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Laura Smoliar

Founding Partner atBerkeley Catalyst Fund (BCF)California
LinkedIn Berkeley Catalyst Fund (BCF) websiteFirm profile

Laura Smoliar is a Founding Partner at Berkeley Catalyst Fund. She founded Mobius Photonics and has worked in hardware industries including data storage, displays, lasers, and biotech instrumentation.

What Laura can write

Writes checks ofNot reported
Comes in atSeed, Series ACan lead the round
Best routeA short note on LinkedInA warm intro from a founder they backed works better.

Career

  1. Mobius Photonics · Chairman and CEO
    2005
  2. Berkeley Catalyst Fund · Founding Partner
    Now

Companies founded

Mobius PhotonicsBerkeley Catalyst Fund

Focus

data storagedisplayslasersbiotech instrumentation

Education

UC Berkeley’s College of Chemistry, Ph.D. in Physical ChemistryColumbia College, Columbia University, A.B. Summa Cum Laude in Chemistry

Also at Berkeley Catalyst Fund (BCF)

Drew Lanza
Drew LanzaFounding Partner
Ted Hou
Ted HouFounding Partner

Partners like Laura

At firms with a similar stage, sector and check size.

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Ali TamasebGeneral Partner, DCVC
Manuel Gonzalez
Manuel GonzalezPartner, AgFunder
Rick Moss
Rick MossFounding Partner, Better Ventures
Andrew Beebe
Andrew BeebeManaging Director, Obvious Ventures
David FriedbergCEO and Partner, The Production Board (TPB)
Ela Madej
Ela MadejCo-Founder and Partner, Fifty Years

Alert me when Berkeley Catalyst Fund (BCF) is active

One email when Laura's firm raises a fund, adds a partner or shows new activity.

Founders and investors at a Mode VC gathering

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Questions

Who is Laura Smoliar?

Laura Smoliar is a Founding Partner at Berkeley Catalyst Fund. She founded Mobius Photonics and has worked in hardware industries including data storage, displays, lasers, and biotech instrumentation.

How much does Laura Smoliar invest?

Berkeley Catalyst Fund (BCF) has not reported a check size. It invests at seed, series a.

How do I pitch Laura Smoliar?

A warm intro from a founder Berkeley Catalyst Fund (BCF) backed works best. A short LinkedIn note with one line on traction is the next best route.

What did Laura Smoliar do before Berkeley Catalyst Fund (BCF)?

Chairman and CEO at Mobius Photonics.

Last updated 2026-10-15. Is this you? Ask for a correction.