Startup Resources
Depending on your stage of ideation and venture creation, we have curated these resources listed below to empower USC researchers, innovators, and founders to move discoveries forward and provide the tools, guidance, and support needed to navigate intellectual property, launch startups, secure funding, and drive commercialization within USC’s robust innovation ecosystem and beyond.
Filter Resources
Getting Started & Discovery
Resources for early-stage founders that help you understand IP, sharpen your concept, and build the right strategy from day one.
Facilitated by the USC Office of Research and Innovation, provides comprehensive support at every stage of the entrepreneurial journey, driving impact and advancing society.
USC and Techstars Startup Weekend
Building stronger companies through hands-on support for founders connected to USC. This three-day event is designed to develop new and researched ideas to build the USC startup community.
USC and Techstars Startup Weekend – Watch Video
A look into the three day Startup Weekend event that invited participants from the USC community to meet with mentors, investors, co-founders, and sponsors to help launch their innovative, entrepreneurial concepts and ideas into reality.
Viterbi Technology Innovation & Entrepreneurship (TIE)
Free consultation with corporate or intellectual property attorneys for USC innovators and startups.
One-page framework to map out a new business model; used in the I-Corps program.
Guidance and examples to develop a full business plan using canvas insights.
Guy Kawasaki’s the Art of the Executive Summary
Helps entrepreneurs craft executive summaries that sell big ideas fast by focusing on problem, solution, and the energy behind the opportunity.
Legal Compliance & IP Policy
Access to attorneys and tools that simplify IP protection and startup formation as your venture takes shape.
Answers to common questions about intellectual property and licensing at USC.
Practical documents and step-by-step guides to navigate startup procedures.
USC Stevens Legal Office Hours
Free consultation with corporate or intellectual property attorneys for USC innovators and startups.
Team Building & Research Resources
Targeted resources that connect you with the right expertise and infrastructure to move your innovation forward to the next stage.
USC and Techstars University Catalyst
A 10-week, part-time, primarily virtual pre-accelerator program specifically designed to level up early-stage USC founders through virtual masterclasses, personalized pitch coaching, 1:1 mentoring, and founder collaboration.
I-Corps Hub West (USC Viterbi)
Helps innovators validate market fit and refine commercialization plans, with eligibility for up to $50K in national cohort funding.
Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies
The Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies is USC’s hub for entrepreneurship programming, education and thought leadership.
Iovine and Young Academy’s Innovation Quest
The Academy’s Innovation Quest is a yearlong set of experiences designed to accelerate, cultivate, and support student-led ventures at the intersection of business, technology, and creative practice.
On-Campus Research Institutes:
Advances translational research with pilot funding, clinical services, and community engagement resources.
Enables molecular-level drug discovery through synthetic chemistry, structural biology, and AI-driven analysis.
Forges high-impact industry partnerships in healthcare, biotech, and life-science innovation.
cGMP Cell Gene Therapy Facility
cGMP development and manufacturing facility for cell and gene-therapy products for clinical use.
Center for Quantum Information Science and Technology
Resources for quantum-focused research across computing, cryptography and complex system modeling.
Controlled research space for studying alcohol use, risk factors and interventions that support addiction science.
USC Incubation & Acceleration
Designed to nurture early-stage companies, providing an environment for entrepreneurs to refine their business ideas and develop their products in the pre-seed stage.
An intensive 13-week in-person, on-campus accelerator designed for startups with an affiliation with USC. Pre-seed startups find product-market fit, get traction, gain access to capital, and scale their vision into thriving businesses.
Silicon Beach incubator with a one-year residency focused on deep tech startups.
The Hub West is a partnership with ten of the top research universities across the Western United States. This consortium will provide experiential education and develop a regional ecosystem to support the development and launch of deep technology startups.
The Incubator takes founders from feasibility and development work, on to customers, a tested business model, getting distribution, building a team, bootstrapping and investment preparation. They provide access to other supporting resources, such as legal and financial assistance.
SoCal Scaling & Ecosystem Connections
Partnerships and networks that open doors to industry access, customer insights, and networking opportunities.
Advisory services and laboratory space for science-based startups and research companies.
Two-year embedded entrepreneurship programs for early-stage startups in energy, agriculture and manufacturing.
A network of experienced investors providing early capital and guidance to help promising startups grow.
Regional network connecting startups with investors across Southern California.
California Life Sciences (CLS)
Statewide advocacy organization supporting the life sciences innovation ecosystem.
SoCalBio (Southern California Biomedical Council)
Federal grants offering non-dilutive funding to develop and commercialize technology.
Student focused group with connecting researchers, startups, investors, and bioscience infrastructure.
Los Angeles Venture Association (LAVA)
Forums and events connecting entrepreneurs with investors and advisors.
Funding & Early Capital
Opportunities to secure initial financing through grants, pitch programs, and federal grants.
Alfred E. Mann Institute – Office of Research and Innovation
USC Alfred E. Mann Institute empowers USC entrepreneurs with capital and strategic guidance, offering the resources needed to accelerate the development of biomedical and healthcare innovations and bring them to market.
Stevens Translation Catalyst Award
Funding to advance USC discoveries toward licensing or startup formation.
USC Research Funding Programs at a Glance
Overview of internal USC research funding opportunities.
Office of Research & Innovation Grants
Competitive grant opportunities for USC research and technology-based startups.
USC OORI SBIR/STTR Planning Award
Provides planning support for competitive federal funding applications; encourages startup formation.
SBIR/STTR Programs (“America’s Seed Fund”)
Federal grants offering non-dilutive funding to develop and commercialize technology.
Ongoing Support & Policies
Guidance that keeps your venture aligned with USC requirements and operating smoothly.