Rockefeller Foundation Funds $1M HardTech Accelerator for Startups

The Rockefeller Foundation has awarded a two-year, $1 million grant to mHUB, the nation's largest independent hardtech innovation center, to expand support for hardware founders and launch a new accelerator focused on data center sustainability solutions.

The March 17 announcement targets a persistent gap in the startup ecosystem: undercapitalized founders building physical products in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and industrial sustainability.

What the Grant Will Fund

The funding supports mHUB's full pipeline of founder services, from earliest ideation through growth stage:

• Experts-in-Residence program providing technical mentorship to founders at all stages
• Pre-accelerator for idea-stage founders developing initial prototypes
• Pilot and manufacturing readiness technical assistance for later-stage companies preparing for production
• Data center sustainability cohort within mHUB's venture-backed accelerator, reflecting surging demand for energy-efficient infrastructure solutions

The data center sustainability focus is timely. As AI workloads drive explosive growth in data center construction, startups developing cooling systems, power management hardware, and energy-efficient components are finding strong market pull from hyperscalers.

mHUB's Track Record With Founders

Based in Chicago, mHUB has supported over 500 startups through more than 200 public and private partnerships, generating a reported $4.5 billion in economic activity. Unlike software-focused accelerators, mHUB provides physical prototyping facilities, manufacturing expertise, and industry connections that hardware startups typically struggle to access.

The Rockefeller Foundation's investment complements federal programs like SBIR and DOE's EFRC initiative. For hardtech founders who may not qualify for federal grants or whose technology is too early for venture capital, accelerator-based support can bridge a critical funding gap.

How Founders Can Get Involved

Startups developing physical products in clean energy, manufacturing, or data center technology should apply directly through mHUB's website. The accelerator accepts rolling applications, though specific cohort timelines vary.

Founders can explore additional hardtech and climate-tech funding opportunities through grantedai.com. For analysis of how foundation funding is shifting toward climate and industrial innovation, see our coverage on the Granted blog.