a program built for pre-seed startups solving hard problems with hard tech
HAX is the world’s first and most active program focused on pre-seed, hard tech startups working on sustainability across climate, industrial automation and human health. With a flagship 35,000 square foot facility in Newark and also offices in Shenzhen, San Francisco, Pune and Tokyo, our program provides 6-month collaborative residency, hands-on engineering support, and an initial investment package of $250,000. We excel at teaching founders how to tap into the world’s premier ecosystems for real-world product development, manufacturing and fundraising. The 250+ HAX graduates since 2012 have raised nearly $2 billion and have a cumulative value of more than $8 billion.
moving fast to raise capital and address the biggest global challenges
“Hard Tech” means engineering or scientific breakthroughs in the physical world. In the startup world, that includes companies building new robotics, sensors, connectivity, electronics, critical materials, industrial processes, and infrastructure to unlock the massive opportunities for a sustainable global economy. Most of HAX’s founders come from backgrounds in science and technology, frequently straight from university programs. They join HAX deeply convinced that their idea can change the world, and they see HAX as the fastest path to build what will attract top tier, early stage venture capital – investment rounds joined by HAX’s fund, SOSV.
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$250K
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$105M
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$1.76B
HAX in Newark, a global opportunity for hard tech founders
In 2021, HAX secured $25 million from the state of New Jersey to open and staff a 35,000 square-foot facility in Newark, New Jersey, proximate to the most important epicenters of finance, research, and industry in the US. Led by SOSV General Partner and HAX Managing Director Duncan Turner, HAX offers extensive fabrication capabilities rapid iteration and prototyping, such as manual metal fabrication, CNC machining, laser and water-jet cutting. Complementing the Newark operation are HAX’s design, engineering and manufacturing experts in Pune and Shenzhen as well as its global mentor network.
founder community →
join the founder community by applying to a HAX program
jobs in hard tech →
join a high-growth HAX startup across disciplines
become a mentor →
support and advise startups with your unique expertise
industry partnerships →
corporate collaboration around the world’s hardest problems
invest with us →
meet startups currently raising or invest in SOSV
university partners →
pathways for students & researchers into hard tech