Some of today’s most exciting innovations are happening in materials science and polymers. Polymers are the long molecular chains that make up plastics, rubbers, fibers, and coatings, and they are behind breakthroughs like stronger and lighter car parts, biodegradable packaging, advanced medical devices, and new ways to recycle plastics. Bringing these innovations from the lab to the marketplace is a complex journey that requires significant time, testing, and resources, far more than most startup programs are designed to support.
That is why we launched the Synthe6 Materials Accelerator at Bounce Innovation Hub. This program fills a critical gap in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. While there are several accelerators focusing on software, medtech, and clean energy, few are built for the unique hurdles of advanced materials and polymer-enabled technologies.
A Founder-Focused, Cohort-Based Approach
Synthe6 is intentionally built around the needs of founders. We combine $25,000 in non-dilutive funding with $15,000 in expert services, from IP strategy and regulatory guidance to marketing and technical testing, so startups can focus on what matters most: advancing their technology and building partnerships.
But the real heart of Synthe6 is how founders learn and grow together. This is a cohort-based program, meaning startups do not go it alone. Participants share challenges, swap insights, and celebrate wins side by side, with guidance from mentors and industry experts who have walked the hard-tech path themselves.
We have designed the curriculum and mentoring model to tackle the realities of scaling polymer technologies, such as validating products in real industry settings, navigating capital-intensive manufacturing, and securing those first critical customers and pilots. And because Synthe6 is built in partnership with the Polymer Industry Cluster, our startups have direct access to conversations with major companies about what innovations they actually need, how they evaluate new suppliers, and how to become one.
Why It Matters
Our goal is simple: make Northeast Ohio the place where polymer and materials startups come to scale. This region has the talent, infrastructure, and industry base, and Synthe6 unlocks those resources for a new generation of technical founders.
Building a tech startup can be isolating. With Synthe6, founders not only get targeted support for their technology but also become part of a connected, collaborative startup community that radiates at Bounce Innovation Hub. That kind of environment makes a huge difference, both personally and professionally, when you are bringing something tough and technical to market.
We are excited to see how our first cohort will push the boundaries of what is possible in materials science, and we are proud to be building a program that supports not just the technologies, but the people behind them.
For more information, visit our Synthe6 page.