About - Bakar Labs

Who we are

About Us

Helping ambitious bio-entrepreneurs change the world for the better.

Berkeley and QB3 have combined forces to launch Bakar Labs, a life science-focused incubator for startups developing innovative technologies to benefit society.

Bakar Labs helps founders and early-stage teams focus on the science as efficiently as possible, reducing barriers to commercializing their discoveries. We nucleate a community of founders and partners who can help you succeed, pursuing a double bottom line of profit and social good.

Our Story

Bakar Labs is the incubator at UC Berkeley’s Bakar BioEnginuity Hub, the award-winning masterpiece transformed from art museum to thriving center of innovation in life science.

UC Berkeley is fast becoming a global leader in entrepreneurship. Countless campus groups boost startups. But bioscience founders need lab space to operate and specialized services and mentorship to reach their full potential. Where could they find a home? Opportunity opened up in 2014 when the Berkeley Art Museum moved to a new location. Inspired minds reimagined the landmark building. With philanthropic funding, it was completely redesigned as a life science innovation center: the Bakar BioEnginuity Hub. BBH supports interdisciplinary bioscience, introduces students to biotech, and houses Bakar Labs, an incubator that supports early-stage ventures launched by entrepreneurs from Berkeley, the Bay Area, and beyond.

BBH held its grand official opening in May 2022. Within eight months of launch, Bakar Labs was at 65% capacity, breaking even financially, and had formed more than 20 partnerships, including arrangements with major life science companies and leading firms in banking, law, and venture capital. Now nearing full occupancy, Bakar Labs continues to grow and innovate in the services we provide entrepreneurs from conception through Series A investment. We’re always open to new ideas. See a way to work together? Get in touch.

Our Team

The mission of our dedicated team is to support our innovative tenants as they develop exciting new technologies to solve the biggest problems facing society.

David Schaffer, PhD

Director, Bakar BioEnginuity Hub & Bakar Labs

Gino Segrè, PhD

Managing Director, Bakar Labs

Amelia Farmer

Business Operations Assistant

Sharon Gillars

Administrative Officer

Mimi Hancock, PhD

Managing Director, Executive Mentorship

Minji Huang

Business Operations Assistant

Riley Hummel

Project Analyst, QB3 & Bakar Labs

Susan Jenkins, PhD

Managing Director, Bakar BioEnginuity Hub

Regis Kelly, PhD, OBE

Director of Public Outreach, Bakar Labs

Jill Marchant

Lab Operations Associate

Adrian Miu, MPA

Business Operations Manager

Kaspar Mossman, PhD

Managing Director, QB3

Thom Opal

Laboratory and Facility Safety Specialist

Quelani Penland

Administrative Manager, Bakar BioEnginuity Hub and Bakar Fellows Program

Carmen Ramirez

Laboratory Operations Assistant

Lu Yu

Lab Operations Assistant

FAQs

Getting there

What is the address of the main entrance to Bakar Labs?

Our lobby and front desk is at 2630 Bancroft Way, Berkeley CA 94720.

Renting space

How much does it cost?

A lab bench(6ft) is $1,500/month. An office workstation is $550/month. Membership is $100 per person/month. Additional services such as autoclave/glass wash and cold storage are available. No extra charge for the vibrant setting, extraordinary programming, and amazing community of startups. Bakar Labs is an exceptional value.

What is your capacity?

We have about 200 lab benches, and a similar amount of office seating. At this time, we’re reviewing teams that have a need for both lab and office space.

How much space can I rent?

Our lab space is rented by the 6-foot bench (1-2 people). Startups can start with what they need and add more benches as they grow.

Do you have private labs?

We have a limited number of ~250 square-foot rooms that hold 4-6 benches.

Resources

Do you have BSL-2 space?

All our lab space is BSL-2.

Do you have fume hoods? What about tissue culture hoods?

Yes and yes, we have lots. We’re very well equipped to support most molecular and cell biology research.

Other

What is QB3 and how are they involved in Bakar Labs?

QB3 is a multicampus University of California institute whose entrepreneurship division, based originally at UCSF and now at Berkeley, has pioneered incubators, venture funds, and startup support in a university setting. Bakar Labs was founded and is operated in partnership with QB3. Learn more about them here.

Do you take equity in your tenants?

No. However, companies selected for our precommercial program may be eligible for proof-of-concept funding. Being a tenant at Bakar Labs gives you great exposure to investors, who attend our public events.

What if I haven’t raised money yet?

No problem. Companies can apply for space, even before they raise capital. QB3 provides startup advisory services that include grantwriting support and, for selected founders, mentorship on fundraising strategy.

I have more questions. And how do I apply?

We’re best positioned to help companies that are focused on creating solutions that have the potential to significantly improve human health or sustainability. Please contact us for an introductory call to answer your questions. The next step is to fill out our application from the link we will provide you. Based on the strength of your application we’ll schedule a date to pitch our selection and recruitment committee. Invitations are sent out within about a week.

Click Get In Touch to start the conversation!