Revamped Program Aims to Propel Aerospace Startups to New Heights, Bridging Expertise from Academia, Private Sector, and NASA
Bengaluru, NFAPost: Berkeley SkyDeck, a globally recognized entrepreneurship hub, has announced the launch of its enhanced Air and Space Track in partnership with the Berkeley Space Center at NASA Research Park. This collaborative initiative seeks to capitalize on the surging interest in space exploration and commercialization, coupled with advancements in autonomous flight technology, to accelerate and support promising aerospace startups.
The Air and Space Track, now open for applications until February 14 for Batch 18, features a distinguished panel of 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.
Known for its rigorous selection process, Berkeley SkyDeck accepts just over 1.5% of startups into its program. The selected cohort companies receive $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 enriches the accelerator’s ecosystem, providing startups with expertise from private, academic, and governmental sectors.
Caroline Winnett, Executive Director of Berkeley SkyDeck, highlighted the competitive landscape in aerospace for Batch 18, anticipating a dynamic year for applications across defence, outer space, and near space. The partnership with Berkeley Space Center underscores SkyDeck’s commitment to delivering unparalleled support to its cohort companies, setting the stage for groundbreaking advancements in the field.
The Berkeley Space Center, unveiled in October 2023, serves as a super incubator for startups in near-space and outer space arenas, fostering collaboration between academic, public, and private entities. This collaboration further cements its role as a central hub linking Berkeley 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 synergy between Berkeley SkyDeck and Berkeley Space Center promises an exciting and dynamic year in aerospace entrepreneurship.
