Catalyst Accelerator
Catalyst Accelerator is a non-profit, equity-free accelerator program in Colorado Springs and Ogden that runs three-month cohorts for small defense and space technology companies seeking to enter the DoD market, providing mentorship, customer discovery, and connections to military and industry stakeholders.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersColorado Springs, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Catalyst Accelerator does
Catalyst Accelerator is a non-profit, equity-free accelerator program headquartered at the Catalyst Campus for Technology and Innovation in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with a secondary location in Ogden, Utah. Founded in 2018, it operates semi-residential, three-month cohort programs for small businesses developing space, defense, and dual-use technologies, with each cohort accepting 6-8 companies selected through an application and pitch process. The program's core product is the cohort experience itself, in which participating startups receive business development training, mentorship through the Navigator Program (with Air/Space Force, Commercial, and Allied Navigators from primes such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, and L3Harris), informal technology vetting with Government and Industry subject matter experts, and access to a semi-private workspace on Catalyst Campus. Each cohort concludes with a Demo Day at which companies pitch to Government, Industry, Academia, and Investor stakeholders.
The accelerator's technology platform is best characterized as a curated program methodology rather than a software product. Its defensible mechanisms are co-location with space-based DoD units on Catalyst Campus, a structured Navigator network that compresses customer discovery from an industry-average of two years to under three months, and a recurring cadence of problem-sponsorship relationships with entities such as Space Delta 7, the Space Security and Defense Program, the SDA TAP Lab, SpaceWERX, and the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate. Cohorts have been organized around themes including Positioning, Navigation and Timing (2018), Resilient Space Communications (2019), Cyber for Space Applications (2020), Data Fusion (2020), Digital Engineering (2021), Space Domain Awareness (2022 and 2024), Digital Model Certification in Ogden (2023), AI/ML for Space and Maritime Applications (2023), Space-Based Joint Spectrum (2025), Directed Energy and Electromagnetic Warfare (2025), and an AI/ML Orchestrator cohort (2026).
The business model is sponsorship-and-grant funded. Catalyst Accelerator does not charge participating companies and does not take equity, instead relying on corporate sponsorships from defense primes and government grants (most recently a $50,000 SBA 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition award) to cover program costs and company travel stipends. With 1-10 employees organized around four named program staff, the entity operates as a small, mission-aligned intermediary rather than a venture-backed startup, and is structurally a program of its parent Catalyst Campus for Technology and Innovation.
Catalyst Accelerator firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Catalyst Accelerator
- Legal name
- Catalyst Accelerator
- Website
- https://catalystaccelerator.space
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Catalyst Accelerator is a non-profit, equity-free accelerator program in Colorado Springs and Ogden that runs three-month cohorts for small defense and space technology companies seeking to enter the DoD market, providing mentorship, customer discovery, and connections to military and industry stakeholders.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Catalyst Accelerator industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Defense Technology Accelerator Services
- NAICS
- Professional and Management Development Training (611430)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)
Keywords
Where Catalyst Accelerator is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Colorado Springs
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Catalyst Accelerator business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Sponsorship funding: The Catalyst Accelerator relies on corporate sponsors to fund the program. Sponsors provide financial and in-kind support to enrich curriculum through social events and collision opportunities, receiving public recognition and marketing opportunities in return.
- Government grants: The accelerator has won SBA Growth Accelerator Fund Competition awards ($50,000 in 2024) to support small business R&D in STEM fields and space defense industry.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Free accelerator program for selected startups and small businesses |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Catalyst Accelerator product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Catalyst Accelerator is a semi-residential, three-month equity-free accelerator program for small businesses that provides business development training, connections with DoD liaisons, and mentorship with industry and DoD subject matter experts. The program operates cohort-based sessions in Colorado Springs, CO and Ogden, UT, culminating in a Demo Day where cohort companies pitch their technology to government, industry, academia, and investor stakeholders. The accelerator does not take equity from participating companies, relying instead on corporate sponsorships and government grants.
Product overview
Catalyst Accelerator is a semi-residential, equity-free accelerator program that operates primarily from Colorado Springs, CO with a secondary location in Ogden, UT. The core offering is a three-month program where small businesses receive business development training, mentorship from DoD and industry subject matter experts, and connections with government stakeholders. The program includes the Navigator Program for mentorship, Demo Days for pitching to investors and government officials, and various cohort programs focused on specific defense technology areas including Space Domain Awareness, Directed Energy & Electromagnetic Warfare, AI/ML Orchestrator, and Space-Based Joint Spectrum. The Accelerator does not take equity but relies on sponsorship funds to support companies' travel costs and program enhancement.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Colorado Springs Accelerator The main Catalyst Accelerator program location in Colorado Springs, CO, co-located on Catalyst Campus for Technology and Innovation alongside space-based DoD units and industrial corporations. Provides a three-month semi-residential equity-free cohort experience with Demo Day pitches to government, industry, academia, and investor stakeholders.
- Ogden Accelerator Secondary Catalyst Accelerator location in Ogden, Utah, focused on Air Force digital modernization initiatives and powered by the Air Force Research Lab's Digital Transformation Office. Provides semi-residential cohort programs for small businesses serving Air Force digital transformation priorities.
- Navigator Program Mentorship program embedded in every Catalyst Accelerator cohort in which Air/Space Force Navigators, Commercial Navigators, and Allied experts assist participating companies in navigating the complex space and defense markets, providing advice, customer discovery support, and vital industry connections.
- SDA TAP Lab – Catalyst Campus Mini Accelerator Mini-accelerator program at Catalyst Campus focused on developing technologies for space domain awareness for national defense, conducted in collaboration with the Space Domain Awareness Tools, Applications & Processing (TAP) Lab.
Quantifiable outcome
- 50+ new potential customers discovered in 3 months
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Catalyst Accelerator
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Catalyst Accelerator technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Catalyst Accelerator partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
35 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Space Vehicles DirectoratecorePrimary strategic partner for Catalyst Accelerator programs. AFRL serves as problem sponsor and provides Air/Space Force Navigators to assist cohort companies in navigating DoD and making vital connections.
- U.S. Space ForcecorePrimary customer for accelerator cohorts. Space Force determines focus areas for each cohort and provides operational problem statements and user feedback.
- Catalyst Campus for Technology and Innovation (CCTI)coreCatalyst Accelerator is headquartered on Catalyst Campus, providing co-location with DoD units and industrial corporations. Companies embed in the campus ecosystem during the 3-month program.
- Space Delta 7coreProblem sponsor for CAAMO (AI/ML Orchestrator) cohort, focused on automating Tasking, Collection, Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (TCPED) lifecycle for intelligence operations.
- Space Security and Defense Program (SSDP)corePartnership for CADEW (Directed Energy & Electromagnetic Warfare) cohort focused on electromagnetic warfare capabilities for U.S. Space Force.
- SpaceWERXmajorSpaceWERX seeks to form partnerships between military operational experts and top problem solvers in industry, academia, and government. Provides pathway for cohort companies to engage with Space Force.
- SDA TAP LabcoreSpace Domain Awareness Tools, Applications & Processing Lab serves as problem sponsor for SDA cohorts, focused on strengthening awareness of space environment using commercial data and tools.
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS)majorPartnership for Demo Day video production using professional studio and green screen facilities. UCCS Bachelor of Innovation teams provide market research reports for cohort companies.
- Maxar IntelligenceminorSession sponsor for CASDA2 cohort, providing support for exceptional programming and happy hour sponsorship.
- LeonidminorEvent sponsor for cohort happy hours (Mix and Mingle events) connecting companies with industry and government professionals.
- General DynamicsmajorCommercial Navigator providing feedback from military/Government perspective and guidance on navigating defense sector.
- Lockheed MartinmajorCommercial Navigator providing industry perspective and connections for cohort companies.
- Northrop GrummanmajorCommercial Navigator providing guidance and potential partnership opportunities for cohort companies.
- KratosmajorCommercial Navigator providing industry perspective and briefing on how small businesses can engage.
- COLSAmajorLead Navigator serving as primary contact for all Navigators, providing guidance and scheduling assistance.
- American SystemsmajorCyber Navigator assisting companies with NIST/CMMC compliance and cybersecurity foundation requirements.
- Scout SpaceminorCommercial Navigator providing guidance on engaging with Government as a small business.
- Freedom SpaceminorCommercial Navigator and Navigator sponsor sharing industry experience and best practices.
- ViasatminorCommercial Navigator and sponsor providing briefings on Space & Cyber Applications and spectrum solutions.
- DeloitteminorCommercial Navigator for CAAML cohort providing industry perspective.
- LeidosminorCommercial Navigator and presenter on how Leidos interfaces with small businesses.
- L3Harris TechnologiesminorCommercial Navigator and sponsor providing briefings on space ground communications and ATLAS.
- Two Six TechnologiesminorCommercial Navigator providing business development insights and industry connections.
- KBRminorCommercial Navigator for CASJS cohort providing guidance on space and cyber operations.
- Hawkeye 360minorCommercial Navigator for CASJS cohort providing RF spectrum and space domain awareness expertise.
- AxelliominorCommercial Navigator and sponsor providing data scaling expertise and industry briefings.
- Blue Sky InnovationminorCommercial Navigator for CASJS cohort providing space industry expertise.
- U.S. ArmycoreJoint partner for CASJS (Space-Based Joint Spectrum) cohort, focusing on electromagnetic warfare, SATCOM, and AI/ML capabilities for operational mission environments.
- DeployHubminorCompany participating in SDA TAP Lab - Catalyst Campus Mini Accelerator third cohort for space domain awareness technologies.
- UtopiaCompressionminorCompany participating in SDA TAP Lab - Catalyst Campus Mini Accelerator third cohort for space domain awareness technologies.
- Palmetier LawminorSponsor for cohort happy hours and presenter on SBIR data rights and government contracting.
- Delta Solutions and StrategiesminorSponsor for Community Day events connecting cohort with key organizations.
- 5 Star BankminorEvent sponsor and presenter on choosing the best banking solutions for cohort companies.
- U.S. NavycoreJoint partner for CAAML (AI/ML for Space and Maritime Applications) cohort focused on AI/ML technology gaps and Navy mission requirements.
- U.S. Air ForcecoreProblem sponsor for Ogden accelerator cohorts, particularly Digital Transformation Office initiatives.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Catalyst Accelerator competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Starburst Aerospace: Starburst operates a global aerospace and defense accelerator program connecting startups with primes, government agencies, and investors. It is one of the largest private accelerators in the same space-defense tech category as Catalyst.
- FedTech: FedTech runs defense and federal innovation programs pairing commercial startups with government R&D needs, including dual-use and emerging-tech cohorts directly comparable to Catalyst's space, AI/ML, and spectrum problem statements.
- Capital Factory: Capital Factory runs defense and government-tech accelerators out of Texas and serves as a hub connecting commercial startups with DoD customers and defense primes — directly comparable to Catalyst's cohort-to-DoD pipeline play.
- MassChallenge: MassChallenge runs global startup accelerator programs with dedicated defense, government, and dual-use tracks, including partnerships with defense primes and agencies comparable to Catalyst's sponsor ecosystem.
- Techstars: Techstars operates global cohort-based accelerator programs, including defense- and government-tech-focused verticals that connect startups with defense primes and public-sector buyers — a comparable model targeting the same DoD funnel.
- Plug and Play Tech Center: Plug and Play runs multi-vertical accelerator programs with dedicated defense and space industry tracks, partnering with the same class of defense primes and government agencies that constitute Catalyst's sponsor ecosystem.
- Dcode: Dcode is a defense and federal-tech accelerator that connects commercial technology companies with government buyers, operating a cohort-based model very similar to Catalyst Accelerator and targeting the same nontraditional-vendor pipeline into DoD and federal agencies.
Broad incumbents
- AFWERX: AFWERX is the U.S. Air Force's own innovation arm operating accelerators, prizes, and SBIR-style challenges across air, space, and cyber domains. It targets the same nontraditional-vendor funnel as Catalyst Accelerator but at significantly greater scale and with direct Air Force backing.
- Defense Innovation Unit (DIU): DIU is a DoD organization that accelerates commercial technology adoption into the military, running programs structurally similar to an accelerator but operating as the government-side counterpart to organizations like Catalyst.
Emerging players
- NATO DIANA: NATO DIANA is an emerging pan-NATO defense and dual-use accelerator network with U.S. footholds. It targets the same defense-tech innovator pool as Catalyst, including space, AI/ML, and electromagnetic-spectrum startups, and competes for global defense accelerator prestige.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Catalyst Accelerator social profiles
Digital presenceCatalyst Accelerator financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Catalyst Accelerator leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Catalyst Accelerator funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Catalyst Accelerator M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments6 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Catalyst Accelerator
What does Catalyst Accelerator do?
Catalyst Accelerator is a semi-residential, three-month equity-free accelerator program for small businesses that provides business development training, connections with DoD liaisons, and mentorship with industry and DoD subject matter experts. The program operates cohort-based sessions in Colorado Springs, CO and Ogden, UT, culminating in a Demo Day where cohort companies pitch their technology to government, industry, academia, and investor stakeholders. The accelerator does not take equity from participating companies, relying instead on corporate sponsorships and government grants.
Is Catalyst Accelerator a public or private company?
Catalyst Accelerator is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Catalyst Accelerator founded?
Catalyst Accelerator was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Catalyst Accelerator based?
Catalyst Accelerator is headquartered in Colorado Springs, United States, in the North America region.
How does Catalyst Accelerator make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Sponsorship funding is the primary driver. The others are government grants.
Who are Catalyst Accelerator's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Starburst Aerospace, FedTech, Capital Factory, MassChallenge, Techstars, Plug and Play Tech Center and Dcode. Broad incumbents are AFWERX and Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). NATO DIANA is listed as an emerging player.
Does Catalyst Accelerator have an API?
No public API is recorded for Catalyst Accelerator.
What industry is Catalyst Accelerator in?
Catalyst Accelerator's product category is Defense Technology Accelerator Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAM, Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated), with a secondary code of FSANAHAD, Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs. Its NAICS code is 611430.