The 2025 cohort brings together a dynamic mix of established small businesses and emerging entrepreneurs, with strengths in professional services, retail, wellness, education, entertainment, and product development.
POULSBO, Washington—Today, Matchstick Lab announced the 24 participants of its third and largest Micro Business Accelerator cohort to date. The dedicated thirteen-week program is specifically crafted to build community amongst peers, and accelerate the entrepreneurial endeavors of small business owners who are ready to take their ventures to the next level.
Matchstick Lab Executive Director, Alanna Imbach commented:
“Entrepreneurship is tough, but it doesn’t have to be lonely. The Matchstick Lab Micro Business Accelerator is all about building community, making meaningful connections, and turning ambitious ideas into reality. We’re honored to support this incredible group of business owners as they take the next big steps in their ventures.”
Thanks to additional funding secured by the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (KEDA), the program has doubled in size and extended its geographic reach for 2025, offering dedicated workshops in both the North and South ends of the county to increase accessibility and impact.
Now in its third year, over forty applications were received for the 2025 cohort. Female-identifying entrepreneurs represented the majority of applications (76%), with twenty-eight percent of all applicants indicating that they are at a stage in their venture where they are ready to scale. Eighteen percent of applications were received from US military active duty or veteran households. Applications represented micro businesses from across the whole of the Kitsap Peninsula, from Belfair to Hansville, with the largest percentage of applicants hailing from Poulsbo (33%), and Port Orchard (21%).
The following 24 entrepreneurs were selected to participate in the 2025 Matchstick Lab Micro Business Accelerator cohort from a highly competitive pool of applicants representing a broad range of industries:
- Alrae Green
- Amanda Aude, Bainbridge Play Cafe
- Anastasiia Plylypenko
- Calvin Frey, Tender Leaves Outdoor Preschool
- Chelsey Newmyer, Chelsea Newmyer, LLC
- Christie Merrill, Sound Beats CPR
- Christopher Cioc, Joint Fitness
- Daniel Ramirez
- Ghazal Tariri
- Himesh Bhargo, TheKitsap.com
- Jacob Motola, Wautauga Bay Coffee Roastery
- Janay Kidder, Esthetics By Janay
- Jim Cook, White Barn Decor
- Jon Berkimer, The Westsound Company
- Julia Ahmadi, Good Juju
- Julia Piazza, Anewsight
- Kelsi Nymon, Peninsula Notary Services
- Mariah Mendez, Honeybee Horticulture
- Pam Kilbarger, Pam Kilbarger
- Rachel Valberg
- Shannon Raymond-Beck, Pier 52 Bookkeeping
- Stephanie Kunold, Active Vitality
- Tom Huebner, DOCKSTAR
Key components of the program include: a supportive peer community cohort model; eight-week intensive business plan training program facilitated by the Kitsap Community Resources BE$T program; hands-on workshops on storytelling, public speaking and building strong business credit; personalized mentoring and technical guidance; marketing assets and more.
Community members are invited to connect with the 2025 Cohort at the monthly Lunchtime Lightning Talks, held on the third Thursday of each month from 11:30AM – 1PM at either Rice Fergus Miller (Bremerton) or Vibe Coworks (Poulsbo). The program will culminate with a celebratory Graduation Night on Friday, June 6, from 4 – 6PM at Vibe Coworks.
Thanks to grant funding, the Matchstick Lab Micro Business Accelerator is free to apply for, free to participate in, and there is no equity exchanged. The funding secured by KEDA has been provided by the Washington State Microenterprise Association (WSMA), thanks to a grant made by the Washington State Department of Commerce.
Kitsap Economic Development Alliance Executive Director, Joe Morrison, noted:
“At KEDA, we believe that investing in entrepreneurship is one of the most impactful ways to drive economic growth and innovation in Kitsap County. Programs like the Matchstick Lab Micro Business Accelerator provide the critical support that entrepreneurs need to thrive. We’re proud to play a role in making that possible by securing the funding needed to make these types of programs accessible to all small business owners in Kitsap.”
2025 MATCHSTICK LAB FUNDERS + PARTNERS
Executed by Matchstick Lab, the 2025 Micro Business Accelerator is generously funded by the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) with funding provided by the Washington State Microenterprise Association (WSMA), thanks to a grant made by the Washington State Department of Commerce.
Additional community partners include: Greater Kitsap Chamber, Kitsap Community Resources Business Education Support & Training (BE$T), Kitsap Bank, Rice Fergus Miller, Kitsap Small Business Development Center, Spark Commons, Vibe Coworks.