From Whirlpool to War Rooms: Phillip Swanson’s New Industrial Playbook

How do you take lessons from designing washing machines and apply them to reshoring America’s industrial base? Phillip Swanson, Head of Venture Development and Investment at Centrepolis Accelerator, joins Tool or Die to break down the future of U.S. manufacturing. From decarbonizing industrial processes to building the next generation of defense and energy startups, Centrepolis is playing a pivotal role in bridging the gap between legacy manufacturers and cutting-edge hardware startups.Joel and Alex dig into the challenges of reindustrialization, the growing role of defense tech in the startup landscape, and why Silicon Valley and the Midwest need to stop bickering and start building.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:* The key differences between a traditional VC and an industrial accelerator* Why large manufacturers struggle with in-house innovation—and how startups can fill the gap* How Centrepolis is enabling new defense and dual-use technologies* The overlooked components and supply chain gaps that need urgent investment* Why "Not Invented Here" thinking is holding back American industryTimestamps:00:00 – Intro: Live from Las Vegas and the Manifest Conference01:00 – Meet Phillip Swanson: From Whirlpool to Centrepolis Accelerator03:30 – What does an industrial accelerator actually do?07:00 – The funding gap in hard tech startups & why VCs hesitate10:45 – How Centrepolis supports startups beyond just capital14:30 – The corporate venture capital landscape—who’s doing it right?18:00 – Why defense tech and dual-use startups are heating up22:45 – The biggest blind spots in U.S. industrial supply chains26:30 – Should the U.S. build its own Shenzhen—or take a different approach?30:00 – Breaking through “Not Invented Here” syndrome in Midwest manufacturing35:15 – Case studies: Startups winning with Centrepolis' support40:00 – Advice for founders looking to scale in manufacturing44:00 – Closing thoughts: What’s next for American reindustrialization?Guest Bio:Phillip Swanson is the Head of Venture Development and Investment at https://www.centrepolisaccelerator.com/, an organization focused on scaling hard tech startups in advanced manufacturing, defense, energy, and industrial automation. With a background spanning Whirlpool’s innovation lab to venture acceleration, Swanson helps bridge the gap between legacy manufacturing and the next wave of American industry.Resources & Links:📍 Connect with Phillip Swanson: Centrepolis Accelerator🔗 Follow Tool or Die: Website | X🎙️ Subscribe & Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Get full access to TOOL or DIE at www.toolordie.com/subscribe