CITRIS Foundry
CITRIS Foundry is the University of California accelerator for founders building deep technology companies. Breakthrough technologies from university labs face unique hurdles on the path to market — and the Foundry was created to lower these barriers. We provide entrepreneurs with targeted resources to speed their progress from science to startup. Our founders are scientists, engineers, builders, and hackers from top-tier research universities.
Company Overview
CITRIS Foundry operates within the Information Technology & Services industry and was established in 2013. It is classified as a very small business, with a team size of four. The organization is headquartered in Berkeley, California, specifically at the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society and the Banatao Institute on the UC Berkeley campus. CITRIS Foundry is dedicated to supporting innovators and entrepreneurs from the University of California, aiming to facilitate significant global impacts through technological advancements.
Specialties
CITRIS Foundry specializes in various fields, including deep technology, startups, biotechnology, semiconductors, wireless technology, machine learning, gene therapeutics, medical devices, agtech, robotics, artificial intelligence, sensors, autonomous vehicles, pharmaceuticals, synthetic biology, clean energy, software, hardware, and the Internet of Things (IoT). This diverse range of specialties enables the organization to support a wide array of innovative projects and startups emerging from university research.
Programs and Support
CITRIS Foundry provides targeted resources to assist entrepreneurs in transitioning from scientific research to startup ventures. The organization offers a 12-month program that includes legal support, banking and funding guidance, and business support. The program is free to join, requires no equity, and applications are accepted twice a year, in November and May. Participants gain access to co-working spaces at multiple University of California campuses, including UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Merced, and UC Santa Cruz.
Impact and Achievements
CITRIS Foundry has supported over 135 projects and funded 79 startups since its inception. The organization benefits from the expertise of experienced firms, advisors, and UC alumni, which enhances its ability to assist founders who are scientists, engineers, builders, and hackers. Additionally, CITRIS Foundry is recognized as an AWS Activate provider, offering up to $5,000 in AWS Activate credits to eligible startups. The organization actively participates in the broader UC Berkeley Innovation and Entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Focus Areas
CITRIS Foundry focuses on applying advancements in information technology to address global challenges, including health, transportation, resource management, climate, and energy. By lowering barriers for breakthrough technologies emerging from university labs, CITRIS Foundry aims to foster innovation that can lead to impactful solutions in these critical areas.