The Global Entrepreneur In Residence (GEIR) program enables the world’s most innovative global entrepreneurs to continue to choose California as the best place to build their businesses and create jobs. This program provides a pathway and support for global entrepreneurs to grow their companies in California by supporting the University of California’s entrepreneurial work, while working on the development of their startups.
Eligible candidates include University of California graduate students, postdocs, or alumni who are founders or leaders of early-stage startups headquartered in California. Applicants must meet H-1B visa qualifications and hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in STEM or a related business field.
Eligibility Requirements
- Graduate student, postdoc, or alumni of any UC campus;
- Candidates must be a start-up entrepreneur in a leadership position (CEO, Co-Founder, or the like) within an early-stage venture;
- Candidates must have the necessary education and specialty occupation to qualify for an H-1B visa (you can see basic requirements for H1-B status at UC Berkeley here);
- Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree or above in STEM or related business fields; and
- Candidate’s start-up venture must be headquartered in California and able to affiliate with a venture center within any UC campus;
- International founder who would require an H1-B visa, or equivalent, to launch and grow their company in California.
Applications are due February 14. For questions about this program or the application contact Ekin Gunaysu at ekingunaysu@berkeley.edu.