While most VC firms chase the next SaaS unicorn, HAX is building robots in a warehouse. As the world's first hard tech accelerator, they're betting that physical products still matter—and their 36,000 monthly visitors agree.

"Hard tech isn't a feature—it's the entire business model. HAX doesn't fund apps; they fund atoms."

The team structure tells a deliberate story. With Ji Ke as CTO, Joe Oliveira and Tushar Tomar as Workshop Managers, and Andrew Gollach as Partner, HAX has operational depth that most accelerators lack. This isn't a team of investors writing term sheets from a WeWork—it's engineers and operators who understand that hardware scale requires factory floor expertise. The workshop manager roles specifically signal their hands-on approach.

• Pre-seed focus: They enter when hardware startups are most vulnerable and most capital-intensive
• Hard tech specialization: Avoiding software dilution means deeper expertise in robotics, biotech, and materials science
• Operational model: Workshop managers and CTO-level leadership indicate real technical support, not just mentorship
• Geographic strategy: 'hax sf' searches suggest a San Francisco presence while maintaining global reach