biotech and climate tech: poised for growth in Berkeley

On May 1, City of Berkeley Mayor Adena Ishii, City of Emeryville Mayor David Mourra and local biotech industry leaders had a candid discussion about how these two East Bay cities can enable biotech companies to thrive, even during difficult times. They touched on the importance of regional collaboration to address homelessness and housing, police force tools to reduce crime, pro-transit and bike-friendly policies and infrastructure, and cities investing in business networking events and marketing campaigns (like those of the Berkeley Startup Cluster and #DiscoveredinBerkeley campaign) to help business leaders make connections, find talent, and increase the visibility of the life science innovation taking place in the Berkeley-Emeryville corridor. Both also welcomed regular communication and feedback from business leaders, with Mayor Ishii extending an open door: "Invite me to visit!" 

Thanks to life science industry association Biocom California for organizing and to Wareham Development for hosting.

And the City of Berkeley issued a community message to residents and local business owners during Earth Week encouraging them to "Get certified as a green business or support one".

See the message about how to take meaningful action while helping the planet and local economy or learn more about how to become a California Green Business -- or purchase from one.

May 15 8:30-11 am
San Ramon Community Center
12501 Alcosta Boulevard San Ramon, CA 94583

How is the national state of play impacting the East Bay region? What are the major industries and in-demand skills in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties? Join the East Bay EDA for the 2025 Economic Outlook and Membership Meeting with speakers Alexander Quinn from JLL and Abby Snay from the Public Policy Institute of California.

Register today!

LOOKING FOR BIOTECH SPACE IN BERKELEY?

If you or someone you know is looking for space to conduct cutting edge life sciences research, join JLL at the official grand opening of Berkeley Commons, a brand-new, purpose-built R&D campus in West Berkeley.

At the event, attendees will be able to tour this premier biotech property, meet the leasing team, and connect with others in the life sciences community over cocktails and light bites.

Email Gabrielle Lessey to RSVP. 

Tuesday, June 3, 4:00 PM-6:30 PM
Ciel Creative Space, 2611 Eighth St, Berkeley, CA 94710

Join the Women Entrepreneurs of Berkeley to learn how to improve your verbal and non-verbal communication skills to influence others to be more receptive to your business (or business idea)! This workshop and networking event is good for long-term business owners and new entrepreneurs alike.

See details and register to attend here.

Wednesday, June 11, 3:30-5:30pm
Copper 2827 7th Street, Berkeley, CA 94710

Meet others who are creating technology solutions to address the global challenge of global warming and other environmental problems at Copper, the home electrification company whose first product is a smart induction stove with a backup battery. It will be a great evening to make connections with other leaders in the climate tech space.

Mark your calendar and RSVP here to attend.

With multiple spaces available from 2,955 to 9,260 square feet, 1440 Fourth Street is available for rent. The buildings have polished concrete floors, high wood barrel truss exposed ceilings, and 18’ clear height. The property is just 2 blocks away from the vibrant 4th St. retail mixed use corridor and also located in the greater West Berkeley market.

Contact Daniel Goldberg for more information or a tour.

Program Dates: June 18 - August 28, 2025
Startup Showcase: September 11, 2025

The House Fund AI Accelerator is a highly selective, hands-on program uniquely designed for UC Berkeley-affiliated founders building AI companies. This accelerator combines personalized mentorship, deep AI integration, and gives access to Berkeley's legendary network to help you achieve rapid growth and secure your next funding round.

Apply soon to be considered.

Berkeley startup AirCapture has secured a $1 million XPRIZE Carbon Removal award for its groundbreaking direct air capture (DAC) technology. Their modular systems efficiently extract CO₂ from the atmosphere, offering scalable solutions for industries like beverage carbonation.

Read more from Inc.

In the Berkeleyside article, Why people keep walking into Berkeley shoe stores instead of clicking online, West Berkeley advanced materials startup, Arris Composites, is mentioned for creating high performance carbon fiber Aurrora by Arris insoles that support foot health and help people stay comfortable on their feet all day. Promoted by the City of Berkeley’s #DiscoveredinBerkeley campaign to celebrate Small Business Week 2025, the article also shares how The Walk Shop, Elmwood Village Shoes, and Sole Terra Shoes create value for patrons through service, quality and experience. 

Read the Berkeleyside article on DiscoveredinBerkeley.com and follow @DiscoveredinBerkeley on Instagram to learn about other innovative and inspirational Berkeley businesses. 

UC Berkeley has officially opened the Grimes Engineering Center, a new $95M facility designed to foster innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity for engineering students.

The center, funded entirely through philanthropy, adds 35,500 square feet to the existing Bechtel Engineering Center and brings together student advising, career services, tutoring, events, and entrepreneurship under one roof - including the new home of the Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology.

Read more from Berkeley News.

Deep Fission, a Berkeley innovator in clean energy technology, is raising up to $15 million to advance its revolutionary underground nuclear reactor design. Deep Fission’s approach, lowering small modular reactors a mile underground into a 30-inch borehole, could dramatically cut costs and improve safety by using the Earth’s natural pressure and bedrock for containment. This breakthrough could make zero-emissions nuclear energy more accessible and profitable with their first reactor targeted for 2029! 

Read more from Axios Pro.

Saltwater farming isn’t just a trend, it’s a solution. And Umaro Foods, a Berkeley startup, is leading the way with seaweed as the protein crop of the future. After 3 years of R&D, Umaro has developed a scalable process to extract protein and alginate from red seaweed turning this ocean-grown plant into two high-value ingredients for a more sustainable, circular food system. Their seaweed-based bacon, recently featured on Shark Tank ABC, was just the beginning.

Read more in Mercury News.