CITRIS Foundry | Incubator
CITRIS Foundry is the University of California accelerator for founders building deep technology startups. We bring extensive experience at the leading edge of university-driven innovation and entrepreneurship to guide startups and institutional partners in bridging the gap from lab to market.
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Incubator

ABOUT

The CITRIS Foundry Innovation Incubator empowers top entrepreneurs from the University of California to build transformative companies that will have a significant impact on the world. This on-campus program is headquartered at UC Berkeley and leverages the resources and expertise inherent in both our local innovation ecosystem and our global collaborations to support new ventures, social enterprises, and tech transfer pathways that can influence and impact entire industries.

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

Community + Coworking Space

  • Diverse network of peers
  • 3,500 sqft of co-working space and conference rooms
  • Access to speakers, campus events, and private receptions
  • Introductions to funders, VC, angel, grants, banks, faculty, and researchers

Team + Individual Coaching

  • Guided roadmapping targetting funding, product, and industry
  • Six months of 1-1 coaching
  • Hand-matched mentors from top University of California & Silicon Valley experts in their fields
  • Montly facilitated small group open circles

Toolbox + business resources

  • Research & prototyping facilities (Nano Lab, Wet Lab, Maker Space)
  • Legal, banking, and research support
  • Up to 100k in AWS Credits
  • GOEngineer SolidWorks licenses and software support
  • Content specific workshops

HOW WILL YOU GROW?

Technology + Product

  • Is your core idea feasible?
  • Does your technology work? 
  • Are the highest-risk aspects of your product solvable?

Organization + Funding

  • Has your team gathered the necessary skills to get to a team or user operated prototype? 
  • Is there a scalable business with a plan to fund required milestones?

Market + Industry

  • How do you define your market? 
  • Do you understand its value chain and your place within it? 
  • Do you have a path to reach your target market? 

PROGRAM TIMELINE AND STRUCTURE

We have 2 cohorts per year: Fall and Spring. The Fall 2019 cohort is now full.

If you would like to receive updates for our Fall 2019 events and our Spring 2020 cohort application, please submit this form.

RESIDENT TEAMS

CITRIS Foundry also offers a Residents Program for teams not part of our main Cohort that includes events, co-working space, and access to partner resources. Teams applying for our Cohort Program are automatically considered for a spot in our Residents Program.

GET INVOLVED

FAQ

WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS?

Team Size | You are a team of 2 – 6 founders and have technical expertise in proposed venture’s core innovation.  

 

Type of Innovation | Your project is based on an innovation in the discipline of information technology, biological or physical sciences, or other engineering field. 

 

Readiness Level | Your venture has raised no more than $500,000 in debt or equity funding from non-governmental sources at the time of application.  

 

Affiliation | One founding team member must have one of the following affiliations with one of the CITRIS UCs (UCD, UCB, UCSC, UCSF, UCM): current graduate student, undergraduate student, post-doc, faculty, staff, recent (< 3 years) alumni, visiting scholarship.

WHAT DO WE LOOK FOR?

Passion for Implementation | You have a strong desire to see your innovation actually implemented in the market and will stop at nothing to make real impact. You are excited to grow personally and professionally, to develop new skills and concepts to best support your chosen venture.

 

Emerging Technology & Expertise | Your proposed project is on the cutting edge of technology innovation or your project’s technology has never been implemented in the complex system you’ve identified. Your team’s background and technical expertise are uniquely suited for deploying your innovation. 

 

Participation & Engagement | You are eager to utilize the resources available to you through this program and our mentors, coaches, and support are critically necessary to set your venture up for success and meaningful impact.

WHAT IS THE APPLICATION AND INTERVIEW PROCESS?

Online Application | The Spring 2020 application will be open on November 15, 2019.

 

Deliberation | The CITRIS Foundry Team will contact you within two weeks of application close to inform you of whether you have advanced to the in-person interview.

 

Interviews | In-person interviews will be conducted at CITRIS Foundry in Sutardja Dai Hall, UC Berkeley and will consist of a 30-minute meeting focused on team and innovation. 

 

Orientation | Once you are accepted into the Spring 2020 Cohort, you will be invited to a half-day orientation for on-boarding, meeting your fellow Cohort Teams, and more! 

OTHER QUESTIONS

Equity | No, we do not take any equity in any of the ventures supported within the CITRIS Foundry Incubator. 

 

Intellectual Property | All projects with IP developed outside of UC own that IP, regardless of affiliation with CITRIS Foundry. Ownership of IP developed during program and conducted utilizing specific UC Berkeley lab facilities will be treated on a case by case basis depending on user facility agreement. 

 

Incorporation | Legal incorporation of project prior to or during program is not required. We have several resource options for incorporation support available as needed. 

 

Time Commitment | Full time (40 hr/week) engagement with the program is not required, but we do expect a minimum level of attendance for specific workshops and mentorship meetings that will be outlined during the interview process.