Newsletter at a Glance

• Financing Innovation: The Evolution of Startups at the University of Southern California
• TEDxUSC 2012 Save the Date: May 4, 2012
• Watch what USC Student Innovators have been up to in 2011
• Sonic Edge: Winner of the Most Innovative Award at the 2011 USC Student Innovator Showcase
• For Homegrown Jobs, Look to Innovation Ecosystems Fed by Universities and Talent

Awesome Ship! Wins Global Startup Battle
Awesome Ship! was voted the winner of the Global Startup Battle out of a series of startups from Startup Weekends throughout the world. According to the Hong Kong Startup Weekend, Awesome Ship helps "improve their customers' satisfaction by actively tracking their packages, no matter which courier service is being used, and notifying them of any status changes directly via SMS, Twitter, email or other means." Click here for more on Awesome Ship!

Financing Innovation: The Evolution of Startups at the University of Southern California
The study found that 39 USC startups raised more than $800 million over the past 15 years and more than $380 million of that was raised in the past 3 years, at the height of the financial crisis. Read the full article here.

For Homegrown Jobs, Look to Innovation Ecosystems Fed by Universities and Talent
Just like any ecology, a robust innovation ecosystem depends on a complex interplay: human capital, financial capital, intellectual capital, and social capital all work together to create a sustainable environment for the economy to thrive. The investment, entrepreneurial, and nonprofit communities are all critical elements that, along with a foundation of functional government and exceptional universities, build a bridge between ideas and economic impact. To read the entire article click here.

Former Congresswoman Jane Harman is New USC Trustee
Jane Harman, former congresswoman from California and current director, president and CEO of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, was elected to the USC Board of Trustees Dec. 7, 2011. Read more about Harman here.

International Women's Forum Keynote
Z's keynote at the International Women's Forum featured a panel of leaders from L.A.'s sister cities of Vancouver, Jakarta, Athens, and Mexico City, discussed the challenges that large cities face in the current economic, political, and social climate. Continue reading here.

Professor Performs Reconstructive Surgery On Seven-Year-Old Girl Born with One Ear
Sheryl Lewin of the Keck School of USC, who performed reconstructive surgery on a seven-year-old deaf girl born with only one ear. The girl, Shimaya Worthey, wrote a letter to Santa asking for another ear. The letter made its way through the U.S. Postal Service's Operation Santa to Lewin, who specializes in ear reconstruction. The girl was initially frightened about having the surgery, but Lewin noted that at a recent follow-up, the patient was smiling and confident. "That's as good as it gets for a doc," Lewin said. Read more here.

Slim Down, Focus and Embrace Technology: American Universities Need to be More Businesslike
President Barack Obama invited a group of university presidents on December 5th to the White House to discuss the cost of higher education. Anger about the cost of college extends from the preppiest of parents to the grungiest of Occupiers. Mr. Obama is trying to channel the anger, to avoid being sideswiped by it. The White House invitation complained that costs have trebled in the past three decades. Arne Duncan, the secretary of education, has urged universities to address costs with "much greater urgency". Read more here.

USC Competition Pushes the Limits of Modern Video Games
Erin Reynolds is a graduate student, so she knows at least one thing for certain. "Everyone feels stress," she said. That's part of the reason Reynolds and 12 others on her team created a video game that uses heart-rate sensors to help players learn to stay calm as they wind their way through a decrepit house filled with their characters' horrific memories. The 28-year-old USC cinematic arts student said she believes her psychological thriller game, Nevermind, can help people develop ways to cope with stress. For more, click here.

USC Hybrid High School Granted a Charter by LAUSD
USC Hybrid High, affiliated with the USC Rossier School of Education, will be open up to 12 hours per day, seven days per week and year-round to cater to students who may be at risk of dropping out because they hold jobs or care for family members. A new non-profit, Ednovate, was established to assume responsibility for the school's charter and day-to-day operation. Rossier Dean Karen Symms Gallagher and USC senior vice president for University Relations Thomas S. Sayles will serve on the Board of Directors. Read more here.

New Venture Seed Competition Spring 2012 Entry Deadline February 5
The Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies is pleased to announce the 2012 New Venture Seed Competition. The competition is open to all students at the University of Southern California as well as employees of the University. $50,000 in funding will be award to worthy ventures. Competitors will have an insightful business idea with a desire to form an active company. The New Venture Seed Competition will help them build upon their idea and put together a strategy for a successful launch. All contestants will have the opportunity to present to a qualified panel of expert judges, with the finalists presenting again in April. Applications will be available on-line here beginning on 11/15. Entry deadline will be February 5.

USC Coulter Translational Research Partnership Program Pre-Proposal Applications are Due December 31
The USC Coulter Translational Research Partnership Program will launch on November 16, 2011. Teams will be lead by a faculty member of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, and USC clinical practitioners.The program promotes, develops, and supports innovations to improve patient care. The program provides mentoring, project management, and funding to promising translational projects with the goal of moving innovative technologies to clinical application through commercialization. The ultimate goal of this partnership is to develop health care solutions that address unmet or underserved clinical needs and lead to improvements in patient health care. Grants are awarded for a one year period, and may be submitted for renewal. The average size of the grant is $100K.

General information on the program is available by clicking here.

USC Entrepreneur Club Board Accepting Applications
Are you a USC student that is entrepreneurial minded, organized, dedicated and innovative? Apply now to be on the board for the biggest student organization at USC! Email contactusceclub@gmail.com for more information and their website here.

Hult Global Challenge Applications Due December 31
The Hult Global Case Challenge, partnered with the Clinton Global Initiative, is the world's largest annual case competition, featuring thousands of students, over 100 countries and a $1 million prize. Applications are now being accepting for teams of 4-5 students with projects that possess implementable solutions to real global challenges. Find out more and apply here.

Echoing Green Fellowship Applications Open December 5, 2011 - January 9, 2012
The Echoing Green Fellowship is a two-year program that provides capital and technical assistance for new leaders innovative, sustainable start-ups. The Fellowship provides a stipend between $80-90,000 to be paid in four equal installments over two years, as well as health insurance, professional development and access to technical support and pro bono partnerships. Applications are due by January 9th and the fellowship will start in July 2012. Apply here.

Apply Now for the Social Entrepreneurship Minor at USC Marshall
This minor is geared towards students interested in social innovation and developing well thought-out solutions to the world's problems. The interdisciplinary minor focuses on the global context of social entrepreneurship, compares current public and private sector initiatives, and develops management skills to start and maintain social enterprises. Social entrepreneurship minors will be required to take introductory courses analyzing social enterprise models and study the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. Find out more here.

The Science & Entertainment Exchange
The Science & Entertainment Exchange (The Exchange) is a program of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) that connects entertainment industry professionals with top scientists and engineers to create a synergy between accurate science and engaging storylines in both film and TV programming. From a quick fact check to a special briefing, The Exchange provides quick and easy access to experts from all the scientific disciplines. The goal of The Exchange is to use the vehicle of popular entertainment media to deliver sometimes subtle, but nevertheless powerful, messages about science. For more information on The Exchange, click here.

USC Small Business Center Accepting Project Applications
The USC Law Small Business Clinic (the "SBC"), which provides free corporate legal services to small businesses and entrepreneurs, is currently accepting applications for projects starting January, 2012. The SBC provides basic corporate legal assistance to small businesses, entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations that cannot afford to pay marketrates for legal services. Typical projects handled by the SBC include: counseling on the selection of an appropriate business structure; forming and organizing corporations and LLCs; drafting shareholder agreements; contract review, and simple contract drafting. Click here to find out more about the SBC or to complete an application.

2012 International CES - Entertainment Matters January 10 - January 13
Entertainment Matters at CES (EM), sponsored by Variety and Ericsson, provides you with the opportunity to see firsthand why the world's premier event for technology is also the ultimate platform for content. The International CES-the world's largest tradeshow for consumer technology-is the only event bringing together the innovators and leaders who are changing technology and reshaping the world of entertainment. And now in its second year, the Entertainment Matters Program is designed to maximize your CES experience.Register using priority code EM13 and receive FREE registration and a 20% discount on the Entertainment Matters Conference Pass here. For more information, click here.

IDEX Fellowship Program Applications Due January 15, 2012
Applications are now open for the IDEX Fellowship for Social Enterprise program for the 2012-2013 cohort. The fellowships are open to young graduates from across a wide range of sectors, professional and academic backgrounds and ethnicities. Fellows are strategically placed to work with entrepreneurs to develop a blueprint for change in India, Mumbai, Delhi or Bangalore. Click here for more information.

National Security Innovation Competition - Open to all US and Canadian Undergraduate and Graduate Students Applications Due January 27
The purpose of this competition is to stimulate college student interest to address national security problem solving by exposing their university-sponsored projects to a broad audience including industry, academic, and government organizations involved in aerospace, defense, security, and first responder activities. Students will demonstrate their critical analytical skills to determine why their new concept or technology has the potential to meet an identifiable national security need. Up to ten finalist teams will be selected from all applicants to make presentations in front of a national panel of judges. The top three projects will be chosen and prizes awarded. Tech scouts from across industry will be attending to provide potential opportunities to further project development, funding, and student internships. The projects must be student led and the concept or technology must not currently be licensed to any business. For more information, click here.

TechConnect 2012 Applications Due February 10
Join the world's largest Innovation, IP, Venture and Partnering Forum! TechConnect matches the world's top vetted innovations with the world's leading corporate & investment partners. Promote your innovations, portfolio and programs to leading corporate and investment technology developers. TechConnect will take place June 18-21, 2012 in Santa Clara, CA. Find out more and apply here.

Dell Social Innovation Challenge Applications Open January 3, 2012 - February 12, 2012
Since 2007, more than 15,000 students from 90 countries have proposed more than 3,000 ideas for tackling social and environmental problems. The Dell Social Innovation Challenge gives participants the mentoring, tools, and cash prizes needed to take their projects to the next level. Any undergrad or graduate student in any field of study, from any country, can enter our challenge. For more information, click here.

Mozilla Ignite Apps Challenge Opens Early 2012
Imagine and build cutting-edge apps from the future. Mozilla and the National Science Foundation are launching an open innovation challenge that offers support funding and access to one of the most advanced networks on the planet. The goal: show how smart networks can revolutionize healthcare, education, public safety, energy and more. Fore more information and to sign-up for email alerts, click here.  

Can Universities Save Cities? January 12
To build a world-class city, build a great university and wait 200 years. This, at least, was the wry prescription offered by the late Senator Pat Moynihan. If the advice wasn't failsafe, it nevertheless underscored the importance of institutions of higher learning to the vitality and cultural health of their proximate communities. Today, in the midst of economic crisis, American cities are increasingly turning to nearby universities for support in creating new sources of economic growth. University of Southern California President C. L. Max Nikias; Rice University President David Leebron; University of California, Los Angeles Chancellor Gene Block; and Arizona State University President Michael Crow visit Zócalo to discuss what our universities have in store for our cities. For more information and to make a reservation, click here.

Mindshare LA January 19
This month's Mindshare LA is themed "Secrets and Lies." Enjoy talks on 'The Largest Scientific Instrument Ever Built',' 'How to Become a Lie Detector,' and more. As always, there will be interactive installations, music and entertainment to follow! Find out more here.

Apply Now for Trojan Hack - 24 Hour Hackathon At USC February 4
Students from any university in the Los Angeles area can team up and compete to see which school really has the best programmers and entrepreneurs at the first ever Trojan Hackathon! The event is hosted by the USC Stevens Institute for Innovation. Find out more here.

Game Industry Virtual Career Expo February 15
The Information Technology Program at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering will be hosting an online career expo where pre-qualified candidates can interact with the industry's top employers. It is the first ever 3D virtual world game industry career expo! Register here.

TEDxUSC 2012 - Save the Date May 4
Since the first TEDxUSC took place in March 2009, the TEDx program has spread to 90+ countries, 45+ languages, and 2000+ events. We are excited to report that the 4th installment of the event that kicked off the worldwide TEDx phenomenon will take place on Friday, May 4, 2012.

There is also another date that you are going to want to mark on your calendar and that is Tuesday, February 7, 2012. TEDxUSC is an invite only event and because of the extremely high demand to attend we have put in place an application process to determine who will receive an invite. Last year more than 3500 applications were received for roughly 1000 seats. Those applications that are submitted first are read first so when the call for applications goes out on Tuesday, February 7, 2012, make sure to get yours in as soon as possible. The first invites will be sent out on Tuesday, March 12, 2012.

Check out TEDxUSC.com to see all the past videos from TEDxUSC or check out the TEDxUSC 2011 playlist on our USC Innovation YouTube channel.