Kitsap’s 1st Annual Forum for and by Entrepreneurs
Join the Unconference
Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 9 AM – 3 PM
Vibe Coworks Poulsbo, Summit Space
This portion of the day is for current and aspiring business owners,
and entrepreneurs only.
If you are not directly working on a building or growing a business, please join us exclusively for the After Party!
Attend the After Party
Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 3 – 5 PM
Undisclosed location, The Centennial
Everyone welcome. Must be 21+ to attend.
2024 Unconference Agenda
9:00 AM
Doors Open
9:15 AM
Words of Welcome
VIBE COWORKS
MOXIE ENTREPRENEURIAL
SUPPORT SERVICES
9:30 AM
Building Inclusive Spaces for Real Change
In a world that demands adaptability and compassion, creating inclusive spaces is not just an aspiration—it’s a vital responsibility for every leader. What does Kitsap’s startup and business community look like today, and how can we transform it to be more inclusive? This session is all about making sure that everyone feels seen, heard and empowered to contribute to today’s conversations. We’ll be exploring what it really means to foster authenticity in your business, specific tools you can use to build environments that reflect the rich diversity of your community, and how to lay the groundwork for real, lasting change.
Speaker:
ENGAGING ACROSS DIFFERENCE
10:00 AM
Unconference Interactive:
What’s Keeping You Up At Night?
In this interactive session, participants will reflect on key challenges they face as business owners. Using post-it notes, you’ll respond to questions like, “What keeps you up at night?” and “What obstacles are preventing your growth?” Don’t hold back. This is your time to share your most honest experiences and insights about doing business in Kitsap, and uncover common themes as we collaboratively explore solutions in subsequent breakout sessions throughout the day.
10:20 AM
Mike Galgon on Resilience and Innovation:
Insights from a Social Entrepreneur and Venture Partner
Every challenge presents an opportunity—an opportunity to innovate, to grow, and to make a lasting impact on your community. In this inspiring session led by Enrique Godreau, Mike Galgon, co-founder of Pioneer Square Labs and CEO of Global Partnerships, will share insights on ways that you can harness your entrepreneurial spirit and rethink what success looks like for your business now and into the future.
Speakers:
GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS
& PIONEER SQUARE LABS
MATCHSTICK LAB
(VIRTUAL)
11 AM
Choose Your Challenge:
Deep Dive Discussion #1
Building on the themes identified in the “What’s Keeping You Up At Night?” activity, this session invites you to break into facilitated small groups and dive deep into four key issues that emerged. Together with your peers, you’ll explore root causes, share strategies, and brainstorm actionable solutions to overcome challenges, drive growth, and strengthen the resiliency of our local business ecosystem.
Facilitated by:
4PT0
TRACTION LEADERSHIP
INNOV8SOCIAL
EOS WORLDWIDE
12 PM
Lunch
Sponsored by:
12:30 PM
Choose Your Challenge:
Deep Dive Discussion #2
Rinse and repeat! Choose a different one of the four key issues that emerged from the common themes identified in the “What’s Keeping You Up At Night?” activity. Together with your peers in a facilitated small group format, you’ll explore root causes, share strategies, and brainstorm actionable solutions to overcome challenges, drive growth, and strengthen the resiliency of our local business ecosystem.
Facilitated by:
4PT0
TRACTION LEADERSHIP
INNOV8SOCIAL
EOS WORLDWIDE
1:30 PM
Break
1:45 PM
Kitsap’s Future:
Shaping Success With What We Already Know
This session will look towards the future, discussing how Kitsap can shape its business landscape by effectively utilizing the knowledge and resources already identified. The focus will be on long-term vision and planning.
Panelists:
(MODERATOR)
NAVY LAB KEYPORT
GRAIN DESIGN
PHAIDRA
(VIRTUAL)
TERRAFRAME
FBOMB ANGELS
2:45 PM
Closing Words and What’s Next
MATCHSTICK LAB
3 – 5 PM
Firebrand Kitsap After Party
Location: Secret location in The Centennial (near Vibe)
Separate ticket required for entry (buy now). Must be 21+
The Firebrand After Party is an informal mixer celebrating entrepreneurship, innovation, and small business growth across the Kitsap Peninsula, and you’re invited!
This portion of the day is open to everyone who is passionate about entrepreneurship and innovation. It’s your chance to continue the conversations from the day, and mix and mingle with founders, business owners, investors, creators, and champions in a relaxed, informal setting designed for building meaningful connections.
Ticket includes heavy appetizers and one complimentary drink.
Sponsored by:
About The After Party
The Firebrand After Party is an informal mixer celebrating entrepreneurship, innovation, and small business growth across the Kitsap Peninsula, and you’re invited!
Join us from 3 – 5 PM at a secret on-site location in The Centennial for this exclusive, ticketed event.
Open to everyone passionate about entrepreneurship and innovation, it’s a great chance to mix and mingle with founders, business owners, investors, creators, and champions in a relaxed, informal setting designed for building meaningful connections.
The After Party follows the invite-only Firebrand Unconference, held earlier at Vibe Coworks from 9 AM – 3 PM. While the Unconference is by invitation only, the After Party is open to all (ages 21+).
Your ticket includes heavy appetizers and one complimentary drink, offering the perfect setting to recharge, share insights, and network with Kitsap’s most dynamic business owners, leaders and visionaries.
Tickets are $50 General Admission or $25 for Unconference attendees.
Don’t wait to buy your ticket: space is limited, and expected to sell out!
Sponsors
The growth, expansion, and strengthening of businesses in and beyond Kitsap starts with each of us.
THANK YOU for helping us fuel the future.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Join us!
The Founder’s Circle
The bold and the brave, who took a bet and jumped in with substantial sponsorship support for the Firebrand initiative in this inaugural year, with a commitment its future growth. Thank you!
Partner Level Sponsors
Grassroot Sponsors
Local businesses leading the charge in building a space for entrepreneur-led community, growth and voice. Thank you!
Economic Empowerment Partners
Sponsoring this forum and uplifting local businesses with resources and support, while empowering startup founder and business owners to take the lead. Thank you!
Why ‘Firebrand’?
As a forum that is unapologetically for and by entrepreneurs, this annual convening is unlike any other business event in Kitsap. We needed a name to reflect that.
The term “firebrand” refers to a person who is passionate, energetic, and outspoken. Firebrand is derived from the image of a burning piece of wood (a brand) that ignites and spreads fire, metaphorically representing someone who ignites passion or inspires others with their fervor and outspokenness.
In a business context, “firebrand” also denotes a leader or influencer who drives change and challenges the status quo with bold ideas and actions, which is precisely why the “Firebrand Unconference” name felt so fitting.