Keep Calm, Claw On
"Keep calm, we got this," Steph Curry signals to Berkeley alums everywhere, and the world.
Once again, Berkeley is flexing its entrepreneurial muscles on the global stage. PitchBook’s latest rankings confirm what we at Berkeley have known all along—our university is a powerhouse when it comes to producing VC-backed startups.
This year, Berkeley is definitively #1 for producing the most VC-backed startups founded by its undergrad alums, not to mention a whopping 17.54% more than the #2 ranked Stanfurd.
To put this leap into perspective, in PitchBook’s report last year, Berkeley was also #1 in this category, albeit only by a small 0.62% margin. Meaning Berkeley has pulled away by 16.92% since last year.
Pitchbook's 2024 rankings. MITs slips out of the top 4 for the first time in a decade.
And yes, the Big Game rivalry is life, though we and our formidable foes stand in a league of our own. Berkeley produces 139.01% more VC-backed startups than the #10 university in this category and a staggering 849.13% more than the #100 university!
While these rankings are impressive, they’re also a call to action. Yes, we’re producing some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs, but if there’s one thing we know about the startup world, it’s that today’s unicorn can easily become tomorrow’s infamous tale.
There’s still plenty of work to be done. Cal ranks #5 in graduate programs and #9 in MBAs, both sitting at the same as last year.
So what’s the secret to getting better, while also staying ahead? It’s all about embracing what makes Berkeley unique: our diverse, inclusive community and our commitment to solving real-world problems. We’re not just churning out startups—we’re creating companies that make a difference. Our founders are tackling climate change, healthcare, education, and more, all with that signature Berkeley grit and determination.
And they’re leveraging Berkeley’s strength as the #1 AI research and startup university in the world. This is our moment to step up and make our dent in the universe.
Let’s not forget the role of our alumni network. It’s not just about who you know—it’s about who’s willing to roll up their sleeves and get to work alongside you. Our founders aren’t just successful; they’re supportive, and that’s a powerful combination in the cutthroat world of startups.
Berkeley has a storied past, yet our eyes are firmly set on the future. Here’s to the next generation of Berkeley entrepreneurs—may they be as bold, brilliant, and unstoppable as those who came before them. We got this. It ain’t gonna be easy. Keep calm and claw on.
-Fiance
Are you the next great Berkeley AI founder? Apply to The House AI Accelerator fall batch.
To dig into the data, here is Pitchbook’s Universities Startup Report.