Hacker Capital

Hacker Capital is a venture capital firm that champions the hacker ethos, believing it can address global challenges and unlock significant opportunities. The firm focuses its investments on individuals and companies that are dedicated to solving complex problems and advancing innovation through technological breakthroughs. They seek out smart people who are pushing the boundaries of technology across various sectors.

Founded in 2021, Hacker Capital operates as an early-stage investor, primarily targeting seed and Series A rounds. The firm is based in Reston, Virginia, and concentrates its investments on startups within the United States. While the firm itself was established in 2021, it's worth noting that a related entity, a single-family office managing the personal wealth of Duolingo co-founder Severin Hacker, was established in New York in 2019 and also invests in early-stage technology startups, including education technology, artificial intelligence, and software.

Hacker Capital's portfolio showcases a diverse range of technology-driven companies. Notable investments include Elevate Security, a people-centric security solution acquired by Mimecast; SCYTHE, an advanced attack simulation platform; BLUELAVA, an information security strategy firm acquired by Zyston; and Wickr Pro, a secure collaboration platform acquired by Amazon AWS. Other portfolio companies span areas such as decentralized microproxy networks (Snowstorm), malware analysis (Ramagine), privacy incident response (BreachRX), asset management (Hubble Tech, acquired by NetSPI), fuzzing for DevOps (Fuzzbuzz, acquired by Rippling), gamified cybersecurity prediction markets (418 Intel), AI-powered text search (Vectara), and spacecraft development for space object monitoring and debris removal (Turion Space).

The firm's investment strategy is deeply rooted in supporting founders who leverage technology to create impactful solutions. Their portfolio reflects a strong emphasis on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and broader technology and software development, indicating a team with expertise in these high-growth and critical areas.