(CHICAGO March 13, 2024) — Winners of the 7th Annual Fourth Revolution Awards were announced during an Awards Reception hosted on March 13, 2024 at the mHUB innovation center. The awards ceremony recognized the outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations shaping the future of industry in the region.
The Fourth Revolution Awards highlight the achievements of leading startups, community advocates, and hardtech entrepreneurs, underscoring their role in driving forward manufacturing innovation. Following a rigorous nomination and evaluation process, winners were selected for their exemplary leadership and groundbreaking innovations in the era of technological advancement.
“As we celebrate the remarkable achievements of our Fourth Revolution Award winners, we’re not just honoring innovation; we’re propelling the future of industry forward,” said Haven Allen, mHUB Co-founder and CEO. “These pioneers embody the spirit of ingenuity and collaboration that defines the heart of mHUB and the Midwest’s manufacturing ecosystem. Together, we are shaping a future where technology and humanity intersect to create a better world for all.”
The ceremony unveiled winners across categories including Community Empowerment, Excellence in Engineering, Innovation of the Year, and Small and Medium-Sized Manufacturer of the Year. Additionally, Lion Electric and the Illinois Manufacturer’s Association received honorary industry awards for their exceptional contributions to the sector.
“We are honored to be named mHUB Chicago’s Manufacturer of the Year during the 2024 Fourth Revolution Award reception and congratulate all of our fellow recipients for the distinction,” said Nicolas Brunet, President of Lion Electric. “As a leader and visionary in the clean transportation industry, we are committed to expanding the adoption of electric trucks and zero-emission school buses, strengthening the manufacturing economy, and addressing environmental sustainability in both the nation and Illinois.”
At the core of the fourth industrial revolution lie transformative advancements encompassing automation, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and more. This ongoing evolution signifies a paradigm shift in manufacturing and hardware technology characterized by unprecedented efficiency, inclusivity, and innovation.
“Manufacturing makes the world a better place to live every single day and the promise of manufacturing is alive and well in Illinois. You can see it every day in the eyes of the creators and makers inhabiting mHUB,” said Mark Denzler, President & CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “We are deeply humbled to receive this prestigious award from our wonderful partners at mHUB which is changing the landscape for HardTech development in the region. Together, we are building an amazing collaborative manufacturing ecosystem that will solve future challenges facing the world.”
Recognizes an organization that has showcased exemplary leadership in championing diversity, equity, and inclusion within innovative technology and manufacturing innovation spaces.
Winner of the 2024 Community Empowerment Award: The Manufacturing, Technology and Engineering Center (MTEC) at Daley College.
The Manufacturing, Technology and Engineering Center (MTEC) at Daley College operates under the college mission statement which is to empower a diverse community to achieve their goals through innovative education and programing in a supportive, inclusive, and equitable environment for life-long learning. As the Center of Excellence for the College and the 65,000 college district students of which 70% are of color, MTEC and its advanced manufacturing curriculum, programs and industry certifications is a strong contributor to the advanced manufacturing workforce eco system in the Chicagoland arena. In essence, MTEC provides the resources for a diverse community of students to invest in education as MTEC assists the next generation of the advanced manufacturing workforce.
Recognizes an individual engineer’s visionary thinking, technical prowess, and unwavering commitment to driving innovation and transformative ideas.
Winner of the 2024 Excellence in Engineering Award: Dr. Adam Jakus
Dr. Adam Jakus is an engineering entrepreneur who co-founded and served as CTO of a Chicago-based company, Dimension Inx Corp. For seven years, he and his team developed advanced biomaterial and 3D-printing technologies and products. In January 2024, he left Dimension Inx to find and run BioThera3 Advising & Consulting, LLC and focus on building up the emerging bio fabrication and tissue therapeutics industry.
Recognizes a corporation or business that has made an impact on manufacturing through community focused efforts and significant financial investment throughout the region.
Winner of the 2024 Innovation of the Year Award: NanoGraf
NanoGraf is an advanced battery material company whose patented silicon anode technology enables longer-lasting, higher-energy, and higher-power lithium-ion batteries. The company developed the world’s most energy-dense lithium-ion 18650 cells. Batteries using this material can run for nearly 30% longer than comparable batteries. NanoGraf works with the U.S. Department of Defense and some of the world’s leading electric mobility, consumer electronics, household appliance, and power tool brands.
2024 Small & Medium-Sized Manufacturer of the Year
Recognizes a corporation or business that has made an impact on manufacturing through community focused efforts and significant financial investment throughout the region.
Winner of the 2024 Small & Medium-Sized Manufacturer of the Year: Ludlow Manufacturing Inc.
Ludlow Manufacturing Inc. (LMI) is a family-owned metal fabrication business, distinguished by its leadership under a female President. Founded in January 2005 within a two-and-a-half-car garage, the LMI has expanded operations to a 120,000-square-foot manufacturing space, equipped with cutting-edge technologies including laser cutting, forming, welding, and machining. With a dedicated workforce of approximately 80 employees, LMI continues to thrive, embodying a steadfast commitment to quality, innovation, and industry leadership.
Rising Star Award: Winner to be announced at the mHUB HardTech Summiton March 14, 2024
This pitch competition recognizes early-stage startups for their innovation, creativity, and position as the next great hardtech company to emerge in the region.
Rising Star Award Finalists Ascent Integrated Tech, Fillow, Intuitap Medical , Mycocycle, and Sabanto, will take to the stage on March 14, 2024, at 4:45 PM during the mHUB HardTech Summit for the Rising Star Pitch Competition. After pitching before a live panel of judges, the winner will be announced before the program’s close. Follow #mHUBHardTechSummit on social channels to see the winner announced.
In 2025, the Fourth Revolution Awards will return. Subscribe to mHUB’s mailing list for the latest event updates.
Thanks to mHUB’s Event Sponsors:
Kevin Willer, Chicago Ventures Partner (left), Caralynn Nowinski Collens, Dimension Inx CEO (center), and Haven Allen, mHUB CEO (right)
