AMMP 2026: The Journey to Detroit and Beyond
MTEC’s 2026 Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Program (AMMP) has officially come to an end. The conclusion of this cohort marks a major milestone for six promising startup companies. From timid introductions in Houghton to confident founders pitching their companies on a Detroit stage, this year’s cohort was anything but dull. To say we are proud of how far these founders have come would be an understatement.
This year’s AMMP Accelerator kicked off Monday, April 27th. MTEC Program Director, Grace Hsia Haberl, welcomed founders from across the state (and Illinois!) to Houghton, Michigan. She covered the stakes, the expectations, and broke down the business programming our eager founders were about to dive into. Founder and CEO of HELM, Smita Sahoo, reflected on her experience on the program, saying,
“AMMP gave us more than theory - it gave us a real, lived-in look at what it takes to build and scale a business, with program director Grace grounding every session in her own hands-on experience. That kind of depth is rare in an accelerator.”
Throughout the program, the founders took part in over 100 hours of interactive learning sessions, lectures, one-on-one mentoring, and networking opportunities, all designed to prepare them for the program’s signature events: Local Demo Day and Detroit Demo Day.
Local Demo Day is the first opportunity the program gives founders to step on stage and present their businesses before a live audience. Industry leaders, fellow entrepreneurs, commercialization experts, and MTEC partners filled the room. Judges offered thoughtful questions, provided insightful feedback, and offered encouragement to prepare the founders for an even bigger stage.
Following Houghton’s event was the big show: Detroit Demo Day. First, founders showcased their innovative technologies through exhibit booths, connecting with more investors and industry experts. Then, they pitched. Given just five minutes, each founder pitched their business before a panel of judges, who then had 5 minutes of their own to ask each founder tough questions. While every founder excelled, three special recognitions were made. SinusBath, pitched by Sergiy Blackwood, took first place, earning him the title: “Most Investable”. Capture Tech, presented by Founder and CEO Jonathan Weyhrauch, was Runner-up, while ZiTech CEO, Maya VanBerkum, took home the Audience Choice award.
“The AMMP Accelerator and Demo Days were great experiences that allowed me to grow both as a business and an individual. I was very grateful to win the Audience Choice award as I felt that my pitch was a culmination of hard work and effort throughout the Accelerator. It meant a lot to me that others saw it as well.” ”
While the AMMP 2026 programming is over, the entrepreneurial journey is just beginning for these founders. Over the course of 12 weeks, their businesses grew, pitches became polished presentations, and our entrepreneurs became more confident in sharing their vision with investors and industry leaders. We are so excited to see where our founders take their companies next!
A full list of our cohort companies that completed the AMMP 2026 Accelerator Program can be found here.
About AMMP Accelerator
The Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Program (AMMP) Accelerator is designed to support around five cohort companies every three years, fostering a sustainable model for startup acceleration. Through targeted training and mentorship, the initiative aims to catalyze economic growth, with a projected creation of 40 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs in the Upper Midwest region. Additionally, the program will provide guidance and mentorship to approximately 120 companies in the community, driving forward the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Program funding comes from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) Build to Scale Program, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), and MTEC SmartZone.
About MTEC
Michigan Tech Enterprise Corporation (MTEC) is one of 21 SmartZones in the State of Michigan. MTEC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), its mission is to facilitate the creation and ongoing success of high-tech value propositions in conjunction with the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. Since 2003, the MTEC SmartZone has provided mentoring, technical support, and other services to local companies that have led to the creation of over 800 high-tech jobs in the Houghton and Hancock Michigan area.
About MEDC
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, in collaboration with more than 100 economic development partners, markets Michigan as the place to do business, assists businesses in their growth strategies, and fosters the growth of vibrant communities across the state. MEDC’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation initiative establishes Michigan as the place to create and grow a business by providing high-tech start-up companies with access to a variety of critical resources, such as funding and expert counsel, from ideation to maturation. For more on MEDC Entrepreneurship & Innovation, visit: michiganbusiness.org/entrepreneurship.