Manufacturing Technology Collective
Helping founders, engineers, and manufacturers build the next generation of American manufacturing. Access experts, programs, funding, and a community of builders.
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Automation
- Robotics
- Smart Factory
- Artificial Intelligence
- Big Data
- IIoT
- Startup members
- 50+
- Startup members
- Years
- 7
- Years
- Demos facilitated
- 80+
- Demos facilitated
- Revenue generated
- $10M
- Revenue generated
Your Launchpad for Manufacturing Innovation
The Manufacturing Technology Collective brings together founders, engineers, manufacturers, investors, and partners working to modernize American manufacturing.
Inside this collective you'll find everything you need to build, grow, and scale:
- Industry experts & Entrepreneurs-in-Residence
- Advanced manufacturing programs & accelerators
- Funding opportunities & grant resources
- Workshops, meetups & events
- Peer discussions with other builders
- Strategic partners & suppliers
At a Glance
- Who it's for
- Manufacturing founders, engineers, operators, and investors
- Focus areas
- Industry 4.0, automation, robotics, smart factory, defense manufacturing
- Outcomes
- Revenue growth, investor connections, technical mentorship, peer community
- Region
- Michigan & Midwest
Community Champion
Zach Kraabel
Director of Operations
GTM for manufacturing, technology vetting, and connecting Michigan manufacturers to technology startups.
Technology, manufacturing & commercial readiness
Hardware commercialization requires disciplined milestone execution. We score your technology, manufacturing, and commercial readiness quarterly to ensure production scalability and qualify you for state manufacturing grants.
Technology Readiness
From basic scientific research to proven commercial demonstration. Validates software, firmware, and tech architecture.
Manufacturing Readiness
Based on DoD frameworks. Proves repeatability, tooling, unit economics, supply chain, and full-rate production.
Commercial Readiness
Customer discovery, willingness to pay, pricing model validation, repeatable sales engines, and gross margin optimization.
The 4-step Milestone Acceleration Loop
Our continuous growth cadence — reviewed and rescored quarterly.
AI Intake & Scoring
Complete our intake form. Our AI-assisted intake engine scores your business against TRL, MRL, CRL, or MSRL scales.
Intake Meeting & Map
Meet one-on-one with our leadership. We deep-dive into your numbers and define 3–5 pivotal, achievable milestones.
Ecosystem Connection
Get plugged into the exact programs, EIR mentors, grants, and collectives tailored to hit your milestone goals.
Quarterly Rescoring
Accomplish your milestones, return each quarter to re-score your readiness levels, and unlock the next tier of growth capital.
Manufacturing Tech Collective team & experts
The coaches, experts in residence, and team members guiding Manufacturing Tech Collective.
Zach Kraabel is Director of Operations at Lean Rocket Lab in Jackson, Michigan. He specializes in go-to-market strategy for manufacturing startups, technology vetting and market research, and connecting Michigan manufacturers with contract-manufacturing partners. He has helped vet 400+ startups and build partnerships with small manufacturers and Fortune 500 OEMs.
Brandon is the visionary founder of Lean Rocket Lab, driven by a passion for nurturing and empowering startup companies. With a relentless commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurial success, Brandon has created a thriving ecosystem within Lean Rocket Lab.
Joe is an automotive engineer turned entrepreneur, mayor, and leadership guide. Over his career in the tech and automotive sector, he earned promotions, a patent, and industry recognition for his engineering work. After navigating an industry downturn, Joe took the same tools, training, and strategies that made him successful in engineering and applied them to leadership in a new arena—founding HomeGrown Leadership, where he helps people lead with the same rigor, communication, and goal-setting they use at work. Today, as a small-city mayor and entrepreneur, Joe brings an engineer's mindset to building strong teams, clear systems, and resilient communities.
Steve Tebbetts is the owner of STEAM Services LLC, an engineering consultancy in Tecumseh, Michigan that provides advanced manufacturing engineering, project management, operations consulting, contract engineering and technology scouting. He brings 30 years of hands-on manufacturing experience, from running injection molding lines to leading new model launches and lean improvement programs for automotive suppliers including Visteon, INOAC Interior Systems and Summit Polymers, plus a year as Business Solutions Manager at the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center. A Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and Certified Master Molder with a mechanical engineering degree from Western Michigan University, Steve helps manufacturers succeed by helping the people in their companies succeed.
Stu is an EIR at LRL, a storyteller and customer experience enthusiast who brings the perspective of an entrepreneur and restaurateur to his work. He helps organizations create better experiences for their customers and teams through video, design, journey mapping, and storytelling.
Leland is one of our EIR's at Lean Rocket Lab. Leland has a diverse skill set spanning business analytics, software development, manufacturing, and technology. With a wealth of knowledge and experience in these pivotal areas, Leland is a valuable asset to the Lean Rocket Lab community, providing invaluable insights and guidance to fellow members and entrepreneurs.
Upcoming Manufacturing Tech Collective events
Workshops, bootcamps, and gatherings tied to Manufacturing Tech Collective.
Manutech LIVE Innovation Experience 2026
See live demos, manufacturing technology, prototyping, innovation, and training at Jackson's AMTC.
Advanced Manufacturing Training Center, 3517 Scheele Drive, Jackson, MI 49202
RegisterManufacturing Tech Collective resources
Curated software, services, and support available to Manufacturing Tech Collective participants.
Free business consulting/workshops
Brand storytelling video production
Meet our members
Businesses growing with the Manufacturing Tech Collective.