Join us for a celebration of our programs and companies at the 2022 Bounce Startup Showcase!
You are invited as we present a showcase of our most promising startups from each of our five programs. This event is a perfect way for the community to see the outcomes of Bounce’s programming and connect with companies as potential mentors, customers or investors.
In addition to the showcase, this year there will be a half-day of content, which will include entrepreneur-focused workshops and networking.
Wesley the Keeper, Akron Honey
Meet Wesley The Keeper of the Akron Honey Family. When it comes to honeybees, although he started Akron Honey with just one vacant lot in the city, he knows that it doesn’t take a whole lot to make an impact. But when it comes to mind blowing flavor, he’s pioneering new ways to ”honey” that are helping to shape the flavor experience in the food we eat. Who knew that a honey brand could be this much fun?!?
SOFTWARE ACCELERATOR
Time2Talk, Marina Jackman
TECHNOLOGY INCUBATOR
Corrolytics, Anwar Sadek, Ph.D
ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS
Dustin Whapham
MORTAR AT BOUNCE
Black Culture Candles LLC, Lori Parnell
NEXT LEVEL INCUBATOR
Given Charge Services LLC, De’Juana Waters-Herald
Afternoon Presentations and Workshops
Evening Networking and Showcase
Workshop tickets are available for $10 each and include free admission to the showcase. Workshop attendees will choose their ticket based on the track they plan to attend (tech-focused track or small business-focused track). Each track includes four workshops. Please review the agenda for the timeline. See below for descriptions of workshop topics.
Showcase tickets are available for $10 each and include one (1) free drink ticket.
*VIP Dinner Tickets are $75 and are limited. Email thegenerator@bouncehub.org to be put on a waitlist.
Please contact thegenerator@bouncehub.org with any questions or concerns.
1:15–1:45 P.M.
From Raw to Wow — Presentation on starting your entrepreneurial journey and the motivation to say yes and get going.
Presented by Wesley the Keeper, CEO & Founder, Akron Honey
1:55-2:25 p.m.
Borrower Expectations and Personal Finance — Realistic expectations about accessing capital. Presented by Kyle Julien, Community Development Program Officer, Western Reserve Community Fund and Phillip Gibson, Financial Empowerment Coach, United Way of Summit & Medina.
Defining Your MVP — Tactical guidance on getting your first version out the door. Presented by Jack Hilton, Startup Advisor and Program Manager, Bounce Innovation Hub and Austin Kettner, Startup Advisor and Tech Manager, Bounce Innovation Hub.
Workshop attendees will choose their ticket based on the track they plan to attend (tech-focused track or small business-focused track). Each track includes four workshops. Below are the topics.
Interested in learning more about Bounce’s programs and services?
Workshop Times
2:35-3:05 p.m. – Workshop 1
3:15-3:45 p.m. – Workshop 2
3:55-4:25 p.m. – Workshop 3
4:35-5:05 p.m. – Workshop 4
Social Capital — How you can use the value in relationships to become successful in business and life. Presented by Ace Epps, Director of Inclusive Entrepreneurship at Bounce Innovation Hub.
Access to Capital — Making sure you are bankable as a small business. Presented by Laura B. Gibbons, Vice President, Sr. Business Consultant for Minority Entrepreneurs, JP Morgan Chase & Co.
Online vs. Brick and Mortar — The pros and cons of doing business online versus having a storefront. Presented by Tracy Williams, Microbusiness Specialist, Akron-Summit County Public Library.
Navigating the Akron Entrepreneurial Ecosystem — Finding local resources to help local businesses. Presented by Misty Beasley, MPA, CBA, Regional Director of the Minority Business Assistance Center, Akron Urban League.
Venture Capital and Fundraising with East & West Coast Investors —Navigating a capital raise with proper tactics, language, mindset, and strategy from coastal investors as a Northeast Ohio company. Presented by James Hilton, Sr. Director of Entrepreneurial Services at Bounce Innovation Hub.
Sales 101: Creating Traction for Your Startup — Using targeted problem and pain point questions to generate immediate leads with LinkedIn. Presented by Gene Groys, Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Bounce Innovation Hub.
Customer Discovery and the Business Model Canvas — Learn how to use the Business Model Canvas to develop business hypotheses so you can validate who your customer is, what problem they want to be solved and how your business can provide value to them. Presented by Nick Glavan, Program Coordinator, University of Akron Research Foundation.
Startup Housekeeping: Legal, Accounting and Insurance — Learn the essential pieces, elements and components of having a clean foundation for your startup related to legal, accounting and insurance. Presented by Tim Able, Executive Vice President of Sales & Operations, SeibertKeck Insurance Partners; Kathryn Drake, Director, Pease Bell CPAs; Mark Terzola, Principal, Leonard & Terzola Co., Ltd. Moderated by Elyse Ball, Executive Director, University of Akron Research Foundation.