There is something powerful about a year where the work feels aligned, where strategy, execution, and community momentum come together in meaningful ways. For Bounce Innovation Hub, 2025 was that kind of year.
It was a year of focused progress and great momentum around our three pillars: Programming, Convening, and Place. Guided by a newly launched strategic plan, we sharpened our role in the ecosystem, invested deeply in entrepreneurs, and positioned Bounce for what comes next. The result was not just growth for our organization, but tangible impact for the region we serve.
A Strategic Evolution That Enabled Forward Motion
At the start of the year, we launched a new strategic plan designed to do more than guide our internal work. It clarified who we are, how we create value, and where we can lead. That clarity became a catalyst.
Rather than adding more, we focused on doing the right things better, aligning programs, partnerships, and investments around where Bounce can have the greatest impact. Throughout the year, that strategy translated into action across every part of the organization.
Redesigning Startup Support to Meet Entrepreneurs Where They Are
One of the most significant shifts in 2025 was the redesign of our startup support and programming. We intentionally reorganized our core tech program offerings into three distinct pathways, allowing entrepreneurs to engage with Bounce in ways that better match their stage, goals, and needs.
This work came to life most visibly with the launch of Synthe6, our advanced materials accelerator focused on commercialization and technology readiness. Synthe6 reflects both our roots and our future, building on Northeast Ohio’s legacy in polymers and materials while helping startups navigate the complex path from innovation to market.
A key part of this work was reimagining our small business–focused programming into the Beyond Startup Workshop Series. This new model makes Bounce’s expertise more affordable, accessible, and relevant for entrepreneurs who are building and growing businesses in real time. By focusing on practical, high-impact topics and lowering barriers to participation, Beyond Startup expands who can benefit from Bounce’s programming while strengthening the foundation of our regional small business community.
Across all of our programs, we saw strong engagement, deeper founder relationships, and clearer outcomes. The entrepreneurs we support are building real companies, creating jobs, and contributing to a more resilient regional economy.
Leading Regionally at the Intersection of Innovation and Commercialization
In 2025, Bounce further solidified its role as a regional leader in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Through the Entrepreneurial Service Provider program, we serve as the Advanced Materials Center of Excellence, supporting companies working at the intersection of innovation, manufacturing, and commercialization. At the same time, Bounce continues to be the core innovation and commercialization partner of the region’s Polymer Industry Cluster, helping translate world-class research and industry expertise into scalable businesses.
This work is not done in isolation. It is rooted in collaboration with partners across industry, higher education, philanthropy, and government, including our continued work with the Elevate Greater Akron collective and small business support partners across the region. Together, we are building a more connected, inclusive, and effective entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Investing in Place: Space That Supports Growth
Our physical space is a strategic asset, and in 2025 we continued to invest in it intentionally.
We opened a brand new expanded Generator coworking space on the second floor, creating more room for entrepreneurs, remote workers, and early-stage teams to connect and grow. Across the building, we made targeted improvements that enhanced the experience for our tenants and members, contributing to a 10 percent increase in Incubator occupancy over the past year!
We also began laying the groundwork for our next major investment: a new lab project that will modernize critical infrastructure and better support advanced materials and hard-tech startups. This project represents a long-term commitment to ensuring that founders in Northeast Ohio have access to the facilities they need to innovate and scale.
Strengthening Our Brand and Visibility
2025 was also a year of brand growth. We launched a new website and refreshed our brand to better reflect who we are today: confident, collaborative, and deeply rooted in impact.
This wasn’t about aesthetics alone. It was about telling our story more clearly, sharing outcomes more effectively, and making it easier for entrepreneurs, partners, and supporters to understand how Bounce creates value for the region.
That clarity matters as our work continues to expand and as more people look to Bounce as a front door for innovation and entrepreneurship in Northeast Ohio.
Governance, Partnership, and Community Momentum
Strong organizations are built not only on programs and space, but on people. This year, we welcomed several new members to our Board of Directors who bring diverse expertise, deep regional commitment, and a shared belief in Bounce’s mission. Their addition strengthens our governance and positions us well for the future.
We also continued to invest in our internal capacity by adding new team members and aligning existing staff into roles designed to drive momentum, deepen impact, and support the scale of work ahead. As Bounce grows, so does the importance of having the right people in the right roles, working together in service of our mission.
We also saw strong commitment from funders and partners who recognize that lasting economic development requires sustained investment. Events like our Startup Showcase reminded us of the power of convening by bringing founders, investors, civic leaders, and community partners together to celebrate progress and build new connections.
Looking Ahead
As we look to 2026, we do so with optimism and realism.
The funding environment for nonprofits remains uncertain, and the work of building inclusive, innovation-driven economies is not easy or inexpensive. At the same time, Bounce is in a strong position — strategically, operationally, and financially — because of the partnerships we have built and the trust we have earned.
The progress of 2025 reinforces a simple truth: innovation does not happen by accident. It happens when regions choose to invest - in entrepreneurs, in infrastructure, and in organizations willing to do the hard work of connecting ideas to opportunity.
We are excited about what lies ahead, and we are deeply grateful to the partners, funders, founders, and community members who make this work possible. Bounce’s momentum is real, and its impact continues to grow. If you care about the future of innovation and economic development in Northeast Ohio, this is work worth knowing and worth supporting.