At a glance

The following are some important dates regarding the program to keep in mind:

Application deadline (Jan. 14)

Notification of participant selections (Jan. 19)

Cohort kick-off and meet and greet (Jan. 23)

Part two selection announcements (March 6)

Pitch day (June 25)
The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce is launching a new training program for local entrepreneurs, with the aim of taking participants from big idea to viable business.

Catalyst Academy is a free incubator designed to help entrepreneurs validate their ideas, strengthen their business models and build confidence through hands-on coaching and support.

Participants will get access to high-quality, online entrepreneurial education, routine coaching in a support cohort environment, as well as a chance to pitch for a $1,000 to $5,000 stipend at the end of the program, according to an informational flyer.

The academy will use the LEANSTACK framework, which helps entrepreneurs stress-test and validate a business model that will be sustainable before investing significant time or money.

Applications for Catalyst Academy are available at https://airtable.com/app19xAvcVu5Crucp/pagw7lR79kD0HNCdk/form and open until Jan. 14. Spots in the program are limited.

As part of the application, potential participants are required to put in basic information, along with a description of their business idea/current business and current progress state, although the application notes that most will be in the ideation phase.

Chamber membership is not required. The program is available to participants from Bartholomew and surrounding counties.

The program is divided into two parts— the first with about 20 entrepreneurs is focused on business model design and will last until the start of March. Part two, “Demand Validation and Value Delivery,” will encompass just 10 entrepreneurs and includes customer discovery interviews and an invitation to pitch a committee of business leaders, educators, and Chamber partners for a $1,000 to $5,000 stipend.

More information can be found at columbuscatalyst.com. The program is supported by a grant from the Indiana Economic Development Corp.
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