How to Get Into HAX Accelerator: A Founder's Step-by-Step Guide

HAX accelerator has backed over 257 startups since 2011. They offer pre-seed funding ranging from $250,000 to $500,000 to promising hardware startups.

The support goes beyond just funding. HAX's Newark facility spans 35,000 square feet and features cutting-edge machine shops and specialized labs for chemical, mechanical, and electrical engineering. Their headquarters now hosts more than 30 innovative companies that work in climate tech, industrial automation, and healthcare.

The program runs for nine months and zeros in on hands-on development and prototyping. Teams get regular check-ins and meet every two weeks to track their progress. HAX's partnership with NJEDA has set an ambitious goal - they'll invest $25 million to launch 100 new hard tech startups by 2027.

Ready to join these hardware pioneers? This guide walks you through the essentials of getting into HAX's accelerator program. You'll learn everything from preparing your application to strategies that help you succeed after acceptance.

Understanding the HAX Accelerator Program

HAX stands out as the world's first and most active pre-seed program that focuses only on hard tech startups. You'll find HAX offices in Newark, Shenzhen, San Francisco, Pune, and Tokyo.

What Makes HAX Different from Other Accelerators

The program takes a unique approach. It combines hands-on engineering help with strong financial support. Each startup receives $500,000 through staged payments that help teams use funds wisely. Teams spend six months in a shared workspace getting deep technical support.

Key Benefits and Resources Offered

The main Newark facility spans 35,000 square feet and features:

• Advanced machine shops
• Mechanical, chemical, and electronics laboratories
• Rapid prototyping capabilities with CNC machining and laser cutting

HAX becomes part of each startup's core team, helping with engineering, business growth, fundraising, and marketing. The program's connection to SOSV, its parent venture firm, brings more opportunities. SOSV invests over $25 million each year in follow-up rounds through Fund V and the SOSV $100M Select Fund.

Types of Startups HAX Typically Accepts

HAX looks for founders building sustainability solutions in three main areas: climate technology, industrial automation, and human health. Most teams come straight from universities with strong science and tech backgrounds. Some of HAX's biggest success stories include Formlabs in 3D printing, Opentrons in lab automation, and Flow Neuroscience in medical technology.

Preparing Your HAX Application

A strong HAX application needs careful preparation and attention to detail. We focused on three significant elements in the application process: documentation, pitch presentation, and prototype demonstration.

Everything in Documents and Materials Required

The HAX application portal just needs specific materials to review your startup's potential. Your application package must include:

• A complete team profile that shows technical expertise
• Two video presentations (5 minutes each) - team pitch and prototype demonstration
• Detailed prototype documentation and development roadmap
• Customer insight analysis beyond market reports

Creating a Compelling Pitch Deck

Investors spend about 3.20 minutes reviewing an investment deck. Your pitch deck must highlight technical feasibility and market potential clearly. The presentation needs larger fonts and fewer images, especially when you have investors viewing decks on mobile devices.

Building a Prototype that Stands Out

HAX values active prototype development significantly. Your prototype must show functional capabilities instead of just conceptual sketches. The accelerator's engineering team reviews prototypes based on technical innovation and scalability potential.

Your prototype should showcase your core technology effectively. The HAX team values projects that show deep customer understanding. Your prototype needs to demonstrate how your solution tackles specific market challenges.

Note that HAX works as an extension of your engineering team. The team looks for founders who actively build and improve their products rather than just present ideas. Your prototype presentation should map out your current development stage and future technical milestones clearly.

Navigating the HAX Interview Process

HAX's interview process takes several weeks. The team focuses on technical discussions and team dynamics.

What to Expect in Each Interview Round

Your journey starts with screening calls where you'll give a 10-15 minute pitch. This leads to detailed conversations with HAX's expert team. You'll meet with PhD-level scientists, engineering specialists, and investment partners who will review your startup's different aspects. The due diligence usually takes four to six months.

Technical Assessment Guidelines

The technical evaluation focuses on three key areas:

• Patent strategy and defensible technology
• Engineering development roadmap
• Prototype advancement potential

HAX's engineering team in Newark and India will really look into your hardware components and technical specifications. They want to understand how their engineering resources can speed up your technology development.

Common Interview Questions and Best Responses

You should be ready to answer questions about your team's expertise and problem-solving abilities. Here's what to focus on:

1. Market understanding - Clearly define your target customers and competitive landscape
2. Technical expertise - Explain your development roadmap and engineering challenges
3. Team dynamics - Show how team members' skills complement each other
4. Growth potential - Share your vision for scaling the technology

Note that you should be open about areas where you need help. HAX values founders who recognize their knowledge gaps and show enthusiasm to learn. The team looks for startups that can benefit from their extensive engineering and scientific resources.

Post-Acceptance Journey

HAX offers founders a six-month shared residency that speeds up their hardware startup's growth.

First 30 Days at HAX

The program starts with a full picture phase. HAX engineers assess the technology and spot areas that need improvement. Founders receive their capital investment distribution and dive into technical discussions about business strategy. The first month sees founders building simple prototypes to test what customers want and shape their technology roadmaps.

Accessing Resources and Mentorship

Founders get access to extensive fabrication capabilities with metal fabrication, CNC machining, and laser cutting facilities. They work directly with HAX's team of engineers, designers, and entrepreneurs at locations worldwide.

The mentorship structure excels through:

• Project managers' weekly check-ins
• The core team's bi-weekly meetings
• Connections with hundreds of industry experts and successful founders

Setting Milestones and Goals

HAX pairs founders with specific resources to tackle their technical challenges. Their engineering team helps create minimum viable products that appeal to investors. When startups hit crucial development phases, HAX guides fundraising strategies and connects them with potential investors.

Practical development takes center stage. Founders progress from simple prototypes to market-ready products. The program builds connections in HAX's global network of manufacturers, experts, and investors focused on state-of-the-art hard tech. This complete support system helps founders scale at unprecedented speed.

Conclusion

HAX is revolutionizing the hardware startups landscape with more than just money. Their program delivers $500,000 in pre-seed funding alongside detailed engineering support and expert guidance.

HAX's practical approach makes them unique in the accelerator space. Founders get access to a massive 35,000-square-foot facility in Newark that definitely has everything to turn great ideas into real products.

Startups need solid preparation and technical skills to join HAX. Success depends on a strong application, working prototype, and a clear scaling strategy. Technical expertise and market knowledge should shine through the entire application.

SOSV's global network and resources power HAX's nine-month program to help hardware startups grow rapidly. Their target to launch 100 new hard tech startups by 2027 shows their steadfast dedication to hardware's future.