HANOVER – The Hawks’ Nest 2025 business pitch competition brought a packed house to the Hanover Civic Theatre.
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,” officials state.
The panel of investors, or 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 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,” officials stated in a press release.
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,” officials continue.
“The energy in the room was electric,” stated 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,” officials stated.
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.
For more information on the Hawks’ Nest and more information about the Hawks and the finalists visit hawksnest.ca or contact SEDC at 519-799-5750 x 302/ sbdc.ca or Bruce CFDC at 1-519-386-9933 / bruce.on.ca.
