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Programs for Startups



The Lester Center for Entrepreneurship offers a variety of programs to assist scalable startups by Berkeley-Haas students and community members:



Accelerate Your New Venture:
UC Berkeley Startup Accelerator @ Skydeck


The purpose of the UC Berkeley Startup Accelerator is to produce fundable startup companies with scalable business models. The new approach to incubation at Berkeley will match an exclusive group of companies with high-quality mentors with deep expertise and connections in industry and Venture Capital. The Accelerator is housed at Skydeck, which offers premium, fully equipped office space in the heart of Berkeley, with excellent transit options and close proximity to campus. There is ample conference, meeting, and event space, not to mention stunning 360 views of the Bay and Hills.

Click here for more information about the Accelerator and Skydeck.

Skydeck

Click here for fall/winter 2011 application information

Initially, the program will focus on startups in Consumer Web & Mobile, Enterprise Software & Big Data, and Cleantech & Energy. Companies will be given support through customer development processes and business model validation by seasoned entrepreneurs. Ultimately, selected companies will be on a path to revenue generation and securing funding. At least one of the company’s founding members must be a currently enrolled UC Berkeley or UCSF student or an alumnus who has graduated from UC Berkeley or UCSF within the last 5 years.



Meet with a Mentor:
Entrepreneurs Corner Mentoring Program


Since 1996 the Lester Center has recruited successful Bay Area entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and professional service providers to serve as student mentors. These generous individuals act as leaders, mentors and educators through our Entrepreneurs Corner office hours available to students who need advice or help with their business ideas and career goals. Our mentors provide wisdom and guidance to UC Berkeley’s emerging entrepreneurs.

Click here for profiles of our current mentors.

Availability of appointments with mentors is announced by e-mail ONLY. If you'd like to sign up for e-mail announcements, you can do so on our Contact page. Click here for information on the Entrepreneurs Corner Mentoring Schedule and Signups.



Compete


The Lester Center administers two business plan competitions each year: the UC Berkeley Business Plan Competition and the Global Social Venture Competition. This year's competitions drew in nearly  650 entrant teams, over  125 judges from the  venture capital, law and entrepreneurial communities, and gave away nearly $100,000  in cash prizes to the teams with the  winning business plans. Students from all over the US, the UK,  India, and Europe were involved in these competitions.



Network with Professionals


Attend the monthly Berkeley Entrepreneurs Forums, one of the most valued and popular programs at Haas, where students get the chance to listen to and interact with entrepreneurs from various fields of business including energy technology, VoIP, social ventures and more. For its Entrepreneurs Corner mentoring program, the Lester Center recruits successful Bay Area entrepreneurs as student mentors. They act as leaders, mentors and educators and hold scheduled office hours for students who need advice or help with their business ideas and career goals.


Meet Students with Similar Interests


Join one of the Student Groups dedicated to entrepreneurship at Haas. These groups organize their own events and programs with the support of the Lester Center. For example, every year, the Entrepreneurs Association and the Lester Center collaborate on the annual Venture Capital Roundtable - a great opportunity for you to meet with over 35 leading venture capitalists from the valley, all in one place... plus great food! This intimate event gives students exposure and the opportunity to speak with representatives from the venture capital industry in an informal setting. Another annual signature event is the Entrepreneurs Roundtable which brings together students and fellow entrepreneurs who have started companies and can talk with budding entrepreneurs about the challenges and excitement of the start-up world.






Learn


Attend the Entrepreneurial Best Practices Series workshops and learn about the practical aspects of entrepreneurial activity. The series is timed to match the academic year and also the business plan competition season, particularly the UC Berkeley Business Plan Competition and the Global Social Venture Competition.

Attend the A. Richard Newton Distinguished Innovator Lecture Series/Life as an Entrepreneur Series Tuesday evenings at 5 PM to hear distinguished entrepreneurs from organizations at various stages of development and representing a broad range of industries. Entrepreneurs will talk about how their organizations were created and share lessons they learned throughout their careers.

Choose from a variety of Courses on entrepreneurship, taught by our exceptional faculty. Some courses that support your interest in entrepreneurship are:





Apply for a Fellowship


Every year, the Lester Center, through the sponsorship of Dan Turner, awards one $5000 fellowship to students interested in an entrepreneurial career. Other fellowships are also available.


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