Ireland Portugal Business Network announces the first event in its new series "Conversations with a Leader," held in partnership with Writers' Bloc, a member of IPBN.
The inaugural conversation will take place at Unicorn Factory Lisboa - Beato Innovation District, in the building at Praça Beato , on Tuesday, March 3rd, from 9:30 am to 11:30 am, and will feature Gil Azevedo , Executive Director of Unicorn Factory Lisboa . This session will offer members a privileged view of one of Lisbon's most ambitious innovation initiatives.
Unicorn Factory Lisboa operates across the entire startup value chain, with a clear mission: to generate a lasting economic impact for the city by building a strong, dynamic, and sustainable ecosystem where companies at all stages can thrive – from early-stage founders to globally scalable unicorns.
The conversation will explore the program's vision, the broader landscape of innovation in Lisbon, and the strategic role that Unicorn Factory Lisbon plays in positioning the city as one of Europe's leading centers for entrepreneurship and innovation.
The discussion will be led by John Byrne , founder of Writers' Bloc , and will go beyond superficial commentary to focus on the realities of building and expanding businesses across borders. Together with IPBN, Byrne will examine where the real business opportunities lie between Ireland and Portugal and what is truly needed to unlock them in practice.
This is not a lecture or a formal presentation. Instead, the "Conversations with a Leader" series is designed to address the essence of growth: market entry, building trust across cultures, dealing with complexity, identifying overlooked opportunities, and making the tough decisions that define successful leadership.
This series reflects IPBN's ongoing commitment to creating meaningful connections, facilitating the exchange of knowledge, and supporting members who are building, expanding, and investing in the Ireland-Portugal corridor.
Unicorn Factory Lisboa - Beato Innovation District
Entrance ③ Travessa do Grilo nr.1, 1950-147 Lisbon