Berkeley SkyDeck Europe

Name

Berkeley SkyDeck Europe

Legal name

Berkeley SkyDeck (University of California, Berkeley)

Website

https://skydeck.berkeley.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Accelerator Services

NAICS

Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD), Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators (EDAMAHAC), Entrepreneurship, Startup Incubation & Pitch Programs (EDAMAKAK)

Keywords

• Startup accelerator programs
• Venture capital funding
• Startup incubation services
• Seed stage investment
• Entrepreneurship education

Headquarters

HQ city

Berkeley

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Investment Returns: SkyDeck Europe invests in startups (typically alongside Berkeley SkyDeck) and generates returns through equity appreciation when startups raise subsequent funding rounds or exit. The program provides $200K investment per startup through the Berkeley SkyDeck Fund.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Berkeley SkyDeck Europe is the European arm of UC Berkeley's Berkeley SkyDeck accelerator, headquartered in Milan, Italy. It runs a flagship 6-month accelerator cohort that invests $200,000 per startup from the Berkeley SkyDeck Fund, alongside the Pad-13 four-month incubator for idea-stage startups, the Innovation Partners Program (IPP) for partner-sourced startups, and specialized tracks in Bio+Health, Climate Tech, Air and Space, and semiconductors. The program provides mentorship from 900+ advisors, Demo Day pitching to 600+ accredited investors, and integration with UC Berkeley's 500,000+ alumni network and Silicon Valley VC community.

Product overview

Berkeley SkyDeck Europe is an international accelerator program operated by UC Berkeley's SkyDeck, with a European hub in Milan, Italy, in partnership with Cariplo Factory and Lendlease. The organization operates as a platform-plus-programs model consisting of three main programs: the Accelerator Program (Cohort) providing $200K investment and 6-month acceleration with 600+ advisors; Pad-13 incubator for early-stage startups; and the Innovation Partners Program for corporate, university, and government partners. The Berkeley SkyDeck Fund manages venture investments, while the ACE Program provides entrepreneurship education for UC Berkeley students. Specialized tracks in Bio+Health, Climate Tech, Air and Space, and Chip Track offer domain-specific acceleration. SkyDeck Europe extends these programs to European startups with Demo Days hosted in Milan.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SkyDeck Fund: The dedicated venture capital fund that invests $200K into each startup in the SkyDeck accelerator program
• Pad-13
• Innovation Partners Program (IPP)
• ACE Program
• BAM Workshops
• Chip Track
• Bio+Health Track
• Climate Tech Track
• Air and Space Track

Products and services

• SkyDeck Accelerator Program The flagship 6-month accelerator cohort program that invests $200,000 per startup from the Berkeley SkyDeck Fund, providing mentorship, BAM workshops, access to 600+ advisors, and Demo Day pitching opportunities. Roughly 20 startups are selected every 6 months.
• Pad-13 Four-month incubator program for early-stage startups as early as the idea stage with one or two founders, providing workshops, desk space at the SkyDeck penthouse, and mentorship to prepare startups for the Accelerator program.
• Innovation Partners Program (IPP) Three-month acceleration program designed for corporate, university, and government partners to send startups into SkyDeck's ecosystem, providing access to workshops, networking events, and showcase opportunities.
• Berkeley SkyDeck Fund The dedicated venture capital fund that invests $200,000 into each startup in the accelerator program. Operates as a public-private partnership, sharing half of its profits with UC Berkeley. Has made over 130 investments in 3 years and participates in later-stage rounds through an Opportunity Fund.
• ACE Program (Accelerating Careers in Entrepreneurship) Accelerating Careers in Entrepreneurship certificate program for UC Berkeley students, featuring weekly workshops with founders, VCs, and industry leaders, office hours with SkyDeck staff, and a startup founder expo.

Quantifiable outcome

• SkyDeck alumni startups have collectively raised over $3B in funding
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cariplo FactorycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 February 2022Cariplo Factory is an innovation hub specializing in entrepreneurship programs that co-launched SkyDeck Europe with Berkeley SkyDeck and Lendlease. The partnership extends Berkeley SkyDeck's acceleration program to the European market through Cariplo Factory's Italian innovation network.
• LendleasecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 February 2022Lendlease is a global real estate and investment group that partnered with Berkeley SkyDeck and Cariplo Factory to launch SkyDeck Europe. The partnership provides real estate and investment infrastructure for the European accelerator operations.
• Human TechnopolecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSkyDeck Europe hosted its Batch 16 Demo Day at Human Technopole in the Milano Innovation District, demonstrating partnership with this major Italian research institution for hosting startup showcase events.
• JETROminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJapan External Trade Organization partnered with Berkeley SkyDeck (including SkyDeck Europe) to expand funnel to talented Japanese startups. JETRO supports Japanese startups in accessing global innovation ecosystems.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Y Combinator: Y Combinator is the leading global startup accelerator, investing $500K into ~250 startups per batch and providing Demo Day access to top-tier VCs. Directly comparable as an investor-operated accelerator with global brand recognition and similar cohort-based model.
• Techstars: Techstars operates one of the largest global accelerator networks with sector-specific programs in multiple cities worldwide including Europe. Directly comparable for its $20K-$120K accelerator investments, mentor-driven model, and Demo Day structure.
• Seedcamp: Seedcamp is a leading European early-stage seed fund/accelerator based in London, investing in pre-seed and seed European tech startups. Directly comparable as a Europe-focused accelerator/investor with similar fund-driven economics and pan-European sourcing.
• Plug and Play: Plug and Play is a global innovation platform and corporate-startup accelerator with headquarters in Silicon Valley and operations in multiple countries including Europe. Comparable for its corporate partnership model (similar to SkyDeck's partnerships with Lendlease and Cariplo Factory) and corporate accelerator tracks.
• Station F: Station F is the world's largest startup campus based in Paris, France, operating as a startup hub with embedded acceleration programs. Comparable as a European mega-accelerator infrastructure provider hosting partner-run programs similar to SkyDeck Europe's IPP model.
• Antler: Antler is a global early-stage venture capital firm and startup generator operating across 25+ cities including major European hubs. Directly comparable as a globally distributed accelerator that co-invests in pre-seed European startups and operates cohort programs with similar economics.
• 500 Global (formerly 500 Startups): 500 Global is a venture capital firm and global accelerator operating programs across multiple continents with strong presence in Europe and emerging markets. Comparable for its investor-operated accelerator model, geographic breadth, and seed-stage investment focus.
• Entrepreneur First: Entrepreneur First is a global talent-first investor/accelerator operating programs in Europe (London, Paris, Berlin) and Asia that backs individuals before they form companies. Comparable as an early-stage investor-operator focused on European deep-tech founders with similar structured program and equity-based economics.

Broad incumbents

• SOSV: SOSV is a multi-stage global venture capital firm that operates multiple vertical-specific accelerator programs (HAX for hardware, IndieBio for biotech, dlab for blockchain). Comparable as a broader player running multiple accelerator brands across geographies and sectors, similar to SkyDeck's expanding track portfolio.

Others

• Cariplo Factory: Cariplo Factory is the Italian innovation hub that is a co-launch partner in SkyDeck Europe. While not a direct accelerator competitor, it operates Italian entrepreneurship programs and innovation services and is structurally connected as a co-founder of SkyDeck Europe's joint venture.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/skydeck-berkeley
• Xx.com/SkyDeck_Cal
• Facebookfacebook.com/SkydeckBerkeley

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments700 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Berkeley SkyDeck Europe