Berkeley Gateway Accelerator
Connecting Deep Tech Founders to Berkeley's Thriving Innovation Ecosystem
Get a full-time U.S. team from day one
Each team is paired with full-time entrepreneurial fellows drawn from UC Berkeley's top graduate programs.
We provide hands-on management support, curated connections to experienced domain experts , entrepreneurs, & investors throughout the Bay Area.
5 months Berkeley Residency Program
Over five transformative months, founders live in furnished housing beside a prime workspace in the heart of Berkeley.
Our deep tech acceleration program draws from years of experience founding companies, supporting startups, and investing in and building deep tech innovation programs.
Access to Bay Area’s premier ecosystem
Live & Work in Berkeley steps from UC Berkeley, with direct access to top engineering & business talent.
Gain instant credibility and connections in the world's leading innovation and investment ecosystem. We are your gateway to accelerated growth and long-term success.
5-Month Immersion in Silicon Valley's Innovation Hub
Based in Berkeley, California—steps from UC Berkeley —the Berkeley Gateway Accelerator Program empowers startups from outside of the Bay Area to capture the U.S. market opportunity and scale globally.
A dedicated Silicon Valley Team
Full-time Entrepreneurship Fellows who become an extension of your founding team, providing daily hands-on execution support
Technical, Market, IP/Regulatory support for validating and positioning your innovation in the U.S. market
Active customer discovery and partner outreach
Immersive Silicon Valley Experience
Premium office space in Berkeley, CA - offering direct access to UC Berkeley's talent pool and Silicon Valley's technology ecosystem
Hands-on mentorship from UC Berkeley faculty, mentors, & entrepreneurs
Direct connection to the Bay Area's technology ecosystem
Strategic Market Entry Support
Comprehensive U.S. market analysis and entry strategy development
Customer discovery campaigns targeting introductions to potential customers, strategic partners, & industry players
Technology and IP positioning within the U.S. landscape
What We Look For
We partner with startups that demonstrate:
Full-time founding teams with deep domain expertise who are willing to relocate to the Bay Area and incorporate in the US
Large addressable markets (>$1B TAM) with validated pain points, sensible unit economics, and clear regulatory pathways
Articulate, coachable founders with strong communication skills who are commercially minded and patient
Strong intellectual property position with clear competitive advantages, owned/licensed technology, defensible moats
Demonstrated technical feasibility in large markets - future TAM >$1B
Validated customer pain points, scalable growth path, a clear regulatory pathway, and viable economics & business model
Capital-efficient growth path with 12-18 month roadmaps, achievable milestones, and realistic funding requirements
Mission-driven focus on addressing significant societal challenges while maintaining commercial viability
Your Gateway to U.S. Success
The FFC Gateway Program provides the foundation to:
Establish and scale your U.S. market presence
Secure strategic partnerships and enterprise customers
Access Silicon Valley capital networks
Build your U.S. based team and advisory board