mHUB launches hands-on accelerator for hardtech startups

mHUB announced the launch of mHUB Accelerated Incubation, a six-month, hands-on startup accelerator focused on the product development and commercialization of early-stage, high-potential physical product startups. mHUB Accelerated Incubation will focus on startups building and growing demand-driven technologies in industries such as IIoT, medical devices, connected buildings and home, communication technologies, smart cities, smart mobility, and energy technology. 

The first cohort, focused on IIoT technologies, is accepting applications for the next 90 days at www.mHUBaccelerator.com. The IIoT cohort is supported by strategic corporate partners Avnetand Panduit, and will officially commence with teams onsite at mHUB beginning March 2021. A second cohort of the program focusing on medical devices and supported by lead partner Baxter International, Inc. is anticipated to begin in late 2021.

mHUB Accelerated Incubation will bring 10 high-potential startups from across the country to its Chicago-based innovation center to participate in an intensive six-month incubation program including rapid product development and prototyping, business development and leadership training, mentorship, customer validation and piloting. The startups will focus on solutions to IIoT market opportunities identified by mHUB, Avnet and Panduit. 

By engaging the cohort’s teams with corporate partners throughout the incubation, mHUB seeks to establish market demand for the startups’ solutions from the get-go. Startups will also be surrounded by mHUB’s broader community of hardtech startups, manufacturing industry experts and integrated US manufacturing supply chain. Beyond the formal six-month program, startups will maintain exclusive access to mHUB for a full two years. 

“To truly have an impact in reducing the barriers to bringing new hardtech startups to market, we need to create strategic connections and investment opportunities between industry leaders, institutional investors, and demand-driven startups,” said Haven Allen, mHUB chief executive officer and a managing partner of the mHUB Product Impact Fund. “We’re thrilled to have Avnet and Panduit supporting the IIoT cohort and Baxter supporting our second cohort for medical devices. These industry leaders provide invaluable knowledge that will accelerate the startups’ path to commercialization and market impact.”