HackFwd

We're experienced tech entrepreneurs looking to support and invest in Europe’s most passionate geeks. We’re a pre-seed investment company designed to enable great people to launch great ideas. Our start-up and support process accelerates the route to beta, profitability, and success.

HackFwd is led by the European technology entrepreneur Lars Hinrichs. The Board includes other proven technology and investment entrepreneurs. HackFwd employs and involves top grade professionals in talent management, finance and marketing to serve as guides and support excellence for the individual business ideas.

Lars Hinrichs about HackFwd

"The mission of my new company is simple: Free Europe’s best developers from their day jobs to help them build their own game-changing companies.

Technology prices have fallen dramatically in the past 10 years. There are plenty of valid monetization options as well as proven ecosystems upon which to build. With 2 billion people online, anyone can get real-time feedback on the idea in a second, and with luck, go global quickly. And with innovations like cloud computing at your fingertips, you can build companies with close to zero capital expenditure.

So we looked carefully at current VC models and realized they didn't really cater to very early stage businesses. VCs can’t support small investments, which leaves a finance gap. Also, VCs don't have the time or expertise to give strategic or creative input. This leaves an advice gap.

We also believe in the power of beta, so we started prototyping and testing our approach right away. After all, HackFwd is itself a start up, so we fully expect our approach to change and grow over time. We began with 4 start ups -- we call them HackBoxes -- and experimented with every aspect of the experience to see what resonated and what needed more iterations.

Going forward, I’ve assembled a great board of super experienced tech entrepreneurs. I’m still looking for more! I also teamed up with some of the smartest tech investors I know, each of whom adds tremendous value and expertise -- far beyond what you could get from an anonymous pension or insurance fund.

So watch the intro video to see how the HackFwd experience works. If you have comments, feel free to tweet us, leave comments on our pages on all social networks, or come over to Hamburg and visit us in person.

The time is right. The future is waiting. And we’re honored to help Europe build it."

Q: What does 'geek' mean to us?
A: Geek (noun, verb): gék, from latin.
A: Someone who is deeply passionate and gets things done.
A: Someone who isn't satisfied with it can't be done.
A: Someone who will continue to push after others have given up.