The three-day Startup Weekend at USC connected participants with mentors, investors, and sponsors to turn entrepreneurial ideas into reality. The event highlighted USC’s ongoing efforts to support innovation and entrepreneurship, contributing to the university’s growing role in Southern California’s tech ecosystem.
Our Partnership with 
USC is thrilled to partner with Techstars to launch the Digital Economy Program—an exceptional opportunity for innovative pre-seed companies to accelerate their growth and connect with our dynamic ecosystem. Starting in March 2025, this 13-week, on-campus accelerator will offer startups mentorship from both university and industry leaders, along with access to the extensive resources of a major research institution. Open to companies across all industries—with a focus on bioscience, engineering, AI, healthcare, deep tech, and media technology—the program welcomes startups with at least one founding team member affiliated with USC, including students, alumni, faculty, staff, Keck Medicine, and CHLA.
USC continues to drive innovation and entrepreneurship through its ongoing collaboration with Techstars, a leading pre-seed investor. This partnership is pivotal in supporting the commercialization of ideas generated at USC, transforming them into products and businesses that enhance the university’s presence in the burgeoning “Silicon Beach” tech corridor, which spans Los Angeles and Orange County. This region is home to key industry leaders, including USC’s Information Sciences Institute and Institute for Creative Technologies.
In tandem with the Techstars accelerator, the USC Stevens Center for Innovation, led by Executive Director Erin Overstreet, plays a crucial role in streamlining the intellectual property commercialization process. Each year, twelve USC-affiliated companies will be selected to participate in the USC and Techstars Digital Economy Accelerator, receiving tailored support to accelerate their development.
This partnership significantly advances USC’s influence on Southern California’s innovation landscape, fostering entrepreneurial ventures that address critical needs within the university community.