This week on the roundup: renovations, new members, governance strategies,  case studies,  transparency directives, compliance standards, operational friction, venues, capital declines, winemakers, mindsets, building forward, donation campaigns, welcomes, foundations, sustainability, office units, teamwork, sentiment surveys, significant editions, researchers, brand narrative, and more!

But first, here are the IPBN highlights of the week:

We introduced three new members this week:
Paul Davy, MD of Space Self Storage, Storage Dublin, a company that provides professional storage solutions for short or long-term self-storage! Whether you are moving home, doing a renovation, or a business in need of extra space, they have the storage solution for you with a state-of-the-art facility conveniently located in South and North Dublin.

Faulkner Madden Group, represented by Bryan D M., Co-Founder & International Director! Faulkner Madden is a premier Real Estate Consultancy specialising in residential property investment in Portugal.

Karl Davidson (B Eng, NLPMP, QBE), a man who wears many hats! With a background in financial education for business with the Cashflow Club of Ireland and Portugal, while also specializing in manual handling, office ergonomics, working at heights, and safety consulting, Karl is dedicated to keeping your company compliant and ensuring the safety of your workforce. And that's not all...

We published and shared our latest Podcast episode: The exclusive online Masterclass that IPBN member Lee Bristow, author of "Human AI Alliance," gave last week to the IPBN network. In this episode, Lee explores essential governance strategies to help businesses confidently adopt AI and walks the audience through implementing governance frameworks to ensure fairness and equity in AI systems. We remind you that Lee will be a keynote speaker at our upcoming conference in Dublin on June 17. Hope to see you there!

We presented the second panel of our upcoming conference in Dublin. This panel will focus on AI case studies regarding sustainability and data analysis. It will be introduced by JC Durbin, Head of Innovation and AI at IPBN Executive Partner, Ardanis. Read all about it here, where you can also register for the conference.

Wednesday afternoon, we held a new networking event & Panel Discussion “Understanding Incentives to Live and Work in the Region” in the Algarve in Lagos at the TV Studio of our member Dietmar Goetz.

And this morning, we held an essential online Masterclass designed to help your business prepare for the EU Pay Transparency Directive, coming into effect next year. In this session, our guest speakers guided the audience through the legal, practical, and strategic implications of the new regulations, ensuring you're ready to meet compliance standards and avoid penalties. We’ll publish and share the conversation as a Podcast next week!

Finally, we introduced our new Masterclass with Stephanie Prenderville, Founder of SP Consulting, IPBN member, and speaker at the upcoming Dublin Innovation Conference. On June 6, she will answer the question "Is AI truly a strategic priority for your business, or just another tech trend?" In this practical and insightful Masterclass, Stephanie will cut through the hype and help you assess whether AI can meaningfully accelerate business results, reduce operational friction, and enable future agility. Register here!

And now...
IPBN Executive Partner Ivan Goor of Ardanis and Sponsor of the June 17 IPBN Dublin Conference said, while at the Dublin Tech Summit this week, "At Ardanis, we are all about building technology that gives businesses the superpowers to do what they do best."

IPBN Executive Partner PwC Portugal's own Luís Côrte-Real, Customer Transformation Director, will be in conversation with Nuno Cabral, Chief Technology Officer at Amorim Luxury Group, on June 4 at the AgentforceWorldTour, which this year will take place at the Lisbon Congress Centre. They posted, "The World Tour will be the perfect venue to discuss PwC's vision to embed innovation in the national business fabric, transforming the challenges of the economic and political climate into growth opportunities."

IPBN Partners Enterprise Ireland and TechIreland shared information regarding the Start Up Funding review Q1 2024
to Q1 2025 Trends. They found a "15% increase in 2024 startup funding levels, but the number of companies raising capital declines. TechIreland reports mixed 2024 figures, followed by a record Q1 2025 performance.

IPBN member Joerg Lewerenz of Quinta Corrieira shared, "On June 7th and 8th, we will take over the Village Underground Lisbon for two days of bold flavours and fresh sounds. This is where top-notch wines meet killer live music in a setting built for good times. Back for its 4th edition, but with a fresh new name, Grapes & Grooves brings together small, innovative, and creative winemakers who craft wines with heart and soul. We celebrate the world’s greatest terroirs while keeping it simple, relaxed, and all about connection." Get your tickets here!

IPBN Board member Sharon Dehmel posted, "When I work with founders, emerging leaders, or senior managers navigating all this, we focus on the three character strengths that help you lead through the noise: Curiosity - Adaptability – Empathy. I help leaders clarify their strengths, connect to what really matters, and build the mindset, habits, and presence to lead with more impact (and less overwhelm). I’ve got a couple of spaces left this quarter for leaders ready to shift gears. DM me “diamond” and see if we’re a fit."

IPBN member Liliana Domingues knows "How to Reinvent Your Business Without Burning Out Your Team (Even when everything feels like it’s pulling in different directions). Are you ready to stop patching things up… and start building forward? Let’s talk."

IPBN Academic Partner Porto Business School,  in partnership with the Change Makers Club Alumni, led a blood donation campaign — a shared expression of empathy, responsibility, and purpose. "We will continue to shape leaders who are human, conscious, and socially engaged."

IPBN member FAmazing says, "Learning goes far beyond the classroom, and today we had an excellent example of that! We started the day by welcoming an Erasmus group from Bulgaria to FAmazing, in a morning full of sharing, discovery, and good energy."

IPBN member Crowley Millar Solicitors was delighted to be represented in the 2025 Calcutta Run fundraiser, in support of Dublin Simon Community and The Hope Foundation. "Organised by the Law Society of Ireland, it consisted of a 6km and 10km run & walk, beginning and ending at Blackhall Place, and proceeding through the Phoenix Park and surrounding areas."

IPBN member Silvia Correia is ready for Set Up Guimaraes. "Exciting news! We’re growing our mentor team! Welcome, Sílvia Correia! Founder & CEO of Creative Zone and re.store®. Sílvia brings with her a unique blend of creativity, purpose, and entrepreneurial spirit. Through her sustainability brand re.store®, she’s on a mission to transform everyday habits— for people and for the planet."

IPBN Partner Invest Porto shared, "A former shopping mall in downtown Porto has a new name, along with a new purpose. HOP - Heart of Porto will become a brand-new business hub in the city, with 7 office units, 9 retail/service spaces, and a total capacity for 2,000 people. The project's developers, French asset manager Tikehau Capital and the Portuguese-Spanish company Quest Capital, estimate that the €70M project will be completed in the second half of 2026."

IPBN member VMotion IT Solutions and Sponsor of the IPBN Dublin Innovation Conference posted, "We are very excited to announce that the Dublin Atlassian Community leader Elvis Canchari Lapa is hosting 'Team ’ 25 Recap Atlassian Community Event' in Dublin next Thursday, June 5. Team '25 is Atlassian's annual event focused on Innovation in teamwork, with a deep understanding of people and the technology that enables them to work together."

IPBN member GRID Finance shared, "Together with Chartered Accountants Ireland, we’ve launched the SME Business Sentiment Survey. From rising costs to underused supports, this research reveals what’s holding businesses back - and what they need to move forward." Click here to find the link to the research in the first comment box.

IPBN member JGSA - Jardim Gonçalves & Associados was proud to participate in the EALG Euro-American Lawyers Group Annual Meeting in Brussels from May 22–24, 2025 – a significant edition as the network marked its 40th anniversary. "Hosted by Caroline
De Scheemaecker and the MDS Legal Compass team, the event brought together member firms from across the globe to strengthen connections and explore the legal implications of our evolving world."

IPBN Academic partner Sofia Almeida shared, "The DSOTT ́25 starts on June 2 in Coimbra. We will receive researchers and tourism professionals to discuss sustainability and diversity. A unique opportunity to closely follow the new challenges and trends of a unique
sector in Portugal. Get more information here.

IPBN member Invoke Creative Agency said, "We are proud to reveal the brand identity and new website for Property Race Day Ireland 2025, an iconic charity event reimagined with clarity, energy, and purpose. From brand narrative to digital experience, every touchpoint was built to reflect the event's ambition and impact. Bold, professional, and ready to lead from the front."