The five finalists of this year’s Arnotts Pitch ’23 event are currently lighting up the Christmas shopping season at Arnotts in Dublin.
Arnotts Pitch ’23 is all about supporting Irish start-ups and giving them the tools they need to prosper on Ireland’s busy high street scene.
The competition focuses on businesses that already have a product, range or service that is ready to roll.
This year’s finalists have been handed the chance to set up shop, both in-store and online, at iconic department store, Arnotts, throughout the Christmas season.
Arnotts is also supporting them with specialised mentoring and expertise in the world of retail.
Meanwhile, one winning business is set to receive a €10,000 business development fund. Plus Eversheds Sutherland are offering legal advice, in the winner’s preferred area of focus, amounting to an overall value of €5,000.
This year’s finalists are:
Human Collective
Clothing brand Human Collective aims to spread the message of equality and social inclusion through its range of sustainably-made leisurewear.
Founded by Conor Buckley, Human Collective creates clothing that is environmentally sustainable and adorned with an ‘equals’ sign to show support for racial, LGBTQI+ and opportunity equality.
For every jumper sold, €3 is donated to their three charity partners – Sports Against Racism Ireland, LGBT Ireland and The Irish Youth Foundation.
Human Collective’s range of sweatshirts, hoodies, joggers, tees and beanies is on show at Arnotts now – alongside a special kids zippy featuring Late Late Show favourite Adam King’s ‘A hug for you’ drawing.
Blackbird Jewellery
Blackbird is a boutique-style jewellery store owned by Katie Rogers and based in Ennis, County Clare.
Blackbird showcases contemporary jewellery from Irish and European designers and offers truly unique pieces.
The company has a beautiful mix of jewellery on display in-store – including healing crystal bracelets and hand-crafted crystal bracelets designed with ‘mama’, ‘besties’, ‘love’ and ‘sisters’ lettering.
Treat Yo Self
Treat Yo Self is a family-owned, earth-friendly vegan sweet company with a mission to bring the best in vegan treats to Ireland in a sustainable way.
The concept, created by young brothers Harry and Jack as a project during the first lockdown is now a full-time family operation.
Treat Yo Self has a delicious and delectable mix of sweet treats on sale in Arnotts.
We Are Kalo
We Are Kalo is a vegan leather accessory brand, designed in Ireland by founders Kate O’Neill and Michael O’Malley.
Standout pieces created with hand-selected apple leather include the Everything Bag, which is “perfect for all occasions”.
Each bag comes with two interchangeable straps in thick, woven and thin apple leather styles, making for the perfect versatile wardrobe staple.
The bags are available in black, pink and orange.
Skin Krush®
Skin Krush® is a microdermabrasion beauty tool designed to exfoliate dead skin cells to achieve a smoother and more vibrant skin complexion.
This deep exfoliation helps skincare products go deeper into the skin to deliver more effective results.
Skin Krush® was founded by Sinead Gallagher and Jeanette Dunne who saw an opportunity to create an innovative at-home beauty tool through their work at the renowned Renew Skin Clinic.
The five finalists were chosen by the Arnotts judging panel.
They underwent a series of mentoring and development workshops with the panel before they were finally unveiled at Arnotts this Christmas.
The Pitch '23 winner is set to be revealed in January 2024. All of the above products retail both in store and online in the Arnotts Christmas Market.
