A New Year of Momentum, Leadership, and OpportunityAs we step into the new year, USC’s Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) extends our sincere appreciation to the small and local businesses that continue to drive economic vitality across our region. Your discipline, adaptability, and leadership remain central to a resilient and inclusive business ecosystem—and they continue to shape the work we advance together.
The new year brings renewed focus and momentum. OBO remains committed to serving as a strategic partner to small and local businesses by expanding access to visibility, leadership development, procurement readiness, and long-term growth pathways. From accelerator and leadership programs to Trojan Shop Local engagement and institutional access, our work in the year ahead is grounded in supporting informed decision-making and sustained performance.
We are especially pleased to begin the year by building toward the annual USC Small Business ACCESSC '26 Summit, convening business owners, institutional partners, and ecosystem leaders to engage around economic insight, operational readiness, and growth strategies. January marks the launch of this year’s ACCESSC momentum, culminating in the Summit on March 4, 2026, where we will continue advancing practical tools and frameworks that support small business resilience and success.
As we enter this new chapter, we look forward to continuing our partnership with you—strengthening leadership capacity, aligning strategy with execution, and moving business forward together.
We wish you and your families a healthy, productive, and opportunity-filled year ahead.
Together We Move Business Forward!
FIGHT ON! |
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USC ACCESSC Small Business Summit '26
"AI, Small Business Growth & Resiliency"
The USC ACCESSC Small Business Summit '26 is a one-day, leadership-level convening focused on strengthening the long-term performance and readiness of small and local businesses across the Los Angeles region. The Summit is designed to support informed leadership decision-making by providing clear economic context, practical operational insight, and research-based approaches to sustained growth.
The program features a Los Angeles–specific regional economic outlook presented by USC and LAEDC leaders, offering perspective on economic conditions affecting labor markets, capital access, and sector activity. Building on this context, the Summit examines the role of artificial intelligence as an integrated component of modern business operations, with practical guidance from The ACTONE Group on embedding AI into finance, workforce, and customer systems. The Summit also includes a research-based session led by Dr. Gary Kunkle of the University of Wisconsin, focused on leadership cadence, measurable objectives, and repeatable processes that support consistent business performance across economic cycles.
USC’s role in ACCESSC reflects the University’s anchor-institution commitment to inclusive economic development. The Summit highlights structured pathways for supplier development, leadership capacity building, and continued engagement through USC programs, connecting insight gained during the convening to ongoing institutional resources and partnerships. |
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Don't Miss This Opportunity!
LA28 is exclusively posting all procurement opportunities on the RAMP platform for the upcoming 2028 Olympic games and Paralympic Games. If you're already registered, please review your company profile to ensure it includes the appropriate North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes that reflect the goods or services your business provides. Without these, you may not receive notifications when relevant opportunities are published. You may add up to nine NAICS codes to your profile. |
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Gratitude for a Year of Growth and Collaboration
As we close out the year, USC’s Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) extends our deepest appreciation to the small and local businesses that strengthen our community every day. Your resilience, innovation, and commitment to excellence continue to inspire our work and shape our mission. As your partner, OBO remains steadfast in providing pathways to visibility, strategic growth, and opportunity—from accelerator programs and leadership development, to procurement-readiness resources and Trojan Shop Local engagement. Thank you for walking alongside us this year. We will observe a winter recess until January 1st and look forward to supporting your continued success in the year ahead. We wish you and your families a season of rest, gratitude, and renewed possibility. Together, we will keep moving Business Forward! Happy Holidays!
FIGHT ON! |
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Trojan Shop Local Holiday Guide
This season, we’re excited to share the annual Trojan Shop Local Holiday Guide, a curated collection of gifts, services, and experiences from our incredible TSL businesses. Each featured entrepreneur represents the creativity, resilience, and community spirit that make Los Angeles shine. As you explore the guide, we invite you to support local—whether by discovering new favorites, returning to trusted neighborhood partners, or sharing these businesses with friends and family. Together, we can uplift the small and local enterprises that define our community and move Business Forward through the holidays and into the new year! |
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The Bridges to Business Fall 2025 cohort concluded its program with a culminating celebration that highlighted the growth, resilience, and vision of its participants. During the session, 18 business owners presented their Business Model Canvases and SMART Goals, offering a clear and compelling look at the future direction of their businesses and the strategies they plan to implement moving forward.
Throughout the Bridges to Business program, the cohort demonstrated a high level of engagement and a genuine commitment to translating practical tools into meaningful business action. The culmination reflected not only measurable progress within individual ventures, but also the collective momentum generated through the cohort experience—underscoring the strength of the Bridges to Business curriculum and its enduring role in equipping local entrepreneurs to plan, adapt, and grow with intention over the long term. |
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2026 Capacity-Building Opportunities
In January 2026, OBO will publish its upcoming schedule of supplier development resources designed to support small business growth, including our Spring Bridges to Business program and our annual ACCESSC Summit. We look forward to continuing to create meaningful opportunities for learning, connection, and readiness for small and local businesses across Los Angeles. |
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Stay Engaged with OBO
in 2026
We invite small and local businesses to stay engaged with OBO by visiting our website, subscribing to our newsletter, and exploring platforms such as Trojan Shop Local. While USC does not solicit proposals, building relationships through networking, referrals, and participation in supplier development programs remains the most effective way to stay connected and visible within the USC ecosystem. |
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Don't Miss This Opportunity!
Remember, LA28 will exclusively post all procurement opportunities on the RAMP platform for the upcoming 2028 Olympic games and Paralympic Games. If you're already registered, please review your company profile to ensure it includes the appropriate North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes that reflect the goods or services your business provides. Without these, you may not receive notifications when relevant opportunities are published. You may add up to nine NAICS codes to your profile. |
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Trojan Shop Local Directory
If you are interested in inclusion in our Trojan Shop Local program, please fill out the TSL Interest Form. Doing so does not guarantee inclusion in the directory, a contract or obligation, but does allow us to know more about your business for consideration.
Trojan Shop Local Directory website and TSL Interest Form |
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USC Supplier Interest Form
If you are interested in being considered for future USC business, please fill out the USC Supplier Interest Form located on our website under "Doing Business with USC." Form submission does not guarantee a contract or obligation, but does allow us to know more about your business per future bid opportunities.
OBO Website and Supplier Interest Form |
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Connecting Local Entrepreneurs to Resources That Matter
As the academic year opens, OBO is focused on one objective: effective support for small and local firms navigating constraints like meeting demand, protecting margins, and maintaining visibility in fragmented markets. Our approach is practical and proximate: connect businesses to USC’s Civic Engagement Small Business Ecosystem, deliver supplier-readiness tools that align capacity with buyer standards, and build pathways that convert relationships into durable networks and revenue.
This season, we’re concentrating on the levers that matter most—disciplined growth curricula in our accelerators, targeted Trojan Shop Local visibility that drives customer traffic, and executive leadership development that turns strategy into effective infrastructure, accountable teams, and financial discipline. Your outcomes remain the measure of our work. Business Forward isn’t a slogan; it’s a standard of clear goals, measurable results, and an ecosystem designed to compound advantage. Thank you for the trust you place in us as a reliable and expert community partner and resource. Let’s continue to move Business Forward together!
FIGHT ON!
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Cultural Insight as a Catalyst for Growth
On September 25, USC Civic Engagement—partnering with the Wurwand Foundation—hosted Emotional Intelligence: Leading with Culture, moderated by Dr. Michèle G. Turner (AVP, USC Office of Business Opportunity). After welcoming remarks by USC Civic Engagement Vice President Effie Turnbull Sanders, panelists Dr. Sarah Townsend (Professor and Vice Dean, USC Marshall), Catarah Coleman (Co-founder, Southern Girl Desserts), Roberto Martinez (CEO, The Braven Agency), and Pamela Clay (Executive Director, Living Advantage) reframed culture not as sentiment but as a critical business driver.
The conversation illuminated how cultural frameworks—often treated as intangible—operate as assets that translate into measurable outcomes: customer loyalty, market distinction, and organizational resilience. The panel showed that centering authenticity in day-to-day practice is an efficiency that strengthens retention, client service, and impacts return on investment.
Thanks to our experts and to everyone who attended! We look forward to bringing the next event centered on small business innovation and competitive advantage to you soon!
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TSL Pop-Up at Late Night SC and
Campus Upstairs Restaurant
- Our Trojan Shop Local vendors shined at USC’s Late Night SC event on September 25. MX3030 Mexican Food, Cakes by Chante Desserts, and Fryday Gourmet French Fries provided catering for nearly 1,000 students between 8pm–11pm. The night was a celebration of student life and small business visibility, and generated excitement for future campus collaborations.
- October 6-8, 1st Street Tacos & Grill anchored a Trojan Shop Local pop-up at The Upstairs Restaurant, serving almost 600 meals. Co-promotion with USC Hospitality amplified reach via the USC website, email, and venue screens across dining locations.
Follow Trojan Shop Local on Instagram featuring business promo reels and stories! Stay tuned for more pop-up events and seasonal campaigns that spotlight the excellence of our Trojan Shop Local businesses!
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Welcome, Fall Bridges to Business Cohort!
We’re excited to welcome the Fall 2025 Bridges to Business cohort—27 small and local businesses from across L.A. County. Together, these firms account for more than $8.5 million in annual revenue and 100+ jobs, with a median six years in operation (spanning from early-stage ventures to an 81-year legacy enterprise). This cohort reflects the region’s entrepreneurial depth and staying power.
The Bridges program is a USC-designed curriculum built for strategic growth and scale. The objective is straightforward—expand market access, increase profitability, and strengthen operational resilience—so that firms are contract-ready and competitive for opportunities across the region. We look forward to advancing next stage growth through evidence-based and best practice tools, expert USC curriculum content and advisement, and a USC network built for results.
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Join the Los Angeles Chamber on Thursday, November 6, for the annual Procurement Fair. It’s a valuable opportunity for business owners and entrepreneurs to explore upcoming contracting opportunities tied to major events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup, 2027 Super Bowl, and 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and major private and public contractors in Los Angeles.
Panel Discussion: This event will feature remarks from local leaders, panel discussions with key industry stakeholders, and networking opportunities.
Matchmaking: Pre-screened and pre-scheduled one on one meetings connecting Suppliers with Buyers/Contractors. SUPPLIERS: You must attend a mandatory training to be eligible for matchmaking appointments!
Exhibit Hall: Small business resources and breakout sessions.
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Don’t Miss This Opportunity!
The LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games will exclusively post all procurement opportunities on the RAMP platform. If you’re already registered, please review your company profile to ensure it includes the appropriate North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes that reflect the goods or services your business provides. Without these, you may not receive notifications when relevant opportunities are published. You may add up to nine NAICS codes to your profile.
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Trojan Shop Local Directory
If you are interested in inclusion in our Trojan Shop Local program, please fill out the TSL Interest Form. Doing so does not guarantee inclusion in the directory, a contract or obligation, but does allow us to know more about your business for consideration.
Trojan Shop Local Directory Interest Form
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USC Supplier Interest Form
If you are interested in being considered for future USC business, please fill out the USC Supplier Interest Form located on our website under “Doing Business with USC.” Form submission does not guarantee a contract or obligation, but does allow us to know more about your business per future bid opportunities.
OBO Website (and Supplier Interest Form):
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