Caroline Winnett: Berkeley SkyDeck Exec, Launching Global Startups

🚀 This episode is brought to you by LG NOVA. 🚀 Caroline Winnett is the Executive Director at Berkeley SkyDeck. Berkeley SkyDeck is UC Berkeley's startup accelerator and incubator. Through the Berkeley SkyDeck Fund, they invest $200,000 in each of their cohort startups, and provide the powerful resources and network of UC Berkeley to help cohort companies grow. The Berkeley SkyDeck Fund shares one-half of all fund profits with UC Berkeley. Formed as a partnership between the Haas School of Business, the College of Engineering, and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, SkyDeck combines top tier programming and support with the vast resources of the powerful UC Berkeley community and network. This robust platform is coupled with SkyDeck's intensive mentorship program to create a powerful environment for startups. Their SkyAdvisors, Partners, and large network of accredited investors connect their startups to the expertise and capital they need to launch and grow. SkyDeck has over 700 mentors and access to the powerful UC Berkeley network, students and faculty, as well as laboratory access and startup support through their campus partners. Their six-month acceleration program is rated Gold Tier by the Seed Rankings Project, and they have over 140 startups in residence. SkyDeck is located on the Penthouse and the Third Floor of Berkeley's tallest building with 360-degree views from the campus to San Francisco. Their twice-yearly Demo Days are must-attend events for qualified investors. Topics: - Challenges and opportunities in running a university-based accelerator - Insights on the current state of VC funding for early-stage startups - The process of selecting startups for the accelerator program #BerkeleySkyDeck #StartupAccelerator #VCFunding #UCBerkeley #TechInnovation 🚀 This episode is brought to you by LG NOVA. 🚀 Get ready to ignite your passion for innovation at the 4th Annual InnoFest, happening at the iconic Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco on September 25th and 26th! This two-day event, brought to you by LG NOVA, is your chance to dive into the future with industry leaders and cutting-edge startups shaping HealthTech, AI, CleanTech, Life Sciences, Smart Life, Mobility, and more. And here's something extra special—I'll be hosting a panel at InnoFest, guiding a dynamic discussion on the future of AI and the workforce. Join me, along with other thought leaders, as we explore the trends and technologies driving innovation and positive change. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to be part of the conversation and help create a brighter, more innovative tomorrow. Register today at innofest.lgnova.com  and be part of the movement at InnoFest 2024!