Kitsap Bank announced the application period will open next week for the 2018 edg3 FUND small business competition. Interested entrepreneurs and small business owners are directed to the Bank's  edg3 FUND page, to access the online application from Monday, July 2 through Tuesday, July 31 at 5pm PDT.

Edg3 FUND (rhymes with hedge fund—the 3 is silent) is the Bank's annual small business competition recognizing entrepreneurs dedicated to growing our community in 3 ways: economically, socially and environmentally. Contestants are invited to submit an online application and a two-minute video which describe their business and make the case for how the $20,000 grand prize will take their business to the next level.

After the application period ends, semifinalists will be chosen, with public voting taking place through Kitsap Bank's website September 17-28. The public will help to select the top five finalists, who will present their pitches at a live event during Global Entrepreneurship Week on November 15, 2018 at the Kitsap Conference Center at Harborside in Bremerton. An independent panel of judges will determine the winner. For-profit small businesses based in Western Washington that have a positive economic, social, and environmental impact on the communities Kitsap Bank serves are encouraged to apply. The business needs to have a commitment to their idea and concept, and make the case for how the prize money will give their business an edge.

The Bank, for the third year in a row will be giving out 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. The award will be presented at the edg3 FUND Live event on November 15, 2018.

Visit the  edg3 FUND page to view the official rules and to submit your edg3 FUND application online.

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Established August 8, 1908, Kitsap Bank is headquartered in Port Orchard, WA, operating 20 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 10th 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.