Georgian College’s Grey-Bruce Entrepreneurship Hub Shares First Year Successes
Georgian College’s entrepreneurship hub at Sydenham Campus marks first year in Grey-Bruce with youth programs, newcomer support and mentorship for local founders.
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One year after expanding entrepreneurship services into Grey and Bruce counties, Georgian College is celebrating the success of its Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre (HBEC) at the Sydenham Campus in Owen Sound.
With funding support from Grey County, HBEC programs over the past 12 months have:
introduced more than 50 high school students to hands-on entrepreneurship training, culminating in a pitch competition where students secured seed funding
launched the Xcelerate event series, including XcelerateHER to spotlight women founders and XcelerateNOW to support newcomer entrepreneurs
expanded access to mentorship, offering expertise in intellectual property, branding, digital marketing, and financial planning, including services in Spanish.
“This year has been about building trust, listening to the needs of the community and responding with programs that matter,” said Ryan Burwell, Manager, Programs and Services at HBEC. “Together with our partners, we’ve helped create meaningful opportunities for entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.”
Following feedback from local business support networks and economic development teams, HBEC focused on initiatives that directly responded to regional needs, as three key areas of impact emerged: youth entrepreneurship through education, specialized support through targeted community events and increased access to mentorship opportunities for diverse and early-stage founders.
HBEC partnered with the Bluewater District School Board to deliver hands-on entrepreneurship training and a pitch competition for secondary school students. Fifty students participated in workshops that introduced them to real-world business tools and mindsets.
Students from Walkerton District Community School later pitched their business ideas to a panel of judges from Georgian, Grey County, and Bruce County — with top participants receiving seed funding and additional support through the Summer Company program.
“Working with HBEC made this project authentic. Students heard from professionals and young entrepreneurs with real experience growing businesses in the Grey-Bruce region,” said Kim Harbinson, Learning Services Administrator, Bluewater District School Board.
HBEC’s Xcelerate series also brought targeted programming to entrepreneurs across multiple municipalities, expanding its reach and impact.
XcelerateHER, hosted in partnership with Bruce County and Saugeen First Nation, celebrated women founders and featured Chelsee-Marie Pettit of aaniin retail Inc., who spoke about building a 100% Indigenous-owned brand rooted in values and cultural empowerment.
XcelerateNOW focused on newcomer entrepreneurs in Hanover. The event connected founders with local success stories and resource providers from Grey County, Grey Bruce Local Immigration Partnership, the Grey County Business Enterprise Centre and the Township of Southgate.
Entrepreneurs across Grey-Bruce accessed specialized mentorship in areas such as intellectual property, market research, branding, digital marketing, and newcomer-focused business development. Services included business planning and financial coaching in Spanish, helping to remove language barriers and increase accessibility.
“The Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre has been an invaluable resource in guiding my decision-making process. Their support, especially through access to relevant data, helped me validate key choices I made for the business with confidence. Beyond the numbers, their commitment to empowering entrepreneurs like me has made all the difference,” said Maegan Cookson, founder of Boon Bakery in Owen Sound.
HBEC will continue delivering services throughout the region, and entrepreneurs are encouraged to reach out hbec@georgiancollege.ca to learn more and get connected.
Submitted by Georgian College