UC Berkeley SkyDeck Appointed New Track Chairs
The startup accelerator expanded its leadership team for its air, space, and quantum innovation programs.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Startups
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UC Berkeley SkyDeck has named Leah Walker as the Air and Space Track Chair and Claire Cramer as the Quantum Track Co-Chair. These appointments support the accelerator's mission to provide founders with technical expertise, capital, and infrastructure.
Why it matters
SkyDeck is deepening its expertise in emerging fields as UC Berkeley accelerates its research and commercialization efforts. These leadership additions aim to strengthen the resources available to startups as the university continues to produce a high volume of venture-backed founders.
SkyDeck alumni have raised more than $4.5 billion in total capital. Additionally, the incubator maintains a network of 1,000 advisors and 70 industry partners to support its growing startup cohort.
The players
Leah Walker
She is the newly appointed Air and Space Track Chair who previously served as executive director of the Berkeley Risk and Security Lab.
Claire Cramer
She serves as the new Quantum Track Co-Chair and previously managed an annual research portfolio exceeding $75 million at the U.S. Department of Energy.
UC Berkeley SkyDeck
This startup accelerator provides founders with access to capital, talent, and technical expertise within the University of California, Berkeley ecosystem.
The details
The accelerator is currently preparing for its Batch 22 Demo Day, which will coincide with the launch of an Academic Entrepreneurship Summit featuring representatives from over 30 universities. These new chairs will guide founders as the university develops a 36-acre campus at the NASA Ames Research Center to foster further innovation.
Timeline
September 30, 2026: Batch 22 Demo Day and Academic Entrepreneurship Summit.
2026: UC Berkeley ranked first for producing venture-backed startup founders.
Market Landscape
The hiring of these experts follows the growth of the Berkeley Air and Space Center as the institution scales its physical and academic footprint. This move positions the university to capture more venture investment by bridging the gap between deep-tech research and startup commercialization.
Founders and researchers affiliated with the program gain direct access to enhanced technical mentorship and curated resources through the new track leadership. The expansion also signals greater opportunities for investors and industry partners looking to engage with early-stage venture-backed companies.
The takeaway
The addition of specialized leadership underscores the trend of top-tier universities becoming central hubs for deep-tech commercialization. Entrepreneurs should monitor university-backed incubators as primary entry points for accessing high-level research expertise and venture capital networks.
What happens next
Batch 22 founders will pitch to investors during the Demo Day event scheduled for September 30, 2026, at Zellerbach Hall.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations and growth at the Berkeley Startups hub.
More information
For more information on the accelerator and upcoming programming, visit the UC Berkeley SkyDeck homepage.
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