Centrepolis Accelerator partners with Automation Alley and Lean Rocket Lab to launch the nation’s first Industry 4.0 Accelerator!

A new Industry 4.0 Accelerator program—the first of its kind in the U.S.—is launching in Michigan with the goal to help small and medium-sized technology and manufacturing companies along their digital transformation journeys. 

The Industry 4.0 Accelerator program lead by Automation Alley with support services from Lean Rocket Lab and Lawrence Technological University’s Centrepolis Accelerator—is a $2.5 million investment fund made possible through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation with $1.3 million currently available for early-stage companies as well as established firms looking to commercialize products, services or technologies within the Industry 4.0 sector. 

Industry 4.0, or the Fourth Industrial Revolution, is known as the convergence of the digital and physical technologies disrupting industry and includes technologies like artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, advanced robotics, 3D printing and digital twin. 

Companies involved in the program will receive direct investment and business coaching services to help spur innovation, commercialization and growth. The accelerator is also looking for larger firms and organizations to partner on this effort and support Industry 4.0 adoption for Michigan manufacturers. 

Services will be customized to meet the needs of each participating company.  The Industry 4.0 Accelerator program may include, as mutually agreed by the Accelerator and the Company the following services:

• Pilot and demonstration project funding

• Connections and support with product development partnerships with customers and strategic partners

• Individualized training and mentorship

• Company growth assessments

• Technical and business milestone progress planning

• Strategic plan development

• Management team and talent assessment

• Investment and fundraising strategy support

• Potential connections to investors and capital sources

• Shared workspace opportunities

There is simply no better location for an Industry 4.0 Accelerator than in the heart of the world’s most important advanced manufacturing market…Michigan!  What makes this program unique is that it will globally crowdsource the best in class Industry 4.0 technologies, supporting both early stage and established firms with unique advanced manufacturing innovations, connecting them to Michigan manufacturing firms to initiate pilot demonstrations of their technology, thereby supporting both the tech company’s growth as well as operational efficiencies of manufacturers in our State…it’s a win-win!  Lawrence Tech will bring additional value by supporting engineering, proof of concept and prototype work for companies going through the program.

More details on the Industry 4.0 Accelerator including the formal application will be made available in the following weeks.  For more information, contact Dan Radomski at dradomski@ltu.edu