Bounce Innovation Hub, a non-profit organization in Akron serving northeast Ohio entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses, is pleased to announce that Elyse Ball will join its team as its new Vice President of Programming starting July 1, 2024.
As the former Executive Director of the University of Akron Research Foundation, Elyse brings a wealth of strategic leadership experience spanning over a decade guiding entrepreneurs and startups through the intricate challenges of launching, growing, and funding new commercial enterprises. Under her leadership, the National Science Foundation I-Corps program at The University of Akron has guided over 1,000 faculty, students, and area entrepreneurs on technology commercialization and lean launchpad methods for launching new startups.
“We are beyond thrilled for Elyse to join our team at Bounce,” explained Jessica Sublett, CEO of Bounce. “She is passionate about helping founders turn their innovations into successful businesses. Her experience in designing programming, helping companies raise capital, negotiating license agreements, plus success in supporting polymer science and biomedical startups fit in perfectly with our overall goals and vision for Bounce.”
As Vice President of Programming at Bounce, she will lead entrepreneurial programming for the organization, including scaling existing offerings and developing new initiatives designed to help startups reach critical growth milestones. She will also lead the programming team, including the full-time staff and contracted service providers, in ensuring that Bounce operates highly effective business support programs grounded in industry best practices. Additionally, she will foster and build relationships with collaborators and partners to ensure Bounce clients have access to the region’s assets.
Elyse will also help lead educational and community-building opportunities for entrepreneurs and explore other programming ideas, such as a speaker series, workshops, and conferences that help bring entrepreneurs, customers, and investors together. Elyse holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ohio University and a law degree from Boston University.
Bounce Innovation Hub was founded in January 2018 and serves northeast Ohio entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses. Located in downtown Akron, the nonprofit organization comprises over 300,000 square feet and nine stories in one of the former Goodrich buildings.