Colorado Springs’ Catalyst Campus offers various programs designed to assist small businesses in the defense sector. Explore its latest cohort here.
One of Vertx Partners’ missions is advocacy. We believe in the power of elevating entities and individuals who share a common interest and mission with Vertx. An organization that fits this profile is the Catalyst Campus for Technology and Innovation (CCTI), based in Colorado Springs.
CCTI’s primary mission is accelerating and advancing innovation to support national security. By doing so, Catalyst Campus hopes to foster economic growth in local communities. These goals strongly align with Vertx Partners’ mission of bolstering regional economies and fortifying national defense through innovative partnerships.
Let’s explore Catalyst Campus. Is it really like a university?
What is Catalyst Campus?
Founded in 2015 by the O’Neil Group Company, Catalyst Campus is a thriving ecosystem where industry, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and government agencies converge to solve critical defense challenges. Situated in Eastern Downtown Colorado Springs, the Campus has injected over 1,000 jobs and $270 million in economic impact into the region, cementing its role as a pivotal player in both local and national efforts to boost innovation. With additional locations in Ogden, Utah, and the Washington, D.C. metro area, Catalyst Campus continues to expand its influence across the United States.
One of Catalyst Campus’s standout offerings is its Catalyst Accelerator program. This program is designed to nurture small businesses and help them scale their technologies for the defense sector.
The program provides a semi-residential, three-month accelerator experience, offering small businesses business development training, mentoring from industry and U.S. Department of Defense experts, and networking opportunities with key stakeholders. What sets the Catalyst Accelerator apart is that it does not take an equity stake in participating companies, instead relying on sponsorship funds to cover travel and program costs.
So, in several ways, Catalyst Campus often functions like an actual university, even if it’s not an actual academic institution.
How Does the Catalyst Accelerator Drive Innovation?
At its core, the Catalyst Accelerator equips small businesses with the tools, resources, and connections they need to succeed. During the program, participants receive mentorship, vet their technologies with government and industry experts, and access semi-private workspaces within Catalyst Campus.
The Accelerator culminates in a Demonstration Day, where companies pitch their technology to government, industry, and investor stakeholders, opening doors to potential partnerships and contracts.
Below are several of the key highlights of the program:
- Equity-free model
- Over 50 potential new customers discovered within 3 months
- Informal vetting of technologies by Subject-Matter Experts (SMEs)
- Networking opportunities and business development support
The Catalyst Accelerator is now open to its 14th cohort. Let’s explore this cohort below.
Catalyst Accelerator’s Latest Cohort: Space & Electromagnetic Warfare
This cohort is focused on emerging technologies that enhance U.S. Space Force and U.S. Army capabilities. This cohort delves into cutting-edge technologies in Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) and Satellite Communications (SATCOM), exploring how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) can automate tasks, enhance decision support, and create self-adapting systems to respond to real-time threats.
The U.S. Space Force and U.S. Army are particularly interested in mobile, rapidly deployable EW systems capable of countering sophisticated adversaries in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO) environments. As space becomes an increasingly contested domain, innovations in these areas are critical to maintaining strategic superiority.
For businesses ready to contribute to these advancements, now is the time to act. Catalyst Campus is accepting applications for its newest cohort until October 16, 2024.
Join the Catalyst Campus Ecosystem
For small businesses eager to break into federal contracting, Catalyst Campus offers more than a workspace.
The Campus curates a collaborative environment where small businesses, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders intersect with government entities to push the boundaries of innovation. Vertx Partners encourages businesses and innovators to explore the resources Catalyst Campus offers, and discover how they can contribute to national defense while stimulating their own business growth.
Visit Catalyst Campus’s website to learn how its Accelerator program can support your business. Then, consider applying to the latest cohort.
Now is your chance to be part of the next wave of national defense innovation!
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