Southampton Science Park puts out call for Catalyst business accelerator

Southampton Science Park is now welcoming applications for this year’s Catalyst programme, a business accelerator for founders of startups and early-stage companies.

The free six-month programme involves one-to-one mentoring and small group learning, best practice workshops and pitching practice. Participants also get desk space at the park’s Incubation Centre.

Lee Llewellyn Lloyd, founder of Basingstoke-based marketplace app AddTime, successfully applied to the 2023-24 programme, describing it as an ‘eye-opening journey’.

“If you feel lonely, as most start up founders do, Catalyst is a great opportunity to be challenged, learn from likeminded individuals, see different perspectives and benefit from support and tools to build your business”, he added.

Last year’s cohort also included founders of a smart vaping detection system (VapeGuardian), a medical device to improve outcomes for mothers in cases of prolonged second stage labour (BirthGlide), and an AI-based surveyor to help prospective buyers identity defects in a property (PropInspector).

Unlike similar programmes, Catalyst does not require any equity stake. It also boasts a success rate of almost double the national average, with 80 per cent of participating businesses continuing to trade after three years.

The programme receives national funding via Test Valley Borough Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Read more about last year’s Catalyst cohort on our local site, Hampshire Biz News