Local Entrepreneurs Secure Over $40,000 in Investments at Hawks’ Nest 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Local Entrepreneurs Secure Over $40,000 in Investments at Hawks’ Nest 2025 
Dragons’ Den–inspired competition empowers rural business dreams

Hanover, ON – June 19, 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.

This year’s finalists included in no particular order:

Melissa Baumgaertner – Smile Wellness Clinic
Janice Campbell – PuppyROLO
Devin Hannah – Cleaning Depot Saugeen Shores
Ryan David Harris – Artie Music Official
Maksim Karasev, Olga Karaseva, Ekaterina Petrovskaya – TechCNC
Kourtney Spang – The Barking Brew
Wyatt Garren – Defy the Odds Basketball

Wyatt Garren – Defy the Odds Basketball was the recipient of the People’s Choice Award for 2025!

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,  please go to www.hawksnest.ca or contact SEDC at 519-799-5750 x 302/ www.sbdc.ca or Bruce CFDC at 1-519-386-9933 / www.bruce.on.ca.

Backgrounder:

The SEDC and the Bruce CFDC offer a wide variety of programs and services supporting community economic development and small business growth. In particular, they provide:

• Access to capital for small and medium-sized businesses and social enterprises.
• Business information, training and planning services
• Community strategic planning and socio-economic development, and
• Support for community-based projects

The SEDC and the Bruce CFDC are not-for-profit organizations that have partnered to provide an avenue for existing businesses looking to expand and entrepreneurs wanting to start a business.

Media Contacts:

Rose Austin | SEDC | rose@sbdc.ca | www.sbdc.ca | 519-799-5750 x 302

Barb Fisher | Bruce CFDC | bfisher@bruce.on.ca | www.bruce.on.ca | 519-386-9933