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Accelerating the Commercialization of HardTech

mHUB's hyper-resourced environment creates the conditions for physical product innovation to thrive.

mHUB-members-in-electornics-lab

mHUB removes barriers for HardTech founders and manufacturers

mHUB increases the probability of building a sustainable business to commercialize new physical products. Innovators have access to unparalleled resources including state-of-the-art prototyping lab and micro-factory, variable and competitive talent pipelines, networks of industry experts and mentors, a robust manufacturing supply chain, active investors, and comprehensive business, leadership and technical training. The result is new business creation, revenue, investments, intellectual property, and jobs. Since launching in 2017, the mHUB community has generated more than $1.57B in revenue, launched more than 1,600 products, hired more than 5,500 employees, and raised over $1.89B in capital.

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mHUB members manufactring small electronics parts-edit

mHUB: at the heart of U.S. manufacturing

Located in Chicago, mHUB is positioned at the nexus of collaboration for HardTech startups, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, investors, and industry leaders. The leading innovation center is embedded within the most diversified manufacturing economy in the U.S. with over 12,000+ local manufacturers that generate annually $103 billion and employ over 565,000 people and surrounded by an ecosystem of over 2,000 HardTech and digital startups.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is driven by the intersection of digital and hardware innovation, and Chicago leads R&D breakthroughs in advanced technologies including batteries, quantum and edge computing, electronics and sensors, cybersecurity, nanotechnology, Agtech, and MedTech. The Midwest region’s HardTech and manufacturing vitality and richness of resources and industry are unmatched for the creation of revolutionary product innovation.

Cast21 entrepreneurs work in mHUB's assembly area of the prototyping lab

mHUB's commitment to equitable access

mHUB believes the diversity of its community is a fundamental strength. The current mHUB member community across all services is 38% women, 12% black, 12% Latina/o or Hispanic, 3% indigenous, and 20% Asian/Pacific Islander.

The mHUB Accelerator program is currently making investments at a rate 6.5X that of the national average of deploying capital in underrepresented founders. Of the current 46 portfolio companies, 67% have diverse founders, 39% have underrepresented founders, and 35% have women founders.  

To date, mHUB has supported five cohorts through its Catalyze programs. mHUB launched its 2024 mPOWER Women Founders cohort and first mPOWER Black Founders cohort in 2023 in which participants received a total of $16,000 in non-dilutive funding and 6-months of underwritten access to mHUB resources including its prototyping labs, group learning experiences and dedicated experts in residence.

The Landis Family Fellowship cohort received underwritten access to mHUB for six months and earned income by working on R&D projects through mHUB HardTech Development Services. The structure of the PMD and Opportunity Zone that mHUB relocated to in 2023 will create additional opportunity for growth, funding, and employment beyond the duration of Catalyze programs.

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mHUB's Expansion and Evolution

In October 2023, mHUB completed the $50M acquisition and build-out of a new innovation center for developing critical technologies in energy, healthcare, sustainability, and more. The building is located on Chicago’s near west side within a designated Opportunity Zone, HUBZone, and Planned Manufacturing District on a 2-acre site that increased mHUB’s prototyping and testing facilities to become the largest independent manufacturing innovation center in the country.

The mHUB expansion initiated one of the primary investments of the nationally recognized Clean Tech Economy Coalition (CTEC) that is focused on commercializing energy infrastructure, grid modernization, and long-energy storage technologies in Illinois. The mHUB relocation and expanded facility allowed the organization to increase its accessibility to Chicago’s underserved south and west sides, increasing the reach of its Catalyze Initiative for underrepresented founders.

Catalyze programs drive equitable access for women and people of color within the hardtech and manufacturing innovation ecosystem.

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