The American Center for Manufacturing and Innovation (ACMI) has launched a new competition offering $3m in funding to manufacturing startups, including a $1m grand prize, as the US seeks to strengthen its domestic industrial base and scale critical technologies.
The Horizon Manufacturing Cup will take place on October 20, 2026, at Indiana University’s Bloomington campus in Indiana. Five manufacturing startups will receive funding, with the competition also designed to connect emerging companies with venture capital investors.
The initiative is focused on critical hardware, materials and manufacturing technologies across multiple sectors, with a particular emphasis on helping companies move from prototype development into commercial-scale production.
“The Horizon Manufacturing Cup will further solidify Indiana’s role as the heart of America’s defense industrial base,” said Senator Jim Banks.
“It will help identify manufacturing startups vital to designing, building, and scaling the technologies our warfighters need. I am proud of ACMI’s continued investments in Indiana and partnerships with IU.”
Bridging the gap to production
Alongside non-dilutive funding, winning companies will gain access to ACMI’s National Security Industrial Hub, including advanced manufacturing prototyping equipment, industrial infrastructure, technical resources, supply chains, scaling space and talent networks.
The programme is intended to address a key challenge facing US manufacturing startups: moving promising technologies beyond the prototype stage and into repeatable, industrial-scale production.
“To secure our nation’s industrial capacity, we must fund innovation and provide the physical infrastructure required to scale production,” said Senator Todd Young.
“ACMI’s Horizon Manufacturing Cup bridges the gap between disruptive technology concepts and real-world industrial output, anchoring critical capabilities right here in Indiana.”
The competition is open to startups, spin-outs and emerging technology companies. Participants will pitch their capabilities to a judging panel, with presentations assessed against technical merit, innovation, prototype readiness, industrial impact, commercialisation potential and overall readiness.
Strengthening the US industrial base
ACMI said the competition forms part of its broader effort to connect commercial markets with national security requirements, while increasing economic resilience and diversifying US industrial capabilities. The focus on Indiana also reflects the state’s growing role in efforts to expand domestic manufacturing capacity and reinforce the US defence supply chain.
“America is going through a manufacturing renaissance, and we need to tap into our best and brightest minds to scale their impact,” said John Burer, Founder and CEO of ACMI.
“We are proud to work with our partners to invest at the crossroads of America and build the American industrial base in our heartland.”
The Horizon Manufacturing Cup will therefore combine startup funding with access to the physical infrastructure, supply-chain connections and industrial expertise required to turn emerging manufacturing technologies into production capabilities.
Companies interested in entering the competition can submit proposals through ACMI ahead of the October 20 event.
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