/ About this event
Rocket Launch: A USC Builders Night by TroyLabs
Think of one thing you wish existed. The script that would save you an hour every week. The tool you’d use every day. The tab manager you keep telling yourself you’re going to build.
When you walk in, you’ll be placed in a crew of 4–5 people you’ve never met.
Then the clock starts.
You’ll have 100 minutes, an empty repo, and free Lovable credits to turn your idea into reality.
At the end of the night, one crew will take home a $1,000 award sponsored by B00, the AI platform for collaborative physical design.
After the build you’ll put your software in front of the entire room and use it live.
It either works or it doesn’t. Everybody watches.
This is not your typical hackathon. No 24-hour sprint, no slide deck, no TAM.
Just one evening, one full build, and the chance to make something real with people you met that night.
Who’s on the Crew
Engineers, founders, and technical creatives from campuses across LA. CS, EE, ME, robotics, math, design engineering, and anyone else who wants to build something cool alongside some of the brightest students in the city.
Any experience level is welcome. You don’t need to bring an idea; the themes will get you started. You don’t need to bring a team either; we’ll draw one for you.
What You’re Issued
- A crew of 4–5 - Free Lovable credits to help you prompt, build, and iterate - 100 uninterrupted minutes to create - Free boba and cookies - A shot at the $1,000 award
Countdown
12:30 PM – Doors Open. Come in, grab some boba and cookies, and get the rundown for the night. 12:50 PM – Crew Assignment. Meet your crew, pick your team name, choose your topic. 1:10 PM – The Build. The clock starts, and you have 100 minutes to turn that idea into something real. 2:50 PM – Launch. Each crew gets three minutes to take the stage and demo their product live. 3:30 PM – Orbit. Grab some more boba and cookies, meet the other crews, and hang out. 4:15 PM – Doors Close.
Flight Rules
Your repo must be empty when the build begins at 1:10. Libraries, APIs, models, and AI tools are all fair game. The old project you’ve been working on for a while is not.
Your final product must run from a live URL or a working device. No slides, mockups, or anything that only works on your laptop. Someone else has to be able to use it.
Logistics
USC University Park Campus. The exact location will be shared with approved attendees.
We’re keeping the room to 30–40 people, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so apply early.
Bring your laptop and charger.
Rocket Launch is hosted by TroyLabs, USC’s student-run startup accelerator. We’re a community of 50 builders across 13 majors, and every semester, we run an eight-week accelerator for student founders.
Go for launch.
(By attending, you agree to be photographed and filmed, and photos may be used by TroyLabs and our sponsors).
Rocket Launch is part of #LATechWeek, a week of events hosted by VCs and startups bringing together the LA tech ecosystem. Learn more at www.tech-week.com.
Individuals with disabilities who need accommodations to attend this event may contact TroyLabs at 213-207-0112 or pmalkows@usc.edu. It is requested that individuals requiring accommodations or auxiliary aids such as sign language interpreters and alternative format materials notify us at least 7 days prior to the event. Every reasonable effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations in an effective and timely manner.
This program is open to all eligible individuals. TroyLabs operates all of its programs and activities consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor.
