Hello!
TroyLabs is back in action this year with plenty of updates included in this email! Keep reading to learn more about this year’s DEMO event, our newest BUILD cohort, and our LAUNCH event.
Every spring, TroyLabs hosts DEMO Day, our flagship event where our goal is to showcase USC’s top talent through our top 50 Trojan founders. We also host inspirational keynote speakers, networking events, and our annual pitch competition. In the past, we have had the honor of hosting speakers, such as Palmer Luckey (founder of Oculus), Tim Ellis (founder of Relativity Space), and Janice Howroyd (the first African-American woman to build and own a billion-dollar company). In addition, our most recent pitch competition winner is Perch Credit, a YCombinator company backed by Jay-Z.
Click here to get amped for DEMO Day!!
In its essence, DEMO is a day-long event full of all things related to entrepreneurship and startups. Students can attend for free, over 100 investors can talk directly to startup founders, and founders get the opportunity of a lifetime to network and display their products.
This is a chance for you to see cutting edge technology before it gets officially introduced into the world and also meet the best and brightest USC has to offer, so don’t miss out on this opportunity!
This year, we have Dillon Rosenblatt (CEO & Co-Founder of Autograph) and Jai Bhavani (Founder and CEO of Rari Capital) as panelists and Brian Femminella (CEO & Co-Founder of SoundMind) and Rudy Rong (CEO of Authentik Studios) as judges. Oh, and President Carol Folt will be in attendance!!
FOUNDERS! DEMO APPLICATIONS CLOSE TONIGHT at 11:59pm PST! You can use this link to apply!
DEMO will take place on Wednesday, April 20, from 12:30-7:30pm PST in the TCC Ballroom. You can register to attend DEMO using this link!
Now, we have some exciting news. Sorry, let me rephrase. We have some VERY exciting news: IGNITE is relaunched and is having its first in-person event during DEMO! Sign up to enter an Impromptu Pitch Competition by IGNITE x TroyLabs. Participants will be placed into groups and have a chance to win COLD HARD CASH.
The IGNITE x DEMO event will take place in Tommy’s Place, from 2-3pm on April 20th. (The event is in collaboration with DEMO Day.) Please note there is no preparation needed for the event.
If you and/or your friends are interested in registering for the event, you can register using the DEMO Day registration page! (There are only 50 spots available, and they will be given on a first-come-first-serve basis.)
LAUNCH is TroyLabs’ flagship event that gives BUILD startups the opportunity to showcase their company and product. Enjoy live jazz musicians and an appearance by comedian and TikTok star, Karan Menon! The event is open to students from all majors, schools, and universities. Feel free to invite any and all of your friends!
Below, you will find a list of each startup that went through our BUILD program this past semester!
Sawbuck: a social token platform that empowers up-and-coming hip-hop artists through funding and building communities
Stallace: “We are on a mission to inspire natural nightly rituals.”
CarbonLink: bringing carbon credits on the blockchain for trackable and trusted transactions
Rondivoo: a social media app that connects users with curated local events
This semester, LAUNCH will take place on Monday, April 11, from 6-9pm PST in Tommy’s Place. You can register to attend LAUNCH using this following link!
Overall, we at TroyLabs are EXTREMELY excited for what we have coming up this month for you all, and we cannot wait to see you there :)
Fight On and keep building!
Yours Truly,
The TroyLabs Team