The University of Southern California (USC) and Techstars are thrilled to announce that applications for the 2026 USC & Techstars Accelerator are officially open as of August 25, 2025. The USC and Techstars program is a collaborative effort led by USC’s Office of Research and Innovation (OORI) that brings Techstars’ expertise and programmatic offerings to USC students and faculty. After a successful first year of the program, the second annual accelerator is now accepting applications. This exciting 13-week, in-person startup growth program will launch its second cohort on March 9, 2026, concluding with a high-impact Demo Day on June 4, 2026. Founders are encouraged to apply early and review the application preview linked on Techstars’ site for guidance.
What Makes This Accelerator Special?
Exclusively for the USC Community: Startups are eligible if at least one founder is affiliated with USC, whether as a student, alumnus, faculty member, staff member, or through institutional partners such as Keck Medicine or CHLA.
Comprehensive Support Package: Each accepted team will receive a $220,000 equity investment alongside over $2 million in in-kind perks. Participants gain access to in-depth mentorship, curated programming (workshops, masterclasses, speaker series, and pitch preparation), and Techstars’ global network of mentors, investors, alumni, and corporate partners.
On-Campus Location & Community Integration: The program runs at USC’s University Park campus from March 9 to June 4, 2026, providing office space and a vibrant ecosystem for founders to thrive.
Why USC Founders Should Apply
- Scale Faster – Techstars accelerators are renowned for catalyzing rapid growth through immersive, mentor-driven experiences.
- Plug Into a Global Network – Participants tap into a worldwide alumni and mentor network that extends far beyond USC.
- Funding + Resources – The mix of cash investment and extensive perks provides a powerful runway.
- Research Strength Meets Entrepreneurship – Innovators working in bioscience, AI, healthcare, media tech, engineering, and deep tech will find especially strong alignment.
Application Recommendations
Leverage USC Affiliation: Highlight how your relationship to USC (student, alumni, faculty, or staff) uniquely empowers your venture.
Emphasize Innovation & Impact: Showcase how your startup stands out in fields like AI, healthcare, media tech, or deep tech.
Be Founder-Centric: Techstars values resilience, clarity, traction, and team commitment. Bring those elements to life in your application.
Prepare Early: Use the “Inside an Accelerator” guide available on Techstars’ site for tips to craft a standout application.
If you’re a Trojan founder ready to take your startup to the next level, the USC & Techstars Accelerator is an extraordinary opportunity, combining funding, mentorship, space, and institutional strength. The startup ecosystem at USC is poised for new momentum; don’t miss your chance to be part of the next cohort.
Gabriel Schlumberger, the USC-Techstars Managing Director, had this to say on the second iteration of this collaborative accelerator program: “There must be something in the water at USC that inspires entrepreneurship. In the second year we’re looking to build on the success of the USC & Techstars Accelerator, helping early-stage founders build world-changing companies.”
Applications are now open! Visit the application website for more details on this exciting opportunity.
Stay Updated: USC’s Innovation Activities
Alongside the launch of our USC Innovation Ecosystem website, we’re introducing the USC Innovation Listserv, a new way to stay informed about key programs, funding opportunities, and innovation support services. To subscribe, send an email to listserv@maillist.usc.edu with “Subscribe usc-innovation [Your Name]” in the email body. Also, stay tuned for more information regarding an upcoming webinar, which will highlight the USC and Techstars program, where more information on Techstars’ offerings to the broader USC community will be discussed.