Roseau, Dominica, — The GEMS Foundation is thrilled to announce the winners of the first GEMS Entrepreneurship Challenge! After careful consideration and evaluation of all the submissions as well as the Ultimate Pitching Challenge hosted on Thursday, May 4th, the following businesses have emerged as the top performers: First Place – Bee Natural, Second Place: Jaydee’s Naturals, and Third Place: Ceres Agriculture.
The winning entrepreneur was awarded $20,000 EC to invest in, and grow their business. The second and third-place winners were awarded $15,000 and $10,000 EC, respectively. The other shortlisted applicants who pitched their businesses were: Apachy Solutions, Finesse Beauty House of Fashion, Hey Mama, and Kings Punch.
Gregor Nassief, CEO of GEMS Holdings Ltd. shared, “All of the entrepreneurs should be proud of what they have achieved and we are delighted to support their growth and development. Hospitality and tourism play a vital role in Dominica’s economy and these entrepreneurs strengthen the industry through innovation and quality products and services. A special congratulations to our winners Bee Natural, Jaydee’s Naturals, and Ceres Agriculture. A special thanks to the board of the GEMS Foundation for rolling out our GEMS Hospitality School in 2022 and our GEMS Entrepreneurship Challenge this year.”
The GEMS Foundation Director of Entrepreneurship, Lizra Fabian stated, “We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners for their outstanding performance and innovative ideas. Your hard work and dedication have truly paid off, and we are excited to see how your ideas will shape the future of entrepreneurship.
Furthermore, we thank all the participants for their submissions and for making this challenge a huge success. Your creativity and passion for entrepreneurship have been truly inspiring. We look forward to seeing the continued growth and success of all the participants, and we hope that this challenge has provided a platform for you to showcase your talents and ideas.”
The GEMS Foundation expresses gratitude to the Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce for its support in the execution of this initiative as well as to Colin Hill of Aitia Bio for his donation to this initiative. Gratitude is also expressed to the panel of judges: Evadney Esprit, Gregor Nassief, Olive Strachan MBE, Rudy Reid, and Sam Raphael for their valuable support in the selection process.
The GEMS Foundation will continue to empower local entrepreneurs to strengthen and grow their businesses within the hospitality and tourism supply chain by hosting this initiative again next year. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to implement optimal financial management and continue on their entrepreneurial journey to innovate and seek opportunities for development with initiatives such as the GEMS Entrepreneurship Challenge.
For more updates on the GEMS Entrepreneurship Challenge, view the GEMS website at https://www.gems.dm/foundation/ and follow the GEMS Foundation Facebook Page.
View the event recording on EmoNews here.
About the GEMS Foundation and GEMS Holdings Limited The GEMS Foundation is part of GEMS Holdings Ltd. GEMS is an impact-driven Caribbean-based company dedicated to owning, managing, and developing world-class, sustainable luxury properties and businesses in the hospitality and tourism markets. The GEMS portfolio includes Fort Young Hotel & Dive Resort, Secret Bay, The Residences at Secret Bay, and Tibay Villas.
Contact: GEMS Foundation | Lizra Fabien, Director of Entrepreneurship
Email: [email protected]
Yes I, big up! Go Jodi, go natural. Thank you. 😊
That is what supporters of UWP are made of,smoking weed,drinking rum,lazy,criticizing,lying and gossiping all day no ambition,waiting for Skerrit to remove s*** from their A.Now they are attacking small businesses.
Now they attacking members of the cabal who received lots of CBI money… Who allowed the CM to give our money away like that. Money, we never see again.
A unsatisfied man is an unhappy man. Gregor may have the whole of Dominica but he will still want more. They came from Lebanon or Syria to the Caribbean with the intention which they implemented the moment they arrived. Nassief owned 85 to 90% of Mahaut Village. There is a gate erected at the entrance of the Belfast river mouth (estuary). Forbidding free public access to the river where children and adults used to enjoy a river/sea bath. This was the main water source in the entire village for people who wanted to enjoy the river. All that freedom and access to the water for all people have been permanently restricted by this smiling Gregor. These people are parasites. They fill the pockets of the ruling party and put chains on the masses. Also, people used to bathe in the river basin underneath the Belfast bridge – this area is also blocked off. So what’s really happening here in Dominica is really sad. The answer to these madness is a MASSIVE REVOLUTION. CHASE DE DEM CRAZY BALDHEAD
I do agree with you but nowadays they are protected by the man in charge and his militia. You would never hear a member of this clan criticising Skerrit as long as he gives them what they want. It’s as simple as that.
Look it, look at the photo… another gathering of who is who of Skerrits secondary cabal members. Only in DA does utter nonsense like this makes it in the press.
Somebody ask the question!!!
Who give GEMS authority to take control of those two Beaches at T-Bay???
Now Dominicans still cannot access those areas like how nature intended because Gregor claim dem to be Private property!!!
Freeniss is Worryniss!!!
ALLyou need to take heed of what is to come!!!
Slowly and strategically Gregor keep taking and taking and taking and taking more than is Father could ever imagined!!!
Perks for members of Skerrits cabal. Corruption everywhere in DA.
This is what I like to see- people putting their money where their mouth is. We get too much talk and no action.
Well done participants.
Good initiative Gregor.