Are you an experienced entrepreneur looking for your next big opportunity?
UC Berkeley's Life Sciences Entrepreneurship Center (LSEC) is launching an Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) Program alongside its signature LSEC-Nucleate Venture Fellows Program. LSEC's new EIR program offers a unique opportunity for a seasoned entrepreneur to explore cutting-edge UC Berkeley life sciences research with the potential to become CEO as you lead the commercialization of a groundbreaking innovation.
UC Berkeley is a global leader in innovation, ranked by Pitchbook as No. 1 for startup founders, companies and female entrepreneurs. With programs such as the Bakar Fellows Program, the Innovative Genomics Institute’s WIES Fellows program, LSEC’s Venture Grant, Berkeley SkyDeck, and the Academic Innovation Catalyst, Berkeley has unparalleled access to intellectual property and research that has the potential to deliver long-term societal benefits.
Responsibilities
In close communication with LSEC and the Chief Innovation & Entrepreneurship Officer, the EIR will:
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Evaluate the commercial potential of a portfolio of technologies with specific attention to those that may support/require new venture creation
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Identify 4-6 primary technologies/opportunities to support during the program
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Develop technical and commercial development plans, go-to-market strategies, pro-forma financials, etc.
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Leverage existing University and community resources to support advancement of commercial opportunities
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Create financing strategies to support the new ventures and locate/secure early-stage capital including pitching to UC Berkeley-affiliated venture funds
- If feasible, launch and lead a new biotech startup based on Berkeley innovations
Qualifications/Requirements
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Experience as senior management in an early-stage, high technology startup
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Experience raising non-dilutive, pre-seed, seed, and successive rounds of angel and venture capital funds
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Experience seeking/receiving regulatory approval for clinical trials and commercial sales
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Experience developing/commercializing biomedical, pharmaceutical, biologics, or advanced materials
- Mix of strong scientific and business skills with experience managing stakeholders in academia and industry
Program Details
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Duration: mid-March - mid-September, 2025 (six months)
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Time Commitment: 8 hours/week (on average)
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Compensation: $3,000/month stipend ($18,000 total)
- Location: Berkeley, CA
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Deliverables:
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Conduct and present at least three technology/opportunity assessments and present them to LSEC leadership by July 2025
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Identify one high-potential technology by September 2025 and provide a detailed business plan to LSEC leadership
- If appropriate, join the new company as founding executive (e.g., CEO or CSO)
- Collaborate with three LSEC Venture Fellows from Cohort 6 (currently recruiting) to identify and assess new venture opportunities and support program activities
Startup Ownership Expectations
UC Berkeley expects to retain a 20% equity stake in a resulting startup, while the equity share for the EIR will be open to negotiation. The ideal EIR would share UC Berkeley's vision of realizing a financial benefit to the university in connection with the program, such as making a personal, non-binding, Founder's Pledge.
How to Apply
If you're ready to embark on your next entrepreneurial journey and work with one of the world's leading research institutions, we invite you to apply for the EIR program today. Please submit a cover letter explaining your interest in and qualifications to be Berkeley’s Entrepreneur in Residence, along with a CV.