UC Berkeley · College of Engineering · 1301 S 46th St, Richmond CA Want to fly drones at RFS?

RFS/Startups

Startups

Build, Test, and Grow. Right on the Bay.

RFS offers dedicated space, real-world testbeds, and technical infrastructure for startups in energy, mobility, robotics, infrastructure, and emerging tech. Whether you're prototyping, running field trials, or collaborating with UC Berkeley, RFS is built to support innovation.

Why Startups Choose RFS

R&D Infrastructure

Access 500,000+ sq ft of assignable space, including offices, labs, testbeds, and warehouse facilities.

Field-Ready Testing Zones

Deploy and validate technologies on-site with the AV Test Track, V2X Signal Lab, Drone Park, and connected infrastructure.

Research Collaboration

Tap into UC Berkeley's research ecosystem. Partner with faculty and students, or collaborate with our 40+ research units.

Startup-Ready Programs

Engage through Demo Days, workforce initiatives, and public pilots. Connect with industry and government partners.

Flexible Leasing

Labs and office space starting at $24/sq ft per year, with flexible configurations to grow as your team scales.

Location & Access

Just 10–15 minutes from UC Berkeley's main campus, right off I-80/580, Richmond BART, and the Ferry Terminal.

Leasing at Richmond Field Station

RFS offers a range of flexible leasing options for research, development, testing, and deployment in support of UC Berkeley's mission and public-impact innovation. With access to office, lab, and outdoor space, as well as specialized infrastructure like the AV Test Track, V2X Signal Lab, and Drone Park, RFS is uniquely suited for tenants advancing innovation in energy, mobility, and manufacturing.

Tenants benefit from on-site facilities, a collaborative research environment, and proximity to leading academic and industry partners. To learn more, contact Justin Wiley: jwiley@berkeley.edu

Types of Startups We Support

  • Autonomous vehicle systems & advanced mobility
  • Robotics, drones, eVTOL, and intelligent infrastructure
  • Clean energy and electrification hardware
  • Agriculture and bio-based systems
  • Built environment and resilience technologies
  • AI/ML models deployed in field applications

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