Advancing Innovation.
Commercializing Technologies.
Contributing to a Better World.
For more than a century, the USC torch, emblazoned on the university shield, has symbolized knowledge shared and carried forward to catalyze innovation. At the Stevens Center, we help turn every spark of innovation into a lasting flame, advancing breakthrough discoveries from the lab to the marketplace and contributing to a brighter world.
What We Do
We partner with USC researchers to protect and strategically position their intellectual property, translate emerging technologies into high-impact commercial opportunities, and empower innovators to confidently advance from discovery to market.
Protect
Secure the commercial potential of your research with clear IP guidance that preserves value and positions your work for future opportunities.
Partner
Engage with industry partners and investors aligned with your goals, supported by a team energized by translating research into real-world solutions.
Commercialize
Advance your innovation to market with licensing and startup plans built around your vision and the strengths of your work.
We Support Innovators
The USC Stevens Center team provides expertise and practical guidance on intellectual property protection and pathways that support technology commercialization through licensing and startup formation.
We Engage with Industry
Technology transfer and industry collaboration can bring innovations to the marketplace faster. We link researchers with industry partners and help accelerate innovation and commercialization.
By The Numbers
300+
Total Active Licenses
$23.5M
Commercialization Revenue
(Last 5 Years – through FY25)
800+
Issued Active U.S. Patents
59th
Rank in the 2025 NAI
Top 100 Worldwide Universities
Granted U.S. Utility Patents
USC Stevens Center News
Patent and Technology Highlights
Explore Tech Transfer with AI
The USC Stevens Innovation Assistant helps USC researchers and innovators navigate the commercialization process from idea to impact. It can answer questions about invention disclosures, patents, software, copyright, data, AI, startups, licensing, research agreements, and the 2026 USC Intellectual Property Policy.
It can prepare first drafts of invention disclosures from manuscripts, grants, presentations, and other research materials; identify missing information; perform preliminary technology landscape reviews; suggest commercialization and patent strategies; explain Stevens processes; and provide practical guidance on topics such as open source, MTAs, DTAs, and startup licensing. While it does not provide legal advice, it helps researchers make informed decisions quickly and directs them to the appropriate USC Stevens resources when additional assistance is needed.
This feature is only available to USC community members with access to the university’s ChatGPT subscription. It works best with the higher and thinking settings on your USC ChatGPT enterprise account. For more information, visit the ChatGPT EDU at USC guide.
USC hosts the National Academy of Inventors
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