Female entrepreneurs honoured at the fourth annual Female Founder Awards – businessplus.ie

Report on the Fourth Annual Female Founder Awards and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

The fourth annual Female Founder Awards, hosted by The Club Women’s Network, were held at the Maryborough Hotel in Cork. The event recognized women entrepreneurs leading values-driven businesses that contribute significantly to social and economic progress. The awards framework prioritizes purpose and long-term impact over traditional financial metrics, directly aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The event’s core philosophy and the achievements of the finalists demonstrate a strong commitment to several key SDGs:

• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The awards are a direct initiative to empower female entrepreneurs, celebrating their leadership and promoting equal opportunities in the economic sphere. By highlighting women-led businesses, the event champions the full and effective participation of women in business and public life.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The focus on businesses creating “social and economic impact” supports the goal of promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth. The emphasis on values-driven entrepreneurship fosters decent work environments and resilient business models.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: By providing a platform for female founders, the awards actively work to reduce inequalities within the Irish business landscape, ensuring a more diverse and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The Club Women’s Network itself, and the collaborative community it fosters, exemplifies the spirit of partnership. The event serves as a multi-stakeholder platform that strengthens the means of implementation for sustainable development by connecting, supporting, and celebrating impactful businesses.

Award Categories and 2025 Recipients

A record number of entries were received, with 24 finalists competing across five categories designed to recognize different facets of sustainable and impactful entrepreneurship. The 2025 winners, who exemplify these principles, are as follows:

1. Newcomer of the Year: Jenny Douglas, The Good Moment Company
2. Solopreneur of the Year: Fiona O’Donohoe, Away with Nature
3. Business of the Year: Kel Galavan, Mrs Smart Money
4. Positive Impact Award: Cathy O’Byrne, The Swallow’s Trail Parent Support
5. Contribution to The Club: Amelia McNamara, Graceful Accounting

The overall Female Founder of the Year award was presented to Kel Galavan of Mrs Smart Money, recognizing her significant contribution to both economic growth and community well-being.

Event Proceedings and Outlook

The awards ceremony featured a keynote address from Jennie Johnston, CEO of Azure Communications, who spoke on resilience and determination in a shifting economic environment, themes central to building sustainable enterprises (SDG 8). Sian Horn, founder of The Club Women’s Network, reiterated the event’s purpose, stating, “We’re incredibly proud to…recognise women who are building businesses with purpose and impact.”

The Female Founder Awards have become a significant event in the Irish entrepreneurship calendar, underscoring the growing influence of women-led businesses in driving a more sustainable, equitable, and purpose-driven national economy.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights issues related to female entrepreneurship, economic impact, and community building, which directly connect to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 5: Gender Equality – The core theme of the article is the celebration and recognition of women entrepreneurs in Ireland. The “Female Founder Awards” event is designed to promote and support women in business, which is a key component of achieving gender equality and empowering women economically. The article explicitly mentions “Irish female entrepreneurship” and the “growing influence of women-led businesses nationwide.”
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article focuses on “values-driven businesses that create social and economic impact.” This aligns with SDG 8’s aim to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth. By celebrating entrepreneurship, innovation, and the growth of businesses, the event supports the creation of productive employment and decent work. The keynote address on thriving “in a shifting economic environment” further reinforces this connection.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s focus, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.
   • The article directly addresses this target by showcasing an event dedicated to recognizing “women leading values-driven businesses.” The awards celebrate female founders who are leaders in the economic sphere, thereby promoting and making visible women’s participation and leadership in business.
2. Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises.
   • The “Female Founder Awards” serve as a platform that encourages and supports entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly among women. The article’s emphasis on “building businesses with purpose and impact” and recognizing categories like “Newcomer of the Year” and “Business of the Year” directly relates to fostering the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions and implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• For Target 5.5 (ensuring women’s leadership):
  • Number of female entrepreneurs: The article states there were “24 finalists competing across five categories,” which serves as a direct indicator of women participating in economic leadership roles.
  • Growth in female entrepreneurship: The mention of a “record number of entries” for this year’s awards implies a positive trend and an increase in the number of women starting and running businesses, which can be tracked year-on-year.
• For Target 8.3 (promoting entrepreneurship):
  • Number of new enterprises founded by women: The “Newcomer of the Year” award category specifically points to the creation of new businesses by women, which is a key indicator of entrepreneurial activity.
  • Social and economic impact of businesses: The article states that the awards recognize businesses that “create social and economic impact.” While not quantified in the text, this is a qualitative indicator used in the judging process to measure the contribution of these enterprises beyond profit.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary

Source: businessplus.ie