It takes a passionate team to backup each startup

SkyDeck offers all the benefits of a traditional accelerator along with the vast resources of the world’s number one ranked public university.

Formed as a partnership between UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, the College of Engineering, and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, SkyDeck offers a powerful environment for startups to grow and launch. The robust and vibrant ecosystem includes a deep network of advisors, industry partners, and accredited investors.

SkyDeck Team

Caroline Winnett linkedin

Caroline Winnett

Executive Director

Sibyl Chen linkedin

Sibyl Chen

General Manager

George Panagiotakopoulos

Head of Europe

Taylor Marcus linkedin

Taylor Marcus

Senior Manager, Business Development

Gordon Peng linkedin

Gordon Peng

Operations & Platforms Manager

Kelly Lindberg linkedin

Kelly Lindberg

Senior Manager, Global Innovation Program

Jamie Thomas linkedin

Jamie Thomas

Program Coordinator

Ekin Günaysu linkedin

Ekin Günaysu

Senior Manager, Program

Taylor Cordoba linkedin

Taylor Cordoba

Program Coordinator

SkyDeck Board of Directors

Tsu-Jae King Liu linkedin

Tsu-Jae King Liu

Dean, College of Engineering

Kathy Yelick linkedin

Kathy Yelick

Vice-Chancellor for Research

Jenny Chatman linkedin

Jenny Chatman

Dean, Haas School of Business

Darren Cooke linkedin

Darren Cooke

Interim Chief Innovation & Entrepreneurship Officer

SkyAmbassador Network

Our SkyAmbassador network consists of invited individuals who promote SkyDeck at events, to individual startups, and to potential strategic, corporate, or global partners on behalf of SkyDeck. In addition, they help develop SkyDeck’s global network, elevate the visibility of the program, and provide a local contact for startups and others who want to learn more about SkyDeck. Our current SkyAmbassadors represent Southeast Asia, Central Europe, and Western Europe.

Aleksander Kuczek linkedin

Aleksander Kuczek

EMEA

Ciaran Quinn linkedin

Ciaran Quinn

EMEA

Jeep Kline linkedin

Jeep Kline

APAC

Karén Gyulbudaghyan linkedin

Karén Gyulbudaghyan

EMEA

Mitz Igarashi linkedin

Mitz Igarashi

APAC

Riddhi Khanna linkedin

Riddhi Khanna

India

Will Burke linkedin

Will Burke

APAC/EMEA

SkyDeck Strategy Council

The SkyDeck Strategy Council consists of experienced founders and investors with deep experience in startups as founders, investors, and advisors. The Strategy Council Members are distinguished UC Berkeley alumni and faculty who Advise SkyDeck on strategic direction and key initiatives.

Alberto Sangiovanni-Vincentelli linkedin

Alberto Sangiovanni-Vincentelli

EECS Professor

Cadence and Synopsys.

Brett Wilson linkedin

Brett Wilson

Founder

TubeMogul

Charles Huang linkedin

Charles Huang

Co-Founder

Blue Goji

James Lau linkedin

James Lau

SkyDeck Advisor

Kai Huang linkedin

Kai Huang

Co-Founder

Flash Bike

Lisa Edgar linkedin

Lisa Edgar

Partner Emeritus

Top Tier Capital Partners

Marc Bensadoun linkedin

Marc Bensadoun

Seed-stage Investor and Advisor

Marc Meyer linkedin

Marc Meyer

Member of Selection Committee

Harvard Business School Alumni

Matt Sonsini linkedin

Matt Sonsini

CEO, CIO

Sobrato Organization

Mitz Igarashi linkedin

Mitz Igarashi

Founder

Simplex Holdings

Simon Ru linkedin

Simon Ru

Founder

UpNest, acq. by NewsCorp

SkyDeck DEI Committee

Our SkyDeck Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee consists of past and current SkyDeck founders, advisors, and mentors. Their role is to achieve more equitable access and greater diversity in future SkyDeck cohorts.