What We Do

Spark your entrepreneurial journey—USC’s early-stage programs ignite ideas, fuel innovation, and turn ambition into action!

An immersive three-day event designed for Trojan students, faculty, and alumni to learn how to think, work, and build like a startup. Over the course of the experience, participants:

• Meet, pitch, and form teams
• Build a minimum viable product and gain access to local industry experts
• Give a pitch presentation and network with other participants

Learn more at sites.google.com/techstars.com/usc-techstars/startup-weekend.

The USC Early Career Innovator initiative offers students the opportunity to work closely with USC startups, gaining valuable entrepreneurial experience, mentorship, and the skills needed to bring innovative ideas to life in real-world settings.

For more information, email robyngil@usc.edu.

The USC Student Empowerment Initiative supports students in launching and scaling their entrepreneurial ventures by providing resources, mentorship, and funding to turn their innovative ideas into impactful businesses.

For more information, email robyngil@usc.edu.

applications received for USC Techstars Startup Weekend

MVPs developed by USC student teams during Startup Weekend.

students placed with Trojan startups in 2025

From spark to startup—Office of Research and Innovation’s seed funding and internal support programs help early-stage ventures gain traction and thrive

The SBIR/STTR planning initiative provides funding to unite USC researchers and small business partners, supporting the collaborative activities necessary to plan and prepare a successful SBIR/STTR submission, including team formation, strategy development, and proposal preparation.

For more information, email robyngil@usc.edu.

The SBIR/STTR planning initiative provides funding to unite USC researchers and small business partners, supporting the collaborative activities necessary to plan and prepare a successful SBIR/STTR submission, including team formation, strategy development, and proposal preparation.

For more information, email robyngil@usc.edu.

The USC Stevens Center for Innovation supports USC entrepreneurs by guiding invention disclosures, intellectual property protection, and licensing. With expert legal and commercialization support, the center helps transform groundbreaking research into impactful ventures.

Learn more at stevens.usc.edu.

A competitive, 10-week, pre-accelerator designed to provide training, tools, and mentorship to Trojan founders to increase the viability and impact of their early-stage startups.

Core program elements include:

• Live, virtual masterclasses and pitch feedback sessions
• Mentoring opportunities
• Peer group networking
• Pitch day showcase

Learn more at techstars.com/usc-and-techstars-university-catalyst.

USC + Small Business SBIR/STTR Planning Awards made

total applications received for the inaugural USC Techstars University Catalyst

Trojan startups selected for the 2024 USC Techstars University Catalyst.

Big ideas deserve bold backing—USC strategically invests in its entrepreneurs to accelerate startup success

The USC and Techstars Digital Economy Program Accelerator is a three-month, full-time, equity-based accelerator program designed to give Trojan founders access to mentors in key business areas and support to enhance the viability of their startup.

• Eligible startups will include a USC-affiliated founding member, that being either a USC student, staff member, faculty, or alumni.
• Participating companies will receive up to $120,000 in funding, along with hands-on mentorship, curated entrepreneurial content and programming, and access to Techstars’ global network of mentors, investors, alums and corporate partners.
• The program culminates in Demo Day, where Trojan founders have the opportunity to pitch directly to enthusiastic investors.

Learn more at techstars.com/accelerators/usc-and-techstars-digital-economy-program.

USC Alfred E. Mann Institute empowers USC entrepreneurs with capital and strategic guidance, offering the resources needed to accelerate the development of biomedical and healthcare innovations and bring them to market.

For more information, email twarsi@usc.edu.

applications received for USC Techstars Accelerator

Trojan startups selected for the 2024 USC Techstars Accelerator

Nasdaq-listed Trojan startup as of 2025