USC & Techstars

Program Type: In-person
Location: Los Angeles, United States
Investment: 220,000$
Program Duration: 13 weeks
Stage: Pre-seed, Seed

Industry of Focus

• Bioscience
• Engineering
• AI/ML
• Healthcare
• Deep Tech
• Media Technology

Key Highlights

Program Overview

The USC and Techstars Accelerator, based in Los Angeles, is a 13-week in-person, on-campus initiative designed for pre-seed and seed-stage companies. It focuses on accelerating growth and leveraging the resources of the USC ecosystem, including mentors inside and outside the university. The program welcomes startups across industries with a focus on bioscience, engineering, AI, healthcare, deep tech, and media technology. It partners with USC and taps into its vibrant research capabilities.

Diversity, Inclusion, and Exclusion

The program is open exclusively to companies with at least one founding team member affiliated with USC, including students, alumni, faculty, and staff. Affiliates of Keck Medicine of USC and CHLA are also eligible.

Investment Details

• Participants receive a $220,000 equity investment.

Benefits Details and Perks/Credits

• Over $2 million worth of perks.
• Hands-on mentorship from a global network of mentors, investors, alumni, and corporate partners.
• Curated entrepreneurial content and programming.
• Office space provided for the program duration.
• Workshops, masterclasses, speaker series, and pitch practice sessions.

Program Format

The 13-week program begins on March 9, 2026, and culminates on June 4, 2026, with a Demo Day where startups pitch to investors. It includes workshops, masterclasses, and extensive networking opportunities, combined with regular 1:1 mentor sessions.

Location or Relocation Requirements

The program takes place in person at the University Park Campus in Los Angeles, United States. Participants must relocate for the program duration.

Cohort Size and Program Frequency

The program will select 10 companies for its second cohort, which commences in March 2026.

Post-Program Engagement

Participants gain life-long access to Techstars' global network of mentors, investors, alumni, and corporate partners.

Company Types Requirements

Open to startups across all industries, with a focus on bioscience, engineering, AI, healthcare, deep tech, and media technology.

Founding Team Preferences

At least one founding team member must be affiliated with USC, such as students, alumni, faculty, or staff.

USC and Techstars Accelerator is an incredible opportunity for innovative pre-seed and seed stage companies to accelerate their growth rate, make a quantum leap in their business, and tap into the vibrant USC ecosystem. The 13 week in-person on-campus accelerator will welcome its second cohort in March of 2026. Companies will be paired with mentors both in and out of the university, and be able to tap into the full resources of a major research institution. The accelerator is open to startups in all industries, but with a particular focus on bioscience, engineering, AI, healthcare, deep tech, and media technology.

The accelerator is open to companies with at least one founding team member affiliated with USC: students, alumni, faculty, and staff. (Keck Medicine and CHLA are also eligible.)