Organization · Accelerator
HAX
HAX is a venture capital accelerator based in Newark, New Jersey, focused on supporting pre-seed startups in hard tech. They provide funding and resources to help founders develop solutions in various sectors, including robotics and advanced manufacturing.
Overview
What HAX does
What HAX is
HAX is a venture capital accelerator based in Newark, New Jersey, focused on supporting pre-seed startups in hard tech. They provide funding and resources to help founders develop solutions in various sectors, including robotics and advanced manufacturing.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and program host capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Accelerator
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Program host
- Last reviewed
- March 4, 2026
What Accelerator means
An accelerator is a structured, short-term program designed to speed up a startup's progress toward product-market fit, traction, fundraising, or scale.
Open the glossary entryOfficial channels
Find HAX elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
HAX as a funder
Investment thesis
HAX invests in early-stage startups developing innovative solutions in hard tech sectors. The organization aims to support entrepreneurs with funding and resources to prototype and develop their products.
Focus narrative
HAX invests in early-stage startups developing solutions in various sectors, including plasma technology, critical minerals, climate infrastructure, chemistry, robotics, and advanced manufacturing. The organization provides up to $550,000 in pre-seed funding and offers a six-month residency at its Newark facility, which includes access to tools and technical expertise necessary for prototyping and product development.
Terms and economics
- Typical check
- $0–$550,000
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Sectors
- Climate & SustainabilityRobotics & Autonomous SystemsIndustrial & ManufacturingBiotech & Life Sciences
- Regions
- Global · North America
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
Portfolio context
Notable portfolio companies include: unspun: Custom-built jeans. R-Zero: UV-C disinfection technologies. Neptune Robotics: Underwater cleaning robots for the marine industry. Smartex: Solutions for a transparent supply chain in garment production. OpenTrons: User-friendly lab robots for life scientists. SepPure: Technology aimed at reducing carbon emissions while improving clients' bottom lines.
Capability profile
HAX as a program host
Program thesis
Hands-on venture capital for hard tech startups building engineering and scientific breakthroughs in the physical world, focused on sustainability across climate, industrial automation, and human health.
Focus narrative
Exclusively hardware/hard tech: robotics (33-50% of portfolio), climate tech, industrial automation, advanced materials, lab automation, sensors, IoT. Engineering and scientific breakthroughs in the physical world.
Value and support
$250K-$550K investment ($150K cash + $100K in-kind). Staff engineers embedded with founding teams. 35,000 sq ft fabrication facility (CNC, laser cutting, water-jet). Shenzhen manufacturing ecosystem access. Rolling admissions. Support through Series C via SOSV funds.
Terms and economics
- Indicative investment
- $250,000
- Indicative equity
- 15%
Format and cadence
- Typical duration
- 26 weeks
- Typical cohort
- 8 companies
- Format
- In Person
Availability
- Application state
- Accepting
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Sectors
- Climate & SustainabilityFrontier & Deep TechIndustrial & ManufacturingRobotics & Autonomous Systems
- Regions
- ChinaIndiaJapanUnited States
Alumni and track record
Alumni context
Notable alumni: Formlabs ($2B+ valuation), Opentrons ($1.8B, lab automation), Simbe (retail robotics), Avidbots (cleaning robots), Diligent Robotics (exit Jan 2026).
Programs hosted by HAX
These Programs have a direct canonical host relationship to this Organization.
Common questions
What to know about HAX
Upseed classifies HAX under the Accelerator organization type. Its current public profile includes funder and program host capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 4, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.