Humanmade’s Hardware Accelerator Program
Fuelling California Startups
Humanmade’s Hardware Accelerator is a hands-on program for early-stage founders building physical products and hard tech companies. Based in San Francisco, the program combines structured business development, rapid prototyping support, manufacturing-focused mentorship, and access to advanced fabrication tools within Humanmade’s nonprofit innovation hub.
Over the course of the program, teams work through the realities of hardware development — from defining the problem and building early prototypes to testing with users, refining manufacturing plans, and preparing for funding, pilots, and production. We focus on helping founders make tangible progress in the real world, not just pitch decks. As a nonprofit, Humanmade does not take equity in participating companies.
What the Program Includes:
Prototype Development
Hands-on fabrication support, rapid iteration, machine training, design-for-manufacturing guidance, and technical mentorship.
Participants gain access to Humanmade’s fabrication facilities and prototyping resources while developing and refining physical products.
Founder Development
Structured sessions covering:
Market validation
Product positioning
User testing
Production planning
Operations strategy
Financial modeling
Capital and funding pathways
Pitch development
The program is designed specifically around the realities of building hardware companies.
Community & Industry Access
Participants engage directly with:
Experienced hardware founders
Engineers and manufacturing specialists
Investors and capital advisors
Subject-matter experts
Humanmade’s broader innovation community
Programming includes mentor office hours, founder meetups, guest presentations, technical consultations, and public-facing events throughout the program.
How the Program Works:
The accelerator is organized around a progression of hardware development milestones:
Problem definition and market validation
Rapid prototyping and form exploration
Real-world testing and iteration
Design for manufacturing and production planning
Financial and capital strategy
Pitch preparation and public demonstration
Program elements include:
Weekly cohort sessions
Guest founder and expert talks
Mentor office hours
Prototype reviews
Technical training opportunities
Demo Day presentations
Most programming is conducted in person at Humanmade’s San Francisco facility.
Who Should Apply
The program is designed for founders actively developing physical products and hardware-enabled businesses.
We are especially interested in teams working in areas such as:
Consumer hardware
Robotics
Climate and energy technology
Manufacturing innovation
Assistive technology
Creative tools and devices
Industrial systems
Physical AI applications
Other product-driven ventures
Applicants should be prepared to actively engage with the cohort, mentorship opportunities, and project development milestones throughout the program.
Membership & Access
The accelerator is offered at no cost to selected participants through support from the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) and Humanmade’s nonprofit programming.
Accepted teams receive Humanmade membership access for the duration of the program, including accelerator programming, workshops, mentor sessions, and access to shared fabrication resources.
Dedicated desks, storage, and expanded workspace accommodations may be available separately depending on project needs and facility capacity.
Demo Day
The program culminates in a public Demo Day where participating teams present their products, prototypes, and progress to mentors, industry guests, investors, and the broader community.
Demo Day emphasizes real product development progress, technical execution, and future readiness for manufacturing, pilots, fundraising, or commercialization.
About Humanmade
Humanmade is a nonprofit innovation hub and fabrication facility based in San Francisco focused on advancing hands-on entrepreneurship, manufacturing, workforce development, and creative technology.
Our facilities support prototyping, fabrication, education, and collaborative product development across a wide range of disciplines and industries.
Apply
Applications for the current accelerator cohort are now open.
Selected teams will participate in a structured, in-person program focused on helping founders move from early concepts toward validated products and production readiness.