The 2025 mHUB HardTech Summit commenced on Thursday, March 6, drawing in over 700 startups, investors, community partners, and industry leaders interested in the advancement of innovation within physical products and spaces. Areas of focus included smart and sustainable manufacturing, medical devices, climate and energy solutions, quantum technologies, sustainability in water, and more.
Attendees were treated to a dynamic day of programing featuring 40+ hardtech demos from mHUB member companies, 30 startup pitches, four engaging panel discussions and an unforgettable closing keynote from IDEO chair and Kyu Collective vice chair, Tim Brown.
This year, the mHUB HardTech Summit again intersected with The Fourth Revolution Awards, which closed out the day's festivities. The ceremony recognized individuals and organizations driving the convergence of physical product development and digital processes in the Midwest’s manufacturing economy.
Read the Official Award Winner Announcement for 2025 Fourth Revolution Awards
Impact of the mHUB HardTech Summit:
At the core of mHUB's mission is a steadfast commitment to establishing a hyper-resourced environment for product development and manufacturing entrepreneurship. The HardTech Summit serves as a vital moment to reiterate the importance of collaboration, bringing together industry leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs to explore the latest technological breakthroughs, their real-world applications, and how to bring them to market.
The panel Pioneering Progress: Highlighting Remarkable Breakthroughs from the Midwest brought together experts to explore cutting-edge advancements shaping the region. Caleb Brooks (UIUC) shared insights on nuclear innovation, while Professor Jian Cao (Northwestern) highlighted breakthroughs in manufacturing science. Dr. Jennifer Hintzsche (PherDal Fertility Science) discussed bioelectronics, and Assistant Professor Sihong Wang (University of Chicago) delved into molecular engineering. Moderated by Susan Martinis (UIUC), the conversation showcased how regional resources are driving these breakthroughs from concept to reality.
Globalization in the Age of National Resilience explored the evolving landscape of international manufacturing strategies for U.S.-based companies. Kevin Kalb (JETRO Chicago) shared insights on Japanese trade dynamics, while Cory Olishansky (Canadian Consulate General) provided perspective on cross-border commerce and policy shifts. Moderated by Manas Mehandru (mHUB), the conversation examined how manufacturers are balancing global and localized strategies amid changing American-led policies and their impact on overseas partnerships and supply chains.
As panel conversations were underway on the Main Stage, the Startup Stage kicked-off featuring live pitches from MedTech startups: Articulate Labs, Wave Therapeutics, Palm Plug, Madison Scientific Crimson Scientific, Nspire, Neuraura, Lemonaid, Co, EndoShunt, VasoWatch, and Oli Technologies.
Concurrent to panel discussions and startup pitches, mHUB members conducted live product demonstrations in mHUB's prototyping, showcasing the next wave of hardtech brilliance across a variety of product categories.
The third panel, Navigating Change: Strategies for U.S. Manufacturing Resilience brought together industry leaders to discuss how shifting trade policies, efficiency demands, and evolving market pressures are reshaping the manufacturing landscape. Jacob Babcock (NuCurrent) shared insights on advanced connectivity solutions, while Tony Reinhart (Ford Motor Company) explored the impact of policy changes on supply chains. Mark Sami (West Monroe) provided expertise on digital transformation, and Charles Zuhoski (Atlantic Analytics and Engineering) highlighted engineering innovations. Moderated by Christy George (Intersect Illinois), the discussion examined how Midwest manufacturers are adapting, balancing innovation with resilience to thrive in an increasingly competitive global market.
Meanwhile, startups pitches continued, featuring HardTech and SmartTech companies: Stroma, FixturFab, OtterLocks, Fluid Reality, Skyello, Maxwell Labs, HOOPTEQ, SymGym, CALYX, Framewrks, ParentCo.
The final panel Collaborative Advantage: Positioning the Midwest for High-Growth Industries brought together experts to explore how strategic partnerships are driving innovation across the region. Colleen Wright (Constellation) discussed investments in clean energy, while Alejandra Castillo (Former EDA Secretary) highlighted economic development initiatives. Nina Dudnik (Current Water) examined advancements in water sustainability, and Harley Johnson (Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park) shared insights on quantum research. Moderated by John Pletz (Crain’s Chicago Business), the discussion showcased how cross-state collaboration is attracting funding, talent, and public-private initiatives, solidifying the Midwest’s role as a leader in high-growth sectors.
As the final panel kicked off, the last hour of startup pitches began. The following Sustainability and Energy startups closed out the Startup Stage of the mHUB HardTech Summit: Sandbox Carbon, Kazadi Enterprises Ltd, Tikal Industries Inc., EcoBriqs, Quasar Solar, NET Energy, Earthics, CyroCellar, Aeternal Upcycling
Back on the Main Stage, the Rising Star Pitch Competition brought four early-stage startups into the spotlight as AQUA Cultured Foods, Celadyne Technologies, Joint Preservation Innovations, and PherDal Fertility Science Inc. pitched before a live judging panel for the chance to become The Fourth Revolution Awards' Rising Star winner as the next breakthrough hardtech company in the region.
Prior to the closing keynote, mHUB CEO & Co-Founder Haven Allen took the stage to highlight the Midwest’s strength as a powerhouse for hardtech and manufacturing innovation. He emphasized mHUB’s role in driving this momentum—providing entrepreneurs with the resources, community, and capital to bring breakthrough technologies to market. With a call to keep pushing the boundaries of innovation, Allen welcomed Tim Brown to the stage for the closing keynote.
Wrapping up the 2025 mHUB HardTech Summit with a thought-provoking keynote. Tim Brown, Chair of IDEO and Vice Chair of the kyu Collective took the stage to explore the transformative role of design in shaping the future of product innovation and manufacturing. In conversation with Don McNeil, CEO of Spire Brands, Brown shared insights on how design thinking drives creativity, problem-solving, and user-centered innovation across industries.
Touching on themes such as the intersection of design and product experiences, the evolving landscape of manufacturing, and how entrepreneurship is reshaping industries, Brown emphasized the importance of integrating design at every stage of development. He highlighted how businesses leveraging design thinking can not only create more impactful products but also adapt to an ever-changing technological and economic environment.
The Fourth Revolution Awards:
Concluding the mHUB HardTech Summit, the Fourth Revolution Awards ceremony celebrated the Midwest's trailblazers in manufacturing and hardtech innovation. Honorary awards were presented to Pella Corporation as Manufacturer of the Year, Intersect Illinois as Corporate Champion, and Michael Fassnacht as the 4REV Champion. The event also recognized finalists across categories such as Community Empowerment, Excellence in Engineering, Innovation of the Year, Rising Star, and Small & Medium-Sized Manufacturer of the Year.
Read the Official Award Winner Announcement for 2025 Fourth Revolution Awards
Stay Involved with mHUB
If you enjoyed the 2025 HardTech Summit, find out ways to stay involved with mHUB and the hardtech ecosystem. Keep an eye out for announcements about mHUB’s next HardTech Summit in March 2025!
