The Rockefeller Foundation has awarded a two-year, $1 million grant to mHUB, the United States’ largest independent hardtech innovation center, to expand support for hardtech founders and launch a new accelerator focused on data center sustainability solutions. The funding aims to lower barriers for undercapitalized entrepreneurs working in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and industrial sustainability, while creating jobs and economic opportunities across U.S. communities.
Derek Kilmer, Senior Vice President of U.S. Program and Policy at The Rockefeller Foundation, highlighted mHUB’s impact, noting that it has already supported over 1,100 entrepreneurs and helped generate nearly 7,000 jobs in energy storage, grid management, clean manufacturing, and other sectors. The grant will help entrepreneurs develop bold, practical solutions to energy and climate challenges while stimulating economic growth.
mHUB annually supports more than 300 startups in commercializing physical products across areas such as medical devices, energy, sustainability, and smart manufacturing. Hardtech commercialization is capital-intensive, requiring investment in materials, manufacturing, and supply chain alignment. Compared to software startups, hardtech ventures often face greater funding challenges, especially for founders from underrepresented or socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The grant from The Rockefeller Foundation will enable mHUB to provide resources for entrepreneurs at all stages, including funding for its Experts-in-Residence program, a pre-accelerator for early-stage founders, and technical assistance for later-stage companies preparing for pilot production or manufacturing readiness. Part of the funding will also support a cohort of mHUB’s venture-backed accelerator with a focus on data center sustainability solutions.
Haven Allen, CEO and Co-founder of mHUB, emphasized that the next chapter of American innovation relies on complex, resource-intensive physical technologies. The grant will help mHUB scale solutions from lab to market while ensuring that sustainability, community benefits, and economic prosperity are central to the reindustrialization of the U.S. economy.
mHUB provides an integrated innovation platform including a Chicago-based incubator, prototyping lab, venture and real estate investment company, and consulting and engineering services. Together, these resources enable emerging technologies, support new manufacturing businesses, and strengthen U.S. industry. Since its inception, mHUB has partnered with over 200 public and private organizations and supported more than 500 startups, generating $4.5 billion in economic activity.
The Rockefeller Foundation, with over a century of philanthropic work totaling $30 billion, focuses on large-scale investments in energy, food, health, and finance. Through scientific breakthroughs, artificial intelligence, and innovative partnerships, the foundation supports projects designed to deliver measurable benefits for communities in the U.S. and globally.
