Hackers/Founders is a company.
Hackers/Founders has raised $230K across 1 funding round.
Key people at Hackers/Founders.
Hackers/Founders was founded by Jonathan Nelson (CEO, Founder).
Hackers/Founders has raised $230K in total across 1 funding round.
Hackers/Founders (H/F) is a global, volunteer-driven community organization for tech founders and entrepreneurs, not an investment firm or portfolio company. Its mission is to foster collaboration, business growth, and connections among individuals with bold ideas in technology, by equipping founders, encouraging vibrant tech ecosystems, and sharing Silicon Valley insights worldwide.[1][2][3][4] Headquartered in Silicon Valley with chapters led by local organizers across 60+ countries, H/F hosts meetups, events, mentorship, and research initiatives like H/F Research, which provides data-driven tools backed by its network of over 300,000 companies to help startups make informed decisions and reduce trial-and-error.[3]
This ecosystem ignites innovation, empowers entrepreneurs at all stages through resources and global connectivity, champions diversity, and shapes the tech landscape by bridging geographical and cultural gaps.[2][3]
Hackers/Founders was founded in 2008 by Jonathan Nelson (Founder & CEO) and Laura Nelson (Co-Founder & Chief Innovation Officer), with headquarters in Silicon Valley.[3] Starting as a volunteer organization to serve startup founders and tech professionals, it quickly expanded by hosting meetups on five continents, educating, inspiring, and empowering participants in a nerd-friendly environment.[3] Key evolution came through developing services, resources, and activities tailored to help founders launch and build businesses globally, including local chapters plugged into startup ecosystems and initiatives like H/F Research for applied scientific insights.[3][5] Pivotal moments include growing into a network spanning 60+ countries and 300,000+ companies, led by figures like Elsa Maldonado (Director of LatAm Community) and Antonio Hyder (Director of Scientific Research).[3]
Hackers/Founders rides the trend of globalized, decentralized startup ecosystems, where remote collaboration and cross-border innovation are essential amid rising remote work and AI-driven tools.[2][3] Timing is ideal post-2008 founding, aligning with the explosion of global tech hubs beyond Silicon Valley, as market forces like digital connectivity and diverse talent pools favor networks that bridge gaps.[3] It influences the ecosystem by catalyzing startups, empowering underrepresented entrepreneurs, and providing research to inform decisions, thus amplifying innovation and reducing barriers in fragmented markets.[2]
Hackers/Founders is poised to expand its research arm and chapter network amid AI, remote work, and emerging-market booms, potentially integrating advanced analytics for even sharper founder tools. Trends like decentralized tech communities and data-driven entrepreneurship will propel it, evolving its influence from connector to indispensable advisor in a multipolar tech world. This global hub equips founders to thrive, turning bold ideas into scalable realities just as it has since 2008.[2][3]
Key people at Hackers/Founders.
Hackers/Founders was founded by Jonathan Nelson (CEO, Founder).
Hackers/Founders has raised $230K in total across 1 funding round.
Hackers/Founders's investors include 500 Global, Carao Ventures, Costanoa Ventures, Counterview Capital, First Republic Bank, FJ Labs, FundersClub, Great Oaks Venture Capital, Humba Ventures, Long Journey Ventures, Magical Capital, Quiet Capital.
Hackers/Founders has raised $230K across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $230K Seed in October 2012.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2012 | $230K Seed | 500 Global, Carao Ventures, Costanoa Ventures, Counterview Capital, First Republic Bank, FJ Labs, FundersClub, Great Oaks Venture Capital, Humba Ventures, Long Journey Ventures, Magical Capital, Quiet Capital, Seven Seven Six, Structure Capital, TNT Venture, Y Combinator, Ben Lin, Brian Sugar, Erik Moore, Ian McNish, Joshua Schachter, Sam Altman, Scott Banister |
