Viterbi Startup Garage

USC Viterbi's Unique Incubator for early-stage technology startups

VSG Fall Application LIVE NOW!

Open Call To Los Angeles Based Tech Teams

Fall 2023 Residency Application

ALL NEW SPACE COHORT

This Fall, the Viterbi Startup Garage will host its first Space Cohort in partnership with USC Viterbi's Center for Research in Space Technologies (CREST) and El Segundo-based Aerospace Corporation (TAC), the federally funded non-profit corporation providing technical assistance in all aspects of space missions to military, civil and commercial customers.

Teams focused on space technologies are invited to apply for Fall 2023 residency and specify that they request consideration for the Space Cohort. In addition to the resources and programming available to all VSG teams, Space Cohort teams will receive mentorship and technical assistance from TAC.

RESIDENT BENEFITS

ONE YEAR RESIDENCY PROGRAM

Located in the heart of Silicon Beach in Marina Del Rey, the Viterbi Startup Garage is an incubator for early-stage technology startups.
We focus on: Deep Technology, Machine Learning and AI-Enabled companies, and are very faculty-friendly.
We are supported by the University of Southern California Viterbi School of Engineering and do not take equity or charge any fees.
Any IP developed by the teams is theirs to keep.

** View the Spring 2023 video recording and Spring 2023 slide deck from the VSG Residency Program Info Session.

Place to Call Home

Enjoy 24/7 access to co-working space. Our residents view our space as their primary office and regularly engage with colleagues, mentors, and staff.

The USC Network

Get dialed in to USC’s famed network of alumni, mentors, investors and potential partners, both here in Southern California and beyond.

Extensive Support

With tactical assistance including Innovator-in-Residence coaching, topical workshops, and more, enjoy the resources you need to transform technology into a viable business.

Amazing Community

Surround yourself by like-minded entrepreneurs, working under the same roof to bring ideas to life. Join a community where teams are supportive of one another, readily help each other, and cheer each other on as they seek to make their own dent in the universe.

Strategic Guidelines

Enjoy 24/7 access to co-working space. Our residents view our space as their primary office and regularly engage with colleagues, mentors, and staff.

I-Corps Hub West

I-Corps Hub West (sponsored in part by the National Science Foundation) works closely with the Viterbi Startup Garage to help startups identify commercial opportunities and accelerate their understanding of the marketplace via The National I-Corps Program.

Regular Events and Activities

Founder's Circle

VSG founders meet together weekly to share war stories, practice pitches, or ask advice over a casual lunch.

IIR Office Hours

Once a week, our founders benefit from a check-in with a seasoned business executive or venture guru (VSG Innovator-In-Residence).

Oceanside Chat Speaker Series

Our speaker series invites investors, serial entrepreneurs, and topical experts to share advice and insight for entrepreneurs. Talks are open to the full VSG community. Sign-up on our mailing list below to stay informed.

VC/Angel Office Hours

Regularly meet with local area VCs and Angel investors for consultation. We run these panel style with 2-3 investors per room in 20 minute slots.

Summer Intern Program

The Summer Smasher is an eight week free internship program tapping into the talent pool of USC's undergraduate and graduate students.

Technology Innovation Exchange

In conjunction with the Information Sciences Institute, the Technology Innovation Exchange is an opportunity to get researchers and experts from USC to weigh-in on technical challenges.

Startup Boot Camp

Learn the tactical side of setting up your company by diving into the deep end on topics including capitalization tables, incorporation, Boards of Directors, and other nuts and bolts, as well as emphasizing customer discovery.

Upcoming Open Events

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About Our Student Summer Program

VSG’s Summer Smasher program is designed to give current USC students a crash course in entrepreneurship! It offers a strong experiential component where you join our community of fully operational tech startup companies as an Entrepreneur-in-Training.

Check out the Summer Smasher Program

What Do the Founders Think?

"First of all, all the companies there are made up of brilliant, kind people. We're all very generous with our time and expertise with each other. Second, starting a tech company (or any company) is hard, and having a community that is going through similar or identical problems is both practically helpful, and emotionally powerful. There's also access to great mentorship, activities, and the view is great, too. Finally, I've made some lifelong friends in the VSG."

Nick Dazé, CEO and co-founder of PocketList

SEE BLUE FEVER IN ACTION @ ANS

Learn More

Is Residency Right for You?

Community is paramount in our mission and vision for the space. Our "VSG community" is what makes us unique among all other incubators in Southern California. We bring real teams together and challenge them to participate, share, and cross-pollinate throughout their entrepreneurial journey.

It is in our culture to pay it forward!

Residents are Expected To:

Work out of the space 3+ days/week
Participate in Founders' Circle + Innovators in Residence Office Hours weekly
Contribute to VSG programs and activities regularly
In their words, full-time entrepreneurs working under the same roof to bring their ideas to life!