Creating and managing a technology startup
Programme jointly delivered by Berkeley Global - the continuing education school of UC Berkeley - and The Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology
Taught entirely in English at UC Berkeley and Berkeley Global's San Francisco Campus. September intake.
Who can apply?
- Students from the Master in Management, Grande Ecole programme.
- Students who have already completed an MSc degree from SKEMA
- Holders of a three-year degree with a proven interest in deep technology.
Programme outline
Technology is becoming increasingly pervasive in our society: according to a PwC survey released recently, technology - including telecommunication and marketplaces - represents close to 40% of the value of the top 100 market valuations worldwide. We believe that deep-tech fields such as augmented intelligence, biotechnology, blockchain, energy storage, genomics, IOT, nanotechnology, robotics and space exploration, to name a few, will revolutionize our lives in the coming decades.
These booming markets will therefore open countless opportunities for entrepreneurs. However, launching and managing a technology startup does have some specificities. One of the best places in the world to learn how to do this is Silicon Valley. According to CB insights, out of the 414 unicorns worldwide as of November 2019, around two thirds are in technology. Two hundred and five were born in the USA and, of those, more than half in Silicon Valley. This is more unicorns than in all of Europe in an area of just 150 square kilometers. That gives an indication of the outstanding ability of this part of the world to manage technology innovation.
UC Berkeley lies within this stellar ecosystem and - with 22 Nobel laureates – it is one of the finest institutions in the world. Students will be privileged to follow courses both at the San Francisco campus of Berkeley Global and on the Berkeley campus itself with The Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology.
Berkeley Global was founded in 1891 as the continuing education school of UC Berkeley and brings Berkeley-quality education to our smaller class sizes. We offer everything you need to succeed: rigorous coursework, guidance from expert international student services staff, and events and activities designed to build strong academic and professional networks.
The Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology is the premiere institution on the UC Berkeley campus for the study and practice of technology-centric entrepreneurship and innovation.
Why choose this programme
Students will benefit from:
Studying and networking at the heart of the most innovative ecosystem in the world:
Silicon Valley.
Following a robust academic programme – conceived and delivered by
world class faculty - which covers the latest innovations and technology trends.
Many classes will include interactions with outstanding
founders of fast-growing technology companies which were born in Silicon Valley.
There will be plenty of opportunities to learn about the
latest deep tech trends.
Students willing to launch a company will be able to apply to
SkyDeck, the startup acceleration programme of the University of California Berkeley. Each semester roughly 20 selected start-ups obtain $100,000 when joining the SkyDeck Cohort Programme. As well as initial funding, SkyDeck provides much more: advice and mentoring, business connections and social interaction with more than 300 other founders
If students complete two in-person semesters of full-time study, they will be
eligible to apply for paid temporary work authorisation in the U.S through Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Students will acquire the following skills:
Develop your ability to build and
manage a technology startup
Learn to work in teams with scientists and engineers. Students following this programme will have the chance to
interact both with engineering students on the Berkeley campus and experienced professionals from Silicon Valley on the San Francisco premises
Analyse a “technology push” new venture idea from multiple perspectives in order to give it the best chance to succeed
Master the specific skills required to transform a technological invention into a commercially viable product through rapid prototyping and quick market interactions
Tuition fees
- Doing this diploma programme as part of the
Two-Year MSc / DESMI (*) : €45,000 (these are the total fees for two years’ tuition)
- For Two-Year MSc / DESMI * students who started their Two-Year MSc in fall 2020, the additional year at Berkeley costs €30,000
- For those who have already done an MSc, or a BBA, at SKEMA: €35,000 (these fees are for one year's tuition)
*DESMI: Diplôme d’Etudes Spécialisées en Management International, recognised by the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (Bac+5 - Level 7). The commercial name of this programme is “Two-Year MSc”
Programme director
Nicolas Servel
* for PGE/Master in Management students
** for DESMI (MSc) students
