The Goss.ie Women of the Year Awards will take place on Sunday, October 9th at The Royal Marine Hotel Dun Laoghaire, with broadcaster Gráinne Seoige as host.
We will honour women across multiple genres, including business, the arts, social justice and sports. Plus we have launched a special ‘Local Hero’ category, where Goss.ie readers can nominate local women in their area.
This year the awards are in partnership with Google, Casillero del Diablo, Woulfe and Dingle Distillery.
Women’s Aid is our official charity partner for 2022 and will be delivering a keynote speech at the awards, we will also be running a charity raffle on the day to raise funds for the charity.
A highly-esteemed and all-female judging panel will decide the winners of each category.
The Best Start-Up award, sponsored by 1501 Hair Salon, is shining a light on up-and-coming companies in the worlds of fashion, tech, and medicine.
These nominees are making waves in their respective industries, despite being in business only a short time.
Take a look at this year’s nominees:
Riley
Riley is a mail order subscription service for tampons and pads, designed to take the stress out of being unprepared for your period.
Started by Cork entrepreneurs Aine Kilkenny, Fiona Parfrey and Lauren Duggan, Riley’s sanitary products are better for your body as they contain zero bleach, toxins, or chemicals.
Sustainability is one of the company’s core values, and all their products are made using 100% organic cotton, with eco-friendly packaging.
Alongside taking the stress out of our periods, Riley is making a real difference in the world as they’ve partnered with Development Pamoja, an Irish registered charity in Kenya, to provide free sanitary products to young girls.
SepTec
SepTec is a patent-pending in-vitro diagnostic device that screens blood for the diagnosis of sepsis associated blood-stream infection, accurately detecting and identifying pathogens within 15 minutes.
The microfluidic and ultrasensitive electrochemical detection technology was developed by company co-founders, Dr Elaine Spain and Dr Kellie Adamson, previously Principal Investigators in the Faculty of Science & Health at DCU.
In development since 2014, SepTec is currently completing clinical device validation using suspected sepsis patient samples in collaboration with two Dublin hospitals and are working to accelerate the SepTec device to the next stage of commercialisation.
Kinzen
Kinzen is a service that helps clients track and identify disinformation campaigns online.
The spread of misinformation has become hugely prevalent over the past few years, especially amid the Covid-19 pandemic, and Kinzen is making a real difference.
Co-founded by broadcaster Aine Kerr in 2018, the company provides data and research to trust and safety professionals, content moderators and public policy makers, helping them get ahead – and stay ahead – of threats such as dangerous misinformation, hateful content, violent content, violent extremism and dangerous organisations.
Kinzen use a blend of human expertise and machine learning to provide early-warning of the spread of harmful content in multiple languages.
4th ARQ
4th ARQ is a unisex clothing line, which was launched by influencer Rosie Connolly in December 2020.
Less than two years after its fruition, the brand has grown exponentially and has become a firm favourite in people’s wardrobes.
4th ARQ sell a wide-range of trendy clothing items, including hoodies, sweatshirts, joggers, half-zip fleeces, bodysuits, bomber jackets, leggings, and puffer gilets, with prices ranging from €30 – €100.
Kahm Swimwear
Kahm Swimwear is a sustainable brand based in Co. Donegal, which specialises in swimwear for ladies, men and little girls.
The swimwear is made from ECONYL® regenerated nylon, produced from old materials like carpets, fishing nets and nylon scraps.
The brand was founded by sisters Áine Boyle and Sally Anne Sherry in May 2021, and Kahm has gained a lot of fans ever since – including influencer and model Jess Redden.
From flattering frill swimsuits to long sleeve one-pieces, this brand is a sea-swimmer’s dream.
CLOO Active
Influencer Louise Cooney launched CLOO Active at the end of 2021.
After noticing her followers rising interest in her workout gear during lockdown, the Limerick native decided to launch her own high quality fitness clothing brand.
The brand’s growing collection includes stylish high waisted workout leggings, sports bras, a range of trendy tops and sweatshirts, and a slick bomber style rain jacket.
The colour palette for CLOO Active is a mix of dusty pinks, blacks and greys, with a price range from €35 to €95.
FINALBEND
FINALBEND is an eco athleisure wear brand set up by Emma Coffey back in 2018, when she was still in secondary school.
Since then, the brand has gone from strength to strength, but really took off during lockdown when the Cork native went viral on TikTok after she started showing off her products on the app.
In November 2021, FINALBEND was also featured on The Late Late Show, and won the National Start Up Award for Ecommerce and Retail.
The brand sells a range of matching co-ord sets, as well as accessories like caps, bottles, and tote bags.
The Best Start-Up award is sponsored by 1501 Hair Salon.
Renowned for their signature blondes and voluptuous extensions; 1501 Hair Salon opened their doors in Dundalk in 2015.
The salon immediately emerged as trendsetters in the industry, introducing fresh and innovative techniques, and their award-winning influential team are masters of colour and style.
Check out their luxurious boujee salon and fabulous work on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook, and to book visit their website or call 042 935 1510.
