CO‑LAB Launches 6‑Week Catalyst Program to Turn Ideas into Action
CO-LAB has launched its new Catalyst Program, a six-week intensive program designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs transform early-stage ideas into launch-ready ventures. The program, limited to a single cohort of 20 participants, blends hands-on building with expert guidance and real-world customer validation.
The six-week Saturday program runs from Feb. 21 to April 4, with no session on March 7. In Week 1, participants pitch their ideas and form teams before diving into structured frameworks such as the Business Model Canvas and Value Proposition Canvas. Subsequent sessions focus on customer discovery, market understanding and hypothesis testing, with founders conducting real interviews to validate their assumptions.
By Week 5, teams analyze their findings to determine whether to pivot, persevere or evolve their concept. The program culminates in a final pitch event where participants present their refined business models and financials to a panel of experts.
“The Catalyst Program is a judgment-free zone built around rapid learning, collaboration and iteration,” said Brad Yeckley, executive director, Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. “With weekly three-hour sessions and strong peer feedback, we aim to demystify entrepreneurship for first-time founders, independent creators and innovators within established organizations.”
Applications are now open for those ready to stop planning and start building.