Catalyst’s Co-Founders Programme strengthens NW innovation sector

by Startacus Admin

Five of the teams from NI-based Catalyst’s first Co-Founders programme in the NW have been successful in securing £10,000 of Innovate UK funding 

And with the  (for Derry / NW and NI-based female founders) that we are facilitating in partnership with Young Enterprise NI taking place this autumn too and currently seeking applications, it is clear that the North West NI startup ecosystem will certainly be growing!

Five of the participating teams have been successful in securing £10,000 of Innovate UK funding and will be using the funding to pursue their ideas and contribute to the thriving innovation ecosystem growing in the North West region. 

The five ideas which have secured funding include technology for medical student training, an innovative development for road’s cat’s eyes, a digital platform for golf caddies, a social fintech solution and a digital platform for exercise and wellbeing.

The programme brought together a diverse group of aspiring entrepreneurs from a broad range of fields including doctors, researchers, PhD students, undergraduates, scientists, designers, data scientists, engineers, technologists and those from a commercial background.

Lorraine Acheson, Innovate UK lead in Northern Ireland commented:

“Innovate UK has been delighted to work with Catalyst and support the Co-founders Programme in the North West. Stimulating innovation in every part of the UK is at the heart of what we do and it’s been great to see such wide-ranging and exciting ideas being developed by the North West Co-founder teams”.

Elaine Smyth from Catalyst added: ‘The quality of both the teams formed and the ideas generated from the entrepreneurial talent in the North West has been incredible. The Co-Founders programme provides the unique opportunity for individuals who have dreamed of being entrepreneurs to have a go. It has been a privilege for Catalyst, with the support of Innovate UK, to deliver the programme in the NW and to contribute to the growth of innovation startups with the potential to grow and scale their businesses’.

The Co-Founders programme is currently open for applications for its Autumn cohort and you can find out more at .

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