Networking for Graduates Interested in Entrepreneurship

Think you know Berkeley’s startup ecosystem? Think again. The UC Berkeley Innovation & Entrepreneurship ecosystem is vast, but few people know how to truly tap into it and usually barely scratch the surface. Karenna Rehorn (UC Berkeley’s ultimate guide for matching students with the right entrepreneurial resources) shared 5 insider insights during a Girls Into VC at Berkeley meeting that can change how you approach it all. 1. Karenna emphasized that navigating the Berkeley entrepreneurial ecosystem depends on YOUR needs and YOUR goals. That’s where Berkeley BEGIN comes in. You’re a startup founder? BEGIN will tell you exactly which accelerator to apply to based on your stage and industry. Still exploring your options? Take UC Berkeley Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (SCET) classes. Testing feasibility? Check out Big Ideas. Looking to scale? Look into LAUNCH: The University of California's Startup Accelerator and Berkeley SkyDeck. Trying to commercialize or get a prototype? BEGIN will point you to Bakar Labs, QB3, CITRIS and the Banatao Institute, IPIRA, and more. 💡 2. If you’re new to entrepreneurship, the eHub should be your starting point, regardless of your major. It offers tailored tracks to help you search, test, and build your ideas—no pressure, just opportunity. The eHub’s newsletter contains a curated list of EVERY event happening across campus, so whether you’re into large networking events or prefer smaller gatherings, this is where you should look first. 🗓️ 3. Want to join a very exclusive event but you can’t get off the waitlist? Contact the organizer to volunteer! There is a 90% chance they will say yes and you’ll get to network while adding value. 🤝 4. Find someone who has already gone through the programs you’re looking into as their insights can save you from unnecessary detours. Plus, their network could become your network. 🔗 5. Not every program is worth your time: just because it’s prestigious doesn’t mean it’s right for you—focus on what fits your goals, not what looks good on paper. 🎯 Schedule a 1:1 with Karenna today and map out your personalized path in Berkeley’s entrepreneurial ecosystem: https://lnkd.in/gj5Nd9Mq ------- Karenna Rehorn, Laura Hassner, Dawn McGee, Darren Cooke, Keith McAleer, Jill Finlayson, Phillip Denny

They say, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” But no one tells you where to find the “who.” Especially if you’re an international student, no uncle at Meta, no college roommate whose dad’s a VP. So here are out-of-the-algorithm networking methods that can actually unlock doors: 1. Be a Podcast Guest (Even With 0 Followers) You don’t need to host a podcast—just be a guest. Many student-run, niche-career podcasts are constantly looking for fresh voices. And being on one gives you visibility + credibility. How to do it: Search Spotify/Apple for “career + [your field] + student” Reach out with: “Hi [Host], I love the episode you did with [X]. As an international student navigating the [industry] job search, I’d love to share my journey and help others going through it. Would you be open to a quick pitch?” Share the episode on LinkedIn → Tag → Build connections. Examples: The Final Round (career prep) Dear Grad (student journeys) Growth Marketing Camp (marketing stories) International Voices (by ISU students!) 2. Ask Professors for 2nd-Degree Intros Most profs worked in industry before academia. And most of them… know someone. How to do it: Instead of “Do you know anyone hiring?” Ask: “If you were in my shoes, who would you speak to in the industry right now?” → If they name someone: “Would it be okay if I mentioned your name in a message?” Fact: According to NACE, 35% of college hires are referred by someone internal. Yet only 7% of students ask professors for referrals. 3. Write a “Thank You Post” to a Stranger This one sounds weird. But it works. How to do it: Read someone’s post (someone in your dream company or role). Write a short post tagging them with something like: “Came across this brilliant post from [@name] on [topic]. As a student, it clarified a lot for me about [career path]. Bookmarking this and sharing it for other grads.” No ask. No pitch. Just pure respect. What happens? They’re likely to notice. Engage. Follow back. And now you’ve built a connection without ever saying “Can I pick your brain?” Final tip: H1BGrader.com – Compare H-1B-friendly employers by approval rate and average salary. OpenAvenues Foundation – Helps international grads get STEM work authorizations through cap-exempt H-1B fellowships. Most don’t know this exists. Remember: Sometimes it’s not the loudest voice. It’s the smartest strategy. You’re not behind. #InternationalStudents #HiddenNetworkingTips #OPTtoH1B #JobSearch2025 #GradLife #LinkedInUnfiltered #BeyondTheResume #JobSearchJourney

You see other entrepreneurs getting tagged in viral posts, name-dropped on podcasts, and invited into exclusive rooms. Meanwhile, you're stuck sending cold DMs that go unread. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵? 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲. Most people fail at networking because they do it backwards. They ask before they give. They show up only when they need something. But real networking is about building relationships before you need them. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗻 𝟱 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀: 👠 𝘛𝘢𝘱 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘌𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘴 – Find the gatekeepers: podcast hosts, event organizers, and community builders. Instead of building a network from scratch, plug into one. 👠 𝘓𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘉𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘛𝘢𝘭𝘬 – Stop pitching. Instead, ask: What’s your biggest goal this year? What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing? Then shut up and listen. 👠 𝘚𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘴, 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘖𝘸𝘯 – Want to be remembered? Help people win. If you can solve their problem, do it. If you know someone who can, make the intro. 👠 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐𝘵 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 – Follow up when they land a big deal, hit a rough patch, or even on their birthday. The best networkers don’t just connect—they stay connected. 👠 𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘠𝘰𝘶 – The highest level of networking? Having people come to you. If you’re not posting, you’re invisible. Build a reputation before you even walk into the room. Most people treat networking as a transaction—but relationships compound. 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸: 1. Pick one person you admire. 2. Engage with their content. 3. Get on a call. 4. Ask what they need help with. 5. Find a way to help. Do this consistently, and in 12 months, your network will be unrecognizable. DM me after a week and LMK how it's going! #Entrepreneurship #Networking #BusinessGrowth #Founders #Startups

In the startup world, funding, partnerships, and opportunities rarely happen in isolation. They come through connections—the right conversation at the right time. Take the story of Tope Awotona, the founder of Calendly. In 2013, frustrated by the inefficiencies of scheduling meetings, Tope invested his life savings into developing Calendly. Operating from Atlanta Tech Village, he collaborated with the Kyiv-based firm Railsware to bring his idea to life. He poured his life savings into his idea but struggled to raise funds. At first, venture capitalists weren’t convinced—some didn’t understand the product’s full potential, while others were skeptical of its ability to compete in a crowded market. Rather than getting discouraged, Awotona focused on making connections with investors who shared his vision. In 2017, networking led him to OpenView Venture Partners, which became Calendly’s first institutional investor. OpenView provided not just funding but also strategic insights to help the company scale efficiently. Then, in 2021, after years of steady growth, networking played a crucial role again when Iconiq Capital led a $350 million Series B round, valuing Calendly at over $3 billion. Without Awotona’s ability to forge relationships with the right investors, Calendly might not have reached unicorn status. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or professional, strategic networking can open doors you never imagined. Here’s how: 𝐁𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝: Before reaching out, understand what you're looking for—advice, funding, partnerships, or mentorship. The clearer you are, the more effective your networking efforts will be. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞: Networking isn’t just about taking; it’s about giving. Share insights, introduce contacts, or offer help where you can. Relationships built on mutual benefit last longer. 𝐁𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐞: Attend the right conferences and events for your sector. Surround yourself with people who share your interests and aspirations. 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Cold outreach can work, but a warm introduction from a mutual connection is far more effective. Build relationships with connectors who can introduce you to the right people. 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐔𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝: A single conversation isn’t enough. Stay in touch and continue providing value. Long-term relationships often lead to the biggest opportunities. Awotona’s story is proof that networking isn’t just about meeting people—it’s about building relationships that can change the course of your business or career. So ask yourself: Are you positioning yourself in the right circles? Are you engaging in conversations that could change your journey? Because in this ecosystem, sometimes the right handshake is worth more than a hundred cold emails.