Growth in Kitsap’s entrepreneurial ecosystem doesn’t happen by accident
By Carol Kowalski
Board Member, Matchstick Lab I VP, Business, Community & Government Relations, Kitsap Bank
This article was first published in Kitsap Business as part of the Ecosystem Edge: Insights for Builders, Backers, and Believers column—a series exploring insights and ideas from across Kitsap’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, by, for, and about the people building what’s next. Read the original article →
Growth in Kitsap’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is the result of intentional connections, shared vision, and the courage to keep innovating when the path feels uncertain. As someone who cares deeply for local businesses through community banking and startup resources, I’ve seen how growth is rarely just about money—it’s about relationships.
At Kitsap Bank, we’ve spent over a century walking alongside local businesses as they evolve from kitchen-table ideas to enduring institutions. Today’s founders—especially in technology, sustainable food systems, and digital creative—are reshaping what growth looks like. They don’t just want capital; they want partners who understand both the risks and the rewards of building something new.
So what fuels growth in Kitsap’s ecosystem? Three things stand out:
- Intentional Collaboration
Our region’s size can be an advantage if we leverage proximity—connecting founders with mentors, investors, and peers who shorten the learning curve. The Matchstick Lab Firebrand Unconference reminded us that one good conversation can unlock months of progress. - Future-Ready Capital
Growth needs patient capital that sees beyond the next quarter. Community banks, angel investors, and local foundations can use financing models that fuel startups while keeping their roots local. - A Shared Narrative
Every strong ecosystem has a compelling story. In Kitsap, that story is about resilience, resourcefulness, and a deep sense of community. When entrepreneurs feel part of something bigger, they stay the course.
From Technical Expertise to Community Connection
When Greg and Dionne Showers founded Backflow Assembly Solutions, their vision was grounded in a highly technical but underserved niche: ensuring safe, code-compliant water systems through backflow prevention equipment and services. Their work required not only technical know-how, but access to regulatory guidance, supplier networks, and project partners.
Through the Matchstick Lab Micro Business Accelerator made possible by the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance with the support of Kitsap Bank, Greg and Dionne were introduced to mentors in municipal infrastructure and permitting.
That guidance led to direct contact with Kitsap County water district engineering, saving months of red tape. Other conversations through Matchstick Lab-hosted workshops introduced them to procurement professionals at a regional plumbing supply firm, opening the door to better sourcing terms.
Each new connection unlocked a resource, insight, or opportunity they didn’t yet know they needed. Today, Backflow Assembly Solutions has grown from a two-person startup to a trusted regional name, managing contracts, training technicians, and mentoring others in water systems technologies.
Greg told me:
“Matchstick Lab didn’t just give us a program. They gave us a community that listens and lifts as you climb.”
Scaling Both Impact, and Revenue
Greg and Dionne’s story captures the Matchstick Lab’s ethos: growth not as a solo climb, but as a web of connections—each one reinforcing the next. Looking ahead, we can align our community’s values with our growth strategies.
What if every new venture launched with a built-in plan to mentor the next generation of founders?
What if we doubled down on building regenerative businesses—companies that give back more than they take?
Growth isn’t just about scaling revenue. It’s about scaling impact.
When a community believes in its builders, big things happen. When Kitsap’s builders, bankers, and believers work together, we don’t just grow businesses—we grow a community built to last.