Catalyst Startup Accepting Criteria
Catalyst aims to support sustainabilty focused startups. Through our team and investment committee we evalute promising startups by looking at the Founding team, Technology/Product Readiness, Sustainability, Economic Viability, Growth & Scalability.
Founding Team
- Emotionally Intelligent, Competent and Knowledgeable founders
- Results-oriented and balanced team with extensive relevant experience and required technical skills
- Readiness for change and challenges
- Prefer some background in entrepreneurship and business
Technology/Product Readiness
- A truly disruptive product or service that has the potential to transform an industry
- No direct competitors that offer an identical solution
- Possesses or have clearly identified potential for intellectual property that cannot be replicated
- Must have an MVP/proof of successful pilot
- Startup established for no more than 2-3 years
Sustainability
Significant positive impact on the environment fits within Catalyst’s focus areas:
- Energy Efficiency & Renewables
- E-Mobility
- AgriTech
- Recycling tech/circular economy
- Food Security & Monitoring
Economic Viability
- Must present a timeline on future models and/or systems, further development plans
- Clearly-defined target market and segment of customers
- Sound strategy to monetize the product or service
- Clear timeline of return on investment
Growth & Scalability
- Product/service is clearly scalable with little or no barriers
- Promising target market (TAM, SAM, SOM)
- Demonstrated competitive advantages and prospective synergies