Matchstick Lab Small Business Accelerator Weekend
About this Event
Ready to take your business to the next level?
The 2026 Microbusiness Accelerator is an intensive weekend experience designed to give Kitsap entrepreneurs practical tools, expert guidance, and meaningful connections to strengthen and grow their businesses.
The Accelerator Weekend brings together local entrepreneurs, business experts, and community leaders for three days of hands-on learning, connection, and business development.
What You’ll Gain
Throughout the weekend, you will have opportunities to:
- Learn from experienced entrepreneurs and business experts
- Strengthen skills in key areas of business ownership
- Work through real challenges facing their businesses
- Connect with fellow entrepreneurs at a similar stage
- Build relationships with local business and community resources
- Leave with practical tools and next steps they can put into action
Who Should Attend
We welcome entrepreneurs across all industries—from retail, food, creative businesses, and professional services to trades, technology, agriculture, and beyond.
The Accelerator Weekend will offer programming for small business entrepreneurs at two different stages:
1. Early-Stage Businesses
- Entrepreneurs who have been in business for 0–2 years with customers.
- Programming will focus on strengthening the foundations of the business and building the systems, knowledge, and confidence needed to move forward.
2. Growth-Stage Businesses
- Entrepreneurs whose businesses meet the financial threshold of over $250k in revenue
- Programming will focus on strengthening operations, navigating growth, and taking their business to the next level.
Ticketing Structure
We believe high-quality business support should be both valuable and accessible.
Standard ticket pricing helps sustain this work, while Community Supported and Scholarship tickets—made possible by KEDA—ensure that cost is not a barrier to participation.
If you’re able to purchase a Standard Ticket, you’re helping make this experience possible for others in the community.
- Standard Ticket: $150
- Community Supported Ticket: $75 (max 6 avail)
A reduced-rate option for entrepreneurs who would benefit from additional support. Includes full access to the experience. Limited availability. - Scholarship Ticket: $0
A small number of scholarship tickets are available, supported by our partners, to ensure access for all entrepreneurs in our community.
If cost is a barrier, please email us at [email protected]. We’d love to work with you to make sure that you can participate fully.
is igniting Kitsap's collective imagination, one entrepreneur at a time.
Matchstick Lab collaborates with regional, national, and international partners to deliver education, investment, and storytelling resources that unlock the full potential of Kitsap’s entrepreneurs and celebrate the region’s distinct heritage, talent and ingenuity.
Thanks to fiscal sponsorship through the Kitsap Community Foundation, Matchstick Lab operates as a 501(c)(3), ensuring accessibility and support for startups, small businesses, and social enterprises. Learn more at matchsticklab.co.
Friday
🕑: 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Lightning Talk
Info: Speaker: TBD -- Topic: TBD
🕑: 06:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Dinner
Info: Catering provided by:
🕑: 06:00 PM - 06:15 PM
Welcome + Weekend Kickoff
Info: Introduce format + Goals. Group introductions.
🕑: 06:15 PM - 06:45 PM
Meet Your Mentors
Info: Meet and get to know the mentors for the weekend
🕑: 06:45 PM - 07:00 PM
Looking Ahead to Saturday
Info: Review Saturday schedule and logistics.
Final questions.
Thank you and see you in the morning!
Saturday
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:15 AM
Saturday Kickoff
Info: Introduce agenda, trainers, and cohorts
🕑: 09:15 AM - 10:00 AM
Speaker - TBD
Info: TBC - Topic: Financial Decision Making
🕑: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Track Workshops: Round 1
Info: - Group #1: Early Stage - Group #2: Growth Stage
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Lunch + Mentor Round Tables
Info: Enjoy lunch and connect with mentors and fellow founders around the questions and challenges most relevant to your business.
🕑: 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Track Workshops: Round 2
Info: - Group #1: Early Stage - Group #2: Growth Stage
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:30 PM
Break
Info: Take a breather!
🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Founder Panel + Happy Hour
Info: Local entrepreneurs share the lessons they learned while building their businesses.
🕑: 04:30 PM - 05:00 PM
Pitch Showcase Preview + Saturday Wrap-Up
Info: Preview Sunday’s Pitch Showcase for growth-stage founders. Final questions and Sunday reminders.
Sunday
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:15 AM
Sunday Kickoff
Info: Welcome back. Preview the final day.
🕑: 09:15 AM - 10:00 AM
Speaker - TBD
Info: TBC - Topic: Turning Interest Into Customers
🕑: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Track Workshops: Putting It Into Action
Info: - Group #1: Early Stage - Review and apply what you’ve learned, finalize your 30-day action plan, questions and coaching.
- Group #2: Growth Stage: Pitch Preparation. Refine your pitch
Practice with mentors.
Prepare for the Pitch Showcase.
🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Lunch + Mentor Round Tables
Info: A final opportunity to ask questions, make connections, and get feedback from mentors and fellow founders.
🕑: 12:45 PM - 01:15 PM
Graduation + Weekend Close
Info: - Reflect on the weekend
- Recognize the 2026 cohort and present certificates
- Share what comes next
- Complete the weekend survey
- Cohort photo
🕑: 01:15 PM - 01:30 PM
Guest Arrival + Pitch Showcase Setup
🕑: 01:30 PM - 03:00 PM
Growth Stage Pitch Showcase
Info: Friends, family, and community members join us as growth-stage founders share their businesses and receive constructive feedback.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 89.49 to USD 176.96
