Innovation Catalyst Program

Initiative: Startup Launch

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: Startup Launch

The Startup Launch initiative provides funds to support startup formation and early operational needs for USC-affiliated founders. This includes essential activities such as legal services, entity incorporation, intellectual property protection, and other foundational business services necessary to launch and sustain a new venture. By reducing early-stage administrative and legal barriers, the initiative enables founders to focus on validating their ideas and building scalable ventures that drive social and economic impact.

USC alumni may participate in the Startup Launch initiative if they join a team whose application is submitted by a USC student, faculty, or staff member.

If you are experiencing technical issues submitting your proposal or have additional questions, please contact the rii@usc.edu.