Kitsap Bank has announced 15 semi-finalists in their 2018 edg3 FUND small business competition. The mission of edg3 FUND (rhymes with hedge fund; the 3 is silent) is to recognize entrepreneurs dedicated to growing their community in three ways:  economically, socially, and environmentally.  The bank received numerous applications from entrepreneurs throughout Western Washington in industries ranging from food and agriculture, to technology, recreation, health and wellness, and more. 

“We are excited to have received applications from a number of very promising companies,” stated Tony George, Kitsap Bank’s President/COO.  “All of these innovative and hardworking business people are doing great things to promote a sustainable community, and we were honored that they invested their time and effort to join our contest.”  The top 15 companies will now move on to the semi-final round, which includes a public vote.  The companies selected are:

• Blackmouth Design - Bainbridge Island
• Cascade Hygiene - Bremerton
• Compost Manufacturing Alliance, LLC - Port Orchard
• Dragonfly Cinema - Port Orchard
• HandiMaps - Renton
• Kayak Brinnon - Brinnon
• Kitsap Fresh - Poulsbo
• Kodama Farm and Food Forest - Chimacum
• PJ's Market - Port Orchard
• Sequim Bee Farm - Port Angeles
• The Art of Crunch - Tacoma
• The Cocoa Forge - Port Townsend
• TreeYourself SPC - Seattle
• Vita Inclinata - Tacoma
• Wood Originals, LLC - Bremerton

The next phase of the competition begins Monday, September 17 when the public is invited to vote for their favorite company.  Those wishing to vote can go to https://www.kitsapbank.com/business/edg3-fund/ from September 17 to 28 to view background information and videos about the 15 semi-final companies, and learn how the $20,000 prize money will be a game-changer for each of these businesses.  Results of this vote will help determine the top five finalists, who will compete in a live competition on Thursday, November 15 at Harborside Conference Center in Bremerton.  There, the finalists will present their pitches before a live audience and an independent panel of judges; and the winner will come away with $20,000. 

 

Also, the bank will once again be awarding an additional $5,000 cash prize, the Community edg3 Award.  The $5,000 prize will be awarded to one business selected from the semi-finalist pool that, in the judges’ opinions, best embodies the spirit of community, based upon their submitted application and video. 

 

Who will get the edg3?

 

Established August 8, 1908, Kitsap Bank is headquartered in Port Orchard, WA, operating 21 locations throughout Western Washington.  With over $1 billion in assets, the Bank provides a full range of financial services to commercial and individual clients.  Kitsap Bank has been named a Preferred Lender by the U.S. Small Business Administration, and a Corporate Philanthropist by the Puget Sound Business Journal.  Kitsap Bank is ranked the 12^th largest bank based in the State of Washington and is the sixth largest women-owned business, according to the Puget Sound Business Journal.  The Bank was named Family Owned Business of the Year in 2015 by Seattle Business magazine and has a 5 Star rating from BauerFinancial Inc. For more information, visit www.kitsapbank.com and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. 

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