SOSV HAX

What SOSV HAX does

SOSV HAX (operating as HAX) is a hard tech startup accelerator and venture program operated by SOSV Investments LLC, the deep-tech venture capital firm founded in 1995. Launched in 2014, HAX provides pre-seed funding of up to $550,000, six-month residency, and hands-on engineering support to early-stage startups building physical products at the intersection of science and engineering. The program targets founders tackling industrial-scale challenges in energy, advanced compute, transportation, health tech, and manufacturing, and has invested in 440+ startups globally with a combined portfolio value exceeding $11 billion and $3.5 billion in total follow-on capital raised.

HAX's core offering combines capital with embedded technical resources: a global engineering organization spanning a 35,000 sq ft Newark, NJ headquarters (with chemistry, electrical engineering, mechatronics, and prototyping labs), a Shenzhen supply-chain and manufacturing hub, and a Pune engineering office. In June 2025, HAX expanded into specialized deep-science commercialization via the HAX Plasma Forge, a 10,000 sq ft Princeton, NJ facility backed by $49 million from NJEDA and SOSV and partnered with Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, targeting fusion energy, semiconductor manufacturing, and advanced materials. The program is led by General Partners Cyril Ebersweiler, Duncan Turner, and Avra van der Zee, with Partners Susan Schofer (CSO), Ji Ke (CTO), and Andrew Gollach overseeing science, engineering, and investment operations respectively.

HAX monetizes through standard venture fund economics as part of SOSV's $1.5 billion AUM platform: recurring management fees on committed capital plus performance-based carried interest on successful exits. The program sources deals via rolling admissions (accepting 2-3 startups per month), direct founder outreach, applications through the SOSV website, and participation in hard tech industry events. Recent strategic positioning emphasizes deep-science verticals (fusion, plasma, climate) and institutional partnerships with national laboratories and state economic development authorities.

Name

SOSV HAX

Legal name

SOSV Investments LLC

Website

https://hax.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SOSV HAX is a hard tech startup accelerator and SOSV program providing up to $550K in pre-seed funding, hands-on engineering support, and access to facilities in Newark, Shenzhen, and Pune for early-stage startups building physical products across energy, health, climate, and advanced manufacturing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Venture Capital / Hard Tech Accelerator

NAICS

Engineering Services (54133), Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711), Security Brokers, Dealers & Flotation Companies (6211)

akta.pro primary industry

AI Server Systems & HGX/Accelerator Platforms (HDAAAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Logic Foundries (Advanced Nodes) (HDAHACAA), Compute & Acceleration ICs (CPU/GPU/AI/FPGA/ASIC) (HDAHABAC), Makerspaces & Fab Labs (Open Build Studios) (EDAMADAC)

Keywords

• Hard tech accelerator
• Pre-seed venture capital
• Hardware startup funding
• Deep tech investment
• Startup engineering support

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Management Fees: Standard VC management fees charged on committed capital under management. HAX operates as part of SOSV with $1.5B AUM.
2. Carried Interest: Performance-based carried interest (carry) on successful portfolio exits. Represents the primary economic upside in VC fund economics.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

SOSV HAX is a hands-on venture capital accelerator program for pre-seed hard tech startups working at the intersection of science and engineering. The program provides up to $550,000 in initial investment, a six-month residency, embedded global engineering support (mechanical, electrical, chemical), and access to 35,000 sq. ft. of prototyping and manufacturing facilities across Newark, Shenzhen, and Pune. SOSV's network also supplies follow-on capital and investor access, with the program having supported 440+ startups totaling $11B in portfolio value.

Product overview

HAX is SOSV's hands-on venture capital program for hard tech startups, consisting of a core acceleration program and specialized facilities. The main HAX Program provides up to $550K pre-seed investment and a six-month residency with hands-on engineering support. HAX Plasma Forge is a dedicated 10,000 sq. ft. plasma research facility in Princeton focused on fusion, semiconductors, and advanced materials. The Newark HQ (35,000 sq. ft.) offers fully equipped labs for chemistry, analytics, electrical engineering, and mechatronics. HAX has supported 440+ startups with a combined value of $11B.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HAX Plasma Forge: A commercialization engine and elite scientific alliance focused on transforming plasma physics into category-defining industrial products, including fusion energy, semiconductor materials, and advanced manufacturing.

Products and services

• HAX Program SOSV's flagship hard tech startup acceleration program offering up to $550K in pre-seed funding, a six-month residency at HAX facilities, hands-on engineering support (mechanical, electrical, chemical), supply chain expertise from Shenzhen and Pune teams, and access to SOSV's global investor network for pre-seed founders building at the intersection of science and engineering.
• HAX Plasma Forge A specialized 10,000 sq. ft. facility in Princeton, NJ focused on commercializing plasma-based technologies including fusion energy, next-gen semiconductor fabrication, advanced materials, and plasma catalysis through partnership with Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL).

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Strategic partnership with PPPL to support Plasma Forge, a portfolio company focused on plasma physics applications. PPPL provides scientific expertise and research capabilities in plasma technology, complementing HAX's engineering and commercial resources.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Y Combinator: Y Combinator is the world's largest startup accelerator, providing pre-seed funding and mentorship in exchange for equity. While software-focused rather than hardware, it is the most direct comparable business model—running rolling cohort-based programs with standardized investment terms and a large alumni network effect.
• Techstars: Techstars runs a global network of accelerator programs with equity-for-mentorship model similar to HAX. Techstars Industries (formerly Highway1) is a directly comparable hardware-focused program, making Techstars the closest multi-program peer in accelerator model and hard tech specialization.
• Bolt: Bolt is a hardware-focused pre-seed venture firm providing capital and in-house prototyping resources to hardware founders. Directly comparable to HAX in targeting hardware founders at the earliest stage with hands-on engineering support and physical product development resources.
• IndieBio: IndieBio is SOSV's biotechnology accelerator program and direct sister program to HAX. Operates under the same SOSV Investments LLC umbrella with the same pre-seed accelerator model, providing capital, lab facilities, and mentorship to biotech founders—paralleling HAX's model for hard tech.
• Lux Capital: Lux Capital is a deep tech venture firm investing in science and technology-driven startups across hard tech, including AI infrastructure, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing. Comparable to HAX in targeting the intersection of cutting-edge science and commercial applications at early stages.
• DCVC (Data Collective): DCVC is a deep tech venture firm backing founders applying breakthroughs in computer science, engineering, and materials science. Comparable in deep tech thesis, emphasis on scientific founders, and willingness to invest at pre-seed in hardware-intensive companies.
• Breakthrough Energy Ventures: Breakthrough Energy Ventures is a deep tech VC fund backed by Bill Gates and others, focused on climate-related technologies including fusion energy, advanced materials, and semiconductors. Directly comparable to HAX Plasma Forge's thesis around fusion and advanced manufacturing commercialization.
• Plug and Play Tech Center: Plug and Play is a global startup accelerator and investor operating industry-specific programs with corporate partnerships. Comparable accelerator model with corporate partnership focus, though broader across industries than HAX's hard tech specialization.
• Antler: Antler is a global early-stage VC that runs cohort-based programs and deploys pre-seed capital to founders across multiple geographies. Comparable in pre-seed accelerator model, global footprint, and rolling admissions approach, though focused more broadly than hard tech.
• Material Impact: Material Impact is a deep tech venture fund focused on investments at the intersection of material science and emerging technologies. Comparable deep tech thesis and pre-seed orientation, particularly relevant to HAX's advanced materials and chemistry-focused portfolio companies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hax_co
• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLFP90YAdRPFzTZBPrUuar7691O3DS6ID_
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hax
• Facebookfacebook.com/haxlr8r

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments712 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SOSV HAX