HAX (SOSV)

HAX, a prominent program within the SOSV venture capital firm, stands as the world's first and most prolific accelerator for hard tech startups. Founded in 2011 by Cyril Ebersweiler, HAX was born from the recognition of a significant gap in the startup ecosystem for companies building physical products and deep technology. Its mission is to empower ambitious founders to build impactful, scalable, and sustainable businesses that leverage hardware innovation. HAX's investment thesis centers on early-stage companies (pre-seed and seed) that are developing novel hardware solutions across various sectors, including industrial automation, robotics, health tech, new materials, and sustainable energy. They look for strong technical teams with a clear vision for how their hardware can solve significant real-world problems.

HAX runs an intensive, multi-month accelerator program that provides startups with seed funding, hands-on engineering support, access to prototyping facilities, supply chain expertise, and mentorship from industry veterans. The program is renowned for its focus on product development, manufacturing strategy, and market entry. Geographically, HAX has a global reach, attracting founders from around the world to its primary operational hubs. While its roots are deeply embedded in Shenzhen, China – a global manufacturing powerhouse – it also has a significant presence in Newark, New Jersey, and San Francisco, California, facilitating access to both manufacturing capabilities and Western markets.

Portfolio highlights include numerous companies that have gone on to raise significant follow-on funding and achieve commercial success, such as Opentrons (robotics for life science), Formlabs (3D printing), and Makeblock (robotics education). What makes HAX stand out is its unparalleled expertise in hardware development and manufacturing, its deep network within the global supply chain, and its hands-on, engineering-centric approach to acceleration. Unlike many software-focused accelerators, HAX provides the critical infrastructure and knowledge base necessary for hardware startups to navigate the complex journey from prototype to mass production, significantly de-risking their ventures.