HOUGHTON — MTEC SmartZone’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Program has launched its 2026 cohort, putting six startups into a three-month intensive to help founders move promising products closer to market

Backed by a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, AMMP focuses on giving entrepreneurs in advanced materials and manufacturing the business preparation, pitch support and commercialization guidance needed to scale.

This year’s cohort includes CaptureTech, her.HAT, PileVision, Optical Quantum Technologies, SinusBath and ZiTech, with kickoff events held this week in Hancock

The program continues to build on a regional strength in advanced manufacturing by helping new companies evolve where technical talent and industrial know-how already run deep.