Insider Brief:
- Global entrepreneurship hub, Berkeley SkyDeck has unveiled its revamped Air and Space Track in partnership with the Berkeley Space Center at NASA Research Park.
- The partnership with SkyDeck further solidifies its role as a connective hub linking SkyDeck, NASA Ames Research Center, and private tech investors.
- The Air and Space Track will be accepting applications from January 17 to February 14 for Batch 18.
- Image credit: Berkeley SkyDeck
Berkeley SkyDeck, a renowned global entrepreneurship hub, has unveiled its revamped Air and Space Track in partnership with the recently announced Berkeley Space Center at NASA Research Park. The initiative aims to harness the growing interest in space exploration and commercialization, coupled with advancements in autonomous flight technology, to support and accelerate promising aerospace startups.
The Air and Space Track, accepting applications from January 17 to February 14 for Batch 18, will feature three new chairs: Darek DeFreece, founder of Berkeley Space Center; Abhi Tripathi, Director of Mission Operations at UC Berkeley Space Sciences Lab; and Mike Moreno, co-creator of the AWS Space Accelerator.
Berkeley SkyDeck, known for its stringent selection process (accepting just over 1.5% of startups), offers selected cohort companies $200,000 in funding, $750,000 worth of resources, and access to an extensive network of UC Berkeley alumni, faculty, and advisors. The collaboration with Berkeley Space Center enhances the accelerator’s ecosystem, connecting startups with expertise from the private, academic, and governmental sectors.
Caroline Winnett, Executive Director of Berkeley SkyDeck, emphasized the competitive landscape in aerospace for Batch 18, anticipating a dynamic year for applications across defense, outer space, and near space. The partnership with Berkeley Space Center reflects SkyDeck’s commitment to providing unparalleled support to its cohort companies.
Berkeley Space Center, announced in October 2023, aims to serve as a super incubator for startups in near-space and outer space arenas, fostering collaboration between academic, public, and private entities. The partnership with SkyDeck further solidifies its role as a connective hub linking SkyDeck, NASA Ames Research Center, and private tech investors.
As applications open for Berkeley SkyDeck Europe in Milano and the current Batch 17 cohort progresses towards Demo Day in April 2024, the collaboration between Berkeley SkyDeck and Berkeley Space Center sets the stage for an exciting and dynamic year in aerospace entrepreneurship.
For more market insights, check out our latest space industry news here.
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