We recently had the privilege of teaming up with the USC Iovine and Young Academy (IYA), making Microsoft the official cloud and AI provider for student-led AI innovation through their flagship program, Innovation Quest.
When I was invited to help kickoff Innovation Quest on behalf of the Microsoft for Startups team, I’ll admit, despite having gone to school at their crosstown rival, I was completely blown away by the talent and creativity on display at the event in Los Angeles. I was struck by the passion and drive as the students shared their visions of creating meaningful change in the world using AI. These are the first AI-native founders who have grown up with tools that are changing how we solve problems and build businesses.
USC IYA has laid the perfect foundation to support the next generation of successful founders, bringing together human-centered design, entrepreneurship, and communication to prepare students to use AI in meaningful ways. Microsoft for Startups is proud to provide best-in-class AI technology to help these graduates reach their full potential as founders.
Empowering Innovators: Resources for Success
Starting today, Innovation Quest participants have access to some incredible resources to help turn their ideas into reality, including up to $150,000 in Azure Cloud credits to accelerate development.
- Access to cutting-edge AI technologies like Azure OpenAI’s GPT-4 to build robust solutions.
- Exclusive entry to Microsoft’s Founders Hub, which provides a wealth of resources, technical support, and guidance.
- Mentorship from a network of over 1,600 Microsoft experts across engineering, marketing, and sales.
Our support goes beyond technology; we’re committed to guiding these student founders through the entire startup journey, from their first brainstorm to tackling the complexities of scaling a business.
Innovation Quest: From Ideation to Impact
Innovation Quest is a comprehensive program that equips student founders with the tools and mentorship they need to transform early-stage concepts into real-world solutions. The program follows a structured journey:
- Bootcamp: A deep dive into entrepreneurial skills and AI capabilities that sets the foundation for success.
- Ignite Grants: Selected teams receive funding and mentorship to develop Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) across categories like Gen AI, social impact, and innovation-driven projects.
- Annual Venture Showcase: The program culminates with a Venture Showcase in April, where student-led teams present their solutions across three tracks—Social Impact, Innovation, and Gen AI & Society—offering a platform to share their progress with investors and industry leaders.
Tina Sharkey, Director of Innovation Quest, summed it up perfectly when she said this partnership gives students access to the same tools and mentorship that top startups enjoy. In today’s fast-paced landscape, AI is not only a disruptor but an enabler, and we’re excited to help these students leverage its power to address critical issues and scale impactful solutions.
Looking Forward
This partnership with USC IYA is just the beginning. We’re not only committed to supporting these innovators during the program but also to connecting them with the broader entrepreneurial and tech communities. It’s about opening doors, showcasing their incredible ideas, and inspiring others to push the boundaries of what’s possible with AI.
I walked away from the launch event more energized than ever, convinced that the future of innovation is not only bright, it’s dazzling. These students aren’t just experimenting with AI—they’re shaping the future, and I’m beyond excited to see the incredible things they’re going to achieve with Microsoft’s support.
If you’re curious to learn more or want to get involved, feel free to reach out to [email protected]. I can’t wait to see what the next few months hold for these innovators.
