For those of you who currently study, once studied, or teach at one of the schools of the University of California (UC), and are looking for funding for your start-up, you are in luck. The university has announced in a press release a $250 million investment fund that will focus on current and former students, as well as faculty members who are looking for funding for start-ups. Start-ups with specific emphasis in the sciences, technology, energy, agriculture and materials sectors will be considered.
The investment arm will be led by Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ranadive. “It is a tremendous honour to partner with the University of California in this unique collaboration focused on investing in breakthrough technologies emerging from the world-class University of California system,” said Ranadive. “As an entrepreneur, I look forward to supporting fellow entrepreneurs and growing innovative, value-driven enterprises with a mission to advance our society and make the world a better place.”
According to an article by TechCrunch , the university has been granted more patents than any other university in the world and has over 30 accelerators and incubators. More than 800 start-ups with UC patents have been founded since 1980.
To read the full release, click here .