In context
In early 2024, hardware startups faced significant barriers in prototyping due to high costs and limited access to advanced equipment. Accelerators like Berkeley SkyDeck were increasingly seeking partnerships to provide startups with the tools and expertise needed to develop physical products efficiently.
What was reported
Berkeley SkyDeck announced a partnership with the Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation at UC Berkeley, giving selected startups from each accelerator cohort access to the institute's state-of-the-art prototyping facilities. This includes the Jacobs Makerspace, equipped with advanced 3D printers, laser cutters, electronics and textile labs, wood and metal shops, industrial robots, CNC routers, and 3D scanners.
Startups will receive Entrepreneur Maker Passes, enabling use of equipment and access to in-house design specialists, free workshops, and a material store. This aims to reduce prototyping costs and speed up development, with potential savings of tens of thousands of dollars.
The partnership also fosters engagement with the student community, and the Jacobs Institute will introduce resources at each SkyDeck orientation. SkyDeck accepts about 1% of applicants, with cohorts receiving $200,000 in funding and $750,000 in resources.
“The quality of a startup's prototypes can make all the difference when working to secure funding.”
Why it mattered
This collaboration highlighted a growing trend of accelerators integrating advanced manufacturing resources to support hardware innovation, potentially lowering barriers for startups and accelerating the development of new industrial automation technologies.
Source: Robotics & Automation News (roboticsandautomationnews.com) · Published 2024-02-28 · “Berkeley SkyDeck offers hardware startups hundreds of thousands of dollars and access to ‘state-of-the-art’ design and manufacturing prototyping”