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Berkeley SkyDeck Fund is an investment Arm Behind UC Berkeley's SkyDeck Accelerator.
Key people at Berkeley SkyDeck Fund.
Berkeley SkyDeck Fund operates as a dedicated venture fund, strategically investing in startups participating in the Berkeley SkyDeck accelerator program. The fund provides initial capital to early-stage companies and participates in subsequent rounds, leveraging its unique structure to support entrepreneurial activity stemming from one of the world’s premier academic accelerator environments. Its investment thesis centers on the belief in the transformative potential of academic founders and global scientific innovation.
The fund was established through a distinctive partnership between the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, the College of Engineering, and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research. Founding & General Partner Chon Tang, an experienced Silicon Valley engineer, entrepreneur, and investor with an EECS background from UC Berkeley and MIT, co-led its formation. This collaboration reflects an insight into channeling academic rigor and innovative ideas into viable commercial ventures, with a significant portion of the fund's profits directed back to the university to bolster research and educational initiatives.
Berkeley SkyDeck Fund backs a diverse portfolio of startups, drawing ventures from both UC Berkeley’s ecosystem and international applicants. It aims to cultivate the next generation of global entrepreneurs, fostering cutting-edge ventures across various industries. The fund’s long-term vision involves accelerating innovation by connecting promising founders with essential resources and capital, thereby enabling global change through scientific and technological advancements.
Key people at Berkeley SkyDeck Fund.
Berkeley SkyDeck Fund is the investment arm of UC Berkeley’s SkyDeck accelerator, designed to empower startups by providing strategic capital, mentorship, and access to a vast network of industry experts and investors. Its mission is to foster innovation by supporting startups, particularly those affiliated with UC Berkeley, through a unique public-private partnership that reinvests half of the fund’s carried interest back into the university to support education and research. The fund typically invests $200,000 in each startup selected for the accelerator, focusing on deep tech, biotech, fintech, climate tech, and other cutting-edge sectors, with a strong emphasis on global and diverse founders. This model creates a continuous cycle of innovation benefiting both startups and the academic ecosystem[1][2][3].
Founded as a collaboration between UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, College of Engineering, and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, Berkeley SkyDeck Fund was established to combine the university’s research capabilities with venture capital expertise. Managing partner Chon Tang leads the fund, which has invested over $85 million in more than 130 startups within a few years. The fund’s origin is notable for pioneering the “shared carry fund” model, where 50% of profits are donated back to UC Berkeley, creating a sustainable funding source for education while accelerating startup growth. This innovative structure required extensive negotiation and legal groundwork, reflecting a novel approach to university-affiliated venture funding[1][3][4].
Berkeley SkyDeck Fund rides the trend of university-affiliated accelerators bridging academic innovation and venture capital. The timing is critical as deep tech and science-driven startups increasingly require specialized support to translate research into scalable businesses. Market forces such as growing global interest in climate tech, biotech, and fintech innovation align with SkyDeck’s sector focus. By leveraging UC Berkeley’s research excellence and Silicon Valley’s investment ecosystem, SkyDeck influences the broader startup ecosystem by nurturing high-potential companies that contribute to technological advancement and economic growth worldwide[1][5][6].
Looking ahead, Berkeley SkyDeck Fund aims to continue identifying breakout startups capable of delivering significant societal impact and strong financial returns, even amid economic uncertainties. Trends shaping its journey include increasing globalization of innovation, rising importance of sustainability technologies, and the growing role of academic research in entrepreneurship. The fund’s influence is expected to deepen as it reinvests returns into UC Berkeley’s educational mission, creating a virtuous cycle of innovation, talent development, and startup success. This positions Berkeley SkyDeck as a pioneering model for university-driven venture investment and startup acceleration[4].
In summary, Berkeley SkyDeck Fund uniquely combines strategic investment with academic partnership to accelerate startups that emerge from one of the world’s leading research universities, fostering innovation with a sustainable impact on both the startup ecosystem and higher education.
