The Generator at Bounce Innovation Hub has long been a staple in the Northeast Ohio business community for professionals to work, connect, and grow. Opened in 2019, the first-floor Generator features ample seating and desk space, private offices, the Akron Coffee Roasters “Coffee Lab,” and multiple conference rooms for entrepreneurs and industry leaders to connect and collaborate with their teams or other leaders.
An increased demand and waiting lists for private offices, meeting rooms, and event space necessitated an expansion of Bounce’s Generator to provide more flexible workspace and new meeting room options. Plans officially began in late 2021 when Bounce partnered with the City of Akron to leverage the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) match reductions to apply for a U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to expand the Generator to the second floor.
In May of 2022, the EDA awarded the City of Akron and Bounce a grant of $2.1 million for the expansion. Over the next year and a half, Bounce finalized the scope, raised additional funds from Summit County and the Burton D. Morgan Foundation, completed the design process, and bid out the work for the project. Construction began in early 2024 with a collaborative effort between Bounce, Hazel Tree Interiors, Hasenstab Architects, Summit Construction, and many vendors and subcontractors.
On December 4, 2024, Bounce held a special ceremony for VIP guests, including Akron Mayor Shammas Malik, representatives from Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro’s office, Burton D. Morgan Foundation President & CEO Dan Hampu, and more to cut the ribbon on this brand-new space.
Guests proceeded to the second floor and were greeted with vibrant colors and intriguing artwork, backdropped by a large mural that reads “INNOVATION.” As the final guests arrived in the second-floor lobby, Jessica took them to the podium to begin the ceremony.
“This facility provides an environment that is hard to duplicate,” said Bounce CEO Jessica Sublett. “With our diversity of people, businesses, and ideas, that’s the magic of Bounce.”
“This is an incredible space that rivals any coworking space I’ve seen,” said Akron Mayor Shammas Malik. “In Akron, we need spaces like this. I appreciate the work Jessica and the whole team at Bounce are doing.”
After cutting the ribbon, guests were treated to hors d’oeuvres and drinks as they discovered all the second floor had to offer. Familiar features like the individual private booths joined with new concepts like an eat-in kitchen with bar-style seating. The four new conference rooms had state-of-the-art equipment like Clear Touch displays with wireless casting capabilities and interactive whiteboard software. The largest new meeting room, The Burton D. Morgan Ideation Studio, features two large projectors and wall dividers perfect for class and workshop space.
The Burton D. Morgan Foundation, Wave Strategy, Great Work Employment Services, and Tackett’s Professional Cleaning Company have already secured naming rights for rooms on the second floor. Naming rights opportunities are still available for second-floor Generator spaces—contact Bounce Director of Community & Partnerships Rose Saborse at rsaborse@bouncehub.org or 330-207-2635.
A public unveiling of the second-floor Generator Expansion will be held in January 2025. Follow Bounce’s social media platforms or sign up for Bounce’s email newsletter for updates and more information coming soon.
