HCVC logo

HCVC

Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris

Description

HCVC, formerly known as Hardware Club, is a prominent early-stage venture capital firm with dual headquarters in Paris, France, and San Francisco, USA. The firm specializes in investing in companies that are actively automating and digitizing the physical world. Their investment thesis centers on deep technology and industrial innovation, spanning sectors such as robotics, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, new materials, and sustainable technologies.

HCVC primarily targets Pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A rounds, positioning itself as a crucial early partner for ambitious startups. They are known for providing not just capital, but also significant operational support and access to a global network of industry experts, manufacturers, and distribution channels. This hands-on approach is designed to help founders navigate the complexities of bringing physical products and deep tech solutions to market. Their typical initial check sizes range from $500,000 to $2.5 million, reflecting their commitment to foundational rounds.

The firm boasts a substantial track record, having invested in over 100 companies across 15 countries since its inception. This extensive portfolio underscores their global reach and diverse investment strategy. Furthermore, HCVC's portfolio companies have collectively demonstrated significant fundraising success, securing over $1.5 billion in follow-on funding from various investors. Their latest fund, Fund III, has a target size of €75 million (approximately $80 million USD), indicating continued growth and capacity for future investments in the deep tech ecosystem.

Investor Profile

HCVC has backed more than 82 startups, with 10 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 19 rounds, about 23% of its total and boasts 6 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Seed, Series A, Pre Seed rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United States, France, United Kingdom.
  • Strong thematic focus on Software, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics.
  • Led 2 rounds in the past year.
  • Typical check size: $500K – $2.5M.

Stage Focus

  • Seed (52%)
  • Series A (22%)
  • Pre Seed (12%)
  • Series Unknown (5%)
  • Series B (5%)
  • Convertible Note (2%)
  • Series C (1%)

Country Focus

  • United States (44%)
  • France (17%)
  • United Kingdom (11%)
  • Belgium (7%)
  • Germany (5%)
  • Greece (4%)
  • Croatia (4%)
  • Switzerland (2%)
  • Sweden (1%)
  • Austria (1%)

Industry Focus

  • Software
  • Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
  • Robotics
  • Machine Learning
  • Hardware
  • Internet Of Things
  • Information Technology
  • Biotechnology
  • Health Care
  • Mobile
circle-line
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.

Who does HCVC frequently co-invest with?

AS
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 3
Congruent Ventures
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 5
Isomer Capital
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 4
C4 Ventures
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris
Co-Investments: 4
Exor Ventures
Europe, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands, Amsterdam
Co-Investments: 5
Index Ventures
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 5
MaC Venture Capital
North America, Texas, United States, Abilene
Co-Investments: 3
Partech
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris
Co-Investments: 4
Verve Ventures
Europe, Zug, Switzerland, Zug
Co-Investments: 4
Kima Ventures
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris
Co-Investments: 7

Which angels does HCVC often collaborate with?

BJ
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris
Shared Deals: 2
FN
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris
Shared Deals: 2
Shared Deals: 2
TE
Europe, Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, Belgium, Brussels
Shared Deals: 3
LA
Europe, Lazio, Italy, Rome
Shared Deals: 3
LR
North America, California, United States, Palo Alto
Shared Deals: 2
RA
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Shared Deals: 2
ER
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris
Shared Deals: 3
TH
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Shared Deals: 3
PR
North America, California, United States, San Mateo
Shared Deals: 2

What are some of recent deals done by HCVC?

Delian Alliance Industries

London, England, United Kingdom

Delian builds a new defense prime to protect the West and its allies in the era of autonomous warfare

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Homeland SecurityNational Security
Series AJul 29, 2025
Amount Raised: $14,000,000
Lendurai

Tallinn, Harjumaa, Estonia

Lendurai provides solutions to enable UAVs to operate without satellite navigation or remote control.

SeedJun 5, 2025
Amount Raised: $6,376,281
Kyron.bio

Faubourg Saint-jacques, Bourgogne, France

Kyron.bio uses the power of glycan alterations to enable improved protein therapies.

Biotechnology
SeedMay 28, 2025
Amount Raised: $6,211,334
Cosmic Robotics

San Francisco, California, United States

Autonomous construction on Earth and beyond.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)ConstructionMachine LearningRoboticsSoftware Engineering
Pre SeedApr 19, 2025
Amount Raised: $4,000,000
Chef Robotics

San Francisco, California, United States

Chef Robotics is a robotics and artificial intelligence company serving the food industry.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Food and BeverageMachine LearningRobotics
Series AMar 31, 2025
Amount Raised: $20,600,000
Dyna Robotics

Redwood City, California, United States

Our mission is to empower businesses by automating repetitive, stationary tasks with affordable, intelligent robotic arm

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Robotics
SeedMar 25, 2025
Amount Raised: $23,500,000
Alpine Eagle

Munich, Bayern, Germany

Alpine Eagle is a mix of software and hardware focused on cost efficiency.

Software
SeedMar 5, 2025
Amount Raised: $10,885,414
Fuse Vectors

Copenhagen, Hovedstaden, Denmark

Fuse Vectors is disrupting the manufacturing process in order to provide universal access to gene therapy.

Biotechnology
Pre SeedFeb 25, 2025
Amount Raised: $5,196,690
Karman+

Denver, Colorado, United States

Karman+ is a space research and technology company that researches space mining, asteroids, and rare earth materials.

AerospaceRoboticsSpace Travel
SeedFeb 19, 2025
Amount Raised: $20,000,000
Orakl Oncology

Villejuif, Ile-de-France, France

Orakl Oncology is a precision oncology company that combines data and biology to bring new drugs to cancer patients.

BiotechnologyMedicalOncologyTherapeutics
SeedDec 3, 2024
Amount Raised: $11,560,451