MESH Strategic Partnerships
For Faculty

Entrepreneurial Support

Connect and Collaborate!

How MESH Connects with the Bioscience Community

The MESH Strategic Partnerships team is deeply embedded in the bioscience innovation ecosystem at USC and across the Los Angeles area. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur or an established startup, MESH is here to help you navigate and thrive in this dynamic space. We provide comprehensive support for USC students, faculty, staff, and alumni entrepreneurs through:

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Ecosystem Building

We actively participate in both 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, helping to shape the future of bioscience innovation.

Startup Partnership: CLS-FAST

In collaboration with California Life Sciences (CLS), MESH supports early-stage life science startups through the FAST Advisory program. This acclaimed program matches startups with industry veterans who offer tailored guidance on commercialization. As part of CLS’s expansion to Southern California, MESH provides a dedicated track for USC faculty and entrepreneurs to tap into this valuable resource.

Connections to Space

We facilitate introductions to local incubators across the LA region, providing entrepreneurs with access to essential lab and office space, enabling them to grow their startups.

Connections to Capital

MESH has established relationships with several venture capital (VC) firms and can connect entrepreneurs with potential investors when appropriate, ensuring they have the capital needed to scale.

Individual/Team Based Mentoring

We work directly with startup CEOs to perfect the content and delivery of their company pitches and consult on partnering and fundraising strategies, ensuring their approach resonates with investors and partners.

Resources for Entrepreneurs

MESH supports USC researchers and entrepreneurs with referrals to key innovation resources both within USC and across the LA region, including:

 

Professional and Advocacy Associations and Networks for Life Sciences in the Los Angeles Region

MESH partners with several regional associations to provide resources, networks, and industry support:

BioscienceLA: a public-private partnership supporting the LA life sciences ecosystem. Learn more about https://www.biosciencela.org/

Biocom: California’s largest life science advocacy group, advancing policies and programs for its +1,000 members. Visit biocom.org

CLS:

 

SoCalBio: A nonprofit trade association serving the biotech, med tech, IVD and digital health communities. socalbio.org

Larta Institute: Guides entrepreneurs through the commercialization process, with a focus on life sciences, agriculture, and tech. Learn more at larta.org

Los Angeles Venture Association (LAVA): A professional organization connecting investors and entrepreneurs. Visitwww.lava.org

Biotech Connection Los Angeles (BCLA): A nonprofit that connects scientists and entrepreneurs to diversify and grow LA’s biotech sector. Visitbc-la.org

 

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