Program designed to deepen Detroit’s manufacturing talent pipeline and attract capital.

DETROIT – (JUNE 17, 2025) – Gilbert Family Foundation and the Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technological University today announced a new investment to launch the Idea to Product program, designed to support entrepreneurs in Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park.

Hardtech involves building physical products that often combine hardware and software to solve real-world challenges in industries like manufacturing, consumer products, mobility and energy. Unlike software, hardtech products require significant value engineering and upfront investment, making it more complex and costlier to develop. As a result, entrepreneurs need greater support, outside engineering talent, more capital and longer timelines to succeed.

The Centrepolis Accelerator addresses these development challenges by providing entrepreneurs with the resources they need to overcome these barriers, including a proven product development methodology based on design for manufacturability disciplines as well as providing business and engineering experts that serve as extensions of the hardtech business to ensure their success.

The program aims to:

  • Support early-stage hardtech entrepreneurs from underserved communities.
  • Accelerate the development of socially and environmentally impactful products.
  • Deliver comprehensive technical and business support services.
  • Attract and align additional funding to scale long-term impact.

This investment reflects Gilbert Family Foundation’s commitment to fostering economic mobility and innovation in Detroit. By investing in the city’s hardtech ecosystem, the foundation is helping to build pathways to sustainable job creation and small business growth.

“For more than 100 years, Detroit has been leading the nation in manufacturing and innovation,” said Laura Grannemann, Executive Director of Gilbert Family Foundation. “This grant empowers local entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into tangible products that create jobs and address real-world challenges.”

Detroit’s manufacturing sector is growing, and analysts project more than 24,000 new jobs by 2028 as hardware and mobility firms expand. To support this growth, the Centrepolis Hardtech Accelerator @ LTU aims to provide entrepreneurs with mentors, workshops, advanced technologies, student-faculty collaboration, events, workspaces and a supportive peer community.

“This funding allows us to take our mission to the next level by focusing on underrepresented innovators with breakthrough hardtech solutions,” said Dan Radomski, CEO, Centrepolis Accelerator @ LTU. “Too many accelerator programs out there only get an entrepreneur so far and they find themselves needing additional help to recognize their dreams of commercializing their product. With the support of Gilbert Family Foundation, we can expand our reach and help more entrepreneurs navigate the journey from idea to commercial reality, to actually experience getting their product to market and creating wealth for them and their families, and to get these products made right here in Detroit supporting the local economy.”

Applications will open from June 17-July 17. Company selections are expected to be announced by July 25, with the program set to begin on August 5, 2025. Learn more about the program here: https://www.centrepolisaccelerator.com/Programs/Idea-to-Product-HardTech-Accelerator

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About Gilbert Family Foundation

Gilbert Family Foundation is a private nonprofit foundation founded by Jennifer and Dan Gilbert to accelerate a cure for neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and build economic opportunity in the city of Detroit. The Gilbert Family Foundation supports groundbreaking, cutting-edge research in hopes of eradicating NF1, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves anywhere in the body. Additionally, the Foundation supports the economic stability and mobility of residents in Detroit by investing in wealth-building opportunities and breaking down systemic barriers.

For more information on the Gilbert Family Foundation, please visit gilbertfamilyfoundation.org

 

Centrepolis Accelerator
Established in 2018 by Lawrence Technological University, the Centrepolis Accelerator is Southeast Michigan’s sole program focused entirely on hardware, advanced manufacturing, cleantech and climate-tech startups. Since its launch, it has commercialized more than 150 products, created over 325 jobs, supported more than 375 companies and generated approximately $80 million in combined revenue and investment.

About Lawrence Technological University
Lawrence Technological University is one of only 13 private, technological, comprehensive doctoral universities in the United States. Located in Southfield, Mich., LTU was founded in 1932 and offers more than 100 programs through its Colleges of Architecture and Design, Arts and Sciences, Business and Information Technology, Engineering, and Health Sciences, as well as Specs @ LTU as part of its growing Center for Professional Development. PayScale lists Lawrence Tech among the nation’s top 11 percent of universities for alumni salaries. Forbes and The Wall Street Journal rank LTU among the nation’s top 10 percent. U.S. News and World Report list it in the top tier of the best Midwest colleges. Students benefit from small class sizes and a real-world, hands-on, “theory and practice” education with an emphasis on leadership. Activities on Lawrence Tech’s 107-acre campus include more than 60 student organizations and NAIA varsity sports.