HackFwd

HackFwd was a pre-seed investment fund and incubator that supported European developers and geeks by funding prototypes and demos for a fixed 12-month period, offering up to €191,000 in exchange for 27% equity. The organization invested in 16 early-stage tech companies, primarily focusing on scalable, consumer-facing products. Beyond capital, HackFwd provided advice and administrative support, aiming to allow founders to retain control. Lars Hinrichs, also known for founding XING, served as the Managing Director, with Stephen Fry contributing as an advisor. HackFwd stopped accepting new startups after operating for approximately three years, three months, and three days, ceasing new investments around December 2013 due to an inability to sell portfolio shares. It was founded in 2009 by Lars Hinrichs.