USC and Techstars Startup Weekend 2026
The USC and Techstars Startup Weekend is a three-day event designed to develop raw and fresh ideas including new concepts to faculty/graduate level research at USC. You'll meet amazing mentors, speakers, and founders that will show you how to get more done faster—and maybe kickstart that business.
USC faculty/staff, alumni and students, come share your startup ideas with technology / digitally enabled solutions. Ideas include industries such as DeepTech, AI, Health and BioTech, FinTech, and EdTech. Participants will form teams on Friday, build products on Saturday, and present their business on Sunday.
The USC Office of Research and Innovation and Techstars is looking forward to seeing you there!
If you have additional questions, visit the Startup Weekend FAQs page. Please register before March 23rd.
Agenda:
Friday, March 27, 2026
5:30 PM Registration, Dinner, Networking, Ice-breaker
6:15 PM Welcome & Remarks
6:25 PM Ice-breaker
6:30 PM Pitches
7:45 PM Voting
8:00 PM Team Formation & Initial Work
9:00 PM Event Wrap-up Announcements
Saturday, March 28, 2026
8:30 AM Breakfast & Registration
9:00 AM Morning announcements
9:30 AM Masterclass 1: Startup Fundamentals 101
10:30 AM Work Continues
11:00 AM Mentor 1-1 Sessions
12:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM Mentor 1-1 Sessions
2:30 PM Work Continues
4:00 PM Masterclass: Building an MVP
5:00 PM Dinner with Mentors
6:00 PM Work Continues
8:30 PM Masterclass: Pitching 101
9:00 PM Event Wrap-up Announcements
Sunday, March 29, 2026
8:30 AM Breakfast & Registration
9:00 AM Morning announcements
9:30 AM Work Continues
11:00 AM Mentor 1-1 Sessions
Tech Check, Pitch Practice & Check-ins
12:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM Mentor 1-1 Sessions
Tech Check, Pitch Practice & Check-ins
2:30 PM Final Work Continues
5:00 PM Dinner & Pitch Presentation Registration Begins
5:30 PM Evening presentation starts
7:00 PM Final Pitches start
7:30 PM Networking
8:30 PM Announcing Winning Teams
9:00 PM Event Wrap-up Announcement
Terms of Participation Agreement:
It is our job to provide you with an incredible networking and learning experience. Our intention is that you meet some amazing people. The event is intended to be a collaborative forum for sharing, learning, building, and having fun.
As such, by registering and participating in the event, you agree to be inclusive of any and all people and their ideas. You agree to act professionally and treat everyone with respect.
Please note that you may be photographed or videotaped during this event. By registering, you consent to being filmed and grant to USC and Techstars the right to use your image, likeness and voice in audio, visual and audiovisual productions created by USC and/or Techstars in any media worldwide. Your attendance is strictly voluntary, and no financial compensation will be provided.
By purchasing a ticket to a Techstars event, you agree to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and Techstars Media Release policy. If you have questions please reach out to [email protected].