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Top 11 Accelerators and Incubators in Berkeley (2026)

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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.

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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 Founded2012
Founders
Investment Amount$200K (initial); Up to 10% of first institutional round (follow-on)
Equity Taken7.5% (via post-money SAFE)
Nº of Investments488
Nº of Exits32
Program TypeOn-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 Founded2015
FoundersJeremy Fiance
Investment AmountAI Accelerator: $1M investment; General: $100K-$2M first checks
Equity TakenAI Accelerator: 7-10% (via $10M post-money SAFE)
Nº of Investments101
Nº of Exits15
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 Founded2017
FoundersChon 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 Taken7.5% for cohort + up to 10% follow-on
Nº of Investments139
Nº of Exits9
Program TypeOn-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 Founded2009
FoundersChris Doner
Nº of Investments5
Nº of Exits2

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 Founded2019
Founders
Nº of Investments2
Nº of Exits1
LAUNCH Logo

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 Founded1999
FoundersMelissa Daniels
Investment Amount$100K per startup
Equity Taken6%
Nº of Investments1
Nº of Exits1

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 Founded2022
FoundersMichael Houck, Jacob Peters
Nº of Investments5
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 Investments47
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 Founded2013
FoundersAlic Chen, Peter Minor
Nº of Investments95
Nº of Exits

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 Founded2012
FoundersCameron 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/IncubatorYear FoundedNº InvestmentsNº Exits
Root System logo Root System2020

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