Where does innovation begin?
With an idea. Your Idea.

Any idea with potential for societal impact is welcome -- whether it’s for a new business concept, a new technology, piece of software, advanced communications, compound, survey, on-line course, new drug or an idea may have the potential to evolve into a product, service, company or industry that will make societal impact.

I have an idea... what should I do?

Tell us about it!

So you have a great idea but you don’t know what to do next? Well, you’ve come to the right place!

Faculty should call the USC Stevens Institute directly. We will assign you to a member of the Innovation Advancement Team who will help you through the disclosure process based on what you are working on. For more information and to set up an appointment with the USC Stevens Institute, contact Michele McMasters.

Students should sign up for legal office hours with a mentor. The USC Stevens Institute Legal Office Hours Program provides strategic legal guidance on a complementary basis to USC innovators and start-up companies. Contact Juan Felipe Vallejo for more information and to set up an appointment with the USC Stevens Institute. 

In a broad sense, Intellectual Property (IP) describes intangible assets created by the mind, including creative works, inventions, and designs. 

Learn more by downloading the Intellectual Property Guide for students.

The beginning of the innovation process is the ideal time to investigate protecting your idea. The USC Stevens Institute manages the patent portfolio for the University and will provide patentability analysis and intellectual property protection procedures for selected inventions.

Like the diversity of USC technologies, the type of intellectual property protection will depend on the nature of the invention and the market it fits into.

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Licensing is a way to get your innovation out into society without necessarily having to create your own company to do so. A USC Stevens Institute Innovation Advancement team member is here to work with you to begin the licensing process.

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Not for the faint of heart, creating a startup can be a grueling process. The USC Stevens Institute has ample resources to help you bring your company to life.

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