Formed as a partnership between the Haas School of Business, the College of Engineering, and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, SkyDeck combines the consulting know-how of traditional accelerators with the vast resources of its research university.
This robust partnership is coupled with SkyDeck’s unique mentorship program to create a powerful environment for startups. Its SkyAdvisors, Partners, and large network of accredited investors connect their SkyTeams to the expertise and capital they need to launch and grow…to the moon.
Berkeley SkyDeck’s investment fund will invest $200k for 7.5% of companies accepted into the six month Cohort Program. This can be structured as a standard post-money cap SAFE, or other forms as needed. This funding can help you make your first outside hires, finish your product, test your go-to market strategy… and so much more. The Fund will also invest up to 10% of your first institutional funding round, helping accelerate your fundraising process even more.
Through a curated matching process, you will meet all of our SkyDeck Advisors who are interested in a Key Advisor role. Our thoughtful process ensures your Key Advisors are a fit for your teams’ needs.
Key Advisors track your progress through the BAM program, receive monthly team updates, and communicate to the rest of the Advisor group if a team has an ask or encounters a challenge.
Our Advisors volunteer once or twice per month for two or four hour blocks. SkyTeams have the opportunity to sign-up for 30 minute 1 on 1 meetings. Additionally, teams have direct access to all SkyDeck Advisors and are encouraged to contact them directly with any questions.
Connect with our SkyDeck Advisors and Industry and Resource partners via individual Slack channels! We want you to have access to up-to-date contact info and event offerings. At SkyDeck, you’re always connected to the best our network has to offer.
Berkeley SkyDeck helps promising early-stage startups from around the world relocate to Silicon Valley.
Designed for non-US founders whose ultimate goal is to build unicorns backed by top-tier VCs, the Global Acceleration Program at SkyDeck offers direct access to Silicon Valley through the collective resources of the entire UC Berkeley ecosystem.
While talented founders can be found in any country, Silicon Valley remains the best place to build a unicorn startup. No other location in the world offers such a high concentration of investors willing and ready to take risks on promising early stage founders looking to change the world. In addition, enterprises in the U.S. are consistently eager to become early adopters of groundbreaking technology.
Cohort Profile
75% of successful applicants have previously raised (typically between $100k – $1.5 million) in their home countries, before being selected for the SkyDeck Cohort.
Cohort companies typically rely on technology as their primary competitive advantage; deep tech founders (ranging from biotech to robotics to semiconductors) are very welcome.
59% of successful global applicants were generating revenue before applying to SkyDeck.
Cohort companies look to raise a $2-5 million round from US investors within the next 6-12 months.
50%-75% of cohort companies have been able to raise funding after joining SkyDeck.
San Francisco, California, United States
Roughly twenty Cohort startups are selected every six months to receive a $200,000 investment from the Berkeley SkyDeck Fund.
Cohort startups are selected if they’re almost ready to raise their first significant round of institutional funding from top Silicon Valley VCs; most successful applicants have already raised angel funding, or previous venture capital investments from VCs outside of the United States.
Companies who have graduated from the SkyDeck program have a much higher probability of receiving institutional funding than the industry average.
Cohort startups are paired with Key Advisors, go through the six-month BAM Program, attend weekly required events, and receive guided access to the SkyDeck community. Startups present at SkyDeck’s 600+ attendee Demo Day.
SkyDeck works hand-in-hand to help Cohort companies with:
Product Strategy: defining/refining the product design and go-to-market for a capital-efficient growth strategy with meaningful competitive moats
Team-building: identifying and recommending key candidates for advisory boards and early hires
Customer Introductions: using the UC Berkeley alumni network, SkyDeck can make introductions to influencers and key buyers in just about any industry in Silicon Valley
SkyDeck’s Innovation Partner Program (IPP) provides partners with an opportunity to send startups to be accelerated for a three-month period at SkyDeck. SkyDeck welcomes IPP startups from various industries and across different funding stages.
Global Innovation Partners (GIP) are international government organizations and academic institutions that are looking to develop a virtual bridge between Silicon Valley resources, the University of California at Berkeley, and their own region to help develop their innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem by offering global programing to local startups.
University Innovation Partners (UIP) are higher-education academic institutions from North America that seek to expand their innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem and supplement their curriculum. The program connects institutions with Silicon Valley resources including lifetime access to a vast network of advisors, mentors, investors, and corporate partners, through a robust program of workshops and networking events.
Corporate Innovation Partners (CIP) are corporations from around the world that are interested in making strategic investments into accelerating internal projects, portfolio startups, or sourcing and accelerating new startups that address specific technology needs and develop new opportunities. This program allows corporations to implement a targeted approach to solving innovation challenges and identifying new technological opportunities.
SkyDeck provides IPP startups with access to relevant workshops, networking events, office hours with industry experts, and a showcase event with 100+ attendees, among which include startup investors, advisors, and mentors. By the time
IPP startups finish the program they are significantly more prepared to launch their startup in the US or internationally, and have a network to do so.SkyDeck staff work with the startups to facilitate custom programming tailored towards their goals.
Founding Partner
Berkeley SkyDeck Fund
Partner
Berkeley SkyDeck Fund
Investor
Berkeley SkyDeck Fund
Operations Analyst
Berkeley SkyDeck Fund
Accelerato has a very big pool of advisors. It can be seen here
Pre-seed