mHUB, the physical product innovation center that’s galvanizing the manufacturing ecosystem and creating the conditions for product innovation to thrive, celebrates its one-year anniversary today. The community, that boasts 63,000 sq.ft. of co-working, event space and 10 fabrication labs with nearly $5M in prototyping equipment and software, has attracted over 650 product entrepreneurs and 100 industry and community partners in its first year, and has quickly become the central hub for the region’s vibrant manufacturing ecosystem.
“Collaboration fuels innovation, and the partnerships forged at mHUB will allow Chicago and Illinois to be at forefront of advances in technology, modeling, and design so that the United States can regain its dominance as a global leader in manufacturing,” U.S. Senator Dick Durbin said. “I look forward to seeing what products and innovations come out of mHUB in the years to come.”
“mHUB fills the gap in Chicago’s entrepreneurship community by providing the resources and environment for innovators and manufacturers to come together and create new products that will have an enormous impact on the future of our region’s continued manufacturing leadership,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “The response to mHUB in its first year has been nothing short of extraordinary and is testament to the fact that the industry was hungry for collaborative innovation.”
mHUB offers Chicago’s burgeoning product innovators a connection point to the larger community by partnering with established manufacturers, business accelerator programs, venture capitalists, universities, and providers of industry-specific business services. mHUB has launched a mentorship program and series of courses along with hands-on equipment training sessions to give members the broadest set of resources to take their ideas from prototypes to new products that will support sustainable businesses.
“mHUB’s amazing accomplishments after just one year bolster Illinois’ standing as a leader in innovation and advanced manufacturing that challenges the status quo, pushes our world forward and ignites economic growth,” said Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti. “Governor Rauner and I congratulate all of the entrepreneurs, developers, engineers and manufacturers here at mHUB on your tremendous success, and we look forward to seeing what the next year has in store for you.”
“The incredible response we’ve seen from both product entrepreneurs and manufacturing industry leaders in our first year reinforces what the founders of mHUB believed from the very beginning,” said Haven Allen, CEO and co-founder of mHUB.”Our manufacturing industry is ripe with innovative ideas, and a commitment to drive the next generation of product innovation in the Chicagoland area and support our region’s leadership on a global stage.”
mHUB One-Year Impact
In its first year, mHUB has accomplished the following milestones:
- Over 650 community members and nearly 200 startup companies at mHUB;
- mHUB members have launched over 235 products;
- $19,529,461 revenue generated by our member companies;
- $18,309,300 in capital raised by our member companies;
- Over 100 community and industry partners;
- Over 300 events hosted at mHUB;
- 50,000 visitors have come through our doors;
- Launched industry awards with IMEC and UI LABS, The Fourth Revolution Awards. Seven industry awards including “Startup of the Year,” and “Manufacturer of the Year”.
“It’s inspiring to support the careers of emerging entrepreneurs especially female entrepreneurs through mHUB’s mentorship program. I’m motivated by mHUB’s mission to become a community for STEM entrepreneurs from across Chicago’s neighborhoods, and it has already proven to be a valuable resource for BWISE to convene, inspire one another’s professional development, and gain access to mHUB’s remarkable resources,” said Leslie McKinney, director of the Chicago chapter of Black Women in Science and Engineering (BWISE) and mHUB mentor.
A key component to mHUB’s mission is to drive collaboration between product entrepreneurs and industry partners. mHUB has welcomed Grainger, UPS, Wintrust, Bank of America, Desault Systems, Stratasys and Fisher Unitech as new industry partners this year to support product innovation and technological advancement. These companies join mHUB’s original partners: Marmon, Arrow Electronics, Chamberlain Group, Chase Foundation, U.S. Economic Development Administration, GE Ventures, Kirkland & Ellis, UL, World Business Chicago, Motorola Mobility, Autodesk, JLL, Technology and Manufacturing Association (TMA), Comcast Business, Wiegel Toolworks, Ask Power, IFF, KPMG, MINIMAL, Molex, and Inventables.
“The mHUB community is attractive because it offers a complete team of innovators that can accomplish everything from software development, to control systems, to advanced manufacturing technologies,” said Jeff Garascia, chief innovation officer of Marmon. “mHUB connects us with creative, agile minds that can help Marmon solve innovation challenges and develop new products that meet our customers’ most critical needs.”
“mHUB has created a community that allows us to engage with other product innovators and industry leaders in ways we would never have been able to before,” said Michael Infanger of mHUB member company, Verena Solutions. “The ability to travel the entrepreneurial journey with other innovators, and tap the industry expertise of mHUB partners, helps Verena accelerate on our path to success.”
About mHUB
mHUB is creating the conditions for product innovation to thrive. Our mission is to galvanize Chicago’s manufacturing ecosystem by generating innovative ideas, attracting world-class talent and fostering collaboration. By providing access to labs and equipment, industry experts and workshops, and a community of other product innovators, mHUB helps turn ideas into prototypes, and prototypes into sustainable new businesses that drive economic impact, and ensure the region’s continued leadership in global manufacturing.
Membership rates at mHUB start at $145 per month for part-time access to the prototyping shop. mHUB offers several packages for early stage entrepreneurs up through established enterprises, including shared co-working space and private office rentals within mHUB.
For more information, visit http://www.mHUBChicago.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
