In a groundbreaking collaboration, Techstars and the University of Southern California (USC) have announced the launch of a dynamic accelerator program aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the USC community.
This initiative, named Techstars Startup Community Catalyst, signifies a collective effort to enrich the innovation ecosystem at USC through various programs and opportunities.
Program Overview: Cultivating Entrepreneurial Growth at USC
The Techstars Startup Community Catalyst program is designed to provide students, alumni, and faculty at USC with a pathway to progress on their entrepreneurial journey.
The initiative includes a series of entrepreneurial-focused events, training sessions, and programming.
The program focuses on developing and energizing the innovation ecosystem within the USC community and encompasses three key components:
Startup Weekend: A three-day event designed to ignite ideas and build startup communities.
Ecosystem Development Lab: A training program for community leaders aimed at strengthening the foundation of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
University Catalyst: A 10-week pre-accelerator program tailored for idea and early-stage startups.
Digital Economy Accelerator: Advancing Digitization Across Various Fields
The three precursor programs mentioned above will lay the groundwork for the USC and Techstars Digital Economy Accelerator.
This intensive 13-week program is specifically designed for early-stage startups contributing to digitization in bioscience, biomedicine, physical science, engineering, information, and computer sciences.
In-Person Programming and Key Locations
Most of the programming events will take place in-person, with some being hosted at USC’s Silicon Beach Campus.
This area encompasses USC Viterbi School of Engineering’s Information Sciences Institute in Marina del Rey and USC Viterbi’s Institute for Creative Technologies in Playa del Rey.
Additional events will occur at the USC Stevens Center for Innovation.
Upcoming Programs and Application Details
Ecosystem Development Lab: Scheduled for April 2024, this two-day event will bring together USC community leaders to learn essential methodologies for growing the startup ecosystem.
University Catalyst: Applications open in April 2024, with the 10-week program launching in the fall, providing early-stage founders with startup education, mentorship, and access to Techstars’ network.
USC and Techstars Digital Economy Accelerator: Program applications open in September 2024, targeting 12 early-stage startups affiliated with USC.
Selected founders will receive mentorship, entrepreneurial content, funding, and access to Techstars’ global network.
Hiring for Leadership Role: Techstars Seeks Managing Director
As part of the initiative, Techstars is actively hiring for a Managing Director who will play a pivotal role in leading and guiding the participating founders, serving as a coach, connector, and curator throughout the program.
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