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LAS VEGAS • FEB 25 – FEB 27, 2025

Welcoming new to market kitchen and bath brands in the Kickstarter Zone at KBIS 2024
Collage of participants at the KBIS 2023 Kickstarter Zone

Kickstarter Competition Grand Prize Winner Announced at KBIS!

 Thank You 2024 Kickstarter Brands!

The Kickstarter Zone hosts first time KBIS exhibitors that have been in the market for less than three years. Each exhibiting company in the Kickstarter Zone automatically enters into the Kickstarter Competition, which is a ‘Shark Tank’ style contest, giving new-to-market brands a platform to accelerate their growth and visibility in the market. Congratulations to this year’s grand prize winner!

Congratulations Kickstarter 2024 Grand Prize Winner
Paneluxe

Congratulations to the 2024 Kickstarter Competition Finalists:

Interested in being part of the Kickstarter Zone at KBIS 2025? Submit your application below.

Kickstarter Zone exhibitor, Homaze, at KBIS 2023
Exhibitors pitching their products to industry experts during the Kickstarter Zone Competition.
Kickstarter Zone exhibitor, hai, at KBIS 2023

 Thank You 2024 Kickstarter Brands!

Thank You to Our Kickstarter Competition Judges

Maria Stapperfenne, CMKBD, Manager and Designer, Tewksbury Kitchen & Bath

Maria is an award-winning designer and sought-after educational speaker but is most recognized for serving as the last sitting NKBA National President (2015) while still being active with NKBA on the grass roots level today.  She earned the credentials of an NKBA Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer (CMKBD) in August of 2015 and a Certified Living in Place Professional (CLIPP) in 2016.  

She is employed as the Manager and Designer of Tewksbury Kitchens & Baths, a division of Huston Lumber & Supply Co. and holds a BA from Trenton State College. Today she serves on the advisory boards of Kitchen & Bath Business Magazine and The Living in Place Institute. Maria is a CLIPP Instructor and an NKBA CEU Program presenter, was named in KBDN’s “Top 50 Innovators” for 2017 and earned the NKBA’s “Early Adopter Luxury Kitchen Recycling Award” in 2019 and in 2022 was named one of seven “Prestigious Picks” – by KBDN in their “Person Of The Year” Issue as well as a judge for several industry awards.

Ebony Stephenson, CLIPP, CAPS, Owner and Principal Designer, Designs by Ebony, LLC

Ebony Stephenson, CLIPP, CAPS is a nationally recognized and award-winning Kitchen and Bath Designer. She is the Owner and Principal Designer of Designs by Ebony, LLC (DBE) based in Newport News, VA where she specializes in residential remodeling on the Hampton Roads Peninsula. Ebony is a Certified Living in Place Professional (CLIPP) as well as a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS). Stephenson is a native of Virginia Beach, VA and an alumna of Virginia Tech. In 2020 Stephenson made history as the first Black President of the VA State Chapter of the National Kitchen and Bath Association.

Ebony has received many national awards and recognition including NKBA 30 Under 30, Professional Remodeler 40 Under 40, Kitchen and Bath Design News Top 50 Innovator, K+BB Person of the Year Praiseworthy Pick 2022, Kitchen and Bath Business Magazine Editorial Advisory Board Member, Virginia Tech Residential Environments and Design Advisory Board Member, KBIS Kickstarter Judge (2023 and 2024), and Chief Architect Brand Ambassador.

Lorenzo Marquez, Former Chairman of NKBA, President and CEO, Marqet Group, LLC

Lorenzo Marquez is the President of Marqet Group, a full-service marketing agency specializing in the design and construction industry, specializing in kitchens and baths.   His previous experience includes being the marketing vice president for Cosentino North America for over ten years. He is a two-time Chairman of the Board of NKBA member. He has extensive knowledge in helping companies of all sizes in developing go-to-market strategies for the North American market.  He and his team support manufacturers, distributors, fabricators, and trade partners in developing campaigns to increase market share through strategic marketing strategies including branding, public relations, advertising, merchandising, social media, event production, and digital strategies.  He has extensive knowledge of both the commercial and residential industries in surfacing, flooring, cabinetry, plumbing, and appliances.

“The Kickstarter program was essential for us as a new company and first-time exhibitor. It was a massive opportunity for increasing brand and product awareness with face-to-face conversations about our value and mission.”

Matthew Wall, Co-Founder, Principle Faucets

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