Leaders from research, industry and philanthropy gathered to explore the future of entrepreneurship in the age of AI and the next chapter of innovation at CITRIS and the Banatao Institute.
As CITRIS and the Banatao Institute celebrates 25 years of advancing technology for societal benefit, it is looking toward an ambitious future — and inviting partners to help shape it.
On October 21, researchers, entrepreneurs, industry leaders and supporters gathered at Sharon Heights Country Club in Menlo Park for Entrepreneurship in the Age of AI, a salon marking the kickoff of a $25 million fundraising campaign to expand the institute’s impact across four University of California campuses.
Chaired by Rey Banatao, the campaign will build on a quarter-century of interdisciplinary research, entrepreneurship and collaboration, creating new opportunities to translate promising discoveries into technologies that address society’s most pressing challenges.
The evening brought together perspectives from across the innovation ecosystem, including CITRIS Director Alexandre Bayen, Berkeley AI Research founder and entrepreneur Trevor Darrell, and researchers and leaders working at the intersection of artificial intelligence and technology commercialization.
Conversations explored the opportunities emerging from AI, the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the role universities play in helping early-stage ideas become successful ventures. Event co-hosts Matt and Lisa Sonsini and Rey Banatao have helped to boost this transition for promising research through their transformational gift from the Academic Innovation Catalyst fund.
CITRIS’s approach to supporting high-impact technologies with broad societal benefits has already produced significant results. Across its four-campus network, CITRIS has awarded $14.6 million in seed funding to 267 research projects and fostered an innovation ecosystem that has helped generate 230 ventures spanning more than a dozen sectors.
The new campaign seeks to build on that foundation, expanding opportunities for researchers and students to pursue ambitious ideas, connect with industry expertise and bring transformative technologies into the world.
As CITRIS enters its next 25 years, the salon offered a starting point for a larger conversation: how researchers, entrepreneurs, policy leaders and philanthropic partners can work together to turn the next generation of discoveries into lasting societal impact.
For more information about the campaign or to discuss ways to give, contact Senior Director of Development Tamara Bock at tbock@berkeley.edu.
View the gallery (Photos by Nic Bruno)