About Us

Our Mission

The Catalyst Accelerator empowers nontraditional technology companies to accelerate their involvement in the national security ecosystem by providing connections, mentorship, and business development in a collaborative setting for a lasting national impact.

Our Vision

The vision of the Catalyst Accelerator is to be the trusted partner to the U.S. Government and small businesses for national security advancement.

Our Programs

The Catalyst Accelerator offers a range of program models tailored to different stages of defense market readiness. Whether a company is new to government contracting or ready to refine a solution against a specific problem set, our programs provide the structure, network, and resources needed to compete effectively in the defense marketplace. All programs are equity-free, and participation is designed to be as accessible as possible regardless of a company’s geography or capital stage. The program models below offer flexible formats designed to meet companies at every stage of their defense market journey.

Catalyst Accelerator

The Catalyst Accelerator is a three-month, semi-residential program that helps nontraditional small businesses break into the national security ecosystem. Each cohort of six to eight companies is organized around a focused defense or space technology challenge, connecting companies directly with government end-users, DoW liaisons, and subject matter experts from industry.

Participants receive hands-on business development training, informal technology vetting, and defense marketplace mentorship, all without giving up equity. The program is designed to keep full participation accessible to startups and emerging tech companies regardless of geography or capital stage.

The program culminates in a Demonstration Day, where cohort companies pitch to an audience of government, industry, and investor stakeholders, creating direct pathways to contracts, partnerships, and follow-on investment.

Examples of this program model include the Catalyst Accelerator Colorado Springs and the Catalyst Accelerator Ogden. To explore these cohorts, visit our Accelerator Cohorts page and look for programs tagged with “AFRL” or “Digital Transformation Office (DTO).”

Catalyst Boot Camp

The Catalyst Boot Camp is an intensive, two-week program designed to help technology startups and small businesses, particularly those new to government contracting, learn how to compete effectively in the defense marketplace. Programs are no-cost, take no equity stake in participating companies, and have historically run with smaller cohorts of six companies.

Participants engage with subject matter experts including government leaders and business consultants, covering foundational topics such as DoW structure, contract requirements, data rights, and compliance.

Programming is rounded out with networking events that connect companies to relevant stakeholders across government and industry.

Examples of this program model include the Government Business Boot Camp and the Oklahoma Government Business Boot Camp. To explore these cohorts, visit our Accelerator Cohorts page and look for programs tagged with “Small Business Administration (2021 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition)” or “Small Business Administration (2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition).”

Catalyst Hybrid

The Catalyst Hybrid is a flexible, high-impact, two-month program that draws on elements from both the Catalyst Accelerator and the Catalyst Boot Camp, and can be customized to meet the specific needs of a government or industry partner.

Each cycle is organized around targeted problem sets, with cohort size varying by cycle. Participants receive intensive mentorship, technical workshops, and access to relevant data and computational resources, all without giving up equity. Companies work directly alongside operators throughout the program, ensuring solutions are grounded in real-world needs from the start.

An example of this program model is the BMC3I TAP Lab. To explore these cohorts, visit our Accelerator Cohorts page and look for programs tagged with “BMC3I TAP Lab” and “State of Colorado (OEDIT Grant).”

Get Involved

The Catalyst Accelerator has nationwide recognition and attention. Many companies and individuals are seeking ways to align themselves with the great notoriety and high level of activity coming out of Catalyst Campus. Fortunately, we have a number of ways to get involved.