Convening

Collaboration and connection is at the heart of our community.

At Bounce, we take a big-picture approach to entrepreneurship—focusing not just on individual startups, but on the health and strength of the entire ecosystem.

A thriving entrepreneurial community isn’t built in isolation; it requires connections, collaboration, and shared resources to create sustainable, long-term impact.

We serve as the entrance to this ecosystem—connecting entrepreneurs with the right people, programs, and resources to move their ideas forward.

Our role as a convener means we work at the system level—identifying gaps, aligning resources, and fostering partnerships that support entrepreneurs at every stage.

Our Role 
as a Convener

We assess the ecosystem’s strengths and challenges, working with stakeholders to understand where support is needed most.

We bridge gaps between entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders, and support organizations, ensuring that resources are accessible and aligned.

We lead and participate in regional initiatives to drive coordinated economic development efforts, such as:

Through this work, we create new opportunities for innovation, economic growth, and inclusion—ensuring that Akron’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is not only strong today but positioned for success in the future.


As the front door for entrepreneurship in Greater Akron, Bounce serves as both a connector and catalyst, bringing together the people and organizations that make our region a dynamic and collaborative hub for innovation.

Entrepreneurial 
Ecosystem

Our network of people, resources, and institutions support entrepreneurs as they start and grow their businesses, making it easier to connect, innovate, and scale — ultimately driving growth and opportunity.

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Spark Akron:
Elevate Greater Akron

Spark Akron resides within the New Fundamentals Priority of Elevate Greater Akron, cultivating and growing a vibrant network of technology-based startups, investors, mentors, and industry experts.

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Entrepreneurial 
Help Desk

We support local entrepreneurs by providing direct one-on-one connections to experts — through partnerships with a wide range of subject matter experts, industry specialists, and service providers.

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