mHUB: price, who can join and alternatives
mHUB is a hardtech innovation centre on W Fulton St where founders build physical products, with prototyping labs, a pre-accelerator programme and an events calendar. Its November 2026 events include speed networking for founders and researchers and a tax workshop for hardware founders. Its four-month mPOWER pre-accelerator has no fee because partners sponsor the membership.
mHUB at a glance
| What | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | People building physical technologies | mhubchicago.com |
| Where | 1623 W Fulton St, Chicago | luma.com |
| Upcoming event | Innovation Match speed networking for founders, researchers and inventors, 2 November 2026 | mhubchicago.com |
| Upcoming workshop | Startup tax essentials for hardware founders, 18 November 2026 | mhubchicago.com |
| Networking format | Structured, fast-paced networking for founders, researchers and technical innovators | mhubchicago.com |
| Pre-accelerator | mPOWER is an application-based, four-month programme | mhub.org |
| Price | No fee for mPOWER; partners sponsor the membership | mhub.org |
| Facilities | Prototyping labs and industry partnerships | mhubchicago.com |
| Scale | Supports hundreds of startups each year | mhubchicago.com |
| Summit | 2027 HardTech Summit on 4 March 2027 | mhubchicago.com |
Who it suits
- Hardware and physical product founders who need prototyping space
- Early founders who want a structured, no-fee pre-accelerator
- Founders looking for research collaborators or co-founders
Who it doesn't suit
- Software-only founders with no physical product
- Anyone wanting a casual social meetup
- People who want a published, fixed membership price before applying
Alternatives to mHUB
| Community | Price | Entry rule |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Million Cups Chicago | Not published | Open; register on Luma, apply to present |
| 1871 | Individual $200 a month or $2000 a year (currency not named) | Fill out an application form |
| Chicago Founders Club | Free | Open; register on Sweatpals |
| Chicago Indie Hackers | Not published | Open; RSVP on Meetup |
| Chicago Startup Events | Not published | Varies; dinner seats need host approval |
| Chicago Women Visionary Entrepreneurs | Not published | Open; RSVP on Meetup |
| Founder's Therapy Chicago | Not published | Open; RSVP on Meetup |
| LaFamilia Chicago | Pay what you want; $25 suggested at its October 2026 event (currency not named) | Request to join each event; some by application |
Compare all 471 founder communities, each row dated.
Questions about mHUB
- What is mHUB?
- A hardtech innovation centre at 1623 W Fulton St, Chicago, with prototyping labs, the mPOWER pre-accelerator and events for people building physical products.
- Does mPOWER cost anything?
- No. There is no fee, because its partners sponsor the membership. It is an application-based, four-month programme.
- What events are coming up?
- Innovation Match speed networking on 2 November 2026 and a startup tax workshop for hardware founders on 18 November 2026.
- Website
- mhubchicago.com
- Price
- Membership not published; mPOWER programme has no fee
- Entry rule
- Membership or programme application; many events open
- Format
- Innovation centre with prototyping labs, a pre-accelerator, workshops and founder networking
- Checked
mHUB isn't connected to Remote Builders. Prices and entry rules change, so check mhubchicago.com before you apply. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the members' chat.