Three local businesses make semi-finals for $20,000 edg3 fund

by Zach Royer | zach@tri-areatimes.com

Three local businesses from Jefferson County have made it as semi-finalists in this year's $20,000 edg3 FUND competition offered by Kitsap Bank.

Fifteen small businesses from around the state made it to the semi-finals this year but just five will advance as finalists and compete for $20,000 at the edg3 FUND Live Event on November 15th!

Voting ends on September 28, 2018 - so be sure to cast your vote now.

• Kayak Brinnon - Brinnon

Kayak Brinnon specializes in biologist guided kayak tours of the Hood Canal.  Environmental education is their emphasis. In addition to tours they rent kayaks and SUPs and teach people how to shuck oysters and catch crab. They feel that educating families about the wildlife of the Puget Sound is important to the future of its health. Furthermore, harvesting one's own food gives people an appreciation for the environment from which it came.

With EDG3 funding, Kayak Brinnon plans to expand their services to include guided overnight camping trips, high bank waterfront delivery, and have the ability for on-water and secluded area rescues.

• Kodama Farm and Food Forest - Chimacum

​Kodama Farm is a small, permaculture-inspired farm started in 2016 by a trio of farmers in their mid-twenties. They grow over 300 varieties of vegetables, fruit (including citrus), and herbs that supply their personalized Full-Diet CSA and the Port Gamble Market.

Their vision is to create a welcoming destination and eventually start a farm-to-table restaurant at Kodama, all while developing and maintaining a healthy, vibrant ecosystem.

With conventional agriculture being one of the leading contributors to climate change, and the average age of farmers nearing 60, the need for sustainable farms, led by young farmers, is more urgent than ever.

• The Cocoa Forge - Port Townsend

​To seek out the world's most enchanting, rare and extraordinary Theobroma Cacao. To reverently and gently create this, "Food of the Gods". To respectfully present it to you in its purest form possible.

The Aztecs believed this remarkable and precious gift of cacao was brought to earth on the beam of the morning star. With thoughtful attention and practices, starting with genetics and farming through the long journey to become chocolate, The Cocoa Forge returns cacao to its rightful place of honor and appreciation.

Only by awakening our curiosity and awareness of these fine-flavored varietals will they be preserved.

​Kitsap Bank
Kitsap Bank is committed to a Triple Bottom Line model (people, profits, planet), and each year they reward companies who align with these core values and demonstrate how the $20,000 prize money will have a significant impact on their mission of making this world a better place.

UPCOMING DATES

• Public Voting/Private Judging: September 17 to 28
• Top 5 Finalists Selected: October 5
• Live Event: November 15

Entries Judges on the Following Criteria:

• Mission Alignment. The company demonstrates its ability to meet the edg3 FUND mission of growing our community economically, socially and environmentally.
• Impact. The company explains how a $20,000 prize will make a significant impact on their business.
• Viability. The company presents a clear vision for the future, and describes how the business will succeed for the foreseeable future.
• Uniqueness. The company is distinct or innovative and addresses a need, or solves a problem in a unique way.

Last year's 2017 edg3 FUND winner was HOME MADE CAFE from Port Orchard. Who will take the prize this year?  Vote now through September 28th!

​NOTE: The application period for 2018 has closed.

VOTE HERE