2027 Fifth Revolution Awards

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Celebrate the Midwest's Hardtech and Industrial Visionaries

For the first time in 2027, mHUB’s annual awards ceremony will be presented as the Fifth Revolution Awards, honoring the innovators, entrepreneurs, and manufacturers who are emerging from the Fourth Industrial Revolution to drive the future of industry at the dawn of a new era.

The Fifth Revolution Awards will follow the mHUB HardTech Summit and feature special recognitions and activations as part of mHUB's 10-year anniversary.

From early-stage startups to established industry disruptors, leaders from across the manufacturing and tech ecosystems will gather to celebrate excellence in product innovation, entrepreneurship, and impact.

Please note: registration includes access to the mHUB HardTech Summit.

AWARD CEREMONY PROGRAM*

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Cocktails & Appetizers
8:00 PM - 8:30 PM | Remarks & Awards
8:30 PM - 10:00 PM | Dinner & Networking

*The program is still in development and is subject to change

Each year, mHUB presents honorary awards for exemplary leadership at the forefront of digital and technological transformation within manufacturing.

Manufacturer of the Year: Coming soon
Corporate Champion: Coming soon

CATEGORY FINALISTS

Finalists for each category will be announced as nominations close.

Community Empowerment Award
Excellence in Engineering Award
Innovation of the Year
Rising Star Award
Small & Medium-Sized Manufacturer of the Year

Step Into What's Next at the mHUB HardTech Summit

The Fifth Revolution is taking shape, and mHUB is already in it. Before the awards ceremony, the mHUB HardTech Summit brings together the founders, builders, and industry leaders putting AI, robotics, big data, and advanced compute to work in the physical world. Ten years in, mHUB is raising the bar for everyone in the room.

Key highlights:

Opening and closing keynotes
3 main stage panels
Rising Star pitch competition
40+ startup pitches
50+ hardtech product demonstrations
Networking and happy hour

Your Fifth Revolution Awards ticket automatically registers you for both events.

Venue

Venue West

Location

Venue West, North Paulina Street, Chicago, IL, USA Get Directions

Date and Time

03/04/27 @ 7:00 PM

mHUB HardTech Summit

The 2026 HardTech Summit will return on Thursday, March 5, 2026, bringing together top hardtech entrepreneurs, startups, investors, and industry leaders to celebrate innovation in the Midwest. The program will feature 40+ product demonstrations, 30+ startup pitches, panels with leading industry experts, and a keynote from Larry Gies, Founder and CEO of Madison Industries. Attracting more than 1,200 entrepreneurs and public and private sector professionals at the intersection of manufacturing and innovation, the Summit serves as a defining moment for the region’s hardtech community.

Fourth Revolution Awards

The Fourth Revolution Awards honor the innovators, entrepreneurs, and manufacturers driving the technologies and businesses that define the future of industry. Hosted by mHUB, this premier event celebrates the bold ideas and hardtech breakthroughs fueling economic growth and shaping a more sustainable, connected, and advanced world. The 2026 ceremony took place on Thursday, March 5, following the conclusion of the mHUB HardTech Summit.

Read about the winners

mHUB Community BBQ

Join Chicago’s tech community for the next mHUB Community BBQ, tentatively planned for Thursday, July 16, 2026. This annual parking-lot celebration brings together more than 1,000 innovators and tech enthusiasts for an afternoon of food, music, drinks, and family-friendly activities. Each year, attendees descend upon the mHUB hardtech innovation center to enjoy the summer sun, reconnect with the community, and celebrate the momentum driving Chicago’s innovation ecosystem.

Upcoming Events, Courses, and Talks

Don’t miss what’s next in hardtech.