SOUTH BEND, Indiana (January 13, 2026) – – Forever Analytical, Inc., a hardtech startup whose technology is transforming how harmful PFAS – per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances known as forever chemicals – are detected in virtually any liquid or solid, is among an elite group of finalists for the 2026 mHUB Fourth Revolution Award’s Rising Star Award. The prestigious award recognizes pre-Series B startups under seven years old that are poised to be game changers in their industries.
The winner will be announced on Thursday, March 5 at an awards ceremony held in conjunction with MHUB’s HardTech Summit in Chicago. The event also includes a Pitch Competition featuring approximately 30 of the Midwest’s most groundbreaking and compelling hardtech startups. Forever Analytical will be among those pitching to investors and industry leaders assembled for the HardTech Summit.
Founded in 2020, Forever Analytical has the unprecedented ability to screen for and detect PFAS contamination across what is perhaps the broadest spectrum of consumer and industrial products, soil, water, and wastewater. Using its patented, non-destructive proton beam-powered technology, Forever Analytical identifies the presence of both total fluorine and total organic fluorine affordably and in near real time.
Forever Analytical is in the midst of commercializing field deployable systems for on-site PFAS screening and monitoring that generate immediate results and eliminate the need to send samples to off-site labs for screening. The mobile systems are generating significant industry interest, which views the technology as an invaluable frontline resource for wastewater and water treatment plants, industrial operations, and environmental remediation sites that must comply with increasing federal, state, and global regulations limiting the presence and use of PFAS.
Commenting on the company’s selection as a Rising Star Award finalist, Forever Analytical CEO Hunter MacMillan said he hopes mHUB’s recognition will raise awareness of the threats posed by PFAS to human health and the environment and fuel adoption of his company’s technology. “The award and the pitch competition provide an opportunity to shine the light on the enormity of the PFAS issue and how uniquely able Forever Analytical is to address the global crisis of PFAS contamination and the threat to human health and the environment.”
Forever Analytical currently provides PFAS screening services to customers across North American and Europe via its independent test laboratory in South Bend. The company is supported by funding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Defense, DARPA, Eurostars (European Union), HG Ventures, Elevate Ventures, the Notre Dame Pit Road Fund, and angel investors.
About Forever Analytical, Inc.
With operating locations in South Bend, Indiana, and Eindhoven, The Netherlands, Forever Analytical provides PFAS screening and monitoring services to global customers. The company’s patented proton-beam powered technology rapidly detects total PFAS “forever chemicals” and other contaminants in minutes and in so doing support fluorine-free human and environmental health. Forever Analytical is the winner of the 2025 RALLY Pitch Competition’s Hard Tech Division, earning $1 million in investment.
About mHUB
mHUB is the nation’s leading independent innovation center dedicated to accelerating hardtech development—where physical products are designed, built, and launched to solve real-world challenges in energy, healthcare, sustainability, and advanced manufacturing. At the intersection of innovation and industry, mHUB incubates high-potential startups to commercialize critical technologies faster and with intention. Based in Chicago, mHUB operates an 80,000-plus square foot prototyping and micro-factory alongside deep technical and entrepreneurial mentorship, a robust investor and pilot network, and U.S.-based suppliers and manufacturing expertise. mHUB’s model includes mHUB Ventures, which has invested in 54 startups across smart manufacturing, energy tech, and medtech, and HardTech Development Services, an R&D consultancy for manufacturers. Since launching in 2017, mHUB has supported over 1,200 entrepreneurs and 500 startups that have generated more than $1.96 billion in revenue, launched over 1,700 products, created nearly 7,000 jobs, and raised over $2 billion in capital. mHUB plays a critical role in strengthening U.S. competitiveness and building the physical future from the heart of the Midwest.