Room to Build
Wednesday, November 18
Firebrand brings together the people building what’s next in and from Kitsap—and the mentors, civic leaders, and community champions ready to help move it forward.
Join the Unconference
Wednesday, November 18, 2026, 9 AM – 5 PM
Vibe Coworks
The daytime Unconference is designed for entrepreneurs, business owners, innovators and people actively building—or preparing to build—a company, venture or bold new idea.
If you’re joining as an investor, mentor, civic leader, educator, service provider or community champion, we invite you to connect with the community at the After Party.
Join the After Party
Wednesday, November 18, 2026, 5 – 7 PM
Undisclosed location, The Centennial
An evening for founders, investors, mentors, civic leaders and community champions to connect around what Kitsap is building next.
All are welcome. Must be 21+ to attend.
2026 Unconference Agenda
8:45 AM
Doors Open
9:15 AM
Welcome: This Room Is Ours To Build
VIBE COWORKS
MOXIE ENTREPRENEURIAL SUPPORT SERVICES
9:30 AM
Opening Spark: Room To Build
A compelling opening reflection on what it takes to build ambitious companies in a changing world—inviting courage, curiosity and expansive thinking about what comes next, right here in Kitsap.
Speaker:
10:00 AM
You Build the Agenda
In this interactive session, you’ll surface what matters most—what you’re striving for, and what’s getting in your way. Using post-it notes, you’ll respond to prompts designed to capture both your current challenges and your next big moves. These insights will be used to shape the agenda for the day’s breakout sessions in real time.
10:20 AM
Break
10:15 AM
Unconference Round One
Now it’s time to turn insight into action. In this session, you’ll break into small, facilitator-led discussion groups to explore the most urgent and energizing themes that have been surfaced by you and your fellow entrepreneurs.
Come ready to dig deep, get honest, and help shape a more resilient, connected, and future-ready entrepreneurial community in Kitsap.
Facilitators:
11:20 AM
Break + Connection Time
11:35 AM
Field Notes from the Edge
Three entrepreneurs. Three very different paths. Hear what they’re building in and from Kitsap, the challenges they’re navigating and what others may not see about the journey.
Panellists:
12:00 PM
Community Lunch
We’re taking lunch outside—under cover, but not entirely out of the elements. Gather around a shared table in an unexpected setting for good food, lively conversation and a midday reset. Dress for the weather!
Sponsored by:
1:15 PM
Unconference Round Two:
Choose A Different Conversation
Choose a second entrepreneur-selected topic and join a new room for another candid, facilitator-led conversation. Dig beneath the easy answers, exchange hard-earned insight and explore the ideas, relationships and resources that could move things forward.
Facilitators:
2:25 PM
Break + Connection Time
2:40 PM
Entrepreneur Synthesis: What We Want Carried Forward
This is where your voice helps shape what happens next. Together, founders will turn the day’s conversations into a clear signal for the people who influence capital, policy, education and business support—deciding what they need to hear, what nuance matters and what stays in the room.
Facilitator:
3:15 PM
The Listening Room
The day’s most important insights won’t disappear into a stack of sticky notes. Together with you and your peers, we will bring them directly to a carefully chosen group of investors, civic leaders, educators and ecosystem partners who have come to listen, understand and identify what they can help move forward. This is a rare opportunity to shape how Kitsap backs the people building here.
Facilitator:
4:00 PM
Where We Go From Here: One Move Forward
Don’t leave with a notebook full of ideas and no next step. Turn the day’s conversations into momentum by choosing one action, introduction, experiment or commitment to pursue in the next 30 days, making sure you’ve made the connections you need today to follow it through. You’ll also hear how what surfaced at Firebrand will shape Matchstick Lab’s future programs, capital-access work and ecosystem conversations.
Facilitator:
4:25 PM
Carry It Forward
One last moment together to celebrate what we built, thank the people who made the day possible and carry the momentum forward. Then the doors open wider as Firebrand moves into the After Party.
5:00 PM
The Doors Open Wider: Firebrand After Party
Location: Secret location in The Centennial (near Vibe)
At the Firebrand After Party, the doors open wider.
Whether you’ve spent the day at the Unconference or are joining us for the evening, come connect with the founders, investors, mentors, civic leaders and community champions gathering around what Kitsap is building next.
Expect a relaxed, lively evening with good food, conversation beads to help you find your people and plenty of room for real connection without panels, pitches or formal programming.
Your ticket includes heavy appetizers and one complimentary drink.
Sponsored by:
About The After Party
At the Firebrand After Party, the doors open wider.
Join us from 5–7 PM at a secret on-site location inside The Centennial for an evening where founders, investors, mentors, civic leaders and community champions come together around what Kitsap is building next.
Whether you’ve spent the day at the Firebrand Unconference or are joining us for the evening, expect good food, lively conversation and a low-pressure way to make meaningful connections. Conversation beads will help you find the people you want to meet—with no panels, pitches or formal programming competing for the room.
The After Party follows the Firebrand Unconference, held earlier at Vibe Coworks from 9 AM–5 PM. While the daytime Unconference is designed for founders, business owners and people actively building (or preparing to build) a company, venture or bold new idea, the After Party is open to everyone ages 21+.
Your ticket includes heavy appetizers and one complimentary drink.
Tickets are $ General Admission or $ for Unconference attendees.
Space is limited, and a separate After Party ticket is required.
Thank You, Sponsors.
Ambitious companies don’t grow in isolation… and neither does the ecosystem around them.
Our sponsors make Firebrand possible, creating room for founders to tackle real challenges, build valuable relationships and connect with the people who can help move bold ideas forward.
Thank you for backing the people building what’s next in and from Kitsap.
Explore Firebrand sponsorship opportunities.
Flashpoint Sponsor
Combustion Sponsors
Blaze Sponsors
Ember Sponsors
Spark Sponsors
Official Firebrand Lodging Sponsor
Because even the boldest builders need a good night’s rest.
Thanks for making sure our visiting Firebrands feel right at home!
The Founder’s Circle
The bold and the brave who backed Firebrand from the start — fueling its launch in 2024 and committing to its future growth. Thank you!
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 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 feels so right.