mHUB

The U.S. launchpad for hardtech startups — named one of Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators 2025.

[mHUB @mHUBChicago]

📢Check out these upcoming events and workshops happening in the mHUB ecosystem:

#mHUBevents #EcosystemEvents #ChicagoEvents #ChicagoTech #innovation #entrepreneurship #founders #startups #solopreneurs #makers #innovators

[mHUB @mHUBChicago]

📢Check out these upcoming events and workshops happening in the mHUB ecosystem:

#mHUBevents #EcosystemEvents #ChicagoEvents #ChicagoTech #innovation #entrepreneurship #founders #startups #solopreneurs #makers #innovators

[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

[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

[mHUB @mHUBChicago]

📢Check out these upcoming events and workshops happening in the mHUB ecosystem:

#mHUBevents #EcosystemEvents #ChicagoEvents #ChicagoTech #innovation #entrepreneurship #founders #startups #solopreneurs #makers #innovators

[mHUB @mHUBChicago]

Founders building in hardtech—mPOWER 2026 applications are now open.

mPOWER is a four-month, application-based program designed to help idea-stage founders move through the discovery phase with clarity and direction. Participants receive hands-on support to test their ideas, understand their market, and build a path toward a viable business.

Applications close on May 22 at 11:59 PM CT.

Start your application: https://t.co/qotwcqQr2X

#mHUB #HardTech #Startups #Innovation #Entrepreneurship

[mHUB @mHUBChicago]

From Nerf gun prototypes to building one of the nation’s leading hardtech innovation centers.

In How I Tested That podcast hosted by David J Bland, Bill Fienup, Co-Founder and VP of Innovation Services at mHUB, shares how mHUB was tested and built into a platform where thousands of hardware founders can prototype, validate, and scale physical products.

A closer look at the thinking behind building infrastructure for real-world innovation.

Listen now: https://t.co/B0t5Yx8Ob8

#HowITestedThat #mHUB #InnovationCenter #hardtech #podcast

[mHUB @mHUBChicago]

📢Check out these upcoming events and workshops happening in the mHUB ecosystem.

#mHUBevents #EcosystemEvents #ChicagoEvents #ChicagoTech #innovation #entrepreneurship #founders #startups #solopreneurs #makers #innovators

[mHUB @mHUBChicago]

📢Check out these upcoming events and workshops happening in the mHUB ecosystem:
#mHUBevents #EcosystemEvents #ChicagoEvents #ChicagoTech #innovation #entrepreneurship #founders #startups #solopreneurs #makers #innovators

[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

[mHUB @mHUBChicago]

The Rockefeller Foundation has awarded mHUB a two-year, $1 million grant to deepen its support for hardtech founders in the United States.

The funding will help expand resources for undercapitalized founders developing technologies in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and industrial sustainability, while also supporting the launch of a new accelerator focused on data center sustainability.

Together, these efforts aim to tackle energy and climate challenges, create jobs, and ensure that industrial investments benefit American communities.

Read the full announcement: https://t.co/1iYWzOP6up

#HardTech #Manufacturing #Innovation #CleanEnergy #Sustainability #hardtech #mHUB #RockefellerFoundation
#HardTech #Innovation #Sustainability

[mHUB @mHUBChicago]

📢Check out these upcoming events and workshops happening in the mHUB ecosystem:

#mHUBevents #EcosystemEvents #ChicagoEvents #ChicagoTech #innovation #entrepreneurship #founders #startups #solopreneurs #makers #innovators

[mHUB @mHUBChicago]

📢Check out these upcoming events and workshops happening in the mHUB ecosystem:

#mHUBevents #EcosystemEvents #ChicagoEvents #ChicagoTech #innovation #entrepreneurship #founders #startups #solopreneurs #makers #innovators

[mHUB @mHUBChicago]

📢Check out these upcoming events and workshops happening in the mHUB ecosystem
#mHUBevents #EcosystemEvents #ChicagoEvents #ChicagoTech #innovation #entrepreneurship #founders #startups #solopreneurs #makers #innovators

[mHUB @mHUBChicago]

Don't miss a full day of innovation, connection, and celebration.

Learn more and register:
- HardTech Summit Registration: https://t.co/IW0IZhUWiG
- Fourth Revolution Awards Registration: https://t.co/CdTlJD9RK5

[Illinois Manufacturers' Association (IMA) @IMA_Today]

On March 5, our partners at @mHUBChicago will host their annual HardTech Summit and Fourth Revolution Awards, bringing together Midwest leaders to discuss innovation, growth, and the future of hardtech and manufacturing.

Learn more and register:
HardTech Summit Registration: https://t.co/Cw1dPRrUh0
Fourth Revolution Awards Registration: https://t.co/atO4qbBTw6

[Landon @landon20s]

How did Chicago’s startup market perform in 2025?

Data is still coming in but at a high level 2025 showed the emergence of a stronger and more decentralized market:

💰 Funding came back in a real way

In the first three quarters of 2025, Chicago startups raised $5.32B surpassing $4.32B raised in all of 2024

Q2 2025: $2.4B raised

Q3 2025 $1.7B raised

These were levels Chicago hasn't seen since the 2022 peak

2025 saw fewer deals but larger (and higher conviction) investments

🦄 The unicorn drought ended

Chicago in 2024 had very little unicorn creation relative to prior years

2025 was a different story

Here were three notable minted unicorns in 2025:

Nerdio raised a $500M Series C

zerohash raised a $104M Series D

Pathos raised a $365M Series D

🤝 Liquidity came through more M&As:

Two M&A deals stood out in 2025:

Simple Mills was acquired by Flowers Foods & Subsidiaries for $795M

Mavely by Later sold to Later for $250M

🧠 Standout sectors

Chicago’s economy is very diverse (a win) and 2025 data reinforces that, but there were three sectors that stood out more than others:

FinTech dominated. Chicago’s financial roots continue to compound and 2025 saw strong investment into payments technology including rounds tied to stablecoin and crypto infrastructure

Life sciences and healthcare startups raised $640M raised in the first half of 2025 alone which was an 87% increase YoY.

Over $1.24B raised by life science companies in total. Early stage data puts Chicago #5 nationally in healthcare and #7 nationally in biotech

Consumer is often overlooked, but still strong. Chicago ranked #4 nationally in early stage consumer tech funding, capturing 2.7% of total US capital in the category

🚀 Chicago is decentralizing and that’s a feature

I’ve been saying this for a while. Chicago is becoming more decentralized and that is not a bad thing.

Chicago moved from a single mega-hub model to a network of focused, founder led communities.

Some of the best examples are @mHUBChicago (Hardtech, manufacturing, and physical products), @portalinno (Life sciences and labs), @cubexch (Web3 and stablecoins), @DensityChi (Founder-led community)

We’re building physical spaces where founders (many early) can surround themselves with the right talent, peers, capital, and customers for their specific industry

[mHUB @mHUBChicago]

📢Check out these upcoming events and workshops happening in the mHUB ecosystem:

#mHUBevents #EcosystemEvents #ChicagoEvents #ChicagoTech #innovation #entrepreneurship #founders #startups #solopreneurs #makers #innovators

[mHUB @mHUBChicago]

📢Check out these upcoming events and workshops happening in the mHUB ecosystem:

#mHUBevents #EcosystemEvents #ChicagoEvents #ChicagoTech #innovation #entrepreneurship #founders #startups #solopreneurs #makers #innovators

[mHUB @mHUBChicago]

📢Happy New Year! Kick off 2026 by checking out these upcoming events and workshops happening in the mHUB ecosystem:

#mHUBevents #EcosystemEvents #ChicagoEvents #ChicagoTech #innovation #entrepreneurship #founders #startups #solopreneurs #makers #innovators