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Y Combinator vs HAX
What Y Combinator and HAX each invest, the equity they take, who they suit and when applications close, from each programme's own pages.
Y Combinator vs HAX
Y Combinator
- Funding
- US$500,000 US$500k as two SAFEs signed together: $125k on a post-money SAFE for 7% and $375k on an uncapped MFN SAFE
- Instrument
- SAFE
- Equity taken
- 7% 7% from the $125k post-money SAFE; the $375k uncapped MFN SAFE converts on the most favourable terms of SAFEs issued from around the start of the batch until the priced round
- Programme fee
- No fee YC says it charges companies no fees to take part
- Duration
- not published
- Cohort size
- not published
- Cohorts
- 4 a year
- Delivery
- In person
- Stages
- Idea, pre-seed, seed
- Sectors
- Sector-agnostic
- Open to founders from
- Anywhere
- Perks
-
- Help with visas and incorporation for founders from outside the US
- Access to Bookface, YC's founder platform, and alumni events
The batch lasts three months and opens with a three-day in-person retreat. YC also takes a pro rata right to invest in later rounds.
HAX
- Funding
- not published Up to US$550k on a pre-seed SAFE. The HAX FAQ describes the first cheque as US$250k (US$150k cash and US$100k in-kind) on a post-money SAFE with no valuation cap, paid in instalments
- Instrument
- SAFE
- Equity taken
- not published
- Programme fee
- not published
- Duration
- not published
- Cohort size
- not published
- Cohorts
- not published
- Delivery
- In person
- Stages
- Pre-seed, seed
- Sectors
- Hardware, Energy, Climate, Health tech
- Open to founders from
- not published
- Perks
-
- Analytics, chemistry, electrical engineering and mechatronics labs in Newark
- Support from SOSV's in-house engineering team
SOSV describes the programme as up to six months with full access to labs, equipment, staff and co-working; the HAX FAQ says product development takes 6 to 18 months. SOSV can invest again in later rounds.
Where they differ
| Term | Y Combinator | HAX |
|---|---|---|
| Funding | US$500,000 | not published |
| Equity taken | 7% | not published |
| Instrument | SAFE | SAFE |
| Programme fee | No fee | not published |
| Duration | not published | not published |
| Cohorts | 4 a year | not published |
| Delivery | In person | In person |
| Stages | Idea, pre-seed, seed | Pre-seed, seed |
| Sectors | Sector-agnostic | Hardware, Energy, Climate, Health tech |
| Based in | San Francisco, United States | Newark, United States |
| Next deadline | 2 November 2026 | Any time |
Which fits whom
Y Combinator fits founders
- At the idea, pre-seed or seed stage
- Who can be in San Francisco for the programme
- In any sector
- Willing to give up 7% equity; the standard offer is US$500,000
HAX fits founders
- At the pre-seed or seed stage
- Who can be in Newark for the programme
- Working in hardware, energy, climate or health tech
- Who will ask about equity first: the terms are not published
Application dates
Y Combinator
Winter 2027: applications close 2 November 2026.
HAX
Applications are accepted at any time.
Y Combinator vs HAX: questions founders ask
Which invests more, Y Combinator or HAX?
Y Combinator publishes a standard offer of US$500,000; HAX does not publish one.
Which takes less equity, Y Combinator or HAX?
Y Combinator takes 7%; HAX does not publish its equity terms.
Which closes first, Y Combinator or HAX?
Y Combinator closes on 2 November 2026; HAX has no published deadline ahead.
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