In March 2017, mHUB opened its doors with a vision to connect innovators with manufacturers to foster new ideas and physical products that would support Chicagoland’s reign as a global manufacturing leader. After one incredible year, we’re turning that mission into reality. Join mHUB for a day of talks, panels, company showcases, and more at mHUB's 1 Year Celebration.
This event has ended.
9:30AM - 10:00AM Arrivals/Check-in
10:00AM - 10:30AM Welcome (Haven Allen, CEO of mHUB)
10:30AM - 11:30AM Panel Discussions:
The Maker Movement: Fueling Our Future Economy
Anyone can be a maker today. But can they turn their ideas into viable, sustainable businesses? With more available access to maker spaces, crowdfunding, local retailers and manufacturers, what does the landscape look like for success? What are the challenges, opportunities, gaps?
Moderator:
Zach Kaplan, Inventables
Panelists:
Victoria Holt, Proto Labs
Bill Fienup, mHUB
Ed Coleman, Bethel New Life
Sasha Neri, Chicago Public Library
From Research to Commercialization: Supporting the University Pipeline
With some of the world’s top universities and institutions, the Chicagoland region is rich with academic research that has exciting viability for commercialization. How can those innovations see the light of day and become full-fledged commercialized solutions?
Moderator:
Alya Adamany Woods, ChicagoNEXT
Panelists:
Laura Frerichs,Research Park at University of Illinois
Alicia Loffler, Northwestern INVO
Ushma Kriplani, Argonne National Laboratory
John Flavin, Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
11:45AM - 12:45PM Panel Discussions:
The Implications of Blockchain, 5G, and AI for Autonomous Vehicles
The self-driving car revolution is about to shift into overdrive. The car companies are joining with tech leaders and startups to harness technologies such as blockchain, 5G mobile, and AI learning that will lay the groundwork and accelerate development. But what does it all really mean and how will these technologies drive us into this new generation?
Moderator:
Brenna Berman, City Tech Collaborative
Panelists:
Roman Kuropas, Innova EV
Jochen Renz, New Mobility Lab
Monali Shah, HERE
Spurring Investment in Product and Manufacturing Businesses
Manufacturing has always been the heartbeat of Chicago’s economy. Now, with the convergence of a vibrant product innovation community, manufacturing leaders, and newly arrived VC funds, the landscape is rife with opportunities for innovation and investment. What are the challenges and opportunities in this new environment?
Moderator:
Steve Koch, Former Deputy Mayor of Chicago
Panelists:
Karen Kerr, GE Ventures
Jacob Babcok, NuCurrent
Lily Yeung, Molex Ventures
Troy Henikoff, MATH Venture Partners
12:45PM - 1:45PM Lunch
1:45PM - 2:45PM Panel Discussions:
Now What? The Economic Impact of Building Innovation Companies
Chicago has doubled down on supporting innovation through a wide number of entrepreneurial communities and initiatives. What effect are they having on the local economy, our neighborhoods, workforces, and big business?
Moderator:
Andrea Hanis, Chicago Tribune
Panelists:
Andrea Zopp, World Business Chicago
Bob Weissbourd, RW Ventures
Leslie McKinney, BWISE
Juan Salgado, City Colleges of Chicago
Consumer IoT: Never Disconnected
The number of IoT devices is on track to surpass the number of smartphones to become the largest category of connected devices by 2018. How is consumer adoption of IoT evolving and what are the opportunities on the horizon for product innovators and investors?
Moderator:
Lisa Leiter, The Executives' Club of Chicago
Panelists:
Manas Mehandru, mHUB
Mark Karasek, The Chamberlain Group
Lisa Carrel, Proxfinity
3:00PM - 4:00PM Panel Discussions:
Industrial IoT: The Big Opportunity
The general dichotomy between the technical and manual functions within industrial manufacturing presents huge opportunities as well as challenges from an IoT perspective. What is the successful path to connecting information and industrial output? What are the trends and opportunities today and on the horizon? And what does it all really mean and how will these technologies drive us into this new generation?
Moderator:
Claire Bushey, Crain's Chicago Business
Panelists:
Jeff Garascia, Marmon Holdings
Sonny Garg, Uptake
David Mack, Panduit
The “Connected” Transformation of Health
From surgical robots to smart hospitals, the digital transformation is revolutionizing patient care in exciting ways. Mobile devices and wearables can track and perform a wide variety of personal health information and data can be transmitted to doctors in real-time. What are the opportunities for product innovation, risks to privacy, and how will these new technologies support personal connected health at every age and life stage?
Moderator:
Steven Collens, MATTER
Panelists:
David Zembower, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
David Roman, Baxter International
Sarah Sandock, Dock Technologies
4:30PM - 5:30PM: Fireside Chat
5:30PM - 8:00PM: Networking Celebration
For more information on panels, keynote speakers, and other events throughout the day, please click here
