For the fourth year in a row, UC Berkeley is the #1 university in the world for producing the most venture-backed companies founded by undergrad alumni. The highlights from PitchBook's 2026 University Rankings:
Innovation Roadmap
UC Berkeley provides end-to-end support to help founders validate, launch, fund, and scale their startups.
How to Get Started with Startups
Explore the top examples below, or browse 100+ campus resources at begin.berkeley.edu.
For Students
- Get Guidance: Browse resources on BEGIN or meet with Karenna, the eHub Navigator.
- Take Courses: Build core skills via SCET, BHEP, or Berkeley Changemaker®.
- Internships: Join My Berkeley or check out SkyDeck’s virtual intern fairs.
- Pre-Accelerators: Refine early ventures via places like StEP or SkyDeck Pad-13.
For Faculty & Researchers
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Patents & Licensing: Commercialize lab research with IPIRA.
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Venture Training: Advance discoveries through Bakar Fellows or I-Corps.
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Shared Facilities: Access lab tools via Research Infrastructure Commons.
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Faculty Startups: Explore the Top 100 Berkeley Faculty Founders list.
For Alumni & Allies
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Judge & Coach: Guide teams in Big Ideas or Collider Cup.
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Alumni Network: Join peer founders at my.berkeley.edu.
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Give Back: Donate via Tipping Point Fund or Trione Seed Fund.
For Investors
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Deal Flow: See Berkeley's Top 10 Sources of Venture Flow.
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Co-Invest: Explore UC Berkeley Venture Capital Services.
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Back Founders: Join the Berkeley Angel Network.
What Is Innovation & Entrepreneurship at UC Berkeley?
UC Berkeley Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) is an ecosystem of people, places, and programs dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs, commercializing research, and advancing startups for the public good. Over 100 key organizations across Berkeley I&E support thousands of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and partners.
Together, we empower Berkeley’s brilliant innovators to build startups, nonprofits, and enterprises that benefit society.
Members of the UC Berkeley Innovation & Entrepreneurship Council gather to celebrate the launch of Startup Campus.