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Berkeley

Berkeley, CA

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How to start a startup at Berkeley

Student Groups

Alpha Pi Mu

Honor Society for Industrial Engineers.

Berkeley IEEE

Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers.

Eta Kappa Nu

Electrical and Computer Engineering Honor Society, hosts industry events and provides academic resources.

Machine Learning @ Berkeley (ML@B

Hosts ML speakers, events, and recruiting opportunities, also publishes ML papers.

CodeBase

Software development club popular on campus for general software engineering. Each semester, client teams work with industry partners on various projects ranging from full stack to ML.

Upsilon Pi Epsilon

Computer Science Honor Society.

Launchpad

Project-based machine learning group, working on several new ML projects each semester.

Mobile Developers of Berkeley

Organization focused on mobile development in Android and iOS. Hosts educational programs and projects every semester.

Blockchain @ Berkeley (B@B)

Berkeley's hub for blockchain innovation. Operates under 3 teams: Consulting, Education, and Design. B@B also gives grants to members conducting cryptocurrency research.

Blueprint

Develops software pro bono in teams for nonprofits and promotes using technology for social good.

Berkeley Innovation

Human-centered design group providing experience with design thinking via "Designathons".

Computer Science Undergraduate Association

Hosts technical and social events like hackathons, info sessions, and social events.

CET Student Association

Student group organizing speaker series and events relating to entrepreneurship. Part of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (http://cet.berkeley.edu/).

Venture Strategy Solutions

Consulting society assisting scaling ventures in the Bay Area.

Innovative Design

Student group for graphic designers and photographers -  hosts a DeCal (http://decal.innovativedesign.club/) and workshops teaching design principles.

Entrepreneurs @ Berkeley

A community to exchange ideas, find collaborators, and learn about becoming an entrepreneur.

Berkeley Postdoctoral Entrepreneurs Program

Mentoring, tools, and a platform for postdoctoral and graduate entrepreneurship to bring innovative ideas into the world to encourage research innovations to move into the marketplace.

Haas Data Science Club

Developing data-oriented Haas students through datathons, keynote speakers, and workshops.

Haas Tech Club

Provides a forum to explore careers in tech, establish links with the tech community, and present emerging tech developments.

Haas Venture Fellows

MBA students conducting projects to develop ties between Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and the Lester Center (http://entrepreneurship.berkeley.edu/).

Berkeley Entrepreneurs Association

University-sponsored organization for centralizing entrepreneurship resources

Hackathons and Competitions

Big Ideas@Berkeley

Social impact competition providing funding and mentorship - organized by the Blum Center (http://blumcenter.berkeley.edu/) . Entrants must be student-led and early stage. Pre-proposals start in the fall and full proposal rounds are in spring.

CalHacks

Berkeley's (and the world's) largest collegiate Hackathon. Cal Hacks applications are open to any high school or college (both undergrad and grad) student over the age of 18. No prior coding experience necessary - there are beginner workshops and mentors available.

Global Social Venture Competition

Berkeley's chapter of the social entrepreneurship business model competition - organized by the Lester Center (http://entrepreneurship.berkeley.edu/).

LAUNCH: UC Berkeley Startup Competition and Accelerator

Intensive startup competition and accelerator - organized by the Lester Center (http://entrepreneurship.berkeley.edu/) . Fall cohort applications are due at the end of August.

Pear Competition

$25K uncapped note and resources to launch your start-up. No idea is too early. More than 10 student teams win. Apply January-March.

Incubators and Accelerators

Catalyst@Berkeley

Health tech incubator for developing technical and design skills to produce a viable prototype and business plan.

CITRIS Foundry

Accelerator for deep tech founders providing lab access, early funding, and mentorship over a year.

Berkeley stEP

An 8-week experiential program/accelerator that provides Berkeley students of all backgrounds with founder experience. Build your MVP and pitch to investors.

Free Ventures

Accelerator program incorporating upper-division CS courses, funding, mentorship, workshops, and workspace for undergrad and grad students.

Cyclotron Road Research Fellowship

A 2-year entrepreneurial research fellowship at Berkeley supporting scientists and engineers from across the world. Fellows are provided with funding, mentorship, world-class research labs and a startup curriculum.

SkyDeck

University-funded incubator providing, mentorship, programming, and speakers.

The House

Startup incubator for Berkeley  founders offering offices and drop-in spaces.

Venture Lab

Incubator for undergrad and grad students providing workspace, mentorship, and a community of student-entrepreneurs. Run by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (http://cet.berkeley.edu/).

AMP Venture Partners Impact Accelerator -

Provides up to 10 impact startups $5K in non-dilutive funding per team in the Fall semester & an invitation to our Spring semester 8-week AMP accelerator program. Must be founded be at least one current Berkeley student and intentionally solving a large urgent measurable social or environmental problem.

Blockchain Xcelerator

A joint venture by Berkeley Engineering, the Berkeley Haas School of Business and Blockchain @ Berkeley. Teams can apply online, regardless of age range, UC Berkeley affiliation and geographic location.

University Resources

Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology

Berkeley center for developing entrepreneurial engineers - offers a certificate in entrepreneurship and technology (https://scet.berkeley.edu/certificate-in-entrepreneurship-and-technology/).

Berkeley Haas Blockchain Initiative

Provides faculty and students with funding for research done on topics in cryptocurrency.

Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (CET)

Conducts a number of courses (https://cet.berkeley.edu/program/) on entrepreneurship and engineering leadership (http://www.funginstitute.berkeley.edu/engineering-leadership-professional-program) . Features global programs (http://skydeck.berkeley.edu/skydeck-global/) and a Startup Bootcamp revolving around the Berkeley Method of Entrepreneurship (http://cet.berkeley.edu/curriculum/) . Part of the College of Engineering (http://coe.berkeley.edu/).

Lester Center for Entrepreneurship

Regularly holds speaker series and info sessions on a breadth of business topics. Part of the Haas School of Business (http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/).

Fung Fellowship for Wellness and Tech

An entrepreneurship and innovations program that connects diverse undergraduates with community and industry partners for a health + tech experience. Currently offers two tracks: Health + Tech and Conservation + Tech. Applications run annually and differ per class year.

Alumni and Current Professional Resources

CalFounders

UC Berkeley alumni entrepreneurship society - members often act as a network of unofficial advisors for any member's venture.

Certificate for Technology and Entrepreneurship

Certificate program requiring a professional experience at a startup and 5 courses on technology and entrepreneurship.

Richard Newton Series

12 renowned lectures given by leading Silicon Valley and Berkeley founders.

Engineering Leadership Professional Program

Educating engineers to grow as leaders in the tech ecosystem.

SIlicon Valley Innovation Leadership Week

Teaching leaders to bolster innovation and drive the creation and use  of disruptive technologies.

Notable Courses

How to Build the Future (CS 198)

A student-taught speaker series course bringing in successful founfers and industry leaders.

Industrial Design and Human Factors (IEOR 170)

Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Social and Cultural Context (Sociology 121)

Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurs (UGBA 190T)

Integrated Device Design (CS 294--84)

Introduction to Product Development (Mec Eng 110)

Leading People (UGBA 105)

Principles of Engineering Economics (ENGIN 120)

Technology Entrepreneurship (IEOR 191)

Entrepreneurship (UGBA 195A)

DataX (INDENG 135)

Funding

Contrary

University-focused venture fund investing up to $2M in emerging  startups launching from the university scene around the US.

The House Fund

Pre-seed and seed stage venture fund investing in Berkeley's top startups.

Dorm Room Fund

First Round Capital's pre-seed investing branch - providing up to $20k to student startups.

Alsop Louie Partners

Venture firm investing in early-stage disruptive media and tech startups.

Bee Partners

Venture firm investing in seed-stage Berkeley startups, notably media companies.

Berkeley Angel Network

An angel community of UC Berkeley alumni, faculty, and former faculty.

Berkeley SkyDeck Fund

The SkyDeck Fund invests within SkyDeck Accelerator teams; half of fund carry returns back to UC Berkeley, and each SkyDeck company is eligible for up to  $100K+.

Berkeley-Haas Entrepreneurship Startup Seed Fund -

Provides $5,000 grants and office space to early-stage startups involving current Haas students.

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