Gems Foundation

Tonight is the night when 7 entrepreneurs will pitch their products or services in the hopes of winning the coveted prize of EC$20,000.00. I wish each of them the very best in their endeavors. I will be present cheering on for each of you.

🎉 Meet the 7 Finalists! 🎉

After a competitive first round, these outstanding entrepreneurs have advanced to the Ultimate Pitching Event in The Phillip Nassief Entrepreneurship Challenge hosted by GEMS.

Congratulations to our Top 7:

• Bonnit Enterprise
• CQ’s Pepper Sauce
• Filtr Aesthetics
• FryingPanProductions
• Mama Cheveux Products
• Outsource Development
• ShopDM

They will take the stage on Thursday, February 19 at 5:00 PM AST, pitching live for over EC $45,000 XCD in funding.

Tune in LIVE on EMO News and cheer them on as they pitch for growth, impact, and opportunity!

🎉 Meet the 7 Finalists! 🎉

After a competitive first round, these outstanding entrepreneurs have advanced to the Ultimate Pitching Event in The Phillip Nassief Entrepreneurship Challenge hosted by GEMS.

Congratulations to our Top 7:

• Bonnit Enterprise
• CQ’s Pepper Sauce
• Filtr Aesthetics
• FryingPanProductions
• Mama Cheveux Products
• Outsource Development
• ShopDM

They will take the stage on Thursday, February 19 at 5:00 PM AST, pitching live for over EC $45,000 XCD in funding.

Tune in LIVE on EMO News and cheer them on as they pitch for growth, impact, and opportunity!

📣 Deadline Extended to December 8! | Phillip Nassief Entrepreneurship Challenge

Reminder to all aspiring entrepreneurs!
The GEMS Foundation has extended the application deadline for the Phillip Nassief Entrepreneurship Challenge to December 8.

If you haven’t submitted your application yet, this is your chance to finalize your idea, refine your pitch, and step into an opportunity designed to elevate the next generation of innovators.

⏳ New Deadline: December 8, 2025
🔗 Apply now!

Don’t miss out — your idea could be the next big breakthrough.

The GEMS Foundation is pleased to announce that the application deadline for the 2025 Phillip Nassief Entrepreneurship Challenge has been extended to December 8, 2025!

This extension gives entrepreneurs across Dominica more time to finalize and submit their applications, especially during the busy and vibrant Creole season — a time that showcases the creativity and hard work of our small business community in food, hospitality, culture, and tourism.

The Challenge, supported by the Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce (DAIC), celebrates the entrepreneurial legacy of the late Phillip Nassief, empowering small businesses within the island’s hospitality and tourism value chain to grow stronger, smarter, and more sustainable.

🗓️ Key Dates:
📌 New Application Deadline: December 8, 2025
📌 Judging Phase Ends: January 28, 2026
📌 LIVE Ultimate Pitching Challenge: February 19, 2026

💰 Prizes:
🥇 1st Place – EC$20,000
🥈 2nd Place – EC$15,000
🥉 3rd Place – EC$10,000

Entrepreneurs, this is your moment! 💡 Submit your application today or complete your existing one before the new deadline.

Access the Application Form: http://bit.ly/4996XsM

👉 Visit www.gems.dm/foundation
or follow for updates.

Dominica Association of Industry & Commerce

We shared with the listeners of Matt on Talk On the Block about the Phillip Nassief Entrepreneurship Challenge and encouraged all our businesses aligned with the hospitality and tourism supply chain to apply to benefit from 20,000, 15,000 or 10,000 EC to enhance their businesses and impact to Dominica. Check out the recording.

Talk on the Block - September 24th 2025 Talk on the Block

Calling All Dominican Entrepreneurs!

The 3rd Annual Phillip Nassief Entrepreneurship Challenge is officially open, and here’s your chance to access up to EC $20,000 in funding and mentorship to grow your business in the hospitality and tourism supply chain.

📢 Want to learn more?
Join our Zoom Information Session on:
🗓 Monday, September 8, 2025
🕖 7:00 – 8:00 PM
🔗 Register now: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/5qH78vCJTN2w5-XoJ1BxjA

Over the past two years, this Challenge has invested EC $90,000 into 6 Dominican businesses, improving efficiency, boosting revenues, and transforming operations. Shortlisted applicants have also received mentorship that sharpened their strategies and built long-term sustainability.

Don’t miss this opportunity to fund your vision, gain mentorship, and scale your business!

👉 Apply now at: www.gems.dm/foundation
📩 [email protected]

This initiative is proudly supported by the Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce (DAIC).

🌟 Applications are NOW OPEN for the 3rd Annual GEMS Foundation Phillip Nassief Entrepreneurship Challenge! 🌟

Are you an entrepreneur in Dominica ready to take your business to the next level? 🚀 This Challenge empowers businesses within the hospitality and tourism supply chain — from food & beverage, wellness, agro-processing, transport, technology, entertainment, marketing, energy efficiency, and more!

💰 Grant Awards:
🥇 1st Place – EC $20,000
🥈 2nd Place – EC $15,000
🥉 3rd Place – EC $10,000

📅 Important Dates:
• Applications Open – September 1, 2025
• Info Session – September 3, 2025
• Applications Close – September 30, 2025
• Ultimate Pitching Event – November 26, 2025

✅ Apply now and show how your business is creating innovation, growth, and impact in Dominica!

👉 Learn more & apply: http://bit.ly/481BNTs
📧 Submit by September 30, 2025 to [email protected]

Together, let’s build stronger businesses for a stronger Dominica 💪🇩🇲


Dominica Association of Industry & Commerce

The GEMS Foundation today proudly launched the 3rd Annual Phillip Nassief Entrepreneurship Challenge, continuing its mission of empowering Dominica’s entrepreneurs to strengthen and grow their businesses within the hospitality and tourism supply chain.

In just two years, the Challenge has awarded EC $90,000 to six entrepreneurs, fueling growth that has translated into enhanced operations, increased revenues, and improved efficiency for winning businesses. The impact has gone even further as shortlisted applicants have also benefited from mentorship that have sharpened their business strategies and boosted their long-term sustainability.

This year, the Challenge once again invites applications from businesses within the hospitality and tourism supply chain including food and beverage, agro-processing, wellness, entertainment, transport, technology, safety, marketing, and energy efficiency services. Three winners will share EC $45,000 in grant awards:
1st Place – EC $20,000
2nd Place – EC $15,000
3rd Place – EC $10,000

Director of Entrepreneurship for the GEMS Foundation, Lizra Fabien shared “This initiative is not only about funding, but also about celebrating resilience, innovation, and determination among Dominican businesses. Their success stories are a testament to the Challenge’s role in building stronger enterprises that contribute to the country’s economy. We encourage all suitable businesses to apply to participate in this transformative experience.”

Applications open September 1, 2025 and close September 30, 2025. Seven finalists will be shortlisted for the Ultimate Pitching Event on November 26, 2025, where winners will be announced live.

The GEMS Foundation encourages all suitable and innovative Dominican businesses to apply and seize this chance to receive both financial support and valuable mentorship. Apply today at www.gems.dm/foundation or send applications to [email protected].

To support the application of all interested entrepreneurs, an information session will be hosted on Monday, September 8 at 7:00 PM via Zoom. Follow on Facebook for details on this event and other updates.

This initiative is supported by the Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce (DAIC), whose partnership strengthens the Foundation’s mission to empower local entrepreneurs and enhance Dominica’s business ecosystem.