MESH Strategic Partnerships
For Faculty

Entrepreneurial Support

Connect and Collaborate!

The MESH team proactively engages with the bioscience innovation ecosystem at USC and across Los Angeles. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur or a startup company, MESH is here to help. MESH supports USC student, faculty, staff, and alumni entrepreneurs through:

Entrepreneur infographic

Ecosystem Building

We participate in the local and global innovation ecosystems through our relationships with BioscienceLA, Biocom,  SoCalBio, California Life Sciences, Heal.LA, LAVA, Nucleate, and other organizations. We sit on the boards of CLS and LAVA, serve as members of the Biocom LA Startup Resources Committee and Larta’s Heal.LA Steering Committee.

Startup Partnership

We partnered with CLS-FAST to provide a comprehensive startup advisory program to USC life science startups. CLS’ acclaimed FAST Advisory Program matches early-stage life sciences startups with a customized team of industry veterans to help them commercialize their discoveries. A new dedicated FAST-USC MESH track will bring these advisory services to entrepreneurs from USC as part of CLS’ expansion of the FAST program to Southern California.

Connections to Space

We provide introductions to incubators in the LA region.

Connections to Capital

We have relationships with several VC firms and can make introductions when appropriate.

Individual/Team Based Mentoring

We work with startup CEOs to perfect the content and delivery of their company pitches and consult on partnering and fundraising strategies.

Resources

MESH supports USC researchers and entrepreneurs by providing referrals to various innovation resources at USC and throughout the LA region, including, but not limited to, the following:

    • USC MESH collaborates with California Life Sciences (CLS) to bring the CLS FAST Startup Program to the Keck School of Medicine of USC (KSOM). Selected KSOM entrepreneurs will be matched with a tailored group of advisors  for 8-12 hours of customized guidance over three months.
    • USC MESH is a regional partner with CalState LA and hosts a session of the LA BioStart boot camp, a well-established mentoring program for biotech founders and emerging life science entrepreneurs.
    • USC MESH has partnered with Nucleate, a national organization that provides education and tools for academic founders to start new biotech ventures. A MESH team member serves as an advisor to the LA chapter.
    • Entrepreneurs interested in starting a company based on USC intellectual property, and/or learning more about the USC commercialization process, should contact the USC Stevens Center for Innovation.
    • The LongLA Tech Investor List includes Tech investors (firms and individuals) whose investment focus includes Southern California. It also includes Accelerators, Corporate VCs, Family Offices, Hedge Funds, Seed Funds, and Traditional VCs.  Greg Bettinelli from Upfront Ventures creates and maintains the list. More information about the list including the criteria utilized and how often it is updated can be found Explore now. (Disclaimer: This list was created and maintained by third parties. The USC MESH Academy provides this information as a courtesy to the USC Innovation community and is not responsible for the accuracy of their content.)
    • The Academic Drug Discovery Consortium (ADDC) provides a series of events on bioentrepreneurship.
    • For a brief explanation of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs, Get it now.

  • University Lab Partners has created a list of the best wet lab incubators in Southern California.

  • BioscienceLA

    • BioscienceLA is a public-private partnership whose sole mission is to coordinate efforts across the LA regional ecosystem. It is supported financially by its founding sponsors representing government, industry, and philanthropic sectors, all of whom endorse the potential of Los Angeles to become a major west coast life sciences innovation hub.
    • https://www.biosciencela.org/

    Biocom

    • Biocom is California’s largest and most experienced advocate and leader for the state’s life science industry, advancing policies and programs that accelerate success for its +1,000 members.
    • biocom.org

    SoCalBio

    • Southern California Biomedical Council (SoCalBio) is a nonprofit, member-supported trade association that serves the biotech, med tech, IVD and digital health communities. SoCalBio convenes programs and events to help local firms gain access to capital, potential partners, and other business services.
    • socalbio.org 

    Larta Institute

    • Larta Institute is a nonprofit organization that helps guide entrepreneurs, including SBIR recipients, through the commercialization process. The Larta Institute focuses on agriculture, life sciences, and tech industries.
    • larta.org

    Los Angeles Venture Association (LAVA)

    • LAVA is a professional organization for investors and entrepreneurs. LAVA hosts various events in LA, including an annual Meet the VC conference, First Look LA, and LAVA Awards Dinner.
    • www.lava.org

    Biotech Connection Los Angeles (BCLA)

    • BCLA is a nonprofit organization run by academics and biotech professionals across Los Angeles. Its mission is to inspire, educate, and connect emerging scientists and entrepreneurs to grow and diversify biotech in LA.
    • bc-la.org