The HF0 Residency Accelerator is one of the most exclusive startup programs, offering $1 million in uncapped investment to a highly selective group of repeat founders with strong technical backgrounds. Based in San Francisco, HF0 creates an intense, immersive environment that enables founders to focus solely on building and scaling their companies.
If you’re a technical founder with a history of starting companies, this guide will walk you through the HF0 accelerator’s program structure, eligibility, investment details, and tips for a successful application.
HF0 Residency Program Overview
🏠 Location: San Francisco (In-person residency)
💰 Investment: $1M uncapped SAFE
📊 Equity Taken: 5%
⏳ Program Duration: 12 weeks
🚀 Stage: Pre-seed, early-stage startups
🔍 Industry Focus: AI and deep tech (not exclusive but preferred)
🤝 Key Benefits:
- Live-in residency – Fully immersive experience
- Top-tier mentorship – Learn from experienced founders & investors
- Demo Day – Showcase your startup to leading VCs
- Operational support – Housing, food, and daily essentials provided
- Collaborative peer network – Engage with other high-caliber technical founders
HF0 Residency accelerator is not your typical accelerator. It provides a “hacker monastery” experience, giving founders zero distractions and enabling them to make maximum progress in 12 weeks.
HF0 Residency Eligibility Requirements
HF0 has some of the strictest selection criteria among startup accelerators. To qualify, you should:
✅ Be a repeat founder – Have previously launched a startup
✅ Be highly technical – Strong coding, engineering, or AI expertise
✅ Commit to a full-time, in-person residency in San Francisco
✅ Have an early-stage company – Pre-seed or seed-stage ventures
✅ Be prepared for an intense, results-driven program
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re a solo business founder without technical expertise, you may not be a strong fit for HF0. Instead, consider applying with a technical co-founder.
HF0 Residency Accelerator Application Process
HF0’s application process is highly competitive, with a low acceptance rate. Here’s what you need to know:
- Online Application 📋
- Submit a basic form introducing yourself and your startup.
- Expect to provide details about your experience as a repeat founder and your startup’s focus.
- Screening Interview 🎤
- If shortlisted, you’ll participate in an initial virtual interview.
- HF0 will assess your technical depth, past startup experience, and potential fit for the program.
- In-Person Interview in San Francisco 🏙️
- The most promising candidates are invited for a 10-minute final interview in San Francisco.
- Be prepared to sell your vision quickly and effectively.
- Acceptance & Cohort Start 🚀
- Selected founders relocate to San Francisco for the 12-week live-in residency.
💡 Pro Tip: HF0 values concise, direct, and passionate pitches. Be genuine, clearly articulate your technical expertise, and show how your startup is poised for rapid growth.
HF0 Investment Terms
💰 Investment Amount: $1M SAFE (uncapped)
📊 Equity Taken: 5%
💡 Key Advantage: The uncapped SAFE structure means there’s no fixed valuation cap, allowing founders to maximize their future fundraising leverage.
Why Choose HF0?
HF0 isn’t just another accelerator—it’s an elite program for technical founders who are ready to scale fast.
🌎 1. Unparalleled Focus & Speed
- HF0’s “hacker monastery” approach eliminates distractions, ensuring founders stay 100% focused.
🤝 2. Exclusive Founder Community
- Live and work alongside other high-caliber technical founders.
🚀 3. Demo Day with Top VCs
- HF0 startups pitch to tier-1 investors, including Sequoia, Accel, and CRV.
🏆 4. Access to AI & Deep Tech Mentorship
- Recent cohorts heavily focus on AI startups, providing a tailored environment for innovation.
Tips for a Winning HF0 Residency Application
1. Highlight Your Repeat Founder Experience
- Clearly showcase your past startup experience, key lessons learned, and how your previous ventures prepared you for this opportunity.
- Demonstrate resilience and the ability to iterate and improve based on past challenges.
2. Demonstrate Deep Technical Expertise
- HF0 is technical-first, so emphasize your engineering background, coding skills, and ability to build.
- Showcase projects, technical achievements, or innovative solutions you’ve worked on in previous ventures.
3. Show Traction & Market Potential
- Even if you’re at the pre-seed stage, early validation like users, pilots, partnerships, or investor interest will strengthen your case.
- Highlight data points, growth trends, and potential market demand to illustrate why your startup has strong scaling potential.
4. Be Concise, Direct, and Passionate
- HF0 values sharp, high-energy founders who can communicate their vision clearly and quickly.
- Avoid unnecessary fluff—get straight to the point, express confidence, and articulate a compelling vision for your startup.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is HF0 residency accelerator only for AI startups?
No, but recent cohorts heavily favor AI and deep tech startups.
❓ Do I need to be in San Francisco for the program?
Yes, HF0 residency requires full-time, in-person residency for 12 weeks.
❓ Can solo founders apply?
Yes, but HF0 prefers technical co-founders or teams with strong engineering expertise.
❓ Does HF0 charge a program fee?
No, HF0 accelerator only takes 5% equity—no additional fees.
❓ What is the acceptance rate?
Extremely low (~1-2%). HF0 is one of the most selective accelerators.
Final Thoughts on Getting Into HF0 Residency Accelerator
HF0 is designed for repeat founders who are ready to move fast, build relentlessly, and scale aggressively. If you have strong technical expertise, a high-growth startup, and are prepared for an intense 12-week journey, HF0 can provide the investment, mentorship, and network to take your venture to the next level.
Think you have what it takes? Apply today and join one of the most elite startup accelerators in the world! 🚀
