Sequim Bee Farm of Port Angeles edged out four other worthy competitors in Kitsap Bank’s fifth annual edg3 FUND small business competition, taking home the grand prize of $20,000. Edg3 FUND (rhymes with hedge fund) was created to recognize small businesses that are not only working hard to make a profit, but are also having a positive impact on the community.  This year, Kitsap Bank received numerous applications from entrepreneurs throughout Western Washington in industries ranging from technology and health products/services to environmental services, food/beverages and agriculture.  After much deliberation, the pool of fifteen semi-finalists was selected, and then a public vote helped to determine the five finalists. On November 15^th, the finalists gave their pitches before a live audience of over 250 people at the Kitsap Conference Center at Harborside in Bremerton. The winner was chosen by an independent panel of judges composed of entrepreneurs, small business owners, and venture capital investors. The competing businesses were rated based on their commitment to the triple bottom line—entrepreneurs dedicated to growing their community economically, socially, and environmentally. Each presenter was challenged to make the case for why they deserved the $20,000 prize money and how it will be a game-changer for their company.

“We are gratified that so many quality companies participated in edg3 FUND,” remarked Tony George, Kitsap Bank’s President and Chief Operating Officer. “We want to congratulate them all for the contributions they are making to their industries and communities.  Sequim Bee Farm is doing very important work addressing the preservation of the honey bee.  We expect great things from them, and are pleased to provide them the ‘edg3’ they need to take their business to the next level.”

Sequim Bee Farm
Sequim Bee Farm, owned by Meg and Buddy Depew, is a small, award-winning apiary located in the foothills of the Olympic Mountains.  Their mission is to provide exceptional honey, raw and natural, to nourish the community, lighten lives with their beeswax candles, and to educate everyone about the honeybee, while protecting and caring for these necessary pollinators.  https://youtu.be/fuTYVy7KCO8

The edg3 FUND finalists represented diverse industries and backgrounds from throughout the Puget Sound region.  The four other finalists included:

Compost Manufacturing Alliance            Port Orchard, WA     https://youtu.be/VVejfXGF7Ng

HandiMaps                                               Tacoma, WA               https://youtu.be/-6VF0OwgPqI

Kodama Farm & Food Forest                  Chimacum, WA          https://youtu.be/BnKUwnxTdb4

Wood Originals                                         Bremerton, WA         https://youtu.be/5iPTffAbTJM

 

Community edg3 Award

Dragonfly Cinema (Port Orchard) received the Community edg3 Award and a $5,000 cash prize.  The Community edg3 Award goes to one business selected from the pool of 15 semi-finalists that, in the judges’ opinions, best embodies the spirit of community, based upon their submitted application and video.  

Dragonfly Cinema

Dragonfly Cinema, an arthouse theater, has been located in historic downtown Port Orchard for over 100 years. They pride themselves in showcasing quality films in a landmark theater and being a gathering place for members of the community of all ages. In recent years, owners Nick and Gabrielle Taylor established the Port Orchard Film Festival which takes place each spring.  Dragonfly Cinema also reinvests funds back into the community through partnerships with local companies and non-profit organizations.  https://youtu.be/AtStuG9hvWg

edg3 FUND

edg3 FUND was introduced in 2014 by Kitsap Bank’s Green Team to commemorate Earth Day, and has continued as an annual event held during Global Entrepreneurship Week.  The competition covers all of Kitsap Bank’s market area in Western Washington, and is open to all small businesses.  Contestants submit an application and a two minute video about their business, which are reviewed by a panel of judges.  The judges choose 10-15 companies to compete as semi-finalists, and the company backgrounds and videos are posted on Kitsap Bank’s website and social media for a two week public voting period.  The public vote helps to inform the decision of which five companies will compete in the final live competition.  The live pitches are presented before an audience of approximately 300 people, as well as a panel of independent judges.  The judges determine which company will receive a grand prize of $20,000.  In 2016, Kitsap Bank created a new cash prize of $5,000 for the Community edg3 Award.  This award can be earned by any one of the semi-finalist companies, and is chosen as the one that in the judges’ opinions best exemplifies the spirit of community.  Since its inception, Kitsap Bank has award over $115,000 to small businesses throughout Western Washington.

Kitsap Bank

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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