Ireland Portugal Business Network Podcast series

Hosted by IPBN

Business Education

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Episodes

114

Latest episode

Sep 2026

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About the show

The IPBN is an active business network comprised of more than 150 Member Companies based in Portugal and Ireland. These companies are from a wide range of industries and professions and represent in excess of 25,000 people. For more information visit us online at ireland-portugal.com and on LinkedIn at Ireland Portugal Business Network.

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60 recent

September 29, 202640 min

From Madeira to Dublin with André Nóbrega: Inspiring the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs via Startup Madeira

What can young entrepreneurs learn by stepping outside their own ecosystem? In this episode of the IPBN Podcast, Ellis Dixon speaks with André Nóbrega, Project Assistant at Startup Madeira, about the rs4e – Road Show for Entrepreneurship , an initiative that gives young people from Madeira the opportunity to experience leading international entrepreneurship and innovation hubs. André shares the story behind the programme, which brings together more than 1,500 students each year through an annual business ideas competition, with the winning students and teachers travelling abroad to explore different entrepreneurial ecosystems. The conversation focuses on the 2026 rs4e visit to Dublin, including visits to NovaUCD, Trinity Entrepreneurship Hub, Smart Docklands, Furthr, Guinness Enterprise Centre, and Google Dublin, as well as a meeting facilitated by the IPBN with member company Plain Concepts. Beyond the Dublin experience, André discusses why international exposure matters for young people, how these experiences can broaden their understanding of what is possible, and the role that partnerships and business networks can play in creating opportunities across borders. The conversation also explores Madeira as a destination for entrepreneurship, innovation, and business , and the opportunities for Irish companies to connect with the island’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem. 🎧 Listen to the full episode to discover how international experiences can inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and strengthen the connections between Madeira and Ireland.

September 28, 20261 hr 14 min

AI and Cybersecurity Masterclass: Reading Past the Headlines with Jarred White

What’s genuinely new in AI security, what’s hype, and what should businesses actually be doing about it? In this IPBN Masterclass, security and privacy leader Jarred White takes a practical look at the rapidly evolving relationship between AI and cybersecurity, drawing on more than two decades of experience across ethical hacking, security engineering, and privacy leadership. The conversation explores what recent developments in AI security can actually tell us about the emerging threat landscape, including the growing capabilities of AI-generated vulnerability reports, documented examples of autonomous AI behaviour, and the importance of independently verifying claims about AI’s offensive security capabilities. Jarred also looks at how frameworks such as NIST guidance and the EU AI Act are evolving alongside the technology, and what businesses using AI-assisted development should consider when putting appropriate security guardrails in place. Rather than focusing on the latest alarming AI headline, this session offers a practical, measured approach to understanding AI security risks and what they mean for business owners, technical leaders, and organisations adopting AI. Listen to the full Masterclass podcast to hear the conversation and explore the questions shaping the future of AI and cybersecurity.

September 21, 202658 min

Masterclass: Building Financial Confidence with Karl Davidson

On Friday, September 18 from 10h to 11h, the Ireland Portugal Business Network invited members and guests to the online Masterclass with IPBN member Karl Davidson, who explored one of the biggest factors separating those who build lasting wealth from those who simply earn an income: developing the right financial mindset and combining it with practical, everyday action. Many people work hard throughout their careers but never achieve the financial security they hope for. In this practical and engaging session, Karl explained how our subconscious beliefs about money often shape our financial outcomes, and how small, consistent changes in thinking and behaviour can significantly improve financial confidence, cash flow, and long-term wealth creation. Drawing on real examples from his mastermind programme, Karl shared how professionals and business owners have identified thousands of euros in savings, transformed their financial habits, and begun building assets instead of simply paying bills. Discover practical strategies you can start applying immediately, including: Developing healthier financial habits and greater confidence around money Improving budgeting and cash flow management Reducing debt and strengthening financial foundations Building long-term wealth through investing and business ownership Creating multiple income streams for greater financial resilience Whether you are an entrepreneur, business owner, executive, or employee, this Masterclass will provide practical insights and actionable tools to help you make better financial decisions and take greater control of your financial future.

July 13, 202633 min

Going Supernova in Coimbra with Carlos Cerqueira and Professor Nuno Mendonça

The global space economy is no longer the exclusive domain of astronauts and government agencies. Today, it is driving innovation across industries as diverse as artificial intelligence, manufacturing, telecommunications, cybersecurity, environmental monitoring, agritech, and robotics. In this episode of the IPBN Podcast Ellis Dixon is joined by Professor Nuno Mendonça , Vice-Rector for Innovation, Business Relations and Employability at the University of Coimbra , and Carlos Cerqueira , Coordinator of Coimbra Supernova , to explore how one of Portugal's oldest universities is helping shape one of Europe's most exciting innovation ecosystems. Professor Mendonça has spent his career strengthening the connection between academia and industry through research, entrepreneurship, and technology transfer. Carlos Cerqueira brings extensive experience from Portugal's growing space sector, having helped establish the European Space Agency's business incubation programme in Portugal and played a key role in scaling space technology company Neuraspace into an internationally recognised success. Together, they discuss the launch of Coimbra Supernova —a regional alliance uniting academia, business, government, and industry to position Coimbra as a leading hub for the space economy—and the University's new Aerospace Engineering degree , designed to prepare the next generation of highly skilled talent. The conversation explores why businesses of every size—not just aerospace companies—should be paying attention to the opportunities emerging from the space economy, how universities and industry can work together to accelerate innovation, and where Ireland and Portugal can build stronger partnerships through research, entrepreneurship, investment, and technology transfer. Whether you're an entrepreneur, SME, researcher, investor, policymaker, or simply curious about the future of innovation, this episode offers a fascinating insight into how collaboration is helping build Portugal's next great innovation ecosystem—and what it could mean for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.

June 25, 202655 min

Dublin Innovation Conference Panel 3: Food Chain Food & Drink

A Panel conversation about Export development, business strategy, and international market entry for Food & Drink start-ups and SMEs with IPBN members and guest speaker: Yvonne Scully – Food Entrepreneur, Business Angel Investor, and Export Development Consultant. Yvonne supports scaling Food & Drink companies through export-led growth, delivering expertise in business strategy and international market entry. Patrick FitzGerald , Founder and CEO of Beotanics Ltd and co-founder of Nativaland Lda and a Board Member of Bord Bia – The Irish Food Board Guillaume Hernoux - Digital Transformation Advisor – Food & Beverage Manufacturing. Moderated by IPBN member from the UAlg TEC Campus, Carlos Justino, Witf

June 25, 202652 min

Dublin Innovation Conference Panel 2: From the land to the table

Bringing quality assured food to your table while making a real difference to those who produce it. A conversation with: Cláudia Silva Mataloto– Cascais Food Lab Valerie McHugh & Nick Seymour from Nick's Coffee Co Ltd – LEO Margaret Dineen - Founder Blue Sky Food Consulting & Irish Food Trade Connect Forum. Moderated by Gerald Lennon, Entrepreneur & Food industry advisor with a career spanning Kerry Group operations across Ireland, New Zealand, and China.

June 25, 202641 min

Dublin Innovation Conference Panel 1: Food Tech and Health

A panel conversation with guest speakers: Nicola Sainty – Revive active , Nutritional Therapist, Educator, Freelance tutor at The School of Health. The Galway Natural Health Company Revive Active commenced trading in July 2011 with a vision to design, develop, manufacture and market cutting edge health products. Paul O'Connor, Founder & CEO at This is Seaweed Ltd., Nova UCD Moderated by IPBN member Kayleigh-Ann Ní Mhaoilmhuire , Head of ESG, Lawler Sustainability

June 23, 202615 min

Dublin Conference Opening Statements with Éabha Harper-McKeever and Geoffrey Graham

Careful attention was given to the welcoming speakers of the Dublin Innovation Conference by IPBN Chair Geoffrey Graham and Client Engagement Manager at the Guinness Enterprise Centre (GEC) and Facilitator, Éabha Harper-McKeever. Listen as they lay out what the network, this conference, and their personal and professional goals have been impacted by the conference, the themes on discussion, and what it means to have a hand in bringing experts in the field into the same room.

June 23, 202613 min

Dublin Conference Keynote Case Study with Paul O'Connor of This is Seaweed, Ltd.

This Keynote Statement by Paul O'Connor, Founder & CEO at This is Seaweed Ltd. kicked off the conference and enthralled attendees with practical applications to the conference's main themes. Paul, the Founder and CEO of Seaweed Ltd and is based at the NovaUCD Innovation and Research Center in Dublin, told the audience about his real case study of Innovation and sustainability— two major themes for us at the IPBN. Have a listen!

June 18, 202632 min

Connecting Behaviour, Performance, and Health with Elaine Godley, DISCPlus Coach

Elaine Godley is the founder of The DISCPlus Academy , executive health mentor, behavioural specialist, and keynote speaker. After more than 30 years in senior business leadership—including executive roles at EY and within the legal sector—Elaine now helps leaders and coaches understand the powerful connection between behaviour, performance, and health. Her work was shaped not only by her corporate career but also by her personal experience overcoming serious illness, including a rare kidney disease and stage 4 cancer. Today, she teaches organisations how to build resilient teams, prevent burnout, and create healthier workplace cultures. In this conversation, we'll explore why people behave differently at work, how authenticity can help prevent burnout, why leaders and team members often seem to speak different languages, and what Elaine has learned from her own extraordinary health journey.

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