Berkeley encrypts Blockchain Xcelerator

University of California (UC) Berkeley is to launch a blockchain-focused accelerator, the Berkeley Blockchain Xcelerator, offering startups the opportunity to secure up to $200,000 in funding along with resources drawn from university and industry experts.
Blockchain Xcelerator will accept projects from UC Berkeley, the Silicon Valley ecosystem and further afield. It is part-sponsored by Berkeley X-Lab Fund, a VC vehicle targeting strategic investments in UC Berkeley-affiliated blockchain projects and associated emerging technologies.
The up to $200,000 sum will be supplied by an entity called Berkeley X-Fund, however it was unclear whether this was shorthand for Berkeley X-Lab Fund.
Blockchain Xcelerator will provide portfolio companies with access to further funding opportunities in addition to office space and partnership resources. Its curriculum will include guidance from industry experts and UC Berkeley’s community of serial entrepreneurs, students, faculty and investors.
Three university departments were responsible for launching the scheme – Berkeley Engineering’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology, the Haas School of Business and Blockchain at Berkeley, a student-run organisation focused on blockchain innovation.
Blockchain Xcelerator will run over 12 weeks and is currently taking applications for its inaugural intake opening spring 2019. UC Berkeley hopes the program will fuel an ecosystem for blockchain technology backed by strong foundations of mentoring and education.
Gloria Zhao, president of Blockchain at Berkeley, added: “With such a nascent technology as blockchain, we see that a lot of subject matter experts and people making an impact in the blockchain space are students.
“Blockchain at Berkeley strives to foster the entrepreneurial spirit in our students, so we are excited to help lead this initiative and assist the next generation of blockchain innovators.”