Women
Advancing Women Economically (AWE)
Webinar Series
Advancing Women Economically (AWE) invites women entrepreneurs to join a free, five-week Lunch & Learn webinar series designed to help you start, grow, and scale your business with confidence. Running Thursdays from March 19 to April 16, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., each session is led by expert facilitators and covers practical topics such as turning passion into profit, building confidence, marketing, collaboration, and money management.
Deadline to apply - February 19th, 2026
Participants who complete all sessions are invited to a complimentary catered networking breakfast, with early registrants also receiving a special discount to AWE’s International Women’s Day event.
International Women's Day 2026
Celebrate International Women’s Day with an inspiring evening of connection, collaboration, and growth at the Carriage House Event Centre—Hanover’s newest venue at the Hanover Raceway.
Hosted by Saugeen Connects, and proudly sponsored by the Saugeen Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), this special event brings women from across the community together for a meaningful night centered around this year’s theme, “Give to Gain.” Guests will enjoy a catered dinner, explore the Women’s Marketplace, and connect with like-minded women in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
The evening will feature a powerful keynote from Jenn Walker of Dive Heart First, who will challenge traditional ideas of effort, worth, and success. Through impactful stories and practical insights, Jenn will explore how to give generously without burnout—and how to lead, grow, and build your life or business on your own terms.
Event Highlights:
- Catered Dinner: Enjoy a variety of delicious international dishes
- Women’s Marketplace: Browse vendor booths with local women-owned businesses. Booths available for $25 - contact bobbi@sbdc.ca to reserve yours today!
- Networking & Community: Connect, share, and be inspired
Ticket Includes: Keynote, dinner, and full access to marketplace booths. Don’t miss this chance to learn, connect, and grow with an incredible community of women!
IWD 2026 Vendor Booth Info
Join us for International Women’s Day and grow your business alongside other women entrepreneurs. Vendor booths are available for women-owned businesses looking to connect, share, and shine. Applications available online. Click below. Deadline to apply: February 18, 2026
BIZGrowth
What is it? If you are an existing women owned business looking to grow, scale-up, or expand, BIZGrowth may be for you. Businesses may have difficulty moving their business to the next level and thisprogram is designed to help businesses increase and capitalize on market opportunities to grow and expand. The purpose is to assist businesses to expand into new markets. BizGrowth Can Help Your Business!
- Expand to New Markets: including plans supported by participating at key trade missions, conferences, and trade shows.
-Product Development and/or Business Enhancement: including needed equipment, training, and certification costs.
- Utilization of Information Communication Technology (ICT).
BizGrowth will cover 50% up to $2500.00 (not including taxes) in assistance towards approved costs in the above categories.
Advancing Women Economically (AWE) Loan
The Saugeen Connects/SEDC Advancing Women Economically (AWE) loan product was developed to assist women entrepreneurs that face the following barriers: are older, that are clients of social services, are disabled or indigenous. This loan product was designed to address the needs of this targeted segment of women.
It is our hope that through this product we can provide women in the Saugeen Connects catchment area with help assessing and acquiring the skills required to build and sustain a successful business, develop more confidence and be provided with support to overcome a good portion of the barriers they face. Saugeen Connects strives to support women in business and the AWE Loan product can be used to achieve this.
An AWEsome Program for Women
By: Anna Proctor
Women in the Saugeen area are shining a little brighter these days, thanks to an AWEsome webinar series called AWE (Advancing Women Economically), the brainchild of Saugeen Connects.