Social Pics: The Pitch took place last night in The Sugar Club on Leeson Street

The Pitch finals took place in Dublin’s Sugar Club on Leeson Street.

Presented by Melanie Morris, our five all-star judges – Jo Malone CBE, entrepreneur and founder of Jo Loves; Bobby Kerr, broadcaster and founder of the Insomnia Coffee Company; Suzanne Homewood, Enterprise Sales Director, SEUK; Linda Nolan, Head of Marketing Samsung Ireland and Clodagh Edwards, CEO Image Publications – took to the stage as our seven finalists made their case for why their business deserved the career-changing prize package worth up to €100,000.

We received legions of applications from women who fit the bill, but only seven could be taken through to the next stage. The finalists (in no particular order) were:

• Kasia Connolly, Hazel Mountain Chocolate
• Aoife Doyle, Pink Kong Studio
• Jennifer Rock, The Skin Nerd
• Annelie McCaffrey, Your Smile Direct
• Rachel Keane, Póg
• Ella De Guzman, Siopaella
• Anita Murray, Pink Beauty Group

Jennifer Rock, CEO and founder of The Skin Nerd ran away with the prize, after convincing the judges she was deserving of the title, through a unanimous vote.

The Skin Nerd, an online skincare consultancy, was founded by Jennifer to show skin the respect and care it needs. Jennifer herself has lectured and spoken about skincare everywhere from Ireland AM to the Sunday Business Post to IMAGE.

“We are disruptors in our industry. People told us it was only a skew and wouldn’t work. We showed them.”

– Jennifer Rock, The Skin Nerd

When asked just before her pitch what it would mean to her to win, Jennifer said: “We’re looking for new premises at the moment and struggling to find the technology we need – winning The Pitch would mean the world, and would be a massive opportunity for us.”

Congratulations Jennifer. And a massive thank you to all our finalists and judges.