Berkeley SkyDeck

Startup companies join the Berkeley SkyDeck accelerator for six months (one university semester).^[5] Startups accepted into the highest level cohort track receive $50,000 when they join, and $50,000 three months in—a total of $100,000 to use to build their businesses.^[5] In exchange, SkyDeck takes a five percent equity in each cohort startup.^[6]

The six-month SkyDeck term finishes with a demo day when startups in the SkyDeck cohort present to hundreds of investors, seeking venture capital financing.^[7][8] SkyDeck alumni startups include unicorn Lime, a transportation company with motorized scooters, electric bikes, and carsharing, and Kiwi Campus, a food-delivery service using autonomous robots.^[9][10]

In 2018, SkyDeck raised a $24 million, oversubscribed venture fund from investors including Sequoia Capital, Mayfield and Sierra Ventures.^[6][8] With this fund SkyDeck is allowed to invest up to ten percent in each cohort startup's first funding round, up to $2 million.^[5][6] In 2022, SkyDeck announced it had raised $60 million, in an oversubscribed Fund II.^[11]