2025 Fourth Revolution Award Winners
Celebrating Innovation and Leadership at the 8th Annual Fourth Revolution Awards
On March 6, mHUB hosted the 8th Annual Fourth Revolution Awards, honoring trailblazers shaping the future of hardtech and manufacturing in the Midwest. This prestigious event brought together hundreds of professionals, innovators, and industry leaders to recognize excellence, technological advancement, and social impact in manufacturing.
Honoring the Midwest’s Best
The Fourth Revolution Awards highlight the achievements of individuals and organizations driving innovation and growth in the manufacturing sector. With nearly 100 submissions across five judged categories, completing the awards process required weeks of evaluation by expert judges from leading corporations, innovators, and academic institutions.
This year featured five competitive awards and three honorary recognitions. The winners represent a diverse group of changemakers, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible within manufacturing and hardtech.
(CHICAGO March 7, 2025) — Judged Categories
Community Empowerment Award
Winner: P33
Awarded for its commitment to transforming Chicago and Illinois into a global technology hub particularly around quantum, sustainable computing, and entrepreneurship.
Excellence in Engineering Award
Winner: Herbie Kirn of Articulate Labs
Acknowledged for his contributions to Articulate Labs, where he is redefining automation and biometrics in physical therapy.
Innovation of the Year
Winner: Niron Magnetics
Celebrated for pioneering the world’s first high-performance, rare-earth-free Iron Nitride permanent magnets, a breakthrough in sustainable manufacturing and magnet technology.
Small & Medium-Sized Manufacturer of the Year
Winner: TCCI Manufacturing
Recognized for cutting-edge engineering and a commitment to community since the 1980s.
Rising Star Award
Winner: AQUA Cultured Foods
Acknowledged as one of the hottest up and coming startups to emerge from the region.
Honorary Awards
Manufacturer of the Year
Winner: Pella Corporation
For its century-long commitment to innovation, AI-driven manufacturing processes, and $35 million in local community investments.Corporate Champion
Winner: Intersect Illinois
For securing $9.3 billion in investments and creating over 20,000 jobs to strengthen Illinois’ manufacturing ecosystem.4REV Champion
Winner: Michael Fassnacht
Recognized for advancing Chicago’s business ecosystem and championing economic and cultural development.
A Night of Connection and Celebration
The evening kicked off with cocktails and appetizers, followed by remarks and the highly anticipated award announcements. After recognizing the outstanding achievements of the winners, attendees spent the remaining hours networking and sharing insights with peers.
Beyond the awards, the night also marked the conclusion of the mHUB HardTech Summit, a showcase of cutting-edge advancements, including 30+ startup pitches, expert panels, and 40 product demonstrations.
Elevating Midwest Manufacturing
The Fourth Industrial Revolution, centered on advancements such as AI, automation, and sustainability, is transforming global manufacturing. The Fourth Revolution Awards play a pivotal role in fostering innovation and collaboration within the Midwest, ensuring the region continues to lead on the global stage.
Join Us Next Year!
The Fourth Revolution Awards will return in 2026, continuing to celebrate the hardtech pioneers shaping the industry. Subscribe to mHUB’s newsletter for updates, and visit mHUB’s website to explore upcoming events, partnerships, and ways to engage with this thriving ecosystem.
Together, we’re building the future of manufacturing. Will you be part of the revolution?
Thanks to mHUB’s Event Sponsors:
About mHUB
mHUB is a leading independent hardtech and manufacturing innovation center that exists to convene the entrepreneurial ecosystem around physical product innovation to ensure that the manufacturing industry continues to accelerate, grow and thrive. The mHUB community includes over 500 active and alumni startups and small businesses supported by a deep talent pool of product designers and developers, entrepreneurs, engineers and manufacturers, corporate leaders, industry experts, mentors and investors. mHUB provides a hyper-resourced environment to entrepreneurs with the goal of commercializing new hardtech innovation that will lead to new businesses, intellectual property, investment, revenue, and job creation. Since launching in 2017, the mHUB community has generated more than $1.57B in revenue, launched more than 1,610 products, hired more than 5,540 employees, and raised over $1.89B in capital. The mHUB Product Impact Fund is a $15M venture fund that invests in seed and early-stage physical product companies from around the world who participate in mHUB’s 6-month long, hands-on accelerator programs. To date, mHUB has invested in 46+ startups across sustainable manufacturing, climate and energytech and medtech.
Press Contact:
Christian Luna
Christian@mhubchicago.com
Kim Blomquist
872.222.5279
kim@mhubchicago.com