Bill Fienup

mHUB CoFounder and HardTech Entrepreneur

[Brian Armstrong @brian_armstrong]

Being an entrepreneur is mostly about coming up with an important mission, being unreasonably determined to get there, and being willing to look stupid for many years.

[Bill Fienup @fienup]

We opened applications for our Energy Tech Accelerator focused on the exploding compute-energy nexus as AI scales! ⚡💻
If you’re building solutions for:
• Data centers
• Grid/infrastructure resilience
• Sustainable energy systems
This is one of the best hardtech programs out there.
Perks:
• $200K initial investment from mHUB Ventures
• World-class prototyping labs + technical resources
• Top-tier mentorship ;)
• Direct connections to partners like @Equinix, @Generac, @HPE, Marmon, @salesforce + support from @RockefellerFdn
Applications open through July 13, 2026 (11:59 PM CST).
Hardtech founders — this is your moment to build the infrastructure of the future.
Apply here: https://t.co/Jg8rHu4rQS
#mHUB #EnergyTech #HardTech #AI #DataCenters #Startups

[mHUB @mHUBChicago]

Applications are now open for the next mHUB Energy Tech Accelerator, which will focus on technologies advancing the compute–energy nexus.

In partnership with Equinix Foundation, @Generac , Hewlett Packard Enterprise Foundation (@HPE), Marmon, and @salesforce , and with support from The Rockefeller Foundation (@RockefellerFdn), the next mHUB accelerator is seeking startups advancing data center efficiency, grid and infrastructure resilience, and sustainable energy systems.

As AI and digital technology continue to scale, the demand for smarter, more resilient energy and compute infrastructure has never been greater.

Selected startups will receive:
⚡$200,000 initial investment from mHUB Ventures
⚡Access to mHUB’s prototyping labs and technical resources
⚡Dedicated mentorship and expert-led programming
⚡Connections to industry leaders, manufacturers, and investors

Applications are open through July 13, 2026 at 11:59 PM CST.

Learn more: https://t.co/AJH6E4qVU6

#mHUB #HardTech #EnergyTech #AI #Infrastructure #Startups #Accelerator #Manufacturing

[Varun Verma, MD @VarunVermaMD]

@mcuban Yes, if that cup was made of gold. My upcoming diagnostic colonoscopy — my insurance is forking over $10,000 and I still owe $3,877! Cash price at an ambulatory surgical center 40min away in adjacent State? About $1500 apparently per https://t.co/nW9LwgY2jC

[mHUB @mHUBChicago]

The mHUB 2025 Annual Report reflects on the impacts of commercialization and the founders, partners, and resources that make it possible.

In 2025, mHUB supported more than 320 startups building across energy, healthcare, sustainability, and smart manufacturing. Together, the mHUB community generated $290.2M in revenue, raised $308M in capital, launched 150 products, and added 442 new jobs.

Explore the full report for a closer look at what makes the mHUB community tick and how far it has come: https://t.co/es5NQb6otJ

#mHUB #AnnualReport #HardTech #InnovationCenter

[Bill Fienup @fienup]

@Jason I’m in

[Bill Fienup @fienup]

It's our 2026 mHUB Ventures Investor Report! Check it out The Year AI Became Physical.

[mHUB @mHUBChicago]

Behind the momentum of AI-driven applications, a deeper shift is taking place.

The growth of AI is increasingly constrained and defined by the physical systems around it. Data centers, energy infrastructure, and next-generation devices are no longer supporting actors but defining where and how value is created.

The 2026 mHUB Ventures Investor Report, The Year AI Became Physical, explores this shift and highlights where opportunity is emerging across advanced manufacturing, energy, and healthcare.

Download the report to explore where AI meets the physical world and where investment is heading next: https://t.co/iIknja934S

#HardTech #AI #Manufacturing #Energy #MedTech #Innovation #InvestorReport #Ventures #mHUB #mHUBVentures

[Bill Fienup @fienup]

@BrennanWoodruff Call it a database.

[Bill Fienup @fienup]

https://t.co/XNpp5yrLbj

[Elon Musk @elonmusk]

@levelsio Hardware is the end game

[mHUB @mHUBChicago]

mHUB and Current announce the 2025 Sustainable Water Tech Accelerator Cohort, supporting 7 startups driving industrial water innovation and efficiency.

Meet the cohort: Amplify Dynamics, FloNergia, Grapherry, Nano Gas, Noah System, Rhoic, and Spacedrip.

Read more about the 2025 cohort: https://t.co/lEXhA7osDk

[mHUB @mHUBChicago]

mHUB Ventures announces the first close of its second venture fund — Spark Fund II, targeting $20M to invest in 65 early-stage hardtech startups over the next four years.

Building on the success of Spark Fund I, the new fund continues mHUB’s mission of commercializing innovation in energy, health, and smart and sustainable manufacturing. Spark Fund II will deploy capital in conjunction with eight new accelerator cohorts.

Read the full announcement: https://t.co/Sadpb5t9Yv

[Bill Fienup @fienup]

I’m proud to share that @mHUBChicago has been recognized by @FastCompany as part of its Best Workplaces for Innovators list. What makes mHUB an engine of innovation is the community and talent that has coalesced around solving complex challenges in our physical world. The speed and creativity that results when you bring diverse skills and perspectives together is incredible. Thank you @FastCompany for recognizing that while hardtech is hard, anything is possible with grit, determination, and the backing of a community. Read the announcement: https://t.co/FObzv0MLN5

[Bill Fienup @fienup]

Honored to be featured in @techreview on my journey from MIT tinkerer to co-founding @mhubchicago. Grateful to collaborators like Haven Allen & mentors like Prof. David Wallace for making it possible. mHUB is about empowering innovators—check it out! What sparks your ideas? https://t.co/CuduwdK9Z2

[mHUB @mHUBChicago]

"The world has massively changed in just the last few years... bringing AI to the physical world is what's next."

Joe Mullenbach, Co-founder and CEO of Fluid Reality, shares how their breakthrough haptics technology is unlocking the sense of touch in robotics.

Read the full article here: https://t.co/15nnRdkWtn

[Bill Fienup @fienup]

Came across $ENVX battery tech—100% active silicon, possibly 2x energy density and super fast charging. Could this power next-gen physical AI devices, wearables, medical devices or robots? Anyone else looking into their battery technology? Thoughts? https://t.co/I72OQPFMce

[Illinois EDC @IllinoisEDC]

Exciting news for #Illinois' innovation ecosystem! @GovPritzker and @IllinoisDCEO awarded 4️⃣ grants to support entrepreneurship and innovation in key growth industries throughout the state.

Read the release here: https://t.co/nOl1WriiW9

[mHUB @mHUBChicago]

mHUB has been awarded $590,200 to build 4,000 SF of additional lab space for advanced research and development. The Deep Tech Innovation Lab is made possible by the Illinois DCEO Tech Incubator Enhancement Grants program.

To fill a current infrastructure gap in the affordable, controlled environments needed by startups working in quantum, energy, life sciences, microelectronics, and med tech, construction will commence immediately and is expected to be complete before the end of the year.

“Illinois has long been a hub for technological breakthroughs, but a persistent gap remains in access to the specialized facilities deep tech startups need to develop, test, and scale their technologies,” said Manas Mehandru, mHUB Chief Operating Officer. “mHUB thanks the State of Illinois for recognizing this need and investing in the spaces required to ensure deep tech startups have everything necessary to scale, without having to leave Illinois.”

Read mHUB's full announcement here: https://t.co/NJIEE1js1j

#mHUB #Chicago #funding #hadtech #Illinois

[mHUB @mHUBChicago]

⏳ Only 2 weeks left to apply

The Sustainable Water Tech Accelerator supports early-stage startups developing water-based solutions for industrial applications.

This program is led by mHUB and Current in partnership with:
🔹 National Science Foundation (NSF)
🔹 Great Lakes ReNEW

And is supported by major industry partners offering pilot opportunities, technical support, and market access:
🔸 Marmon
🔸 Exelon
🔸 Ingredion
🔸 Sentry

🚀 If you're building breakthrough solutions in water tech, this is your opportunity to scale with industry.

🔗 Apply now: https://t.co/S3u4gGuxM0
📅 Deadline to apply: July 23, 2025

[Bill Fienup @fienup]

🔥 Chicago’s top summer event for innovators is back! Join 1,600+ founders, builders & tech leaders at mHUB’s Community BBQ — food, music, games & great convos.
📍 mHUB Parking Lot
🎟️ Tickets live now: https://t.co/6MW67FtqKB