West Side Business News & Notes

Chase opens innovative Akron branch

DOWNTOWN AKRON — Chase Consumer Bank officials hosted the grand opening of Chase’s first community center branch in Akron Sept. 17.
Chase officials stated the community center branch, located at 50 S. Main St., opened after a $1 million renovation completed by a group of almost all diverse, minority-owned and veteran-owned suppliers and contractors.
Officials added the branch features a new community-inspired model offering free financial health resources. The branch is focused on helping residents realize a better financial future through innovative tools and resources, including growth support for local entrepreneurs starting or expanding their small businesses, mentoring for entrepreneurs and access to a pop-up space to display and sell their merchandise, workshops to build financial health and Wi-Fi for community groups and residents to utilize for remote learning and work.
Chase has partnered with organizations like the LeBron James Family Foundation (LJFF) to launch targeted programming to help LJFF families get on a path to financial security. As part of this, Chase will have a presence in LJFF’s House Three Thirty, an innovative, multi-use space for families and the community with financial health, job training and related resources.
The branch includes full-time Community Manager Dominic Wright, who will engage the community and businesses to increase awareness of available resources and tools and help connect them with financial health education, and establish free interactive programs on topics such as credit and budget building, saving for the future and others.
The new Akron branch is part of the firm’s $30 billion commitment to advance racial equity and bring more economic opportunity to diverse and underserved communities officials added.

 

Third Bounce Innovation Startup Showcase coming up

DOWNTOWN AKRON — Bounce Innovation Hub will present its Startup Showcase Sept. 30, with doors opening at noon and the event running until about 8 p.m.
Officials said this event allows the Northeast Ohio community the opportunity to connect with some of the organization’s most promising startups representing each of Bounce’s six entrepreneurial programs. These include Vigeo Gardens, OrthoBrain, TonDone, Shoo.in, Diva de la Creme and Pat Russell, a participant of the Aspiring Entrepreneurs program.
The day will begin with remarks from Billy Taylor, CEO of LinkedXL. The agenda includes an orientation at 12:30 p.m., opening presentations at 1 p.m., office hours, workshops and table discussion at 2:30 p.m., and afternoon closing remarks at 4:45 p.m. It then continues at 5:30 p.m. with table discussions, networking, remarks and pitches.
Drinks and light food will be available until 8 p.m. and table discussions and networking may continue beyond 8 p.m.
“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,” said Doug Weintraub, CEO of Bounce Innovation Hub.
Afternoon programming tickets are $5 each, while evening pitch session tickets are available for $10 each and can be purchased by visiting bit.ly/bounceshowcase. Attendees that purchase a ticket to the afternoon programming will receive a code for 50 percent off one ticket to attend the evening pitch session.
For more information, contact Molly at [email protected].