<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1109988332988077&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">

mHUB Powered Challenge

A national innovation challenge, presented in partnership with The Grainger Foundation, seeking bold ideas to transform how urban manufacturing districts generate energy, manage infrastructure, and operate more sustainably.

Applications are open August 24 through September 27, 2026.  

Powering the Future of Sustainable Urban Manufacturing

America is reindustrializing at the same moment emerging technologies are redefining industry itself, creating a rare opportunity to rethink manufacturing’s next chapter. mHUB believes it won’t be built on the old model of centralized, carbon-intensive infrastructure and isolated retrofits. It will require integrated, at-scale districts that generate and store clean energy, manage resources in closed loops, and reduce dependence on legacy grids, infrastructure, and capital systems.


The mHUB Powered Challenge seeks practical solutions that make this shift possible, enabling manufacturing to become cleaner, smarter, and more resilient.

Who Should Apply

The challenge is open to innovators of all backgrounds and organization types across the United States. You do not need to be part of a startup or established company to apply. mHUB is equally interested in ideas from independent researchers, PhDs, entrepreneurs, academic teams, industry professionals, and collaborative groups.

Applicants may include:

  • Startups and entrepreneurs
  • Independent researchers and PhDs
  • Researchers and research teams
  • Universities and academic institutions
  • National laboratories
  • Corporations and industry teams
  • Independent innovators
  • Cross-sector partnerships and collaborative teams

Applicants may submit early-stage concepts, emerging technologies, pilot-ready solutions, business models, or infrastructure strategies. Whether you are developing an idea independently or as part of a larger organization, mHUB wants to hear from you.

What Winners Receive

More than a prize competition, the mHUB Powered Challenge gives winners access to the infrastructure, expertise, industry relationships, capital networks, and potential pilot opportunities that can help advance promising solutions toward real-world deployment.

  • Ground Floor Access
    Selected concepts will have a pathway to engage with mHUB as it advances a new, large-scale urban manufacturing district, including potential pilot and test opportunities. 

  • $20,000 Unrestricted Cash Award
    Each selected team will receive funding to support the continued development of its concept.

  • mHUB Membership 
    Winners receive one year of mHUB membership, including engineering resources, expert mentors, and prototyping facilities.

  • Marketing and Storytelling
    Winners can demo at the 10th annual HardTech Summit alongside ongoing marketing opportunities.

Challenge Tracks

Applicants may submit proposals across one of three challenge tracks:

FAQ

Is there a fee to apply?
No. There is no application fee.

Does the concept need to be fully developed?
No. The challenge welcomes solutions at different stages of development, including everything from early concepts to pilot-ready solutions. Applicants should clearly explain the current stage of the concept and what would be required to move it forward.

Will intellectual property remain with the applicant?

Applicant retains ownership of all intellectual property rights that Applicant owns in the ideas, technologies, materials, and other information included in its submission.

Participation in the Challenge does not, by itself, assign or transfer ownership of Applicant’s intellectual property to mHUB, any named sponsor, or any other party.

Applicant should not include trade secrets or other confidential, proprietary, or sensitive information that Applicant does not wish to disclose on a non-confidential basis.  

Are winners required to use the award for a specific purpose?

The $20,000 award is unrestricted. Neither selection as a winner nor receipt of the prize guarantees any future relationship or obligation on behalf of either party. 

mHUB, any named sponsor, and a selected Applicant may choose to explore a pilot, implementation, investment, license, procurement relationship, partnership, or other opportunity following the Challenge. Any such relationship, including any additional intellectual property or commercialization rights, will be subject to a separate written agreement between the applicable parties.

Neither selection as a winner nor receipt of the prize guarantees any future relationship.

Can applicants submit more than one concept?
Yes. If applicants are involved in concepts and projects that are substantially different in nature, they may be submitted as different entries. 

Are applicants required to be located in Chicago?
 No. This is a national challenge open to eligible applicants across the United States. 

Can individuals apply?
Yes. Independent innovators, entrepreneurs, and researchers are encouraged to apply.

Can teams or organizations apply?
Yes. Applications may be submitted by startups, companies, universities, laboratories, nonprofit organizations, collaborative teams, and other eligible entities.

What if my question isn't answered here?

Applicants will have the ability to review the full terms and conditions ahead of submitting an application. A link to this documentation is included within the application itself. 

Specific questions can be directed to Zachary Nerod: zachary (at) mhub.org. 

Apply now: mHUB Powered Challenge

mHUB, in partnership with The Grainger Foundation, is seeking bold ideas to define the future of urban manufacturing. Applicants may submit concepts across three tracks: Energy, Infrastructure, and Management & Operations. 

Complete this short form to begin. After submitting, applicants will be redirected to SurveyMonkey to complete the full application.

Applications are open from August 24 through September 27, 2026.

Important: Applicants should review the mHUB Powered Challenge Terms and Conditions before submitting an application.