About us

The UC Berkeley Venture Capital Services Team is dedicated to empowering the next generation of founders, innovators, and investors across the Berkeley ecosystem. Rooted in the university’s tradition of world-changing research and entrepreneurial leadership, we aim to bridge the gap between groundbreaking ideas and the capital required to bring them to life. 

We collaborate closely with campus accelerators, incubators, and venture capital investors to enhance Berkeley’s private equity programs and refine strategies that support entrepreneurship while aligning financial returns for both our partners and the university. As UC Berkeley’s dedicated equity management team, we are committed to strengthening the campus innovation ecosystem, identifying new avenues for revenue growth, and serving as responsible stewards of our expanding portfolio. Reach us at venture@berkeley.edu.

Venture Capital Services

portrait of Omar Qarshi

Omar Qarshi

Director of Venture Capital Services | omar.qarshi@berkeley.edu

Omar Qarshi is the Director of Venture Capital Services at UC Berkeley, where he leads efforts to manage the university’s expanding portfolio of equity ownership in startups. He works closely with incubators, accelerators, founders, and venture capital firms to align private equity interests with Berkeley’s long-term mission, ensuring the university benefits from the economic value it helps create.

Omar also oversees a range of revenue-generating initiatives, including the Berkeley Chancellor’s Fund—a new venture capital fund supporting startups founded by students, faculty, and entrepreneurs within the UC ecosystem.

A UC Berkeley alumnus and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Omar brings deep expertise in financial services and equity management, and is passionate about advancing innovation and entrepreneurship across the university community.

Raymund Santiago headshot

Raymund Santiago

Associate Director of Venture Capital Services | raymund.santiago@berkeley.edu

Raymund Santiago is a seasoned financial professional on the Venture Capital Services team at UC Berkeley, where he helps manage the university’s startup equity portfolio and supports strategic investment initiatives that advance innovation and entrepreneurship on campus.

He brings extensive experience in the financial services industry, with expertise in fund operations, financial reporting, risk oversight, and alternative investments. Raymund plays a key role in revenue-generating efforts, including the Berkeley Chancellor’s Fund, and is a trusted advisor in evaluating early-stage opportunities and managing investment assets.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Golden Gate University and an MBA in Finance from San Francisco State University.