SOSV (HAX, SOSV NY, SOSV SF) 🚀 Accelerator

What you get

SOSV calls itself "The First Check in Deep Tech". It makes about 60 pre-seed investments a year of up to $550,000 each, through three programmes:

• HAX for hard tech, based at a 35,000 sq ft facility in Newark, NJ.
• SOSV NY for healthcare and engineering biology, with wet labs.
• SOSV SF for the full sweep of deep tech near Silicon Valley.

Founders work with General Partner-led teams on product, regulation, manufacturing, commercial strategy and fundraising. SOSV also has teams in Pune, Shenzhen and Tokyo.

Who qualifies

Pre-seed deep tech: life sciences, decarbonisation, energy, robotics, industrial automation, medical technology, supply chain and transport. SOSV does not invest in enterprise software, fintech, crypto, cybersecurity or ecommerce. You need at least two founders, usually fewer than 10 people, under $1M revenue and under $1M prior equity, and the CEO plus a technical co-founder must attend in person. Angel notes and grants such as SBIR are fine.

Good to know

• Equity: SOSV needs "above a 10% ownership position"; no fixed percentage is stated.
• HAX admits on a rolling basis, about two to three teams a month. HAX's own FAQ still describes a $250,000 first investment ($150K cash plus $100K in-kind), while the SOSV and HAX homepages state up to $550K; confirm the current figure with the team.
• IndieBio is not mentioned on SOSV's current site.

Verdict

One of the few large pre-seed cheques for hardware and bio. Expect more than 10% dilution and an in-person commitment.

1. Check fit on sosv.com/will-sosv-invest-in-your-company/.
2. Apply at sosv.com/apply (HAX and SOSV NY/SF have separate forms; you may apply to both).
3. Do not contact partners directly to speed things up.
4. HAX reviews on a rolling basis.