This week on the roundup: opportunities, panels, authenticity, personalised banking, podcasts, inaugurations, postgraduate programs,  AI workflow orchestration, celebrations, accessible spaces, opportunities, confidence, innovation, success, rewarding weeks, episodes, internationalization, certifications, organisation, discussion, financial data, destruction, and more!

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

We reminded everyone of our next Networking Member Meet Member events in Lisbon, Coimbra, Algarve, Porto, and Dublin. Don't forget to register for one or all of these great opportunities to network, make new connections, share ideas, and be part of a dynamic business ecosystem in three different regions! Visit our Events page here for all the details and to register. Hope to see many of you there.   

We introduced our first panel of the upcoming IPBN Tourism Conference on October 22 in Lisbon, where you can already register here. A conversation around Innovation & Adaptation in the Wine Industry. Find all the details here.  

Following the wine industry panel, Petra Bakker will lead a guided wine tasting, offering guests a chance to experience first-hand the authenticity and quality that define Portuguese wines. You can learn more about Petra here in our newest Spotlight interview.  

We introduced our new member and sponsor of the conference Swissquote Bank Europe represented by Shane O Neill, QFA, EFA, Head of Sales and Key Clients. Swissquote Bank Europe has been at the forefront of online investing for 25 years. Powerful digital platforms, transparent pricing, and personalised banking come together to deliver private clients, intermediaries and financial institutions a more powerful and efficient way to manage wealth. Learn more about them here 

We published our newest Podcast on our Spotify channel! The Masterclass with Carlos Justino, Founder of Witfy - Socially Smart, you can still gain valuable insights from the recording, which has been optimised for your listening pleasure. Click here to find out how to work smarter on your socials, not harder.  

Geoffrey Graham, Chair of the IPBN was present this week at the IPBN Academic Partner Universidade Europeia inauguration of its brand-new Oriente Green Campus in Lisbon’s Parque das Nações. Officially opened in the presence of the Minister of Education, Fernando Alexandre, this state-of-the-art 17,000-square-meter campus has the capacity to welcome up to 7,000 students, marking a new chapter in the institution’s remarkable growth. Learn all about it here 

Finally, a special announcement and invitation. SRT Fairs and Education in Ireland invites IPBN members to SRT ConnectED Lisbon on 17 October 2025 at Iberostar Selection Lisboa – the postgraduate international university fair where you can explore master’s, MBA, and executive programs with leading universities from around the world. Meet universities from Ireland, including Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork, University of Galway, Dublin City University, and explore institutions from Europe, the USA, and Canada. Register for free here. 

And now...

IPBN Executive Partner Ardanis posted, "Wondering how the most adaptable companies are working smarter, not harder? Discover seven reasons AI workflow orchestration is transforming ambitious businesses and see which advantages you could unlock next." Discover how you can do more with Aileen by Ardanis! 

IPBN member John Donnelly shared, "What a great day celebrating 55 Years of Clonmel Healthcare in Ireland … Caring for patients and always striving to do our very best." 

IPBN member Druid Sport is proud to connect with the Ons Jabeur Foundation—a movement dedicated to creating inclusive, accessible spaces for youth, women, and communities in Tunisia and beyond. 

IPBN Partner Algarve Evolution invites you to join us at ROAD2Summit - Business & Entrepreneurship Meeting for Innovation. "From Sep 22 to Oct 15, the Roadshow will travel across all 16 municipalities of the Algarve to strengthen local innovation communities, create opportunities for cooperation, showcase funding opportunities for innovation and introduce the Algarve Tech Hub Summit 2025. Learn more about it here."

IPBN Academic Partner Porto Business School shared a new chapter for the Executive Master in International Business. "Starting this October, Renata Blanc joins Pedro A. Vieira as co-director of the program. With different backgrounds and a shared vision, they’re ready to prepare professionals to lead with confidence in a global context. Renata brings strategic focus, energy, and a strong sense of real-world impact to this new edition. Last spots available. Apply now!" 

IPBN Academic Partner Sofia Almeida at Universidade Europeia posted, "On Monday, Sep 22, the new Oriente Green Campus of the European Universidade Europeia was inaugurated. The honours were done by our Magnificent Rector, Hélia Gonçalves Pereira, and the session closed with an inspiring and trustworthy speech given by the Minister of Education, Science and Innovation Fernando Alexandre. We thank everyone for their presence, in particular our long-standing partners, the President and Secretary-General of AHRESP - Associação da Hotelaria, Restauração e Similares de Portugal, Carlos Moura, and Ana Jacinto and Chair of the IPBN - Ireland Portuguese Business Network, Geoffrey Graham. Thank you for sharing with us this important moment for the life of our institution."

IPBN member ALL FINANCE MATTERS – Meet Our Dream Team: the engine behind our success! "At All Finance Matters, we believe success comes from teamwork, and we’re proud of every single person who makes our service exceptional. Today, at National Accountants' Day, our recognition goes to the backbone of our company: our accounting professionals. We have a large team, including 10 Certified Accountants who, with their expertise and dedication, ensure our clients‘ peace of mind." 

IPBN member Alda Filipe from Kronos Real Estate Group, owner of IPBN member Vale do Lobo posted, "What a September it’s been and we’re only halfway through! Three countries, three intense and rewarding weeks, ending with an unforgettable milestone: celebrating 11 years of Kronos Real Estate Group and the launch of our new brand, US by Kronos (Flex Living) in Madrid." 

IPBN member Elaine Godley had the pleasure of connecting with Dr. V Nanavati a cardiology expert, for an engaging conversation on the importance of prevention in heart health. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and this episode is a reminder of how small steps can make a big difference to our wellbeing. Watch on my private platform and listen on Spotify here." 

IPBN Partner AICEP - AICEP invites you to discover the new Digital Bookstore, a service designed to support Portuguese companies in their internationalization. "Learn more here and come at our new networking event in Dublin at the Portuguese Embassy Thursday Oct 16 from 5pm to 7pm where you will be able to meet Denil Pinto, the newly appointed Director at AICEP Dublin and Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the Portuguese Embassy in Ireland. You can register for the event here."  

IPBN Board member Rachael Milne is happy to share that she obtained a new certification: Generative AI Overview for Project Managers from Project Management Institute! "To all my PMPers this course is interesting, free and gives 3 PDU's to maintain your credential - unless you really want to join me on another course in 3 years?" 

IPBN member VMotion IT Solutions were at the DIGI GOV EXPO this week to present how to digitally transform your organisation and optimise your Jira! 

IPBN member Sherry Seeton shared a link to watch the Cascais International Business Women panel discussion: “Empowering Women by Design: Innovative Female Founders Creating Purpose-driven Products for Women”. "Thank you Mary Barrett for leading another engaging discussion." 

IPBN member Padraig Nolan posted, "Transatlantic fault lines are widening over whether FinTechs should pay for customer financial data. The US and EU are no longer following complementary blueprints; they are carving competing models. The stakes are clear. If US banks turn data access into a toll road, FinTechs will pay the price. Startups could be squeezed out, while incumbents tighten their grip. Happy to share a short piece I penned for the Centre for European Policy Analysis." 

IPBN member re.store shared, "On National Sustainability Day, we celebrate our actions that contribute to a healthier, more sustainable and socially inclusive planet. We work with social partners who already pay €70,000.00. We avoid the destruction of more than 9.1 tons of textile fabrics and accessories through the practice of upcycling. We create a network of synergies with industrial partners who share our values of co-creation and revaluation of waste. We make re.store® products with love and know-how from the national industry."