HAX (formerly HAXLR8R) is a pre-seed, startup development program specializing in hard tech startups and headquartered in Newark, New Jersey. The 35,000-square-foot (3,300 m2) facility houses machine shops and mechanical, chemical, and electronics labs to support founders working on sustainability tech across climate, industrial automation, and human health.[1][2] Operated by the U.S. venture fund SOSV, HAX also has offices in Pune, Shenzhen, San Francisco, and Tokyo.[3]

HAX
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryVenture Capital
Founded2011
FounderCyril Ebersweiler
Sean O'Sullivan
Headquarters,
Number of locations
5
ServicesInvestment
ParentSOSV
Websitewww.hax.co

History

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Founded in 2011 by Cyril Ebersweiler and Sean O'Sullivan, the first HAX program ran in Shenzhen from March to June 2012.[4] More than 257 startups have completed the program.[5]

In September 2021, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) announced a partnership with SOSV to provide $25 million over five years to build the new HAX headquarters in Newark in exchange for launching 100 hard tech startups focused on health tech and "re-industrialization and decarbonization of the U.S."[6] The new HAX office opened officially on April 30, 2024 at an event featuring New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.[7]

Startups accepted into the HAX program receive an initial investment of $250,000 - $500,000 in pre-seed funding from SOSV and join a collaborative residency in Newark supported by staff design and engineering teams.[8][5] Once HAX companies complete the program, they typically raise series seed and later stage venture rounds, in which SOSV usually participates.[5]

Companies affiliated with the HAX program include:

  • Formlabs, a 3D printing company[5]
  • Opentrons, open-source, lab automation[9]
  • unSpun, 3D weaving technology for apparel for on-demand production[10]
  • Neptune Robotics, robotic ship hull cleaning[11]
  • Flow Neuroscience, addressing depression with transcranial direct-current stimulation[12]
  • Voltstorage, grid-level energy storage based on redox flow storage battery technology[13]
  • Allozymes, platform technology to rapidly develop novel enzymes[14]
  • Smartex, automated AI-based Inspection for circular knitting machines[15]
  • Green Li-ion, lithium-ion battery recycling[16]
  • SepPure Technologies, sustainable chemical separation[17]
  • R-Zero, building monitoring and automated air and surface disinfection[18]

References

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  1. ^ Heater, Brian (April 22, 2024). "Here are the 30+ startups showcasing at HAX's May 1 Demo Day". TechCrunch.
  2. ^ Bergeron, Tom (April 30, 2024). "How HAX is making Newark into global destination for hard tech startups". ROI-NJ.
  3. ^ https://hax.co/hax-announces-new-us-headquarters-in-newark-new-jersey/
  4. ^ Biggs, John. "Haxlr8r Is Looking For A Few Good Hardware Start-Ups To Be Close To The Action". TechCrunch. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  5. ^ a b c d "HAX accelerator program to launch 100 businesses, help catalyze regional tech hub". Princeton Engineering. September 19, 2021.
  6. ^ Heater, Brian (September 16, 2021). "SOSV is building a New Jersey HAX facility for industrial, healthcare and climate startups". TechCrunch.
  7. ^ Pytell, Jim (April 30, 2024). "HAX Opens New Headquarters in Newark". New Jersey Business Magazine.
  8. ^ Fazelpoor, Matthew (May 1, 2024). "HAX cuts ribbon on US headquarters in Newark". NJBIZ.
  9. ^ Kalhorn, Renita (January 4, 2022). "Impossible Made Inevitable: How *One Global VC Firm Helps Deep Tech Founders Go Further Faster". Forbes.
  10. ^ Warren, Liz (September 8, 2021). "Unspun Raises $7.5M for US-Based Robotic Manufacturing". Sourcing Journal.
  11. ^ Warren, Liz (September 8, 2021). "Unspun Raises $7.5M for US-Based Robotic Manufacturing". Rivet.
  12. ^ Taylor, Dan (August 10, 2021). "Flow Neuroscience raises $9 million, takes depression head on". Tech.eu.
  13. ^ Kolodny, Lora (January 10, 2017). "Hardware and robots to watch at the HAX IX demo day". TechCrunch.
  14. ^ Coldewey, Devin (July 6, 2021). "Allozymes looks to upend chemical manufacturing with rapid enzyme engineering and $5M seed". TechCrunch.
  15. ^ Kamps, Haje Jan (November 3, 2022). "Smartex sews up $24.7M to put smarter eyes on textile manufacturing". TechCrunch.
  16. ^ Taylor, Brian (September 29, 2020). "Green Li-ion seeks to charge up lithium-ion sector". Recycling Today.
  17. ^ Cordon, Miguel (September 16, 2019). "Connecting Asia's startup ecosystem". Tech in Asia.
  18. ^ Marston, Jennifer (November 13, 2020). "R-Zero Raises $15M to Make UV-C Tech More Accessible to Restaurants". The Spoon.
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