The Context Layer: a dive into USC’s startup ecosystem
The hottest skill in AI right now isn’t knowing which model to use. It’s knowing what to give it.
Giving LLMs context has become the variable that separates a useful AI from a frustrating one. Developers are feeding models entire codebases through markdown files. Startups are being built specifically to structure and deliver context to AI systems. And platforms like Claude and ChatGPT are expanding their integrations fast, because more integrations means more context flowing in automatically.
The Claude vs. OpenAI competition is a good window into where this is heading. OpenAI just launched a plugin that lets developers run its Codex agent directly inside Claude Code, two competing models in the same workflow. Developers aren’t picking sides, they’re just reaching for whatever gives them the best context for the job.
🎤 Recent TL Events
TL x Revisent
This semester, TroyLabs IGNITE hosted a panel with Chris Lee and Nayan Sarma, founders of Revisent, a platform that has grown from its first pilot to paid programs in SF and LA. Joining them was Dara M, one of the co-PMs who worked with Revisent through BUILD last semester.
The conversation got vulnerable fast. An audience member asked whether an early-stage startup even needs a PM. Chris and Nayan’s answer: it stopped feeling like founders on one side and PMs on the other. It felt like four co-founders deliberating on direction.
The key insight? The best thing a PM can do for their founders is be willing to say “this is wrong.” Not agree, push back. PMs give founders the comfort to focus on the big vision because they trust someone else to manage everything else.
Read Dara’s takeaways here.
TL x Hemut (YC X25) Fireside Chat
He was set for a 6-figure job in investment banking post-grad.
But dropped it all for something he was truly excited about.
TroyLabs IGNITE hosted a session with Pranav G, Head of Product at Hemut (YC X25), an AI-native platform modernizing workflows for the trucking industry.
Trisha P (Co-head of IGNITE) opened up by covering VC fundamentals: how to read financial statements, the different types of investors, and how the funding process actually works. Then Pranav walked the room through Hemut’s story: what it really looks like to go from a founding idea to YC, navigate losing an entire founding team, rebuild, and come out the other side with major trucking clients and serious momentum.
Hemut’s founder knew his market from the inside. He experienced homelessness in his teens and spent years as a truck driver, giving him a ground-level understanding of the exact customers he’d one day build for.
“Learning how a student-founded startup can go from small deals with individual truckers to large scale government contracts and multi-million dollar funding rounds was very insightful. I’m really glad the IGNITE team and I got the chance to learn VC from the best.” — Rayyan D, Co-Head of IGNITE
TL x TikTok
TroyLabs partnered with HackSC to visit TikTok’s headquarters in Culver City for an afternoon of panels, networking, and an office tour.
The session kicked off with Jacqueline, TikTok’s campus recruitment program manager, who walked through the hiring process, resume tips, and which teams are actively hiring.
Then came a panel with TikTok employees across brand partnerships, UX research, data science, trust and safety, and IP operations. The recurring theme: networking gets you in the door and passion keeps you there.
Check out the recap here.
⚡Startup Spotlight
Last edition we dove into AI hardware with ORBES and Nominal. This week we’re highlighting two healthcare tech companies pushing the frontier of what personalized care can look like.
Nara
TroyLabs’ BUILD accelerator is off to a strong start this semester, and this week we’re highlighting Nara, founded by USC undergraduates Grishma, Philip, and Rodin.
Nara is tackling one of home healthcare’s biggest pain points: documentation. Right now, nurses spend nearly half of every shift on paperwork instead of patients. Nara listens to care consultations and automatically generates care plans, OASIS forms, and EMR entries so care teams can focus on what actually matters. The platform integrates with all major EMR systems and is already trusted by providers nationwide.
We’re excited to support the Nara team as they build better infrastructure for senior care.
Superpower
Next up is Superpower, a preventative health platform founded by Jacob Peters, Max Marchione, and Kevin Unkrich.
The three founders didn’t start Superpower from a whiteboard. Peters spent months hospitalized with conditions that went undiagnosed by multiple specialists and racked up $2M in medical bills. Marchione went through decades of misdiagnoses from over 20 doctors. Unkrich lost his best friend to a brain tumor just two days before a scheduled MRI. They built Superpower because they believe the gap between the best healthcare and what most people actually have access to is something a company can and should close.
The platform gives members comprehensive biannual lab testing across 100+ biomarkers. The goal is to be the front door to healthcare: proactive and personalized. The company recently raised a $30M Series A led by Forerunner Ventures.
📣 Opportunities for Founders
Beyond events and startups, the USC ecosystem continues to open new pathways for builders looking to start companies and join early teams.
DEMO – SoCal’s Biggest Student Entrepreneurship-Run Expo
Presented by TroyLabs and sponsored by the USC Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, DEMO (est. 2017) is the largest student-run entrepreneurship conference in Southern California. Bringing together 50+ startups, 100+ investors, and 1,000+ attendees for a full day of startup exhibitions, pitch competitions, and workshops. DEMO is where SoCal’s next generation of founders, investors, and builders connect, compete, and grow.
Ready to showcase your startup? Apply now here: form.typeform.com/to/xmqWPpON
Interested in attending? RSVP today: https://doorlist.app/e/ddeSyII?s=FCxxLpRWj1
Microsoft for Startups — Founders Hub
If you’re building a SaaS startup, Microsoft for Startups offers credits, tooling, and support through the Founders Hub ecosystem.
Reach out to ctchang@usc.edu to join.
Entrepreneurs First — Investing in Technical Builders
Entrepreneurs First invests in highly technical individuals before they even have a startup idea or cofounder. If you’re a strong technical builder thinking about starting a company, reach out to ctchang@usc.edu
Shark Tank — USC Audition Opportunity
Members of the Trojan Family can pitch their startup directly to a show producer in a short in-person audition for a chance to appear on the real show. Founders will deliver a 1-minute spoken pitch and briefly discuss traction, fundraising, and next steps.
When:
April 8 • 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Where:
Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, Fertitta Hall (5th Floor)
💼 Job Opportunities
Persona — Sales Development Representative Intern (SF)
Persona is a Series D identity verification platform ($417M raised) trusted by OpenAI, Reddit, Lyft, and others to fight fraud and manage KYC/AML compliance. They’re hiring an SDR intern to research potential customers, support outbound prospecting, qualify leads, and maintain Salesforce records, with direct mentorship from experienced sales professionals. No prior sales experience required. $2.5K–$4K/month.
Apply here: https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/persona/04184335-a3ff-4bc6-a0a6-4d0a9b7d4d7f/application
The Walt Disney Company — AI Automation Intern, Directory Services (Burbank)
Disney’s Enterprise Technology team is hiring an AI Automation Intern to work within their Identity & Access Management org. The role focuses on building AI-powered automations for directory operations, think intelligent ticket triage, log analysis, and anomaly detection, using Python, PowerShell, and APIs. $42/hr.
Apply here: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4375262216/
Tencent — AI Business Analyst Intern (LA)
Tencent Games is hiring an AI Business Analyst Intern on the Level Infinite team to analyze emerging Game AI application scenarios, support market research, and draft strategic reports. Great for someone at the intersection of business and tech. $24.81–$42.70/hr.
Apply here: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4380057635/
Skechers — Strategic Partnerships Intern (Manhattan Beach)
Skechers is hiring a Strategic Partnerships Intern to support celebrity talent endorsements, brand collaborations, and go-to-market campaigns across fashion, sports, gaming, and entertainment. Ideal for someone with genuine interest in brand and influencer strategy. $25/hr.
Apply here: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4386905822/
TikTok — Product Operations Project Intern, NA Creative Product Ops (LA)
TikTok’s North America Creative and Content Ads Solutions team is hiring a Product Ops intern to support advertiser enablement, manage the internal creative product newsletter, and help launch major product updates like Branded Search Hub. Strong ops and GTM exposure. $28.50–$47.50/hr.
Apply here: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4389294740/
Sony — Creator Community and Operations Intern (Culver City)
Sony Corporation of America is hiring a Creator Community and Operations intern to support the launch of a new CRM platform, track creator engagement KPIs, and assist with community strategy and events. Hybrid. Ideal for someone interested in creator marketing and ops. $21/hr.
Apply here: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4390119240/
🚀 Explore More of TroyLabs
Already part of the community? Here’s everything else TroyLabs has to offer:
Current Opportunities
DEMO — SoCal’s Largest Entrepreneurship Conference
Interested in participating in SoCal’s largest entrepreneurship conference? Apply to DEMO as a startup to table, pitch, and compete—or attend as an audience member to connect with founders, builders, and investors across the LA startup ecosystem.
IGNITE — Startup Community
Want access to workshops, speaker events, and specialized curriculum designed to help you break into the startup ecosystem? **That’s IGNITE,** TroyLabs’ open community connecting students with founders, operators, and investors.
Next Semester Opportunities
Internal Member
Have skills in design, marketing, finance, product management, or engineering, but don’t have your own startup idea yet? Join TroyLabs as an internal member and work on real startups alongside our teams.
BUILD — Startup Accelerator
Have a startup with an MVP and need a team to help you scale? Apply to BUILD, TroyLabs’ accelerator program where we match founders with talented student teams to help accelerate growth.
Would you like your startup to be featured in our next newsletter? Are you an alum with job openings or other exciting opportunities you’d like to share with the community? Email us at dmiao@usc.edu