Bounce Innovation Hub

At the heart of area entrepreneurship

Bounce is Akron’s entrepreneurial hive mind, the home of a collective intelligence that grows businesses and nurtures dreams. 

Whether it’s the co-working space, the makerspace, the workshops, the mentoring or just the coff ee at the Stray Dog Café, the Bounce Innovation Hub in downtown Akron draws hundreds to its busy life each year. 

Bounce is a nonprofi t that houses, trains and supports entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses through education, collaboration and investment. It provides myriad services to help founders develop ideas, refine strategies and navigate the challenges of their startup journeys. 

Their technology incubator and accelerator programs are cornerstones of Bounce, providing early-stage tech startups with the resources and guidance they need to start and scale. And its newer GROW (General Real Opportunity and Wealth) programs continue to flourish, supporting women and minority-led startups and small businesses and recognizing the importance of diversity and inclusivity in entrepreneurship. 

Its revamped Next Level Business Incubator, part of GROW, is for established, Blackowned, small businesses that are ready for growth. Bounce added several Entrepreneurs- In-Residence —established business owners—who work directly with clients to help navigate the journey of growing a company. 

Bounce also focuses on building a vibrant community by hosting networking events, workshops and pitch competitions. These bring together entrepreneurs, startups, investors and industry experts to share knowledge and ideas. 

In 2022, Bounce received a $2 million grant from the federal government and the City of Akron for the secondfl oor renovation of the old B.F. Goodrich Co. factory it calls home. The Generator expansion project will include the addition of more private offi ces, conference rooms, classrooms, and additional open- and reserveddesk coworking space. Room for additional makerspace equipment will be included. The project includes fi nishing touches on Carbon Black, a community space operated by Crafty Mart, which supports Akron area artists and makers. The expansion is expected to be complete in 2024.