Build. Scale. Manufacture.

Centrepolis Accelerator, in partnership with the Gilbert Family Foundation, presents the Idea to Product (I2P) HardTech Accelerator—a 12-week hybrid program for TRL 4+ founders developing physical products or hardware-enabled solutions. The I2P program is designed to help validate product-market fit, demonstrate early commercial traction through pilots, sharpen value propositions, de-risk design and engineering, and prepare for scalable commercialization through mentorship, tools, and access to experts and founders who have scaled their own products.

What we do

The Idea to Product Program helps early-stage innovators transform ideas into market-ready prototypes. Over a 12-week structured curriculum, participants engage in a hybrid format with in-person and virtual learning. Teams should expect a 10-12 hour weekly commitment, including live classes, expert-led workshops, and independent work. The program offers hands-on support for design, prototyping, and go-to-market strategy—helping entrepreneurs avoid costly missteps and build successful hardware products.

How we do it

This program is built for action—equipping founders with the tools, traction, and confidence to vet, validate, and scale. Participants receive weekly one-on-one mentoring from seasoned product commercialization experts, targeted CEO coaching to strengthen leadership, decision-making, execution discipline, as well as insider guidance from hardtech founders who’ve built, scaled, and exited successful ventures. The program also provides access to practical strategies, proven frameworks, and a curated network of investors, manufacturers, and partners to accelerate progress.

Eligibility:

To qualify, applicants must:

Have a Technology Readiness Level 4+ — a functional prototype tested in a relevant environment
Be developing a hardtech product or software-enabled hardware
Show early market traction (letters of intent, purchase orders, early sales, or pilot agreements)
Be located in Detroit, Hamtramck, or Highland Park

Benefits

In just 12 weeks, hardtech founders advance their products to pilot-ready status with the support of expert guidance and targeted resources, all driven by the following core deliverables:

Product Requirements Document – crisp, actionable, and aligned with user and market needs
5-Page Executive Summary – strategic, investor-facing overview of the business opportunity
Product Roadmap – clear path from prototype to scalable production
Pilot Plan – validated strategy demonstrating product-market fit and early commercial traction
Cost Model & Pro Forma – robust financials for pricing, margins, and investor readiness
Pitch Deck – refined narrative with a compelling 2-year go-to-market strategy
Deal Room Assets – clean, organized documentation for funding and due diligence

Interested in this Program?

Apply Today

FAQ

Centrepolis Accelerator, in partnership with the Gilbert Family Foundation, presents the I2P HardTech Accelerator—a 12-week hybrid program for TRL 4+ founders building physical or hardware-enabled products.

Designed to validate product-market fit and reduce technical risk, the program equips founders with the tools, mentorship, and strategies needed to move toward commercialization.

This isn’t just a cohort—it’s a launch platform for founders ready to build, test, and scale.

Companies at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4-9.
Startups, and undercapitalized businesses, especially those in distressed or rural communities.
Preference will be given to Michigan-based companies located in Detroit, Hamtramck, or Highland Park. However, out-of-state companies planning to relocate or establish operations in these cities are also encouraged to apply.

The program can cover services in the areas below, but is dependent on the progress the team makes during the program. :

Product Design: CAD, FEA, design for manufacturability/assembly (DFMA)
Prototyping & Testing: Alpha & Beta prototyping fabrication, testing protocol, and validation services
Manufacturing Readiness: Tooling design, supply chain planning, and equipment specification

Applications Open: June 17, 2025
Application Deadline: July 17, 2025, by 5:00 PM.
Application Review: July 17-20, 2025
Interviews: July 21 - July 24, 2025
Cohort Announced: July 25, 2025
Cohort Starts: August 5 2025
Cohort Ends: October 21, 2025

Clear Examples of Market Traction
While not required, including letters of intent, pilot agreements, or customer support can demonstrate early demand and confidence in your project’s milestones and deliverables.
Clear Description of Your Company
Provide a concise overview of your company, mission, and technology. If applicable, highlight how your solution aligns with broader industry focus areas (e.g., autonomous systems, critical mobility components, open innovation). Technologies with dual-use applications (commercial and defense) are highly valued.
Completed Business Risk Assessment
Be transparent about your company’s current state. A complete and honest risk assessment helps the evaluation team determine how the program can best support your goals. You can find the business risk assessment in the application.
Completed Quad Chart
A well-structured Quad Chart should clearly present your technology, target market, competitive positioning, and business model. It helps reviewers quickly understand where you are—and where you’re headed. You can find the quad chart in the application.
Align with Program Objectives
Show how your product and team align with Centrepolis’s mission to support hardtech commercialization, reduce technical risk, and accelerate go-to-market progress.
Highlight Economic & Ecosystem Impact
If applicable, describe how your company could contribute to local manufacturing, job creation, or ecosystem partnerships—particularly in Detroit, Hamtramck, or Highland Park.

Step 1: Complete the online application by the deadline (July 17, 2025).
Step 2: Applications will be reviewed by an advisory committee.
Step 3: Companies demonstrating strong traction, clear near-term goals, and alignment with program objectives may be invited for interviews.
Step 4: Selected candidates will be notified and be invited to the cohort by August 5, 2025.

Applications to the I2P HardTech Accelerator will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Product Readiness & Technical Viability
Clear evidence of a functional prototype (TRL 4+) with potential for further development, engineering refinement, and scalable production
Market Alignment & Commercial Potential
A compelling value proposition, identified early customer segments, and demonstrated signs of market interest (e.g., LOIs, pilot agreements, or early sales)
Team Qualifications & Execution Capability
A committed and capable founding team with complementary skills across technical, business, and operational functions
Strategic Fit with Program Objectives
Alignment with Centrepolis's mission to advance hardtech commercialization, de-risk product development, and accelerate go-to-market pathways
Economic & Ecosystem Impact
Potential to positively impact Michigan’s innovation ecosystem, manufacturing base, or supply chain through localized production, job creation, or industry collaboration

Yes, out-of-state companies are encouraged to apply if they plan to relocate to Hamtramck, Highland Park or Detroit, Michigan.

Companies should expect up to a 10-12 hour weekly commitment, including live classes, expert-led workshops, and independent work. If companies do not complete the coursework, attend mentoring sessions, and successfully graduate from the program they are not eligible for additional Gilbert Family Foundation grant funding after the program completion.

The program is designed with only one application period for 2025, so ensure all materials are submitted by July 17, 2025, by 11:59PM.