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Centrepolis Accelerator is a nonprofit hardtech and advanced-manufacturing accelerator at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Michigan, operating as an umbrella of grant-funded initiatives that turn hardware ideas into manufacturable products, backed by state, federal and foundation funding and a 6,200-square-foot prototyping facility. Its main applied cohort is the Idea to Product (I2P) HardTech Accelerator, a 12-week hybrid program built with the Gilbert Family Foundation for founders at technology readiness level 4 and up developing physical products, with preference for companies in Detroit, Hamtramck or Highland Park. Centrepolis takes no equity and charges no fees; support comes largely through Experts-in-Residence who embed directly with companies for design, engineering and prototyping work. Centrepolis also operates a Defense Hardtech Accelerator, an Industry 4.0 Accelerator, and a C3 Accelerator for cleantech, climatech and circular-economy companies. Since inception, Centrepolis reports more than 430 products commercialized, 982 jobs created and over $1 billion in capital raised by its client companies. Centrepolis ranks 80th on the 2026 TIME and Statista list of America’s Best Incubators and Accelerators.
Frequency
1x/year
Duration
12 weeks
Investment
None — in-kind services only, not cash
Equity
None — grant-funded, no equity taken
Program fees
None — grant-funded
Where
USA
Sectors
DeepTech, Hardware, Industry 4.0
Stages
Pre-Seed, Seed
Eligibility
• Building a hardtech product or software-enabled hardware
• Early market traction, such as letters of intent, purchase orders or pilot agreements, strengthens an application but is not required
• Preference for companies located in Detroit, Hamtramck or Highland Park, Michigan; out-of-state companies planning to relocate there are also encouraged to apply
• Undercapitalized businesses, including those in distressed or rural communities, are a program priority
• Dual-use technologies with both commercial and defense applications are valued
Selection process
• Applications reviewed by an advisory committee
• Companies showing strong traction and program fit may be invited to interview
• Selected companies are notified and join the cohort a few weeks after the deadline
Benefits
• Insider guidance from hardtech founders who have built, scaled and exited their own companies
• A 10 to 12 hour weekly commitment over 12 weeks combining live classes, expert-led workshops and independent work
• Access to a curated network of investors, manufacturers and partners
• Core deliverables built during the program: a product requirements document, a five-page executive summary, a product roadmap, a pilot plan, a cost model and pro forma, a pitch deck and deal-room assets for fundraising
• Graduates may access further Gilbert Family Foundation grant funding for services such as CAD, prototyping and manufacturing-readiness support, contingent on completing the program
• Broader Centrepolis resources: a 6,200-square-foot manufacturing technology lab, Experts-in-Residence, and connections to corporate, government and academic partners
Notable alumni
Network
Lawrence Technological University, City of Southfield, Gilbert Family Foundation (I2P funder), Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, U.S. Economic Development Administration, Erb Family Foundation. Centrepolis also runs the C3 Accelerator, the Defense Hardtech Accelerator Program, and the Industry 4.0 Accelerator.
Portfolio
430+ products commercialized (org-wide, since inception)
Funds raised
$1.01B — org-wide capital raised by Centrepolis client companies since inception
🕐 Sep 2026
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