Innovative Energy Tech Accelerator Seeks Startups to Drive Future Infrastructure Solutions
Supported by major industry players like Equinix Foundation, Generac, and Salesforce, mHUB’s latest initiative aims to revolutionize the energy and infrastructure sectors.
CHICAGO | May 19, 2026 — With the rapid advancement of AI and digital technologies, the call for robust and intelligent energy and computing infrastructures is louder than ever. Responding to this demand, mHUB, the largest independent hard tech innovation center in the U.S., has launched a search for startups focused on innovative solutions at the intersection of computing and energy for its accelerator program.
Backed by prominent partners such as Equinix Foundation, Generac, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Foundation, Marmon Holdings, and Salesforce, along with support from The Rockefeller Foundation, this new accelerator will target advancements in data center efficiency, infrastructure resilience, and sustainable energy systems. Applications are open until Monday, July 13.
The program will select 6-10 startups, each receiving a $200,000 initial investment from mHUB Ventures in exchange for a 6.5% equity stake. This investment includes $100,000 in cash, $30,000 in cash reimbursement for product development, and $70,000 in in-kind services. Participants will benefit from mHUB’s advanced prototyping labs, technical support, mentorship, and connections to industry leaders and investors.
Ryan Fant, the Executive Director of the program, brings a wealth of entrepreneurial and operational expertise to mHUB. A seasoned Techstars founder, he has played key roles in innovation strategy at notable companies like Koch Industries and ConnectM.
“Surging compute demand is creating one of the most exciting innovation opportunities in energy we’ve seen in decades,” stated Ryan Fant. “This program is designed to find the boldest early-stage solutions and get them to market faster.”
Paige Rodgers, Director at Equinix Foundation, remarked, “We believe technology can create the greatest opportunity when it’s built thoughtfully. When founders receive the support they need, they can advance more sustainable, resilient solutions that both strengthen communities and reduce environmental impact.”
Erik Wilde, EVP and President of Domestic C&I at Generac, commented on the partnership: “Our partnership with mHUB reflects Generac’s commitment to advancing the next generation of energy innovation — particularly as data center demand accelerates and power infrastructure becomes more complex.”
Fred Tan, Global Head of Social Impact at HPE, added, “Rising digital demand must be met with more efficient and resilient systems. We already have solutions in place that can dramatically improve IT efficiency, but solving this challenge at scale will require innovation and ecosystem collaboration to accelerate real-world impact.”
Sunya Norman, SVP of Impact at Salesforce, highlighted the collaborative effort needed: “The energy demands of AI are not a challenge any single company can solve alone. Meeting them will require innovators willing to take bold bets on solutions that don’t yet have a proven market.”
Slav Gatchev, Vice President of Innovative Finance at The Rockefeller Foundation, emphasized the need for sustainable solutions: “The rapid growth of AI and data centers underscores the need for innovative, sustainable solutions.”
The initiative is further supported by Evergreen Climate Innovations, which provides capital and support for impactful climate technologies, and Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP, offering legal counsel on business formation and intellectual property protection.
Applications for mHUB’s Compute-Energy Nexus Cohort are now open. For more details and to apply, visit: https://mhub.org/energy-tech-accelerator
About mHUB
mHUB is an innovation platform focused on the commercialization of hard tech, supporting companies in building, scaling, and innovating with speed and purpose. mHUB comprises a Chicago-based incubator, prototyping lab, venture and real estate investment arm, and offers engineering and product consulting. To date, mHUB has collaborated with over 200 partners and supported more than 500 startups, contributing $5 billion in economic activity. Learn more at mhub.org.
About mHUB Ventures
mHUB Ventures is the investment arm of mHUB, managing venture capital and real estate funds to drive hard tech innovation and bolster U.S. industrial competitiveness. Its venture platform invests in early-stage startups in energy, medical technology, and advanced manufacturing, leveraging mHUB’s facilities, talent, and partnerships to minimize risk and expedite commercialization.
This press release originally appeared on www.mhub.org on May 19th, 2026, and is shared with permission.
Original Story at www.rockefellerfoundation.org