Making Connections

Successful B2B Matchmaking Event Strengthens Cork-Portugal Business Relations

In June 2023, the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) team at Cork Chamber joined forces with EEN Portugal and the Irish Portugal Business Network (IPBN) to organise a B2B matchmaking event. The overall goal of this mission was to bring together businesses from Cork and Portugal, providing them with a unique opportunity to forge potential cross-border contacts and contracts. The event proved to be a catalyst for successful partnerships and invaluable international networking.

A delegation of twelve Portuguese companies spanning various sectors travelled to Cork, seeking business partnerships and collaborations. The event included pre-arranged, speeddating style B2B meetings held over two consecutive days. The first day’s meetings took place at the vibrant co-working space, Republic of Work. The second day took place at the welcoming environment of Culture CoWorking Hub.

The outcomes of this event were highly positive, as two Cork companies successfully established fruitful business partnerships with Portuguese counterparts. These connections not only helped these Cork companies gain key knowledge on accessing the Portuguese market, it also gave them the opening to allow for the onboarding of new international clients. The event provided an ideal platform to establish trust and foster collaboration between these diverse businesses.

For the last thirty years, the EU Single Market has removed barriers to doing business and has made it possible for businesses to expand beyond their borders. This event highlighted the importance of the single market in nurturing and expanding international trade, offering companies the chance to seize growth opportunities.

The success of this B2B matchmaking event serves as a testament to the dedication and expertise of the EEN at Cork Chamber. If you are an SME looking to expand into international markets, please contact Grace Kelleher, EEN Advisor at grace@ corkchamber.ie, and start your journey today.