Kitsap Bank to Give $20,000 in Small Business Competition

July 15, 2015 - Blog, Community News - Comments: 

edg3 FUNDKitsap Bank has a question for entrepreneurs and small business owners: What could you do for your business, if you had an extra $20,000?

Contestants will have the opportunity to answer that question and compete for $20,000 in the bank’s second annual edg3 FUND small business competition. Edg3 FUND, which had its inaugural year in 2014, recognizes entrepreneurs dedicated to growing our community in three ways: economically, socially and environmentally.

“Last year’s competition produced 70 applicants representing a wide range of industries, stretching from the Olympic Peninsula to our state Capitol,” said Tony George, Kitsap Bank’s president and chief operating officer. “Some very creative and hardworking entrepreneurs shared their unique stories with us; and we look forward to meeting even more of these innovative companies this year.”

Edge3 Fund 2015
(Click to Enlarge)

The application period runs through July 31. Visit www.kitsapbank.com/edg3-fund to download the application and official rules. After the application period ends, semifinalists will be chosen, with public voting taking place through Kitsap Bank’s website Sept. 15-30.

The public will help to select the top five finalists, who will present their pitches at a live event on Nov. 12 at the Kitsap Conference Center 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 its idea and concept, and make the case for how the prize money will give their business an edge.

The winner of last year’s $20,000 edg3 FUND prize was Pawzii, Inc. Founded in Bremerton with offices in Seattle, Pawzii, Inc., is the developer of an online pet-licensing solution and a trap/neuter/release program. Its solutions have been utilized by numerous animal welfare organizations throughout the United States, including Kitsap Humane Society, Regional Animal Services of King County, Seattle Animal Shelter, Pasado’s Safe Haven and Motley Zoo.