Kitsap Bank is pleased to announce that Home Made Cafe of Port Orchard has been awarded the $20,000 cash prize in the fourth annual edg3 FUND small business competition. 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 food/beverages and building, socially-responsible retail, technology, and agriculture.  After much deliberation, the pool of sixteen semi-finalists was selected, and then a public vote helped to select the five finalists. On November 16th, the finalists gave their pitches before a live audience of over 300 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.

Home Made Cafe was established when the owners' ten year old daughter fell very ill, and ultimately was diagnosed with an allergy to high fructose corn syrup. For the family, going out to eat was nearly impossible. Their experiences with food allergies motivated them to create a cafe where families with food allergies could come and enjoy a meal made from scratch with quality ingredients (non-processed). Home Made Cafe not only serves real food, but they also give back to the community by donating to the South Kitsap Helpline Food Bank and participating in a program called Lunch Camp, which provides free lunches for kids in need in the community. At the Home Made Cafe they make "Real Food for Real People."

"We are extremely pleased that Home Made Cafe has won the $20,000 prize," remarked Tony George, Kitsap Bank's President and Chief Operating Officer. "They are focused on making a difference in the community in a socially, economically, and environmentally responsible way. We expect great things from Home Made Cafe and are pleased to provide them the 'edg3' they need to take their business to the next level in the fourth year of the edg3 FUND competition."

Unlike years past, the 2017 edg3 FUND finalists all hail from the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas:

• Bushel & Barrel Ciderhouse, Poulsbo, WA                            
• Morel Compass Mushrooms & Co., Port Angeles, WA                        
• Set & Drift Shellfish, Port Ludlow, WA    
• SpringRain Farm & Orchard, Chimacum, WA

For the second time Kitsap Bank gave an additional $5,000 cash prize, the Community edg3 Award. The $5,000 prize was awarded to one business selected from the pool of 16 semi-finalists that, in the judges' opinions, best embodies the spirit of community, based upon their submitted application and video. Kitsap Bank is pleased to announce that Cascade Hygiene is the recipient of the $5,000 Community Edg3 Award.

Cascade Hygiene LLC, located in Bremerton, is a mobile dental hygiene service, providing dental services to anyone with limited access to care. Their primary focus is the elderly, disabled, and low-income communities. Cascade Hygiene provides dental cleanings, oral cancer and head and neck screenings, fluoride varnish treatments and many other services. The fees are on average 30-50% less than a traditional dental office, and no one is denied care due to an inability to pay.

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. 

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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 second 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.