Berkeley Catalyst Fund

About The Fund

Berkeley Catalyst Fund is an investment firm focusing predominantly on catalyzing high-potential startups within the BioTech and Energy sectors. Their sweet spot for investment lies at around $1,500,000, while they deal with investment sizes ranging from a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of $5,000,000. Primarily engaged in Seed and Series A funding rounds, the fund specializes in nurturing early-stage ventures and propelling them towards significant growth and development. The partners at Berkeley Catalyst Fund possess a deeply entrepreneurial spirit, reflected in their history of founding and growing successful enterprises. Founding Partner Laura Smoliar brings her extensive experience with technical entrepreneurship and a philanthropic viewpoint, having led her own start-up Mobius Photonics to acquisition by IPGP and actively mentored in the sciences. Her academic background includes a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from UC Berkeley's College of Chemistry, showing a strong foundation in the technical and scientific aspects that are crucial to the fund's investment thesis. Drawing from their own in-depth direct experience in the industries they invest in, the partners understand the complexities faced by startups in these areas. Founding Partner Ted Hou provides expertise gained during his time in the fiber optic communications and solar energy industries, having held significant roles at companies such as Hanwha SolarOne and NRG Residential Solar, bolstering the fund's knowledge in the energy sector. His roots in chemistry and entrepreneurial pathways are also grounded by an education in physical chemistry. Founding Partner Drew Lanza's heritage in Silicon Valley entrepreneurship accentuates the team's comprehensive understanding of the startup ecosystem, reinforced by his involvement in the inception and growth of multiple companies. The partners are supported by an agile team whose LinkedIn profiles point to a wealth of varied industry experiences, suggesting a broad network and a dynamic approach to startup investing. Overall, the Berkeley Catalyst Fund operates with a philosophy that blends technical acumen, sector-specific experience, and a thoughtful mentorship approach, aiming to be the catalyzing force that propels groundbreaking innovation from early-stage to industry significance.