Innovation Catalyst Program
Initiative: Early Career Innovator - Techstars
The Innovation Catalyst Fund was created to support early-stage Trojan innovators across the university. Designed to support student, faculty, staff, and alumni innovators, the fund provides resources for a range of innovation-related activities, such as covering legal and incorporation costs, supporting engagement with USC-affiliated startups to gain real-world experience, and advancing use-inspired research with entrepreneurial potential. By helping founders translate ideas into viable ventures, the fund aims to promote social and economic impact through innovation and entrepreneurship. Programs like the Innovation Catalyst Fund plays a critical role in the broader USC innovation ecosystem, which is designed to provide comprehensive support across the commercialization spectrum for USC-affiliated founders.
Initiative: Early Career Innovator - Techstars
Provides $5,000 in funding for USC students to work with USC-affiliated startups participating in the USC Techstars Accelerator for a 3-month period. After applications are received, they will be shared with the USC Techstars teams, who will facilitate interviews to assess fit with participating companies. If a match is identified and both student and company agree to proceed, the award will be made. The initiative offers focused, hands-on experience throughout the accelerator, giving students deeper immersion in startup growth activities such as intellectual property strategy, business development, and investor engagement.
If you are experiencing technical issues submitting your proposal or have additional questions, please contact the rii@usc.edu.
ICP - Early Career Innovator - Techstars
Innovation Catalyst Program
Initiative: Early Career Innovator - Techstars
The Innovation Catalyst Fund was created to support early-stage Trojan innovators across the university. Designed to support student, faculty, staff, and alumni innovators, the fund provides resources for a range of innovation-related activities, such as covering legal and incorporation costs, supporting engagement with USC-affiliated startups to gain real-world experience, and advancing use-inspired research with entrepreneurial potential. By helping founders translate ideas into viable ventures, the fund aims to promote social and economic impact through innovation and entrepreneurship. Programs like the Innovation Catalyst Fund plays a critical role in the broader USC innovation ecosystem, which is designed to provide comprehensive support across the commercialization spectrum for USC-affiliated founders.
Initiative: Early Career Innovator - Techstars
Provides $5,000 in funding for USC students to work with USC-affiliated startups participating in the USC Techstars Accelerator for a 3-month period. After applications are received, they will be shared with the USC Techstars teams, who will facilitate interviews to assess fit with participating companies. If a match is identified and both student and company agree to proceed, the award will be made. The initiative offers focused, hands-on experience throughout the accelerator, giving students deeper immersion in startup growth activities such as intellectual property strategy, business development, and investor engagement.
If you are experiencing technical issues submitting your proposal or have additional questions, please contact the rii@usc.edu.