Kitsap is home to a powerful force of innovators—entrepreneurs, builders, visionaries, and change makers shaping the future of our region.
Fiercely created by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs, the 2024 Firebrand Unconference was more than an event: it was a raw, honest, energizing conversation about what’s working, what’s missing, and what’s still needed to make Kitsap the best place to launch and grow thriving businesses that impact our community, and the world.
This Report + Playbook captures the momentum of that day.
Inside, you’ll find the top challenges local entrepreneurs are facing, the themes that emerged when founders had the floor, and bold, actionable insights for stakeholders across the ecosystem.
Whether you’re a founder, business owner, policymaker, educator, mentor, investor, or ecosystem builder, this is your call to listen, act, and fuel what comes next.
The conversations at the Firebrand Unconference surfaced clear, urgent signals about what our Kitsap business community needs—and what it will take to meet the moment.
These aren’t prescriptions. They’re possibilities drawn directly from the voices of local entrepreneurs. Some actions are simple. Others will take time, trust, and collaboration.
All of them are rooted in the belief that—if we listen deeply and act boldly—Kitsap’s business community can lead in a way that is both locally grounded and globally relevant.
Top Challenges:
Key Takes On:
- Emerging Industries
- Regulatory Environment
- Access to Capital
- Culture
- Community
- Talent
- Density
Actionable Insights For:
Additional recommended reading:
Fostering a Startup and Innovation Ecosystem, a white paper by UP Global (now part of Techstars), served as a key inspiration for the structure of this report. Their ecosystem framework helped guide how we organized and made sense of the insights shared during the 2024 Firebrand Unconference.