The Berkeley SkyDeck accelerator is expanding its applicant pool, allowing founders from across the U.S. and internationally to apply, regardless of their UC Berkeley affiliation.
Widening the pool for higher quality and greater opportunity: By opening applications to startups around the world, Berkeley SkyDeck aims to attract a wider range of high-quality applicants and provide access to those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to join a top-tier accelerator:
- The move recognizes that great ideas can come from anywhere, not just within the UC Berkeley ecosystem.
- Caroline Winnett, executive director of Berkeley SkyDeck, expects the change to result in higher quality startups and more opportunity for diverse applicants.
- The accelerator normally receives around 2,000 applications per class, and this number is expected to grow with the expanded eligibility.
New track chairs bring deep expertise: Batch 19 will be the first to work with two new track chairs, each bringing extensive experience in their respective fields:
- Alberto Sangiovanni-Vincentelli, holding the Edgar L. and Harold H. Buttner Chair of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at UC Berkeley, will chair the Chip Track. He has co-founded major companies like Cadence and Synopsys and advised Intel, IBM, and Sony.
- Heather Koshinsky, a seasoned life sciences entrepreneur who has founded or co-founded four companies, will lead the Bio Track. She currently serves as the co-founder and CEO of Investigen.
Leveraging the Berkeley network for startup success: Berkeley SkyDeck’s unique advantage lies in its access to a vast network of advisers, industry partners, and alumni:
- The accelerator has nearly 700 advisers through the UC Berkeley network, 70 industry partners, and over 510,000 alumni.
- Winnett emphasizes that the new track chairs bring not only technical expertise but also a deep understanding of the founder journey, making them ideal mentors for the growing range of companies in the accelerator.
Broader implications: The expansion of Berkeley SkyDeck’s applicant pool and the addition of experienced track chairs signal a strategic move to identify and support a broader range of innovative startups. As the U.S. sees record numbers of new business applications and continues to lead globally in unicorn companies, Berkeley SkyDeck is positioning itself to tap into this wave of innovation and provide critical support to the most promising startups, regardless of their origin.
However, the move also raises questions about the role and value of accelerators in the current startup ecosystem. While Berkeley SkyDeck boasts an impressive network and resources, the true impact of accelerators on startup success remains a topic of debate. As the accelerator landscape evolves, it will be important to closely monitor the outcomes of this expansion and assess whether it truly leads to higher quality startups and greater opportunity for a diverse range of founders.
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