Showcases and Competitions

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Showcases and Competitions

At the USC Stevens Institute for Innovation we work with all schools and disciplines at USC to promote and recruit students for university events and programs. We also work cross-disciplines on campus to create programs that encourage students and researchers to use the creativity in an innovative fashion.

Many of the programs that we develop are in partnership with local organizations and other universities in the area. Below is information about many of the programs developed by the USC Stevens Institute.

USC STUDENT INNOVATOR SHOWCASE AND COMPETITION

Student innovators at USC come from all disciplines -- from cinematic arts, music and social sciences; to information technology, engineering and life sciences.

Presented by the USC Stevens Institute for Innovation, the university-wide USC Student Innovator Showcase gives parents and students a highly interactive glimpse into the imaginations of USC student innovators, and a sneak peak at tomorrow's world. The showcase is hosted each year during the opening day of Trojan Parent's weekend and is followed by an awards reception in Hahn Plaza at Tommy Trojan.

During the showcase the innovators are judged on criteria such as potential for societal impact, novelty, understanding of market and more. Judges select ten finalists to give a two-minute “fast pitch” presentation about their ideas. Under Tommy Trojan in Hahn Plaza, the finalists provide an audience of parents and students an overview of their ideas, discussed potential for societal impact, and shared their progress to date.

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FIRST LOOK LA

SOCIAL INNOVATION FAST PITCH

In an unprecedented collaboration between USC, Caltech and UCLA, the three universities joined forces with Entretech to present the first ever First Look LA,” on November 7, 2007. In a unique, invitation-only event, venture capital investors took a sneak peak at some of the most promising research and emerging startup opportunities from LA's premier research institutions. Hosted at USC, this was the first time the three major research universities worked together collaboratively in such a significant way. The next First Look LA” will be hosted at Caltech on November 4, 2009. Stay tuned for more details!

If you would like to be put on our invitation list, please contact Elisa Wiefel Schreiber.

In an effort to support social entrepreneurs tackling some of this city’s toughest problems, and to contribute to the innovative, vibrant culture in the Los Angeles area, Los Angeles Social Venture Partners (LASVP), the Social Enterprise Institute (SEI), and, on behalf of the University of Southern California, the USC Stevens Institute for Innovation (USC Stevens) and the Society and Business Lab (SBL) have partnered to produce the annual “Social Innovation ‘Fast Pitch’ and Showcase.”

The Social Innovation Fast Pitch is a two-month training and mentoring program for innovative nonprofits that are effecting social change in Greater Los Angeles, culminating in the Social Innovation Fast Pitch and Showcase on November 11, 2009.

COMPETITIONS

MOST INNOVATIVE AWARDS

Giving the USC community access to showcases and competitions on and off campus is key in developing the innovative culture at the University of Southern California.

In this section we list a number of competitions available to USC innovators and information on how to get involved. Click on the links below to find out information about each competition.

USC New Venture Competition
Summer at Highland
Tech Coast Angels Fast Pitch Competitions

Click here for more details about these opportunities and more.

There are many competitions within the schools at the University of Southern California that represent the imaginative minds of USC students. Therefore, the USC Stevens Institute will often partner with these schools to sponsor the "Most Innovative Award" at these competitions and showcases.

The "Most Innovative Award" is judged by a panel of innovation experts from the USC Stevens Institute and recipients of the award recieve a custom, limited editiion USC Stevene Institute "INNOVATION" skateboard.

Judging criteria includes, but is not limited to: Potential for tangible societal impact, High novelty, High quality of research, High risk-reward for innovative ideas, Enthusiasm and commitment of students, Diversity across disciplines and approaches, Impact and future potential impact, Sustainability, and understanding of market.

If you have a competition or showcase that you would be interested in the USC Stevens Institute supporting please contact Elisa Wiefel Schreiber or Dana Rygwelski.

Creativity -- the power to connect the seemingly unconnected.

William Plomer (1903-1973) S. African-British man of letters