Severin Hacker, Angel Investor

Severin Hacker is the CTO and Co‑Founder of Duolingo, the world’s leading language learning platform, which he launched in 2011 and has scaled to millions of users globally. He also founded Above Ground Coffee in 2025, reflecting his entrepreneurial interests beyond technology. Severin earned his PhD at Carnegie Mellon University, where he focused on computer science research, and previously held research roles at Microsoft and Actant. His career reflects a consistent focus on building accessible, user‑centric platforms that combine technology with education and everyday utility. As an angel investor, Severin has made about 8 investments across edtech, SaaS, and AI‑driven startups. His portfolio includes Time Atlas Labs, Ekho Dealer, Range, Riot, Gridwise, Brainbase, and Trala, highlighting his interest in companies that blend innovation with practical applications for consumers and enterprises.