NEUSTADT – The Saugeen Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and Bruce Community Futures Development Corporation (Bruce CFDC) have announce Georgian College as the first corporate sponsor for the 2023 Hawks’ Nest competition.
Georgian College is “very pleased” to sponsor the Hawks Nest initiative as a corporate sponsor, states a Jan. 5 press release.
The Hawks’ Nest is a Dragons Den-inspired competition where new and existing businesses and entrepreneurs from Grey, Bruce, Wellington North, Minto and Owen Sound will pitch their business ideas in an attempt to secure financial support from local “Hawk” investors.
A number of interested businesses and entrepreneurs will be participating in one of the full day virtual business plan training sessions.
The first session took place Jan. 10, with future sessions sent for Jan. 18 and 21, with a special youth training session on Jan. 14.
Registration is now open for those wishing to attend a session. Applicants have until March 10, to submit their final business plan package to SEDC general manager Rose Austin or Bruce CFDC general manager Barb Fisher.
Both Austin and Fisher state they are encouraged by the response and look forward to the final event on May 17, at the Roxy Theatre in Owen Sound, where the final seven will pitch their business ideas to the Hawks.
The Hawks’ Nest will soon be announcing six high-profile business leaders in the local area who have committed to invest a minimum of $5,000 on one or more of the finalists that evening.
Not only is there a minimum $30,000 up for grabs; the finalists will come away with valuable feedback, coaching, mentorship and immeasurable exposure to kick start their business idea.
For more information on the Hawks’ Nest, sponsorship opportunities and tickets contact the SEDC toll-free at 1-877-335-7332 / www.sbdc.ca or Bruce CFDC toll-free at 1-888-832-2232 / www.bruce.on.ca.
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:
– community strategic planning and socio-economic development;
– support for community-based projects;
– business information, training and planning services; and
– access to capital for small and medium-sized businesses and social enterprises.
