The Business Innovation Technology (BIT) program assists founders in LMI markets in exploring innovative ideas to incorporate manufacturing and technology into their businesses.

Through guided in-person classes, virtual sessions, and intensive individualized coaching participants are supported through every stage of concept execution from ideation to product launch.

Graduates of BIT become members of an alumni network granting free access to a plethora of ongoing support and resources.

Grow your business to the next level with a hard tech product the market has been yearning for. The Manufacturing Entrepreneurship Cohort (MEC) is the ideal opportunity to leverage your existing profitable business with the adoption of a hard tech component.

MEC is a 6-month cohort program to support scale-ready businesses by providing more than $10,000 in cash, products, and services to support the scale!

Through 6 months of guided in-person classes, self-study sessions, industry events, and intensive 1 on 1 counseling, founders are able to develop and launch prototypes for their scale-ready businesses. Founders in MEC will have ongoing to mHUB, WSF Tech lab, and a team of business advisors, engineers, and mentors to scale their business.

Graduates of BIT become members of an alumni network granting free access to a plethora of ongoing support and resources.

The cohort typically meets on a hybrid model with live sessions typically held on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.

To apply candidates must:

• Be a permanent resident of Illinois, a resident of the west side of Chicago
• Complete online application
• Complete an admissions interview

SELECTION PROCESS

Upon review of the application, candidates that are not ready to engage in a MEC cohort are strongly encouraged to participate in TI and BST programming for mastery of business fundamentals, and exposure to technology tools to aid in the development and growth of business models at every stage.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Upon acceptance into the program, each applicant must meet the following criteria:

1. Attend program orientation
2. Attend a minimum of 3 MEC/mHUB events
3. Must complete a minimum of 95% of all assignments
4. Must participate in at least two pitch events in Chicago
5. Must be able to commit to at least 100 hours of participation (training, counseling, and related preparation)
6. 14 hours of classroom training (seven 2-hour class sessions every other Wednesday evening)
7. Complete a minimum of 12 hours of individual counseling sessions (1 hour bi-weekly)
8. Develop and execute a launch plan
9. Develop a prototype of hard tech product

MEC BENEFITS

MEC grants you access to many benefits including:

• $5,000 cash Founder stipend
• Specifically, curated business curriculum for microbusiness owners to navigate the varied stages of business ownership and product development.
• Complimentary 6-month membership to mHUB
• Access to mHUB's prototyping shop with more than $6M in prototyping equipment and technical staff onsite.
• Inclusion in a robust community of over 1,057 engineers, developers, manufacturers, mentors, and entrepreneurs.
• Personalized connections to industry & venture capital to support the successful launch of your hard tech
• Direct connections to local manufacturers and suppliers in the Midwest and nationally