Author: Matchstick Lab
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Matchstick Lab Wins $75,000 SBA Growth Accelerator Prize to Expand Access to Capital in Kitsap
As one of just 76 awardees nationwide, Matchstick Lab will use the funds to lay the foundation for Kitsap’s first investor network and capital strategy, expanding funding pathways for local entrepreneurs. POULSBO, Washington (November 19, 2025)—Matchstick Lab has been awarded $75,000 through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Phase One 2025 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC)—one…
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Fueling Kitsap’s Growth Engine—One Connection At a Time
Growth in Kitsap’s entrepreneurial ecosystem doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of intentional connections, shared vision, and the courage to keep innovating when the path feels uncertain.
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The Sun Queen and the First Angel Investor
Long before “angel investing” became a fixture, a European scientist and two pioneering women conducted an experiment that not only advanced solar energy technology but also planted the seeds of the funding model that startups rely on today.
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The Next Chapter Is Ours To Build
Everywhere I look in Kitsap right now, I see sparks. I see them in the eyes of a first-time founder refining her wireframes late into the night, and in conversations between seasoned business owners sharing insights over coffee. I see them on white board walls at Vibe Coworks, in underwater test environments with Navy Lab…
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Bainbridge Bookkeeper Guides Small Business to Solid Ground
Running a small business can feel like walking on water—each step a test of balance, belief, and resilience. For Shannon Raymond-Becker, founder of Pier 52 Bookkeeping, her mission is simple: be the pier that helps other entrepreneurs find solid footing. Based on Bainbridge Island, Pier 52 is more than a bookkeeping firm—it’s a lifeline for…
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Kingston Startup Empowers Everyday Boaters
When Tom and Yukie Huebner retired and moved to Kingston, they were excited to enjoy the region’s natural beauty and vibrant boating community. They looked forward to days spent crabbing, fishing, and exploring the waters around Puget Sound. But they quickly realized something that many new boaters do: docking isn’t easy.
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How Wautaugua Bay Roasters Is Redefining Coffee
For many coffee drinkers, the ritual of brewing a morning cup is a familiar comfort. But for Jacob Motola, co-founder and CEO of Wautauga Bay Roasters, coffee is more than routine—it’s a longstanding interest that’s become a second career rooted in relationships, respect for the process, and an appreciation for rare, small-lot beans.
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Ardell Salsa Brings a Family Recipe to Market
Bainbridge Island resident Ross Eide didn’t originally plan to start a salsa business. But after years of sharing a family recipe—and watching people light up at the first bite—he launched Ardell Salsa, named in honor of his mother, the salsa’s original creator. The first time Eide tried his mom’s salsa, it was a moment he’ll never…
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Honeybee Horticulture’s Journey from Side Hustle to Visionary Venture
Honeybee Horticulture is a Kitsap-based event planning and floral design business that also offers charcuterie catering, combining artistic detail with heartfelt personalization to create meaningful, memorable experiences for weddings, celebrations, and community events.