Hawks Nest
2025
A packed house at the Hanover Civic Theatre witnessed innovation, courage, and community support in action at the highly anticipated Hawks’ Nest 2025 business pitch competition. The event saw six adult finalists and one youth entrepreneur pitch their business ideas live on stage to a panel of successful business leaders — the "Hawks"
What is
Hawk's Nest?
Hawks Nest is a Dragons' Den-style event for entrepreneurs in the Grey, Bruce, Owen Sound, Wellington North, and Minto regions! Whether you're looking to level up your current business or secure funding for an exciting new venture or product, you've come to the right place. Get ready to pitch, connect, and make your entrepreneurial dreams a reality!
Our Hawks, local investors, are eager to invest at least $5,000 each in promising local entrepreneurs.
Think you have what it takes to pitch to the Hawks? Hawks' Nest 2025 has wrapped up but be sure to check below for as more details/important key deadlines become available for our next Hawks' Nest!
How it works...
Think you have what it takes to win an investment from the Hawks? Then you will need to create a business plan and pass an interview stage. If selected you will have the opportunity to pitch to the Hawks at the live event at the Hanover Civic Theatre.
1
Request an information package.
Create your business plan and submit with a completed application.
2
Interview and discuss your business plan.
3
If selected, pitch your idea to the Hawks at our live event.
Local Entrepreneurs Secure Over $40,000 in Investments at
Hawks’ Nest 2025
A packed house at the Hanover Civic Theatre witnessed
innovation, courage, and community support in action at the highly anticipated Hawks’ Nest
2025 business pitch competition. The event saw six adult finalists and one youth entrepreneur
pitch their business ideas live on stage to a panel of successful business leaders — the "Hawks".
When the dust settled, the Hawks had collectively invested over $40,000 of their own
corporate funds into the ideas they believed in, helping turn dreams into real, viable businesses.
The panel of investors, the "Hawks," includes James Scongack (Bruce Power), Craig Beck (The Beck Auto Group), Peter Reid (Tibbs Management), Ryan Enright (The Cooperators), Bill
Windsor (Windsor Hospitality) and Amanda Farrell Walsh (Miller Insurance).
Hawks’ Nest, a Dragons’ Den–inspired event, is proudly presented by the Saugeen Economic
Development Corporation (SEDC) and the Bruce Community Futures Development
Corporation (Bruce CFDC). The competition is designed to support local entrepreneurs and
spark innovation throughout Grey County, Bruce County, Minto, Wellington North, and the
City of Owen Sound.
This year’s event was more than just a show. Finalists not only had the chance to secure financial
backing, but also received invaluable mentorship, strategic advice, access to marketing
resources, and were welcomed into the Hawks' powerful network of business connections. Every
entrepreneur who took the stage walked away with new tools to grow their business — whether
through investment, partnership opportunities, or guidance.
"The energy in the room was electric" said one of the event organizers. "The level of
professionalism and passion these entrepreneurs brought was inspiring — and the Hawks
responded in a big way."
The Hawks’ Nest panel, each committed to investing a minimum of $5,000. But the generosity
extended far beyond that, with several Hawks offering additional support in the form of
mentorship, resource sharing, and promotion to help finalists launch or expand their ventures.
SEDC and Bruce CFDC, who co-created Hawks’ Nest, continue to support rural entrepreneurs
through free business counselling, loans for startups and expansions, community project
planning, and economic development initiatives across the region.
Hawks’ Nest 2025 showcased the strength and resilience of local business ideas — and the
powerful role that community-backed investment can play in shaping the future of rural Ontario.
Watch The
Hawks Nest Live Show 2025
Meet Our
Hawks!
We’re proud to introduce the Hawks of Hawks Nest 2025 — a group of accomplished local entrepreneurs who have built their own success right here in our community. These inspiring individuals are now giving back by sharing their knowledge, experience, and support to help the next generation of entrepreneurs rise. With a passion for community and a commitment to mentorship, our Hawks are here to turn big ideas into local success stories.
Click on the images below to view their stories!
Meet Our
Entrepreneurs!
Meet this year’s bold and innovative entrepreneurs who took the stage at Hawk’s Nest 2025! From passionate start-ups to growing small businesses, each finalist delivered a powerful pitch to our panel of local “Hawk” investors, hoping to secure funding and support to take their business to the next level. Representing a wide range of industries and communities across the region, these entrepreneurs brought forward exciting ideas, heartfelt stories, and a drive to succeed—making this year’s event one of our most inspiring yet.
Click on the images below to view their stories!
Hawks' Nest in the
Local Press!
Hawks’ Nest 2025 has captured the attention of media outlets across the region. This section highlights the articles, press coverage, and stories that showcase the incredible entrepreneurs, generous investors, and community spirit that define this Dragons’ Den–style event. Dive into the headlines and discover how Hawks’ Nest is helping local dreams take flight.
July 9, 2025
Dundalk Herald (Print Only)
Local youth entrepreneur impresses "Hawks" with her business plans
Become a
Sponsor!
Becoming a sponsor is a fantastic way to support local entrepreneurs while gaining valuable exposure for your brand. We offer a variety of sponsorship package levels to accommodate all budgets, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to get involved. Each package is designed to provide unique benefits and visibility, allowing you to choose the option that best aligns with your goals.
Our 2025 Sponsors
Corporate Sponsors
Partner Sponsors
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Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
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Silver Sponsors
Previous Shows
Hawks Nest Live Show 2023
Find your local
Community Futures Office
Providing small business services to people living in rural and remote communities. Whether you gained an investment from the Hawks or missed out this time around, don't forget to check out your local Community Futures offices to find out more about their great business loans, grants and much more!
Time to
Get Inspired
Entrepreneurship is more than starting a business — it’s about courage. It’s about daring to dream, to take risks, to create something where nothing existed before. It’s about seeing opportunity where others see obstacles and refusing to give up when the road gets tough.
None of this happens in a vacuum. Behind every great entrepreneur is a community — people who believe in them, invest in them, and champion their vision. That’s why today, we especially want to recognize our Hawks, sponsors, and our Board of Directors.
Your support isn’t just financial. It’s a vote of confidence. It’s a lifeline during the tough moments and a powerful reminder that big dreams are worth pursuing. You are fueling
innovation, job creation, and future leaders. For that, we thank you.
To the entrepreneurs in the room: keep going. Keep building. The world needs your ideas, your passion, and your resilience. And to our supporters: thank you for standing beside them — and ahead of them — as guiding lights.
Together, we are shaping a better, braver, and bolder future.
Rose Austin
General Manager
Saugeen Economic Development Corporation
Do you have
what it takes
to be a Hawk?
submit your contact information to hawksnest@sbdc.ca for consideration for future Hawks' Nest competitions as one of our Hawk Investors.
Key Dates &
Deadlines
FREE Business Plan Training Sessions:
Saturday, November 9th. 9 – 3 PM
Thursday, November 21st 9 – 3 PM
Saturday Dec 7th (Youth session half day) 1 – 4 PM
Saturday, January 11th 9 – 3 PM
Saturday, January 25th 9 - 3 PM
Recorded sessions are available
Submission Deadline:
March 10th 2025 | 4pm
Live Event:
Wednesday, June 18th