Berkeley SkyDeck: Becoming a Berkeley Startup is a Game-Changer

When it comes to startup accelerators, it’s not just about the funding. It’s about the network. And there’s one accelerator that stands out in this regard, offering a unique advantage — Berkeley SkyDeck. What sets Berkeley SkyDeck apart is our unparalleled network, which is nothing short of a game-changer for budding entrepreneurs.

As a startup founder, your priorities are crystal clear:

• Validating the Pain Point and the Market: You need to connect with potential customers who can provide invaluable insights and help you refine your product or service.
• Developing the Fastest and Most Efficient Build Plan: Time is of the essence, and you want access to individuals who have successfully built similar products or services.
• Creating the Best Possible Team: Building a top-notch team is crucial for success, and connecting with people who have experience in creating great startup teams can help you avoid fatal hiring mistakes.
• Building the Most Powerful Narrative for Investors: Crafting a compelling story for investors is essential. You need access to storytelling experts and investors who specialize in your startup’s stage and industry.

Berkeley SkyDeck understands these needs and goes above and beyond to help you meet them. And we know this takes time. While most accelerator programs last around three months, Berkeley SkyDeck extends this to nearly six months. This additional time allows startups to make significant progress and forge lasting relationships that continue long after the program ends.

Let’s delve into the impressive network offered by Berkeley SkyDeck:

• 700 SkyDeck Advisors and Mentors: These individuals are not just anyone; they are experienced operators, industry experts, founders, and investors. What’s more, a significant percentage of them are angel investors. Many boast years or even decades of experience advising startups across various industries. The wealth of knowledge and guidance they provide is unmatched.
• 45,000 UC Berkeley Students: These students are not just any students, but cream of the crop talent that is UC Berkeley. Berkeley SkyDeck connects startups with these students through intern fairs, making it easy for entrepreneurs to tap into a phenomenal source of talent. Moreover, the SkyDeck building is conveniently located for Berkeley students, fostering seamless collaboration.
• 510,000 Berkeley Alumni: Imagine having direct access to a network of over half a million Berkeley alumni, including CEOs of global corporations, founders of immensely successful startups, and partners at top-tier VC firms. Berkeley SkyDeck opens doors to these influential alumni, offering startups the best chance of securing meetings and partnerships that can drive their success.
• Access to Specialized Campus Resources: Berkeley SkyDeck is strategically situated within a thriving ecosystem, providing startups access to a wide array of specialized resources on campus. From supercomputers to mass spectrometers, cell and tissue analyzers, and other cutting-edge equipment, these are the tools that young companies need but often cannot afford to purchase. What’s more, these campus labs are willing to rent their equipment on startup-friendly terms, further reducing barriers to innovation and growth.

Berkeley SkyDeck is not just an accelerator; it’s a gateway to a massive network of resources, expertise, and opportunities. The $200,000 investment from the Berkeley SkyDeck Fund is a serious sum of money, but we believe the access to our network is even more valuable. If you’re a startup looking to validate your concept, build an efficient plan, assemble a stellar team, and secure investment, Berkeley SkyDeck offers an exceptional platform to achieve these goals. With our extended program duration and access to a half-million-strong network of Berkeley affiliates, you will have the best chance of taking your moonshot startup vision all the way to the stars and beyond.