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Berkeley Catalyst Fund

The Berkeley Catalyst Fund is a venture capital fund that invests in Seed and Series A stage startups, primarily in the life sciences and technology sectors, while fostering connections within the UC Berkeley ecosystem.

Recorded stages
Seed, Series A, Pre Seed, Series B
Recorded regions
North America, United States

Online destinations

Find Berkeley Catalyst Fund online

Where to find this organization online, grouped by who runs each page. A link here does not mean the organization controls it.

Official links

Pages the organization runs itself.

Overview

The Berkeley Catalyst Fund (BCF) is a venture capital fund that collaborates with UC Berkeley, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, UC San Francisco, and various incubators and accelerators in the San Francisco Bay Area. Founded by Dr. Ted Hou, Mr. Drew Lanza, and Dr. Laura Smoliar, BCF aims to foster a vibrant startup ecosystem and shares some of its returns with the UC Berkeley Foundation to benefit the College of Chemistry. BCF focuses on investments in life sciences, including therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, and biotechnology, primarily at the Seed and Series A stages.

Focus

The Berkeley Catalyst Fund primarily invests in the life sciences sector, including therapeutics, diagnostics, and medical devices, as well as biotechnology, agriculture, cleantech, and sensors. The fund focuses on Seed and Series A stages, leveraging its connections within the UC Berkeley ecosystem to identify and support promising startups.

Support

The Berkeley Catalyst Fund provides not only capital but also access to a robust network of technical experts, alumni, and commercialization pathways within the UC Berkeley ecosystem. This support is designed to help portfolio companies navigate challenges and accelerate their growth.

Questions

What are the investment criteria for the Berkeley Catalyst Fund?

The fund focuses on early-stage startups in the life sciences sector, including therapeutics, diagnostics, and medical devices, as well as biotechnology, agriculture, cleantech, and sensors. They primarily invest at the Seed and Series A stages.

How can founders pitch to the Berkeley Catalyst Fund?

Founders can pitch their startups through the fund's website at berkeleycatalystfund.com. It is advisable to include a clear business plan and details about the innovation and market potential of the startup.

What makes the Berkeley Catalyst Fund different from other venture capital firms?

The fund's unique collaboration with UC Berkeley and other academic institutions allows it to access cutting-edge research and development initiatives. This partnership enhances its ability to identify promising startups in the life sciences sector.

What is the geographic focus of the Berkeley Catalyst Fund?

The fund primarily invests in startups located in North America, particularly those based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

What type of support do portfolio companies receive post-investment?

While specific details on post-investment support are not disclosed, the fund's collaboration with academic institutions suggests that portfolio companies may benefit from access to research resources and networks within the life sciences community.

What is the fund size or assets under management (AUM) for the Berkeley Catalyst Fund?

Specific quantitative metrics such as fund size or AUM are not publicly available.

Check your startup’s fit

Check your startup’s fit with Berkeley Catalyst Fund

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BioGenerator Ventures logoInvestor

BioGenerator Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm based in St. Louis, Missouri, focusing on life sciences investments in healthcare and agriculture. It operates as the investment arm of BioSTL, providing catalytic capital and resources to support startups.

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CLI Ventures is an investment organization based in Palo Alto, California, focusing on early to late-stage startups in sectors like technology and biopharmaceuticals.

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