The Tech Valley Center of Gravity is a maker space, prototyping center, manufacturing incubator and education center in downtown Troy. Amsterdam-based Mohawk Machine Works LLC, which is part of the TVCOG incubator program, is developing equipment for cleaning and drying commercial surfaces using high-velocity air. The technology is intended to improve the productivity of the construction industry and related markets.
Mohawk Machine Works Partners with Local Makerspace for Air Drying Innovation
Description
"I came across FuzeHub at one of the state’s matchmaker events several years ago and it has been of great assistance to me ever since. The Manufacturing Grant was exactly perfect for where I was in my startup at the time. Without FuzeHub it would still be achievable, but nowhere near as fast as I needed it to be to make this a reality."
Mark Kowalczyk
Founder
The Challenge
Mohawk Machine Works founder Mark Kowalczyk needed support in designing his Air Sabre technology to generate more heat, in response to feedback from customers who wanted it to dry surfaces faster.
The Solution
TVCOG applied, on Kowalczyk’s behalf, for a FuzeHub Innovation Fund Manufacturing Grant and in February 2019 was awarded $49,990. Acting as fiscal sponsor, it disbursed the money to Mohawk based on the achievement of certain milestones. The money supported development of a new design with Syracuse University and with CBM Fabrications in Ballston Lake, the creation of a “walk behind” prototype that can be scaled up or down as needed, the production of specialty tooling, the development of new sales collateral and the hiring of a marketing consultant.
Outcomes / The Impact
While the pandemic has slowed the company’s progress, Mohawk now has everything it needs to go into full production with the hotter, faster technology customers wanted.