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How did the University of California, Berkeley--once skeptical of involvement with corporate activities--become a leader in entrepreneurship and startups? And how did the campus manage that transformation in ways that have advanced the university's mission of research, education, and public service?
Startup Campus tells the story of UC Berkeley's reinvention from the perspective of faculty, staff, and alumni who led the campus's transformation. From the dawn of the digital and biotechnology revolutions through today's climate tech and social ventures, the book traces how Berkeley built a vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem that spans every stage of the startup journey--from ideation and incubation to acceleration and scaling. Rich with insights and firsthand accounts, this is more than UC Berkeley's story. It's a case study about how universities can provide societal benefits while also driving socioeconomic mobility. Follow Berkeley's six-phase evolution from its early backlash against corporate collaborations to its current exuberance for entrepreneurs and startups. Through stories of founders and their ventures, discover how the university overcame institutional resistance, resolved cultural tensions, and harnessed its thriving innovation ecosystem.
Whether you're a university leader, a government official, or someone interested in the future of higher education,
Startup Campus offers insights about managing change, nurturing entrepreneurship, and creating lasting value.
Read how one of the world's great universities rewired itself for the twenty-first century and what other institutions can learn from its journey.
About the author
Mike Alvarez Cohen is the principal author of
Startup Campus. For over a decade, Mike has been involved with UC Berkeley's transformation into an entrepreneurship powerhouse through his role as Director of Innovation Ecosystem Development at the campus.
In February 2024, while Rich Lyons was UC Berkeley's inaugural Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer, he co-launched the
Startup Campus book project with Mike and Laura Hassner, who was at that time Executive Director for Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Berkeley Changemaker program. When Rich became Chancellor in July 2024, Mike and Laura expanded the book project's core leadership team to include Darren Cooke, who succeeded Rich as Berkeley's Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer.
Mike, Laura, and Darren planned and implemented the book project in collaboration with dozens of Berkeley faculty, alumni, and staff--many of whom are members of the campus's 100-person-strong Innovation and Entrepreneurship Council. The result was a campus-wide team effort over 1.5 years to tell the story of how UC Berkeley emerged as an unexpected leader in entrepreneurship and startups.
The
Startup Campus book project has been entirely funded by philanthropy, and all proceeds from book sales support research, education, and entrepreneurship at Berkeley.
