Behind-the-Scenes at mHUB

Ankesh Pandey (MEM '25) wants to be an entrepreneur, so when he and his classmates in Northwestern's Master of Engineering Management (MEM) program were invited to tour mHUB, the nation's leading hardtech and manufacturing innovation center, the decision to attend was simple.

"I had heard a lot about the state-of-the-art prototyping labs and acceleration team," Pandey said. "As someone building a product that combines artificial intelligence, energy, and climate solutions, I was eager to see the lab in action and understand how product development happens."

He and 14 of his classmates recently joined students from Northwestern's Master of Science in Engineering Design Innovation (EDI) program and Northwestern Engineering's Master of Product Design and Development Management (mpd2) program on a visit to mHUB's Chicago headquarters.

The mHUB facility is home to more than 80,000 square feet of prototyping and manufacturing space. The center runs accelerator programs and provides research and development services to help the manufacturing and hardtech fields grow and thrive.

Hardtech requires knowledge of engineering and science as hardware and software are combined to solve a specific problem.

Since launching in 2017, the mHub community has launched more than 1,500 products.

"What surprised me was the depth of groundwork happening at mHUB and how effectively its resources are utilized to foster innovation," Pandey said. "The facility's ability to bring together diverse stakeholders, including startups, industry experts, and academia, was impressive."

The Northwestern students learned about the facility's operations, including its breadth of innovation sessions offered to the public. These events feature local entrepreneurs who offer practical advice and real-world examples of overcoming challenges in product development.

The trip reinforced what Pandey learned in MEM. While touring the facility, he saw how concepts learned in classes like Product Management and AI Innovation Lab can be applied in real-world settings.

He also learned about unique mHUB partnerships — including with Northwestern and the Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation — that provide students with access to mHUB resources.

"The visit to mHUB showed how crucial resources and mentorship are to succeed in today's world and how they can accelerate product development and entrepreneurship," Pandey said, "aligning with MEM's focus on integrating technical and business skills."

Pandey appreciated participating in the tour with EDI and mpd2 students. He felt the diversity of backgrounds created a richer experience and highlighted the potential for interdisciplinary collaboration.

It was also an experience that taught him lessons he'll be able to apply to the rest of his time in MEM, as well as after he graduates.

"This trip was a valuable opportunity for MEM students because it bridged the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application," Pandey said. "By witnessing firsthand how mHUB supports product development and entrepreneurship, students gained insights into the real-world challenges and opportunities faced by startups."