Fusion Credit Union - Community Infusion

After an exciting evening of inspirational pitches, we're thrilled to announce the winner of Community Infusion 2025!

Congratulations Silver Frame Photo and Video Memories! Stay tuned as we follow their entrepreneurial journey with help from Fusion Credit Union.

Thank you to everyone who joined us last night in Hamiota.

Final Results:

Grand Prize Winner:

Silver Frame Photo & Video Memories, Dauphin ($20,000)

2nd Place Winner:

Grit & Glam, Dauphin ($5,000)

Finalists:

Friendly's Grocery Coop, Inglis ($2,500) and Sumatu Intercontinental Traditional Wears, Brandon ($2,500).

Pick the Pitch Winner:

Silver Frame Photo & Video Memories, Dauphin ($1,000)

Watch the Livestream Here

Five entrepreneurs have earned their spot in the Community Infusion Final Five Live Event and are ready to pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges. Join us on October 21st and watch theses entrepreneurs compete for a chance to share in up to $30,000! Winner(s) will be announced that evening.

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

6:00 pm

Hamiota Community Centre

50 - 4th Street SE

Hamiota, MB

Free Admission

NEW THIS YEAR!!

$1,000 Pick The Pitch Audience Choice Award.

Audience members will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite pitch. The pitch with the most votes will win $1,000!

From Inception to the Final Stage...

Community Infusion stems from the belief that economic development is the foundation behind thriving communities.

In the Spring of 2021, employees were asked to identity ways for Fusion to contribute to economic development in our communities. From this session, the idea of a business pitch competition was developed and, after assembling a project team, the concept took flight. The inaugural Community Infusion live event took place in December 2021, followed by three consecutive events in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Stay tuned for plans regarding Community Infusion 2025!

"Describing my gratitude for the Community Infusion program as immense would be an understatement. The support I've received from this remarkable initiative has empowered Studio 12 to explore new avenues and expand in ways I previously only dreamed of.

The Community Infusion program not only directly benefited my business but also enabled me to bring an organization to life and taught me how to craft my own business plan. I've recommended this program to multiple people and cannot express my gratitude enough for this opportunity. Thank you sincerely."

-Danielle Pilatic, 2023 Community Infusion Winner

The Community Infusion Journey

The journey begins by completing an application form and culminates with entrepreneurs competing for a chance to share in up to $30,000 in financial grants.

Each spring, entrepreneurs are asked to submit an application to Community Infusion for a new business idea or an expanding business idea. The ideal application has a new, innovative and creative business idea that spurs economic development in our local communities.

After the application deadline, our team of judges score the applications based on our chosen criteria. The applications achieving the highest scores are then asked to submit a business plan. After another round of scoring, businesses with the highest score are invited to present their business pitch to a panel of judges. During the final, live event, the contestants will compete for a chance to share in up to $30,000 in grant money. The winners will be announced that evening.

Watch the 2024 Community Infusion Live Event

"To say that I am grateful for the Community Infusion program is a massive understatement. The support I received as a result of this amazing initiative is allowing Fierce to move in directions I have only dreamed of.

From start to finish, the Community Infusion program was well run. I felt supported the entire way and I loved the business planning process! It forced me to really consider what I wanted to do with Fierce and now.....I am bringing my plan to life! Thank you Fusion."

-Amy Doerksen, Fierce Female Hockey