FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact:
Kim Blomquist
872.222.5279
kim@mhub.org
Haylee Gemeiner
312.448.7740
hgemeiner@currentwater.com
mHUB and Current Join Forces to Accelerate Water Technology Solutions
Partnership backed by the NSF Water Engine in the Great Lakes, Great Lakes ReNEW, to drive sustainable water innovation for industrial applications.
CHICAGO, IL, May 1 2025 –mHUB, a leading hardtech and manufacturing innovation center, and Current, a nonprofit water innovation hub and lead entity of Great Lakes ReNEW, today announce a strategic partnership to catalyze water technology innovation across the Great Lakes region and beyond. As a cornerstone of the partnership, the two organizations will launch a six-month Sustainable Water Tech Accelerator program to support early-stage startups with equity investment, product development resources, and industry pilot opportunities.
“The Great Lakes region can lead the world in transforming waste into wealth through water technology innovation and industry leadership,” said Alaina Harkness, CEO of Current and CEO and PI for Great Lakes ReNEW. “The mHUB & Current partnership will help us harness this potential to become the epicenter of water technology excellence while driving economic growth for the region.”
"mHUB is thrilled to be partnering with Current and Great Lakes ReNEW to accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative technologies that will make industries more efficient and resilient through water,” said Haven Allen, CEO of mHUB and Managing Partner of mHUB Ventures. “By combining our existing programs with the vast water expertise and industry alignment of the Engine, we’re driving meaningful change in manufacturing by bringing early-stage ideas to market faster."
Programs to Empower Water Tech Innovators
The partnership includes the launch of a Startup Roadmap Series, virtual workshops designed to help early-stage water tech founders move from concept to commercialization. Beginning May 15, participants will explore product-market fit, industry alignment, investment strategy, and product development planning with guidance from expert mentors.
Shortly following, applications will open for the 6-month Sustainable Water Tech Accelerator, funded in part by the National Science Foundation-backed Great Lakes ReNEW. The program will accept 8 to 10 startups, providing $200,000 in cash and in-kind support, access to mHUB’s state-of-the-art prototyping labs, legal and business services, mentorship, marketing, and pilot testing opportunities with industrial partners.
Investment will be made through mHUB Ventures, which focuses on scaling energy, healthcare, and sustainable manufacturing technologies. Accelerator startups will also join the Great Lakes ReNEW coalition, gaining ongoing support and opportunities to connect with corporate partners whose needs align with their technology and market focus.
A Regional Blueprint for Circular Blue Innovation
Current was awarded up to $160 million over 10 years from the U.S. National Science Foundation in 2024 to lead the Great Lakes ReNEW Engine. This six-state, 60+ partner coalition is committed to advancing water technology research, commercialization, and workforce development. mHUB, one of the founding partners of the Engine, brings a robust track record of physical product innovation, supporting a community of over 500 startups that have generated over $2.02B in funding and launched more than 1,700 since its inception in 2017.
This new partnership marks a significant milestone in positioning the Great Lakes region as a national hub for water innovation, combining infrastructure, manufacturing, and scientific leadership to build a more secure and circular water economy.
Join mHUB and Current Programs
Startups interested in the Startup Roadmap Series can learn more and register here
For information on the upcoming accelerator program, subscribe here to be notified when applications open.
Note: This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Cooperative Agreement No. 2315268
About mHUB
mHUB is a leading independent hardtech and manufacturing innovation center enabling the commercialization of solutions that impact humanity and strengthening U.S. based manufacturing. The mHUB community includes over 500 active and alumni startups and small businesses supported by a deep talent pool of product designers and developers, entrepreneurs and engineers, manufacturers and corporate leaders, mentors, and investors. mHUB provides a hyper-resourced environment to entrepreneurs with the goal of commercializing new hardtech innovation that will lead to new businesses, intellectual property, investment, revenue, and job creation. Since launching in 2017, the mHUB community has generated more than $1.96B in revenue, launched more than 1,700 products, hired more than 6,800 employees, and raised over $2B in capital. To date, mHUB has invested in 46 startups across smart and sustainable manufacturing, climate and energy tech, and medtech. Learn more
About Current
Current is an independent nonprofit water innovation hub, founded in Chicago in 2016. Our mission is to grow a circular blue economy, accelerate water innovation, and solve pressing water challenges. We bring together corporations, advocates, researchers and governments to develop water management policies and test new technologies— projects that would be too risky or even impossible without sustained collaboration. Current has helped to raise more than $58 million to support water innovation and economic development in the region; launched the first real-time water quality monitoring tool for Chicago waterways; drafted a blueprint to build a thriving blue economy in Illinois, and supported the commercialization of more than 40 water startups. Learn more
About Great Lakes ReNEW
Great Lakes ReNEW is a National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engine driving the transition to a circular blue economy, strengthening U.S. economic competitiveness and supply chains, and safeguarding one of our most vital national security assets—our abundant freshwater. This six-state, 60+ partner coalition is developing breakthrough technologies to recover valuable minerals and remove harmful contaminants from water and wastewater. Led by Chicago-based water innovation hub Current, which was awarded up to $160 million in NSF funding over 10 years in 2024, ReNEW unites research institutions, industry, utilities, workforce experts, and investors to accelerate use-inspired R&D, commercialization, and workforce development in the water sector. With industrial water demand rising, securing our domestic water supply, recovering critical minerals, and eliminating toxic pollutants is more urgent than ever. Learn more and get involved at greatlakesrenew.org.
