Top 11 Accelerators and Incubators in Berkeley (2026)
Berkeley's startup environment benefits greatly from its connection to the local university. SkyDeck Berkeley has supported nearly 500 startups, achieving over 30 exits.
Other key programs, including The House Fund and Berkeley SkyDeck Fund, have each invested in more than 100 companies. These accelerators provide important resources for founders looking to grow their businesses.
Below is our list of the best 11 accelerators and incubators in Berkeley.
Failory's Top 10 Picks
As UC Berkeley's official startup accelerator, SkyDeck helps launch early-stage companies from any sector with initial funding and deep mentorship. They prepare these ventures for their first institutional funding round by connecting them to the university's global network of advisors and investors.
| Year Founded | 2012 |
| Founders | — |
| Investment Amount | $200K (initial); Up to 10% of first institutional round (follow-on) |
| Equity Taken | 7.5% (via post-money SAFE) |
| Nº of Investments | 488 |
| Nº of Exits | 32 |
| Program Type | On-Site |
| Duration (Weeks) | 24 |
The House Fund champions the boldest startups from the UC Berkeley ecosystem with pre-seed and early-stage venture capital. They provide founders with initial investments between $100K and $2M, including a dedicated AI accelerator program offering a $1M investment.
| Year Founded | 2015 |
| Founders | Jeremy Fiance |
| Investment Amount | AI Accelerator: $1M investment; General: $100K-$2M first checks |
| Equity Taken | AI Accelerator: 7-10% (via $10M post-money SAFE) |
| Nº of Investments | 101 |
| Nº of Exits | 15 |
| Duration (Weeks) | 10 |
As the investment arm for UC Berkeley's SkyDeck Accelerator, they provide capital to promising startups from across the entire University of California system. This unique model offers startups a significant $200k investment and funnels returns back into UC Berkeley, fostering a powerful cycle of innovation.
| Year Founded | 2017 |
| Founders | Chon Tang, Todd Roberts, Gopakumar Balakrishnan |
| Investment Amount | $200K for 7.5% equity; Up to 10% of first institutional round; $5K program fee (or 1% equity option for Pad-13) |
| Equity Taken | 7.5% for cohort + up to 10% follow-on |
| Nº of Investments | 139 |
| Nº of Exits | 9 |
| Program Type | On-Site |
| Duration (Weeks) | 20 |
This for-profit incubator helps build and launch early-stage startups in the enterprise software and web hosting spaces. By providing essential resources and mentorship, they aim to help founders turn their initial concepts into market-ready companies.
| Year Founded | 2009 |
| Founders | Chris Doner |
| Nº of Investments | 5 |
| Nº of Exits | 2 |
In partnership with UC Berkeley, the Berkeley Blockchain Xcelerator helps launch early-stage startups that are building new solutions using blockchain technology. They provide founders with deep technical expertise, mentorship, and access to the university's extensive network to foster innovation in industries like FinTech, gaming, and IoT.
| Year Founded | 2019 |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 2 |
| Nº of Exits | 1 |
6. LAUNCH
As UC Berkeley's leading accelerator, LAUNCH is designed to transform early-stage startups into fundable companies. They provide founders with the necessary capital and resources to evolve their ideas into ventures ready for significant investment.
| Year Founded | 1999 |
| Founders | Melissa Daniels |
| Investment Amount | $100K per startup |
| Equity Taken | 6% |
| Nº of Investments | 1 |
| Nº of Exits | 1 |
House Capital invests in early-stage founders building tech companies in emerging hubs outside of Silicon Valley. They support these entrepreneurs through a residency program that combines capital investment with a tight-knit community to accelerate growth.
| Year Founded | 2022 |
| Founders | Michael Houck, Jacob Peters |
| Nº of Investments | 5 |
| Nº of Exits | — |
Health Engine provides a digital program for healthcare startups, drawing from the innovation ecosystem at UC Berkeley. They connect founders with mentorship and resources specifically tailored to navigating the complexities of the health industry.
| Year Founded | — |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 47 |
| Nº of Exits | — |
Born out of UC Berkeley, CITRIS Foundry helps transform deep technology innovations into impactful companies. The accelerator supports founders working in complex fields like AI and big data by providing critical resources and a strong university-backed network.
| Year Founded | 2013 |
| Founders | Alic Chen, Peter Minor |
| Nº of Investments | 95 |
| Nº of Exits | — |
10. Free Ventures
As UC Berkeley's student-run startup launchpad, Free Ventures provides the university's top student founders with resources and a strong framework to build their ideas. The non-profit organization distinguishes itself by offering mentorship and support without taking any equity in the companies it helps create.
| Year Founded | 2012 |
| Founders | Cameron Baradar, Jeremy Fiance |
| Nº of Investments | — |
| Nº of Exits | — |
1 Additional Berkeley Accelerator Worth Applying To
While our top picks get a lot of attention, they are by no means the only path for founders in Berkeley. The local ecosystem is rich with programs tailored to different stages and industries.
This includes newer players that have emerged in recent years, adding fresh energy to the area. Here is another accelerator worth considering as you build your company.
| Accelerator/Incubator | Year Founded | Nº Investments | Nº Exits |
|---|---|---|---|
 Root System | 2020 | — | — |
