Catalyst has released its 2018-2019 impact report assessing the group's performance in helping NI startups get off the ground, with promising results.
Over 900 startups in Northern Ireland have benefited from the support of Catalyst NI programmes this year according to the group's latest impact report. Catalyst runs a series of startup and investment support programmes throughout the year and offers affordable workspace across its sites in Belfast, Derry, and Ballymena to help them get off the ground and get to scale.
Over 2,700 people currently work in one of the 174 startups situated in Catalyst's buildings, with many benefitting from extra business mentorship and the existing business relationships that the organisation has. Over the past year, over 570 pro-bono business mentors and experts have offered their support to startups in the Catalyst space.
It's been a good year for companies under Catalyst's roof getting investment, with over £10m in direct investment into NI startups being linked to funding introductions made by the group. Catalyst currently boasts working relationships with 110 venture capital funds.
Catalyst's new CEO Steve Orr commented on the report: "Catalyst exists to make it easier to innovate; whether you are one of the world’s biggest technology corporations, a local start-up looking to scale, an academic researcher who wants to see your work truly benefit people or a budding entrepreneur with the seed of an idea and a glint in your eye. It is only together, as a community centred on trust, shared learning, shared contacts and great experience that we, as individuals, can win and take on the world."
Source: Catalyst
