Become a Startup Scout
in
at
University of California, Berkeley

Become a VC startup scout at UC Berkeley and help identify the next big innovation in the local ecosystem. Connect with like-minded startup enthusiasts and make a lasting impact on the community.

About

The startup and venture capital (VC) ecosystem of the University of California, Berkeley (University) is an impressive one, and one that has proven to be a great success story for many businesses. In fact, Berkeley is home to some of the most successful startup companies, including Tesla, Airbnb, and Slack, just to name a few. Berkeley is also one of the top ten universities in the world for venture capital (VC) funded startups, having raised over $1.3 billion in VC funding since 2013.

Berkeley is home to a variety of organizations, both academic and non-academic, that help support and foster the growth of the startup and VC ecosystem. This includes the Berkeley Entrepreneurs Forum, Berkeley Haas Entrepreneurship Program, The Foundry, SkyDeck, Berkeley Student-Run Investment Fund, and the Berkeley Angel Investment Network. These organizations provide resources, mentorship, and advice to entrepreneurs and investors alike.

The reason for Berkeley’s success in the startup and VC arena is largely due to the robust network of both academic and non-academic resources available to entrepreneurs and investors. This includes the Berkeley-Haas Entrepreneurship Program, which provides programs and resources for entrepreneurs and investors; the Berkeley Angel Network, which provides access to capital for early-stage companies; and the Berkeley Student-Run Investment Fund, which provides hands-on experience for students interested in venture capital investing. All of these resources make Berkeley an ideal place for entrepreneurs and investors to get started.

The proof of Berkeley’s success in the startup and VC space is evident in the numerous success stories of companies that have been funded at the University. Some of the most notable include biotech firm Genentech, which was founded in 1976 and has since gone on to become a leader in the biotechnology industry; the online music streaming platform Pandora, which was founded in 1999 and has since become a major player in the streaming music industry; and the ride-sharing company Uber, which was founded in 2009 and has since become one of the leading companies in its field.

Overall, the University of California, Berkeley is a great example of how a university can foster a strong startup and venture capital ecosystem. With the help of its academic and non-academic resources, Berkeley has been able to foster some of the most successful companies in the world. This in turn has helped to generate billions of dollars in venture capital funding and create countless success stories for entrepreneurs and investors alike.

As a Scout, You Can...

Kickstart Your Venture Capital Career

Showing your skills in picking successful startups and advising founders is the surest way to build your reputation and secure a venture capital role.

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Help Your Ecosystem Thrive

Your community, region, or group thrives when its founders are given the chance to succeed before going back and reinvesting in their comunities.

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Earn a Share in Startups Without Investing in Them

Earn a share in startups you scout without the funds to invest directly just like a VC partner.

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Monetise Your Content & Community

As a podcaster, community manager, or event organiser you have a front-row seat to interesting startups which you can monetise by helping them fundraise.

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Create a Fairer Society

By identifying under-represented founders you're level the playing field for anyone to success based on merit independent from their social or ethnic background.

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Help Friends Get Funded

Help your friends who are neck-deep in their startups get the funding they need to succeed.

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Grow Your Personal Brand

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Join as a Scout at Your University

Available Programs

Startup Investor?

Stay on top of the latest innovations coming out of UC Berkeley! Sign up today to receive dealflow opportunities from startups and individuals directly from Berkeley's entrepreneurial hub.

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Scout Programs in Other Global Startup Hubs

Podcaster

Do you interview founders & startups? Take your conversation insights to the next level by scouting your favourite podcast guests.

Scout founders you interview →

Co-Working Space Organiser

Do you help run a co-working space as an organiser or a greeter? Do you come across interesting entrepreneurs and startups?

Scout startups you sit next to→

Event Organiser

Do you organise an event, conference, or trade show? Help your founder attendees get discovered.

Scout startups at your event →

Student

Are you active in the entrepreneurship club at your college? Doing an MBA? Or are you a PHD student at a technical university? Help your fellow students get funded.

Scout startups at your university →

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