This week on the roundup: guides, member success, emerging disciplines, strategies, support queries, the blue economy, opportunities, internationalization, AI and robotics, small daily moments, unexpected challenges, conversations, AI governance, leadership, team engagement, boats, property, solutions, and more!

But first, here are the IPBN Highlights of the week

This will be the last Weekly Roundup before the August break. We wish you all a lovely summer and look forward seeing you again in September for more connections, networking and intelligence sharing.  

Check the webinar our GM attended last week, which should interest Irish IBN members thinking to move to Lisbon. “Back to School: The Complete Guide to Lisbon Schools for International Families”. And if you are looking at moving to Portugal, you are in the right place. The network of our members will be able to help. Just contact us and we will introduce you to the right people. 

We revisited our trip to Belfast early February. Earlier this year, the IPBN was delighted to host our first-ever regional event in Belfast, bringing together business leaders, members, and partners to explore the opportunities that exist between the Irish and Portuguese markets. Hosted by IPBN member Glandore, the morning combined practical advice, member success stories, expert insights, and valuable networking, demonstrating how collaboration between our two countries continues to create exciting opportunities for businesses of all sizes. The Belfast event marked an important milestone in the IPBN's growing regional engagement strategy, and it's only the beginning. Check here our future regional destinations. 

We shared the video recording and presentation of our last hybrid event, before the summer break, “If AI Doesn't Recommend You, Who Will?" in partnership with the UAlg TEC Campus in Faro, IPBN member Carlos Justino of Witfy - Socially Smart, José Carvalho and Mariana da Rocha of IPBN member Flow Productions and Jessica Costa, Executive Director of Algarve STP (Systems and Technology Partnership). Panellists examined why traditional SEO is no longer enough and introduced attendees to the emerging disciplines of Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO). If you weren't able to join us—or would like to revisit the conversation—you can catch up using the digital platforms mentioned here.

A sincere thank you to Flow Productions, our speakers, moderator, and everyone who joined us for another engaging IPBN event!

And now...

IPBN Executive Partner KONCEPTNESS posted about Projetos de Potencial Interesse Nacional: quando o investimento exige uma estratégia. "Portugal continues to establish itself as an attractive destination for large-scale investment projects. In sectors such as industry, tourism, logistics, energy, or services, many investments have the potential to obtain the status of Project of Potential National Interest (PIN), a recognition granted by the State to initiatives with a high economic, social, and territorial impact." Learn more about it here. (Article in Portuguese).

IPBN Executive Partner Otonomee shared a conversation about AI. "AI often focuses on what's being eliminated. At Otonomee, we’re focused on what's being elevated. AI handles many types of support queries efficiently, and often without human intervention. The likes of password resets, simple transaction support, and other basic support requests are among the 50-60% of support tickets that are now often handled end-to-end by AI agents. That still leaves 40-50% of support requests that benefit from, or even require, human input. We believe this is where a real opportunity exists."

IPBN Academic Partner UC Business shared, "As part of EIT Water, University of Coimbra, with the support of IEFF – Figueira da Foz Sea and Industry Incubator, is organising the Wavemaker Business Creation Award, an initiative designed to foster the creation and growth of innovative businesses in the blue economy. The programme is open to entrepreneurs and companies, offering a comprehensive package of mentoring, networking and capacity-building activities, culminating in a Pitch Competition to be held on 16 September in Figueira da Foz, Portugal. The winning project will also have the opportunity to represent Portugal at the international final in Málaga, Spain, where it will compete for a €5,000 prize. Applications are open until 4 September." Further information is available here.

IPBN Partner aicep Portugal Global - Save the date 30^th September. Palácio da Bolsa, Porto. Major event dedicated to internationalization, investment, and the challenges of Portugal's competitiveness in a transforming global economy. The AICEP Forum 2026 will bring together business leaders, decision-makers, experts, and national and international partners to discuss opportunities, trends, and strategies to strengthen Portugal's presence in global markets. Program and registration information available soon.

IPBN member Patrick FitzGerald posted, "Our 50/50 Joint Venture in Portugal is getting positive exposure locally in Portugal."

IPBN Business Partner Algarve Evolution said, "Inova Algarve 3.0: The Digital Transition Program for Tourism Companies in the Algarve aims to promote and intensify innovative and qualified activities in SMEs in the Algarve tourism sector, by facilitating access to information and knowledge about AI and robotics applied to tourism, with a view to promoting the digital transition of companies, in line with the transformative actions of the areas of specialization of EREI Algarve. Learn more here."

SAVE THE DATE. AI and Tourism will be one of the topics debated at the IPBN upcoming 5^th edition of our Tourism conference on Thursday, Oct 22, in the Algarve this year. More about it soon. 

IPBN member Croissant posted, "Great culture isn't built once a year. It's built every day. The offsite fades, the survey closes, the initiative loses steam — but the culture your people actually live in is decided in the small daily moments. A little, every day: that's how habits, and cultures, are built."

IPBN member LAZER shared, "Not every day goes according to plan, and that’s where Daniel comes in. As Head of Planning, he sets priorities, coordinates the team’s workload, and helps solve unexpected challenges, from cable cuts to damaged or vandalised poles. Because in Planning, it’s not just about making plans, it’s about finding solutions."

IPBN member Karl Davidson from Cashflow Club Ireland and Portugal wrote, "Proud to have met His Excellency Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa today in Pombal. We shared a brief but very pleasant conversation where he mentioned his fondness of Michael D Higgins and the similarities between the Irish and the Portuguese."

And don’t miss our “Building Financial Confidence” Master Class Sep 18 with Karl. Find out all about it here where you can already register. 

IPBN member Saros Consulting shared, "Most AI initiatives don't fail because of the technology. They fail because nobody defined the problem before reaching for the tool, and in regulated industries, that mistake gets expensive fast. In our latest Saros Insights episode, Valentin Ioan Dascalescu MBA, an infrastructure delivery specialist and co-author of two published white papers on AI governance, joins Lee Bristow to break down what real AI governance looks like for organisations working in GxP and other highly regulated environments. Watch the full conversation here."

IPBN member Elaine Godley wrote, "Leadership is often incredibly lonely, but you do not have to figure it all out by yourself. This is your private, secure space to ask the hard questions about your team, your strategy, and your operational stress. Submit your toughest questions using our secure form. It is 100% anonymous—I never see your name. Twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays I will post a video right here answering your questions with direct, practical advice. Ask your question today, and let's get your business moving forward. Form in the first comment below."

IPBN member Druid Padel posted, "A corporate event at Druid Padel is active, social and designed to include everyone, whether they have played padel before or are picking up a racket for the first time. Check here what our fully hosted corporate experience includes. Ideal for team engagement, client entertainment, workplace wellbeing or a company tournament, our clubs provide a premium but welcoming setting for colleagues to compete, connect and enjoy a genuinely memorable experience. To discuss an event for your company, contact corporate@druidpadel.com."

IPBN member Vilamoura Dreams Cruises wrote, "A wonderful morning hosting guests in the heart of Vilamoura marina. Our boat makes a lovely setting for events, gatherings and celebrations of any size. We'd be delighted to host yours. info@vilamouradreamscruises.com, +351 939 418 375."

IPBN member Global Citizen Solutions posted, "Buy the house, get the visa — that's the assumption many people make about Italy. It's wrong, and it always has been. We get the same question every week, usually from someone who's already found the house. The real question isn't which property to buy, but when in the process you should buy it. Here's why sequence, not price, determines whether the plan actually works."

IPBN member TIRECHECK shared two Solutions and one complete view. "Fleet tire health doesn't start when a truck leaves the yard. It starts before it rolls out. That's why TireCheck offers two TPMS solutions that work together. Learn more about it here."