USC & Techstars University Catalyst
The USC Office of Research and Innovation embarked on a multi-year community development contract with Techstars to bridge the gap between groundbreaking research and commercial viability.
Built on the Techstars Network
Techstars Founder Catalyst is the only pre-accelerator backed by 20 years of Techstars experience and a network that has supported more than 5,000 startups and 23+ unicorns. Designed for early-stage founders, the program provides the guidance, support, and visibility needed to turn promising ideas into investment-ready companies and connect them with future funding opportunities.
Bridging Research to Startup
Techstars University Catalyst
Techstars University Catalyst is a specialized version of the Founder Catalyst program designed to bridge the gap between academic research/early ideas and investment-ready startups.
Based on the Founder Catalyst model, University Catalyst is also a non-equity, part-time program focused on education and mentorship, with a focus on ecosystem building within a specific university community.
Bridging Research & Market
The USC x Techstars Partnership
The University of Southern California Office of Research and Innovation partnered with Techstars to help turn university research into investment-ready startups.
Through programs like Startup Weekend, University Catalyst, and an Accelerator, the partnership not only supported founders but also fostered a lasting culture of entrepreneurship and collaboration across the university.
“The partnership between USC and Techstars has been an extraordinary catalyst for our innovation ecosystem, providing the scaffolding, expertise, and mentorship that has enabled us to rapidly build and scale new pathways for entrepreneurs across the university. Techstars aligns directly with USC's mission to transform ideas into real-world impact and we are seeing measurable results every year, with founders from across campus advancing from discovery workshops into pre-accelerators, accelerator cohorts, and prestigious follow-on programs.”
Steve Moldin | Techstars University Catalyst
Associate Vice President, Research Strategy and Innovation of USC Office of Research & Innovation