los angeles · usc · spring 2026

reach them
before
anyone else.

sandbox is usc's first AI-native builder community. our members ship products, adopt tools early, and enter the job market ready to execute.

become a sponsor → see the numbers ↓
scroll
80+
target founding members
8
recurring programs
2x
demo days per year
$0
barrier to entry for students
01

why sponsor sandbox

reach the next generation of builders before anyone else.

Sandbox members are builders, not spectators. They ship products, adopt AI tools early, and enter the job market ready to execute.

early adopters
Members actively use AI tools and ship products — they adopt early and stay loyal.
talent pipeline
Meet ambitious, AI-literate students before they hit the job market.
brand visibility
Logo on all materials, events, social media, and merch across every campus.
ground floor
Be part of the first AI-native builder network across college campuses.
early access to top talent   /   brand visibility on campus   /   ai-native builders   /   starting at usc   /   real products. real people.   /   early access to top talent   /   brand visibility on campus   /   ai-native builders   /   starting at usc   /   real products. real people.   /   early access to top talent   /   brand visibility on campus   /   ai-native builders   /   starting at usc   /   real products. real people.   /  

who you're reaching

builders, not spectators.

sandbox members are selected on character, not credentials.

any major
no cs degree required
Business, art, engineering, pre-med — if they want to build, they belong here. Diverse perspectives ship better products.
any year
freshmen to seniors
Early exposure means longer relationships. A freshman who finds your tool in sandbox carries it through graduation and into their career.
zero prereqs
selected on character
We filter for drive and curiosity, not GPA or GitHub history. The result is a community of unusually motivated builders.
02

what is sandbox

a student startup incubator + builder community.

We give students a space to build real products using AI tools. No prerequisites, no pitch decks, no GPA requirements. Starting at USC, growing across campuses.

real products ship
Every sprint ends with something live — apps, tools, prototypes. Not decks. Not case studies.
AI tools are the default
Cursor, Claude, v0. Members build with the same stack that professionals use. Intentional, not accidental.
weekly cadence
Build nights, workshops, office hours, demo days. Consistent engagement throughout the semester.
tight-knit community
Capped membership means high engagement. Every sponsor interaction actually lands.

sponsorship tiers

invest in what's next.

tool partner
01
Free
credits & licenses · limited spots

Your product in the hands of USC's best builders. Limited availability — subject to approval.

  • API credits or licenses distributed to all members
  • logo on website, materials, and event slides
  • product introduced at member onboarding
  • mentioned at workshops and events
  • member usage data shared back with you each semester
apply for tool access
brand
02
$500
per semester

Your logo across every surface we own — website, event programs, flyers, and all printed materials we put out.

  • everything in tool partner
  • logo on website
  • logo on event programs and printed materials
brand partner
community most popular
03
$1,500
per semester

Fund the cohort. Co-host events, send speakers, and access builders who ship real products.

  • everything in brand
  • co-host one event per semester (you pick the format)
  • send a speaker or recruiter to the cohort
  • featured sponsor slot at demo day
  • access to member talent pool and resumes
  • early access to demo day project submissions
  • featured in member weekly digest
  • branded callout posts after each co-hosted event
community partner
founding 1 per semester
04
$5,000
per semester · 1 spot only

The full partnership. A custom event each semester, naming rights, exclusive recruiting, and a seat at the table.

  • everything in community
  • we host one fully custom event per semester (hackathon, workshop, etc.)
  • naming rights on a sandbox program
  • exclusive recruiting sessions with top members
  • logo on all merch and printed materials
  • priority demo day placement and intro slot
  • advisory input on programming and cohort direction
  • direct access to member contact directory
  • end-of-semester engagement report
  • first right of refusal for next semester
  • quarterly strategy call with sandbox leadership
founding partner

how it works

simple. direct. impactful.

01 / reach out
email us your interest
Drop us a line at daviddn@usc.edu. Tell us about your company and which tier feels right. We'll respond within 48 hours.
02 / align
quick 30-min call
We'll walk you through the semester calendar, what events you'll be featured in, and how to maximize your sponsorship impact.
03 / show up
meet the builders
Send a speaker to a workshop. Post a job to our talent board. Co-host a build night. Your brand in front of students who actually ship.

read the full pitch

everything you
need to decide.

Two formats — a tight one-pager for a quick read, and a full deck with tiers, programs, and audience breakdown.

one-pager
sandbox at a glance — who we are, what we offer, and why it matters. one page.
download PDF →
sponsorship deck
full sponsorship package — tier details, audience data, program overview, and partnership benefits.
download PDF →

let's work together

let's build
together.

daviddn@usc.edu →

sandboxsc.org