About Berkeley SkyDeck
Berkeley SkyDeck is UC Berkeley’s global accelerator that combines Silicon Valley access with the resources of a top public university. Founded in 2012, it supports startups from around the world through capital investment, structured programming, and access to a vast network of advisors, alumni, and industry partners.
SkyDeck runs two tracks each batch:
- Accelerator – 20–25 startups receive $200,000 investment (post-money SAFE, 7.5% equity) and intensive acceleration.
- Pad-13 – 60–80 teams access most program benefits without initial investment but remain eligible for follow-on funding.
Since launch, SkyDeck has supported hundreds of companies, many of which have gone on to raise significant follow-on rounds and achieve global scale.
Program highlights
- Capital: $200,000 investment for Accelerator startups; follow-on investment of up to 10% of a first institutional round for both tracks.
- Network: Access to 850+ advisors, UC Berkeley faculty, and a 500,000+ alumni network.
- Curriculum: 6-month Berkeley Acceleration Method (BAM) covering product, go-to-market, fundraising, and scaling.
- Specialized Tracks: Bio+Health, Chip (semiconductor), Air & Space, FinTech & Blockchain, Climate Tech, and more.
- Perks & Workspace: $750K+ in in-kind legal, finance, and tech credits; workspace at SkyDeck in downtown Berkeley; access to UC Berkeley labs and facilities.
- Global Reach: International teams are welcome; many companies join from outside the US.
- Demo Day: Present to 850+ investors at one of Silicon Valley’s largest accelerator demo events.
Batch 21 — Key Information
Program length: 6 months
Location: Berkeley, CA (in-person with campus resources)
Terms:
- Cohort: $200K for 7.5% equity + $5K program fee
- Pad-13: $500 fee or 1% equity; eligible for follow-on investment if institutional round is raised
Timeline for Batch 21
- Applications open: July 10, 2025 - August 22, 2025
- Interviews: September 8 – October 6, 2025
- Orientation: November 3, 2025
- Program dates: November 3, 2025 – April 17, 2026
- Demo Day: April 2026
Who should apply: Venture-ready teams aiming to hit major product or revenue milestones within 6 months and raise institutional capital. Industry-agnostic, with strong fit for deep tech, science-driven, and high-growth potential startups.
For more information and application details, visit: https://skydeck.berkeley.edu/apply/