategic development in hospitality in the next 5 years. "So far, it seems that hospitality plans to use the different forms of Metaverse as tools for external marketing and internal training. However, there are no major plans for the transformation as Metaverse is seen as a beneficial but challenging tool."

IPBN Business Partner InvestPorto says, "Universidade do Porto spin-off Cell4Food secures €1.5M to advance cell-based seafood. Cell4Food, a spin-off from the University of Porto, has raised €1.5 million under the Portugal 2030 SIID programme to develop CELLBLUE, a project focused on sustainable, cell-cultured seafood."

IPBN Business Partner Algarve STP reminded us that at UALG TEC CAMPUS, an accelerator managed by Algarve STP (Systems and Technology Partnership), every day is an opportunity to learn, test and evolve. "Throughout the year, there were several sessions, workshops and programs that we hosted in this space, always with the aim of supporting those who are taking their first steps, rethinking strategies or launching new ideas in the market. We are ready for 2026 to bring even more moments of sharing, collaboration and growth."

IPBN member Lawler Sustainability asked, "Did you know the same building could score up to 5% lower under BREEAM V7 compared to V6? From 27 January 2026, all new projects seeking BREEAM certification will need to register under Version 7, the most advanced update yet, designed to push higher sustainability performance across the built environment. If you have projects in the pipeline, timing matters."

IPBN member EDGE International Lawyers posted, "The Constitutional Court has ruled that several provisions of Portugal’s New Nationality Law are unconstitutional, following a request submitted by the Socialist Party (PS). The Court found unconstitutional the rules providing for the loss of Portuguese nationality due to the practice of crimes, the loss of nationality where it was granted through a fraudulent process, and the immediate rejection of pending applications when requirements are not fully met at the time of submission. Other relevant aspects of the reform, including the lack of a transition period and the rules on counting the minimum legal residence for naturalisation, were not considered unconstitutional."

IPBN member Christopher Garner is happy to share that he is starting a new position as VP of Sales EasySolar, EasyRoofing, EasyWindows at Integrated Data Solutions!

IPBN Business Partner Guinness Enterprise Centre shared a Happy Christmas from The Guinness Enterprise Centre Team. "An evening filled with great conversations, festive cheer and plenty of laughs as the GEC community came together to celebrate the end of another fantastic year. There were even dancing and karaoke at the end of the night!"

IPBN member Hilton Vilamoura posted. "On the 11th and 12th of December, the Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa had the privilege of hosting the National Congress of Sports Management, under the theme "Sport, Society and Artificial Intelligence". This event brought together managers, academics, leaders and professionals in the sports sector, promoting an in-depth reflection on the impact of Artificial Intelligence, innovation and technology on sports management and its role in society."

IPBN member Total Expo's final big show of 2025 closed the year with a bang. "From the Innovation Stage with Microsoft to Veeam’s striking arches and LED features — an unforgettable finish to an incredible year."

IPBN member FAmazing's Christmas lunch brought together everything they like the most: good food, good wines, and good conversations. "Between laughter, toasts, and moments of true sharing, there was time to learn more about wine culture — always in a relaxed, curious, and non-formalistic way."