I don't think re-zoning will create demand for startup space. The last startup I worked for was located in the basement of a famous berkeley hotel along with a handful of other startups. There wasn't a high demand for that space. What matters is if a startup culture exists. Berkeley's startup culture is small compared to SF, Palo Alto, or the South Bay.
Which reads, in part, "Launched in October 2010, the BSC's goal is to establish the area in downtown Berkeley -- that is walking distance to the Cal campus -- as a thriving destination for technology-oriented startups as well as tech-oriented established companies, investors, entrepreneurs and supporting businesses."
Since you know Berkeley you must know the "Power Bar Building," right? (One of the two high-rise office buildings in Berkeley.)
BSC has taken over the very top floor (gorgeous views) of the Power Bar building to create an incubator space.
My zoning idea would open up street level spaces for start-ups to grow into.
SF is very accessible from Berkeley, especially downtown Berkeley. BART is right there, for example, and by car the Bay Bridge is a quick hop down the road.
Palo Alto and the South Bay generally are less accessible. That's more of a trek either by public transportation or car. Here's the thing, though: across from the southern part of the peninsula (the traditional core of Silicon Valley) there is the south part of the east bay (e.g. Fremont) where high tech businesses locate. Between them is another traditional hub in San Jose. San Francisco has become more popular and has anchors like Twitter and a tight relation to Oracle. The bay is nearly encircled by hubs with the Berkeley / Oakland part being the laggards.
I hope it is changing. Berkeley offers some of the brightest talented people. The business plan competition and some of the engineering schools at Cal should foster the students to actually do the startup they're working on for class, thesis, etc. Most graduating students (undergrad, MBA, PhD) I know eventually end up taking jobs.
Comments
I don't think re-zoning will create demand for startup space. The last startup I worked for was located in the basement of a famous berkeley hotel along with a handful of other startups. There wasn't a high demand for that space. What matters is if a startup culture exists. Berkeley's startup culture is small compared to SF, Palo Alto, or the South Bay.
If true, that is the fatal bug. About this:
"small compared to SF, Palo Alto, or the South Bay"
That may be changing: http://berkeleystartupcluster.org/
Which reads, in part, "Launched in October 2010, the BSC's goal is to establish the area in downtown Berkeley -- that is walking distance to the Cal campus -- as a thriving destination for technology-oriented startups as well as tech-oriented established companies, investors, entrepreneurs and supporting businesses."
Since you know Berkeley you must know the "Power Bar Building," right? (One of the two high-rise office buildings in Berkeley.)
BSC has taken over the very top floor (gorgeous views) of the Power Bar building to create an incubator space.
My zoning idea would open up street level spaces for start-ups to grow into.
SF is very accessible from Berkeley, especially downtown Berkeley. BART is right there, for example, and by car the Bay Bridge is a quick hop down the road.
Palo Alto and the South Bay generally are less accessible. That's more of a trek either by public transportation or car. Here's the thing, though: across from the southern part of the peninsula (the traditional core of Silicon Valley) there is the south part of the east bay (e.g. Fremont) where high tech businesses locate. Between them is another traditional hub in San Jose. San Francisco has become more popular and has anchors like Twitter and a tight relation to Oracle. The bay is nearly encircled by hubs with the Berkeley / Oakland part being the laggards.
I hope it is changing. Berkeley offers some of the brightest talented people. The business plan competition and some of the engineering schools at Cal should foster the students to actually do the startup they're working on for class, thesis, etc. Most graduating students (undergrad, MBA, PhD) I know eventually end up taking jobs.