Beyond Startup: AI Basics for Small Business Startups

Bounce Innovation Hub is the region’s first open innovation hub serving northeast Ohio’s entrepreneurial and innovation community. Located in downtown Akron in the former B.F. Goodrich plant, we are more than 300,000 square feet and nine floors filled with tech startups, small businesses, creative organizations and coworking and event space.Through our programs, facilities and partners, Bounce encourages open collaboration fostering connections, collisions and catalysts among diverse groups. We look to engage innovators — startup founders, small businesses, large corporations, investors, makers, artists and universities. By becoming a sponsor of Bounce, you are contributing to and participating in an exciting initiative that will have a positive impact on our community through increased economic development and opportunity.

Bounce Innovation Hub

Join us! Learn practical skills to grow your business, increase productivity and create smarter workflows using AI

Beyond Startup Workshop Series

A hands-on workshop experience helping entrepreneurs achieve their next level of growth.

OVERVIEW: Artificial intelligence is changing how businesses operate—but knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. Join this hands-on workshop designed for small business startups to learn practical ways AI can support growth, productivity, networking, and content creation. Through interactive activities and ready-to-use prompts, participants will build real skills they can immediately apply to save time, stay informed, and work smarter.

YOUR FACILITATOR:Daysha Lawrence is the Founder and CEO of Future Fluency AI, an AI education and consulting company focused on helping individuals, entrepreneurs, and organizations use artificial intelligence with clarity and confidence. Drawing from nearly two decades of experience as a Sociology professor, along with years of hands-on experience building and operating small businesses, Daysha brings a unique blend of academic insight and real-world business strategy to her work; she is also a Certified AI Consultant through AI Innovation International and author of How Professionals and Entrepreneurs Over 40 Are Using AI to Outpace, Outperform, and Future-Proof Everything They Have Built. Alongside her husband and Outreach Director, Jamel Lawrence, she consults with small businesses through Future Fluency AI and its parent company, Gold-Diamond Enterprises, helping organizations integrate practical AI solutions for growth and efficiency.

PARKING:Please ensure you are parking in the designated Bounce Parking areas, reference the "Bounce member, tenant and visitor parking" areas listed below. Any parking outside of this area is not under the designation of Bounce and subject to private ticketing/fines. There is ADA accessible parking spots directly in front of the Bounce main entrance, labeled as "Bounce short-term visitor parking" on the supplied map.

WORKSHOPS REQUIRE ADVANCE REGISTRATION AND ARE FREE TO BOUNCE CLIENTS AND $5 FOR NON-CLIENTSThis event is open to all entrepreneurs looking to take their business beyond the startup phase. Bounce clients, including tenants, remote tenants and monthly Generator members, can attend for free, but are still required to register. All other entrepreneurs are asked to pay a $5 fee. Seating is limited. All participants are welcomed to enjoy free coworking at Bounce for the entire day.

<h3>Notice of Filming &amp; Photography</h3>This event will be used to photograph and record video to be used to promote Bounce Innovation Hub. By your presence at this event, you consent to be photographed, filmed and/or otherwise recorded. You also grant your permission for your likeness to be included without compensation, credit or other consideration. Please contact us with any concerns.

Beyond Startup: AI Basics for Small Business Startups

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Beyond Startup: AI Basics for Small Business Startups

Good to know

Location

Bounce Innovation Hub

How do you want to get there?

More events from Bounce Innovation Hub

Discover more events from Bounce Innovation Hub, from Business to other experiences you might love.

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