Ireland Portugal Business Network Podcast series

Hosted by IPBN

Business Education

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Episodes

111

Latest episode

Aug 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

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.

May 14, 20261 hr 8 min

Leadership, the Economy, and Portugal's Global Role with António Rios de Amorim and Sofia Salgado Pinto

In this episode of the IPBN Podcast, we bring you the recording of the second edition of the Conversation with a Leader series, featuring António Rios de Amorim, President and CEO of Corticeira Amorim — a global leader in cork production, sustainability, and innovation. Hosted by the Irish Portuguese Business Network at the Católica Porto Business School, this insightful conversation explores leadership, innovation, sustainability, and Portugal’s future role in the global economy. António Rios de Amorim reflects on his leadership journey and shares perspectives on the evolving relationship between cork and wine, the preservation of the Montado ecosystem, and how circular economy principles are embedded at the core of Corticeira Amorim’s business model — where every by-product is repurposed to create new value, from insulation solutions to aerospace applications. The discussion also examines broader themes shaping Portugal’s future, including leadership and management development, exports, competitiveness, and the country’s position within the European Union and the wider global market. António offers thoughtful insights into the opportunities and challenges Portugal faces over the next five to ten years and the importance of innovation, resilience, and long-term strategic thinking. The session was expertly moderated by Sofia Salgado Pinto, Senior Affiliate Professor at Católica Porto Business School, whose extensive experience in management development and corporate governance brought depth and perspective to the conversation. A special thank you to IPBN Executive Partner Vellozo Ferreira Advogados for making this event possible in the North of Portugal, and to the team at Católica Porto Business School for their support in delivering such a successful event. Read more and check out the photos of the event here: https://www.ireland-portugal.com/events/conversation-with-antnio-rios-de-amorim-chairman-and-ceo-of-corticeira-amorim/

March 24, 202649 min

IPBN Sustainability Conference Panel 3: The Future of Tech-Driven Marine Protection

Panel 3 - What’s Next? The Future of Tech-Driven Marine Protection with guest speakers: Lee Bristow , The Ocean and AI – Tech Driven protections Agostinho da Silva , Catolica Porto Business School – Board Member, MARE, Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre Pedro Costa from the University of Coimbra Moderated by IPBN Board Member Mario Gago, CEO, Pink Room Software Read more here.

March 24, 20261 hr 2 min

IPBN Sustainability Conference Panel 2: Real-time Climate Impacts on Coastal Infrastructure

Panel 2 – A conversation about real-time climate impacts on coastal infrastructure with: Professor Emilia Duarte – UE/IADE - "Diving Heritage: Design Innovation for Resilient Coastal Communities through Underwater Cultural Heritage Tourism" Antonia Correia , KiPT COLAB, CODE Blue Project Pedro Pardal Monteiro , Vice-President of the Portuguese Surfing Federation | Surf Project Manager | Surf Coastal Engineering Expert Moderated by IPBN Board Member Susan Cabeceiras, Founder & Chair KONCEPTNESS Gestão de Projetos, Imobiliária, Arquitetura, Engenharia & Design Read more here.