NISP CONNECT

What NISP CONNECT does

Catalyst (formerly NISP CONNECT, now operating as WeAreCatalyst) is an independent, non-profit science and technology hub headquartered in Belfast's Titanic Quarter, with additional co-working sites in Belfast's Bedford Street and in Derry/Londonderry. The firmographics record founding year as 2005, although internally the organisation references a 25-year operating history and a '25 Years of Catalyst' anniversary campaign, suggesting operations substantially earlier than the firmographic date; the company_history sourcing dates founding around 2000. Catalyst provides physical workspaces, structured entrepreneur-support programmes, mentorship networks, and open-innovation initiatives targeted at founders, SMEs, researchers, and global corporations in Northern Ireland and increasingly internationally. Its service catalogue spans early-stage programmes (Co-builders, Hello Possible, Springboard, INVENT), scale-up support (Basecamp Boston, Inbound Investors, CEOs Connect, Way to Scale), learning initiatives (Stryve, Catalyst Schools, Generation Innovation), mentor matching (Role Models, Catalyst Link), and four open-innovation initiatives (NWCAM2, ONEHEALTH, Innovate+, Social Value Collaborative), supported by 1,000+ daily entrepreneur engagements and 100+ mentors.

Catalyst does not disclose a proprietary core technology stack, AI/ML capabilities, or software products; it operates as a physical, community-based platform rather than a software vendor. Its revenue model is consistent with a non-profit innovation hub: workspace memberships, corporate partnership contributions (with named partners including Allstate, Citigroup, NVIDIA, ION Group, Expleo, Deloitte, Fujitsu, Bank of Ireland UK, British Business Bank, Danske Bank, Queen's University Belfast, Ulster University, and Solid Solutions), and likely UK and EU government or grant funding tied to regional innovation-policy objectives. The Stryve programme reports a 77% progression rate for young people into work or education, and ~1,000+ entrepreneurs engage with Catalyst sites daily.

The organisation has invested heavily in workplace culture and external validation, holding multiple Great Place to Work accreditations (Wellbeing, Development, Small Organisations, Women) in 2024, official GPTW certification in 2023, a Silver Diversity Mark in 2023, Cyber Essentials certification, and JAM Card accessibility recognition in 2025, alongside a Financial Times Special Report (February 2026) naming it NI and Ireland's leading start-up hub. There are no disclosed funding rounds, M&A activity, leadership changes, or revenue figures in the supplied data, and the go-to-market motion is explicitly community-led rather than commercial-sales-led.

Name

NISP CONNECT

Legal name

Catalyst

Website

https://nisp.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Catalyst (formerly NISP CONNECT) is a Belfast-based independent non-profit science and technology hub operating co-working spaces and entrepreneur-support programmes across Northern Ireland, serving founders, SMEs, researchers, and global corporations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Belfast

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Innovation Hub Services: As a non-profit organization, Catalyst generates revenue through workspace memberships, government funding, corporate partnerships, and programme delivery. The organization provides co-working spaces, accelerator programmes, and mentorship services to entrepreneurs and SMEs in Northern Ireland.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Catalyst (formerly NISP CONNECT) is an independent non-profit science and technology hub that delivers a portfolio of entrepreneur support programmes, physical co-working workspaces, and open innovation initiatives in Northern Ireland. The organisation supports founders, SMEs, researchers, and global organisations across the full innovation lifecycle — from ideation through to international scaling — through structured programmes, mentor networks, workspace rentals, and corporate collaborations.

Product overview

Catalyst operates as a platform-plus-portfolio model offering a comprehensive suite of entrepreneur support programmes and physical workspace facilities. The core offering includes early-stage programmes (Co-builders, Hello Possible, Springboard, INVENT), scaling programmes (Basecamp Boston, Inbound Investors, CEOs Connect, Way to Scale), learning initiatives (Stryve, Catalyst Schools, Generation Innovation), and mentor support (Role Models, Catalyst Link). These are complemented by physical workspaces in Belfast (Titanic Quarter, Bedford St) and Derry/Londonderry, plus open innovation initiatives (NWCAM2, ONEHEALTH, Innovate+, Social Value Collaborative). Additional resources include The Catalyst Podcast and Research & Insights publications. The platform provides the complete ecosystem founders, SMEs, researchers, and organisations need to succeed.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Co-builders: Program for entrepreneurs with an idea
• Hello Possible
• Springboard
• INVENT
• Basecamp Boston
• Inbound Investors
• CEOs Connect
• Way to Scale
• Stryve
• Catalyst Schools
• Generation Innovation
• Role Models
• Catalyst Link

Products and services

• Co-builders Entrepreneur support programme for individuals with a business idea, providing mentorship and resources to develop the concept.
• Hello Possible Programme that helps early-stage entrepreneurs transform ideas into viable businesses.
• Springboard Programme supporting early-stage founders in developing business concepts.
• INVENT Programme for innovators and entrepreneurs based in Northern Ireland.
• Basecamp Boston International scaling programme that connects growth-stage entrepreneurs with the Boston innovation ecosystem.
• Inbound Investors Programme that attracts and supports international investors entering the Northern Ireland market.
• CEOs Connect Peer networking programme connecting CEOs of scaling businesses for knowledge sharing and mutual support.
• Way to Scale Programme helping growth-stage businesses expand and reach new markets.
• Stryve Learning and growth programme helping young people develop innovation and entrepreneurial skills, with a 77% progression rate into work or further education.
• Catalyst Schools Educational programme that brings innovation and entrepreneurship concepts into schools.
• Generation Innovation Programme engaging young people with innovation and entrepreneurial opportunities.
• Role Models Mentor support programme connecting entrepreneurs with experienced industry mentors.
• Catalyst Link Mentor support programme providing mentorship connections for entrepreneurs and innovators.
• Co-working Workspace - Belfast (Titanic Quarter) Physical co-working and office space located in Belfast's Titanic Quarter innovation district.
• Co-working Workspace - Belfast (Bedford St) Physical co-working and office space located in Belfast city centre on Bedford Street.
• Co-working Workspace - Derry/Londonderry (The Innovation Centre) Physical co-working and office space located in Derry/Londonderry supporting the Northern Ireland innovation ecosystem.
• NWCAM2 Open innovation programme focused on North West Coast Atlantic Media collaboration.
• ONEHEALTH Open innovation programme focused on health sector innovation and collaboration.
• Innovate+ Open innovation initiative supporting collaborative innovation projects.
• Social Value Collaborative Open innovation initiative focused on social value and inclusive innovation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 77% progression rate for young people moving into work or education through Stryve programme
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered major and minor.

• DeloittemajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProfessional services firm providing advisory support, mentorship, and potentially programme sponsorship. Listed as a key partner supporting Catalyst initiatives.
• FujitsumajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology corporation providing potential technology partnerships, mentorship from industry experts, and corporate innovation collaboration opportunities.
• Queen's University BelfastmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor research university providing academic partnerships, talent pipeline, research collaboration, and student entrepreneurship programmes.
• Solid SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology solutions provider supporting the Catalyst ecosystem with potential mentoring and technology partnerships.
• Ulster UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner providing academic collaboration, research partnerships, student engagement, and talent pipeline for the innovation ecosystem.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nispconnect
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCshu3SC-dZsPLuMAUoieRbw
• Facebookfacebook.com/catalystinchq
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/halo---the-northern-ireland-business-angel-network
• Instagraminstagram.com/catalystni

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NISP CONNECT