Vacay Hard Seltzers use premium ingredients to capture an island vibe
While vacationing in Punta Cana in the Dominic Republic, Perry Owens tried a popular hard seltzer. “I liked the concept, but felt like I was drinking carbonated pool water,” he said. After doing some research, he discovered that most hard seltzers on the market today are made from malt liquor. “I had the idea to […]
Scopemed takes lessons learned during the pandemic to optimize respiratory care
As a certified anesthetist, Tosan Ugbeye had an idea for a better anesthesia mask that would stop the spread of COVID-19 and other airborne contaminants in the operating room (OR). “The COVID pandemic showed us the shortcomings of respiratory care,” he said, noting how acrylic boxes were used to provide a layer of protection between […]
Pigybak App Is Building a Community of Homeowners and Contractors
Homeowners often seek recommendations from neighbors when they need to have work done on their homes. In other cases, contractors might reach out to homeowners when they’re completing projects in the area. A new app called Pigybak is automating that process so that when neighbors are having work done, homeowners can piggyback on the job […]
CDK’s Greener Flame Candles Co. Promotes Holistic Health and Wellbeing
As college roommates, Caliyah Hogan, Disha Tailor and Zakiah (Kiah) Davis realized how much fragrance elevated their mood when they were stressed out and busy juggling work and school. “Often that stress showed up in our physical space and our dorm would be messy,” Hogan said. “We enjoyed burning candles while we cleaned, sharing a […]
CyberSafely.ai supports schools and parents in keeping kids safe online
After many years in the security industry, Neal Alexander was looking for his next venture. “As a former coach, I knew I wanted to do something that helps kids, as well as work with friends and family,” he said. Alexander thought about motivational speaking or putting together football camps, but his son, Nick, the head […]
Creating personal development products for youth leads to self-discovery for Smile Inside’s founder
The GROW program at Bounce supports both aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs as they bring their ideas to life. The program focuses on minorities and women. Vanessa Abraham is a graduate of the ninth cohort of the MORTAR at Bounce program, our 15-week business accelerator. Vanessa Abraham has devoted much of her career to developing educational […]
LaJAshley combines nature and science to elevate hair care
The GROW program at Bounce supports both aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs as they bring their ideas to life. The program focuses on minorities and women. Laura Manning is in our Next Level Business Incubator. As the founder of LaJAshley, Laura Manning, didn’t set out to create a hair and body care company. “I was frustrated with my own […]
LGBTQ+ Needs Assessment Promises Brighter Future for Akron
The Akron Art Museum hosted a group of over 200 on Aug. 18 in an evening of celebration for the release of the LGBTQ+ Community Needs Assessment, a survey created by Kent State University and the greater Akron community. The assessment is intended to determine the most pressing issues faced by members of the LGBTQ+ […]
Member Spotlight: Néna Roy, Executive Director, Akron Promise
This month, we sat down with Néna Roy, executive director of Akron Promise to discuss her organization and what working at Bounce means to her. Néna rents a reserved desk on the first floor in the Generator. Akron Promise facilitates connections, scholarships and enrichment activities to improve education opportunities in Akron. This can include activities […]
Ecosystem Connections Benefit Small Businesses
MORTAR at Bounce is a 15-week small business accelerator that helps established entrepreneurs take a deeper dive into the nuances of business ownership. It focuses on serving minority- and women-owned businesses. An entrepreneurial ecosystem is invaluable to anyone starting a business. Between various partners, including many right here in Greater Akron, entrepreneurs can find inspiration, […]