Innovation (n) - the process of translating new ideas into tangible societal impact

Counter to conventional belief, USC understands that innovation can be technological or scientific; social, or artistic; can take the form of start-ups or licenses, new products or services, or even non-profits and new organizational models. In fact, some of the many innovations that found their start at USC include:

• An antiviral drug to inhibit HIV and influenza A.
• A new method for palm oil production and distribution to reduce poverty in Nigeria.
• Novel software to automate the translation of human languages.
• A prosthesis to restore sight to those suffering from blindness.
• The revolutionary approach to social networking that has become the sixth most popular website in the world
• The cotton t-shirt
  

Click through the various themes to learn more about Innovation at USC!

For more information about bringing your innovation to market, check out our Innovation Advancement section

Investor Fast Facts

Corporations and entrepreneurs can work with USC Stevens licensing associates to discuss available IP. Below is a general outline of the process of licensing a technology through our office:

Contacting Us
If you have identified an innovation or invention that interests you, the first step is to contact a USC Stevens licensing associate.

Sharing of Non-Confidential Information
Once you have contacted a Licensing Associate, we can send you additional information about your requested innovation or put you in touch with the inventor(s). If a paper was published, of if a patent has been issued on the technology, we can send you detailed information.

Meeting with USC Innovators
USC Stevens will facilitate meetings between you and the inventor(s). Typically meetings are scheduled to discuss technical aspects of the innovation and how they might fit with your company.

Option to License
If you are interested in licensing a technology from USC, a Licensing Associate will discuss the different types of licenses available. If you will also be sponsoring research at USC, the Licensing Associate will make sure you have the right contacts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to sign a confidentiality agreement to learn about USC inventions?
In some cases, USC Stevens can provide you with published papers and patents that describe the concepts involved in great detail. On others, the only non-confidential information we may have available is a brief description of the discovery. In many cases, USC Stevens will be able to speak more freely with you about innovations if you've signed a confidential disclosure agreement with USC.  Contact our licensing team for more information.  

Are USC inventions ready for the market?
As a university, USC's expertise is in teaching and research. Some of the technologies and innovations we have available for licensing are ready for commercial use today, but all require the license to take what has been developed and create a product offering from it, or for an investor to work closely with USC Stevens and the innovators to put together a commercialization strategy and start-up team.

What does USC look for when selecting a company to license an invention?
We want licensees who have the resources, technical expertise, and management skills required to quickly build a sustainable success from the new invention and make a societal impact as quickly as possible.