mPOWER

Rebalancing opportunity & access at the earliest stages

mHUB mPOWER programs are designed to rebalance opportunity and access for startups building physical products that are founded by women and people of color. Harnessing the existing resources of the nation’s leading independent innovation center for physical product companies, each participant receives hands-on support to turn ideas into HardTech businesses.

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mHUB mPOWER participants receive:

There is no fee to participate in the program, but you must be a woman or BIPOC identifying innovator and/or founder, have a clear problem that you are trying to solve through a physical product, and be able to dedicate 1 – 2 hours per week for 6 months. If accepted into the program, you will receive:

Complimentary 6-month membership to world-class innovation center mHUB
Structured, hands-on program for building a business and product at its earliest stages
Brainstorming sessions for the design and development of your physical product
Access to $6 million worth of prototyping equipment
Training sessions and 1-1 support for prototyping
Ability to participate in mHUB’s core curriculum
Dedicated support from a network of industry-leading mentors, mHUB staff, and founders
Networking opportunities
Monthly speaker series to hear from women entrepreneurs

What does the 6 month program look like?

Month 1

Orientation and Community Building
Critical questions: What problem am I solving? Who am I as a leader?
Mentor Matching

Month 2

Customer Discovery and Market Validation
Who is my customer? What is their need? Is there a market for solving this problem?
Mentor Matching & Ongoing Mentor Support

Month 3

Product Concept / Definition and Roadmap
What is my value proposition?
Can I design and build a solution to meet my customers' needs?
Ongoing Mentor Support, Hands-on Prototyping Support

Month 4

Relationship Management and Business Protection
Who do I need to partner with? How do I manage these relationships?
Ongoing Mentor & Prototyping Support and Pitch Practice & Funder Connections

Month 5

Building Your Brand and Selling Your Product(s)
What is my brand? What is my marketing plan? How do I sell my products? Do I have product / market fit?
Ongoing Mentor & Prototyping Support and Pitch Practice & Funder Connections

Month 6

Getting the Resources You Need to Scale
Where do I go next? What resources do I need? Where do I find these resources? How do I prepare for critical meetings?
Ongoing Mentor & Prototyping Support and Pitch Practice & Funder Connections

Powering Business Ownership for Women and People of Color