Overview
The Hardware-Focused Manufacturing Accelerator is a 10-week, in-person dual-use accelerator designed for hardware companies preparing to scale from early prototypes to full production at commercial and Department of War (DoW) levels. The program delivers advanced manufacturing mentorship, dual-use commercialization training, and access to Kansas’ production ecosystem to ensure founders gain the readiness, rigor, and relationships required to scale confidently.
Program Overview
This is a 10-week immersive program blending dual-use commercialization training, manufacturing readiness support, DoW alignment, and hands-on coaching.
Founders participate in-person three days each week at the OnRamp Hub: Kansas collaboration space. Sessions include manufacturing coaching, DoW alignment, commercialization workshops, supplier introductions, and high-value cohort engagement - while still preserving time each week for founders to operate their business.
Phase Breakdown
Phase 1 - Readiness (Weeks 1–3): Federal & DoD readiness, enterprise sales readiness, organizational alignment.
Implementation Week (Week 4): Founder-driven execution time.
Phase 2 - Commercialization (Weeks 5–6): DoD contracting pathways, prime partnerships, commercial GTM.
Implementation Week (Week 7): Customer and partner progress.
Phase 3 - Action Weeks (Weeks 8–10): Capital Week, Policy Week, Demo Day, and GTM Roadmapping.
Who Should Apply
Seed–Series A dual-use hardware companies with TRL 6+ products, demonstrable traction (revenue, grants, SBIR/STTR, pilots), and technology serving both commercial and government applications. Companies should be preparing for scale, manufacturing maturation, and structured go-to-market expansion.
What Companies Gain
• Weekly 1:1 manufacturing coaching and MRL uplift
• Stronger DoW pathways and federal contracting strategy
• Commercial and enterprise sales development
• Capital preparation and direct investor access
• Introductions to primes, neo-primes, integrators, suppliers, and program offices
• Improved manufacturing readiness, quality systems, and production planning
• Increased visibility across defense and commercial markets